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Post subject: SCXD--Jamable???
Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:52 pm
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Sure if it's your band under your control you can send it through the PA, etc. But volume-wise in a jam where you just have to plug and play, can the SCXD stand up to the typical HRDs, BRIs, BDRIs and Blues Juniors plus house band you find at blues jams? I've seen quotes where owners say "It's nowhere near as loud as my BJ."

Part two is: Does swapping out for a Ragin Cajun or other efficient/loud speaker make enough difference on stage volume-wise in a jam?

I know the small and light form factor of the SCXD has got a lot of you new owners one-handing them to jams--so report in! Getting drowned out and vowing to return with a 60-watt behemoth next time? Or does this little sucker kick proverbial assets?


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Post subject: Re: SCXD--Jamable???
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:14 am
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Maruuk wrote:
Sure if it's your band under your control you can send it through the PA, etc. But volume-wise in a jam where you just have to plug and play, can the SCXD stand up to the typical HRDs, BRIs, BDRIs and Blues Juniors plus house band you find at blues jams? I've seen quotes where owners say "It's nowhere near as loud as my BJ."

Part two is: Does swapping out for a Ragin Cajun or other efficient/loud speaker make enough difference on stage volume-wise in a jam?

I know the small and light form factor of the SCXD has got a lot of you new owners one-handing them to jams--so report in! Getting drowned out and vowing to return with a 60-watt behemoth next time? Or does this little sucker kick proverbial assets?


Last week, at our rehearsal, I played my stock SCXD with the band for the first time. The SCXD had no problem hanging with our lead guitarist's Marshall AVT150 and our active drummer and I only got the SCXD up to 4.5 on the volume! It sounded great on Voice 3 with gain @ 3, treble at 4, bass @ 3, f/x select @ fender spring reverb and f/x level at 3.

Can the SCXD handle jams unmic'd? Sure, if your bandmates check their egos at the door.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 12:25 pm
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Thanks for the feedback, FG! Then I guess with a Ragin Cajun the SC would be even more competitive volume-wise. And then of course you can always trundle along a 12" ext cab to sit it on and add some bottom and volume. I've got a little Crate with a Celestion inside that oughta do the trick.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:25 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
Thanks for the feedback, FG! Then I guess with a Ragin Cajun the SC would be even more competitive volume-wise. And then of course you can always trundle along a 12" ext cab to sit it on and add some bottom and volume. I've got a little Crate with a Celestion inside that oughta do the trick.


Yep, sure will. I have read that the SCXD picks up 2-3 decibels of volume (and slightly more presence) using the Ragin Cajun.

In a "plug & play" jam session atmosphere, the SCXD can definitely hold its own. After all, you can only get so loud before that wall of sound starts to become painful!


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:38 pm
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Unfortunately the pain threshold after a few beers goes way up and the hammered guy to your left with the 60-watt Fabrolux just keeps reaching back and cranking. In jams with amateurs all too often, volume becomes the substitute for quality. I think I'll get the RC installed before I even pick up the amp.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 1:52 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
Unfortunately the pain threshold after a few beers goes way up and the hammered guy to your left with the 60-watt Fabrolux just keeps reaching back and cranking. In jams with amateurs all too often, volume becomes the substitute for quality. I think I'll get the RC installed before I even pick up the amp.


Maybe in those "amateur" scenarios, you ought to leave the boutique stuff at home and bring the big guns, say a Frontman 212R?

I bought the newly designed Frontman 212R last November for situations like the one you mention here. It's light enough (48 pounds), it's cheap ($256, out-the-door), it's high-powered (100 watts) and it sounds really good for a solid state - Fendery cleans and a mean, crunchy OD.


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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:32 pm
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That's a good point, Fender is really getting this solid-state tone thing down. The Frontman series as far as the audience is concerned in the context of a band and all is pretty indistinguishable from tube. And for certain sounds, solid state has a presence and high-end crisp immediate snap that tubes don't. Albert King knew all about that.


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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 11:26 am
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I have played in some bands/venues where a Bassman was barely enough...and in some bands/venues where a Pro Junior was too loud.

I guess that's why I have always owned five or ten amps at a time! They all have their "sweet spot."

The Super-Champ XD is similar in "firepower" to a Princeton Reverb or Pro Junior. Some speaker swaps may get you a little more low-end or apparent volume, if you so desire, but the stock speaker sounds just fine and is cost-effective for this price point.

Enjoy,

Shane


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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 1:56 pm
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Well you guys sure knocked it out of the park with the SC! Its latest competitor in this cheapo tubeazoid world is the Peavey Windsor Studio, which shipped 18 mos. late to decidely mixed reviews, for all its features. The other in the ballpark, the Kustom Defender, was supposed to come in at $399 street, but sells for $550 instead, a full $250 higher than the SC. And its reviews are just fair, not stellar.

I'm not sure I've ever seen such consistent raves for an amp as the SC has gotten. Now the Fender lo-end amp community has got blood lust for 6V6s, a good thing!


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 12:36 pm
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Maruuk wrote:
Unfortunately the pain threshold after a few beers goes way up and the hammered guy to your left with the 60-watt Fabrolux just keeps reaching back and cranking. In jams with amateurs all too often, volume becomes the substitute for quality. I think I'll get the RC installed before I even pick up the amp.


This is hilarious. Been there and don't want to go back. I recently jammed with my SCXD before I installed the RC, and it held up great. But I was playing with other older guys like me, who like to be able to hear each other. 2 guitars, bass, and drums playing rock and blues. The SCXD sounded great in the mix. I have also been in what you describe above and when everyone stops my ears are SHOT - and it really is no fun. This past week I installed an RC, and it is a nice improvement, but not "needed"... as Shane says, the stock speaker is cost effective and works well. But I was pleased that the installation of the RC enhanced even lower sub-bedroom levels of play as well.


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Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:56 pm
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jiagap wrote:
I was playing with other older guys like me, who like to be able to hear each other. 2 guitars, bass, and drums playing rock and blues. The SCXD sounded great in the mix.


I play in the exact same scenario as the one that you described. The SCXD sounded great in that scenario. And I didn't have to drag a bag full of pedals and a handcart along for the ride! Guitar and amp in each hand and a gadget bag over the shoulder - one trip is all it took.

I don't know how Fender does it @ $299 (in my case, $256.80, out-the-door).


Last edited by FenderGuy53 on Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:06 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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Post subject: Definitely Jamable
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:30 pm
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After last night there is no doubt. The SCXD is a jammin' machine. My SCXD easily held its own against a Peavey Classic 50 and a SWR bass combo amp. I used voice settings 2, 6, and 9. I brought along a ported cab containing a single 12" EV 12L. I did not use it. The stock speaker is responsively warm and articulate at the high end of the volume curve. I am 54 years old, been playing a strat for 48 years. I have owned just about every brand of amp. This little amp is a jaw dropper; I give it an 11. :!:


Last edited by hoiekvam on Tue Nov 29, 2011 1:18 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: SCXD--Jamable???
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:32 pm
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I just did a gig with the SCXD and it held up fine (un-miked). Drummer, bass, and 3 guitars. Admittedly, we weren't as loud as a lot of groups - lots of old country and old rock in a small bar/restaurant. But the little amp sounded great - I think I had the volume on '5' most of the night. I had it on an amp stand so it was easy to switch channels (yep, still no footswitch - on backorder) and change effects.

Maruuk wrote:
Sure if it's your band under your control you can send it through the PA, etc. But volume-wise in a jam where you just have to plug and play, can the SCXD stand up to the typical HRDs, BRIs, BDRIs and Blues Juniors plus house band you find at blues jams? I've seen quotes where owners say "It's nowhere near as loud as my BJ."

Part two is: Does swapping out for a Ragin Cajun or other efficient/loud speaker make enough difference on stage volume-wise in a jam?

I know the small and light form factor of the SCXD has got a lot of you new owners one-handing them to jams--so report in! Getting drowned out and vowing to return with a 60-watt behemoth next time? Or does this little sucker kick proverbial assets?

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JZ
Standard Stratocaster; Standard Telecaster; Gibson Flying V; Epiphone Dot; OLP TinTop. Fender amps: Twin Reverb 15, Deluxe 900, GDEC 30, Super Champ XD, Mini-Twin; Others: Line 6 Spider III; Crate DXJ112; Peavey Renown; Ashdown Fallen Angel FA50.


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Post subject: Re: Definitely Jamable
Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 5:07 pm
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hoiekvam wrote:
After last night there is no doubt. The SCXD is a jammin' machine. My SCXD easily held its own against a Peavey Classic 50 and a SWR bass combo amp. I used voice settings 2, 6, and 9. I brought along a ported cab containing a single 12" EV 12L. I did not use it. The stock speaker is responsively warm and articulate at the high end of the volume curve. I am 54 years old, been playing a strat for 48 years. I have owned just about every brand of amp. This is little amp is a jaw dropper; I give it an 11. :!:

One question: is it 15 or 20 watts? The owners manual says 20.


The Fender on-line specs read "15 watts", as does the downloadable user manual. Apparently, there was a misprint. The SCXD is 15 Class AB watts.


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