New amp for my Axis

[knj316]

Hello all, it's been quite a while since I last posted. Hope everything is going well with everyone.

Just thought I'd share an interesting story about some good fortune that came my way this afternoon.

I've been looking to upgrade from my solid state Crate amp to a tube amp for quite a while; something that would compliment my EBMM Axis well. I've been looking at Fender Supersonic 1x12 combos for the longest time, but, the ones I came across typically cost $1200+, which I couldn't really justify since I've only been playing a couple years and I'm not in a band; more of play at home guy. However, I recently reconnected with friend from high-school who plays so I jammed with him for a few hours and had a blast.

So, a couple weeks ago I bought a Line 6 Spider III 2x10 setup and I'm totally happy with it. I got a good deal, it does what I need it to, it's very versatile and sounds much better than the Crate.

Welp today, I'm in Best Buy in San Bernardino looking to spend a gift card that I recently received. My wife and I are walking back towards their music store and what do I see on clearance? A Fender Supersonic Combo. As I walk a little closer I see the price; $525.00! I ask the sales guy about it, I plug it in and try to play, but I can't because I'm kinda excited; I know that sounds lame. To make a long story short, the amp sounded incredible and came home with me this afternoon. The Spider III is going back in the morning and this whole thing is only costing me about another $150 for a killer tube amp

In closing I will say that the tone/volume difference between the Supersonic and Spider III is quite staggering. The Supersonic is extremely loud and can easily drown out the 120w Spider and just sounds so much better; it's like night and day. Both the clean and high-gain channels are perfect for what I like to play.

Good night everyone...Sorry for sounding like such a noob, but, I'm excited...

Joe

 

[brasco68]

Cool story....glad you got the amp you wanted...great day huh?

Now you need to add a photo album to your profile and load some pics of that Axis so we can get a look at that beauty!

 

[glockaxis]

Cool find! I went to our local Best Buy yesterday but only went to the front section because I forgot about them carrying musical instruments, etc... I have to return tomorrow to see if this store does. Does anyone know if all BB are going to have a musical instrument section?

 

[Jonny Dubai]

Great find and an amazing deal.

Go ROCK OUT,

J

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Cool! Every Best Buy I have ever been in just seems to carry super low end stuff!

 

[knj316]

Most Best Buys don't have the music store, but, they are beginning to open more of them. The ones in California are in Riverside, San Bernardino, Northridge, East Orange and Murrieta; I believe they have others scattered throughout the US. An employee told me they are going to open one inside the Rancho Cucamonga store sometime in the next couple months.

Usually, I'll only buy tab books, Ernie Ball strings and such from them, but the amp was too good to pass up. When I returned the Line-6, I saw the same Supersonic on sale at GC for $1000.00

If anyone lives near one of these Best Buys, it's worth a look. I believe they are having a sale on all of their Ernie Ball strings this week; buy 3 packs, get one free.

 

[morsecode]

That price was an absolute steal. I have a 1X12 combo myself and it truly is a great amp. Congratulations on your purchase.

 

[glockaxis]

Knj316, thanks for the info. I'll be out in that area again (Upland) for a few days this week and will check one out. I looked at the Best Buy website and it was sparse and horrible. Which specific stores have you been to and was there anything else of value/interest to check out? Is there a dedicated used section? Anymore combos?

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Most Best Buys don't have the music store, but, they are beginning to open more of them. The ones in California are in Riverside, San Bernardino, Northridge, East Orange and Murrieta; I believe they have others scattered throughout the US. An employee told me they are going to open one inside the Rancho Cucamonga store sometime in the next couple months.

Usually, I'll only buy tab books, Ernie Ball strings and such from them, but the amp was too good to pass up. When I returned the Line-6, I saw the same Supersonic on sale at GC for $1000.00

If anyone lives near one of these Best Buys, it's worth a look. I believe they are having a sale on all of their Ernie Ball strings this week; buy 3 packs, get one free.

Thanks for the heads up. I normally am in the US 3 or so times a year, but as my wife to be is currently here in the UK I have not been across the pond this year. I will have to keep an eye out next time I am in one.

 

[knj316]

It's kinda hard finding which stores have the musical instrument store. The web site is no help, either is the 800 number. I started calling a few in my area and found the San Bernardino store.

The only stores I've been to are the Riverside and San Bernardino stores; the San Bernardino store was definitely the better of the two. The music instrument store was about twice the size of the Riverside store so you could actually try stuff out and not bump into each other and it seems like the stuff was maintained a bit better; stuff was clean and the guitars were tuned.

To my knowledge, they don't sell used gear, but they seem to offer good discounts on stuff they've had for a while for a good price. They did have another Supersonic, in box for $780.00. They also have a floor model ValveKing 212 for $470, they did have some other Fender amps (I believe they were tube, but, I cannot reacall the models) along with some various Marshall MGs and I believe a SpiderValve. They did have some new Vox amps, Fender Bassman, Reverb, twins etc...along with Marshall JVMs, Roland Cubes, Line-6 SpiderIII and SpiderValves etc... That's about all I can remember because I was kinda excited about the new amp.

The Riverside store is a bit smaller, but carries essentially the same stuff. I was their last weekend and they had a ValveKing on clearance for $470, along with a bunch of FlexTones running around $500 - $600 or so, depending on the model.

Both stores sell Fender Strats, Gibson Les Pauls etc... along with the Squire and Epiphone stuff, but nothing that will really wow you...They do have a good selection of strings, tabs, accessories an acoustic room and those insulated sound rooms for trying out amplifiers.

I like Guitar Center and still buy a lot from them, but the Riverside Best Buy is a 5 minute drive from my house and they usually have the stuff I want and are open late. The only thing I've went looking for that they didn't have were Wonder Wipes...

Like I said, if you're around one, check it out...

Joe

 

[glockaxis]

Thanks Joe!