Solid, unpretentious tube combo with a scaled-down JTM-45 feel

Not much info out there about the Supro 1968RK, so I thought I’d throw this review out there. This is the 1x12 version of the earlier 1970RK 1x10 combo designed by Supro in collaboration with pedal guru Robert Keeley as a neutral-voiced « pedal platform » amp. Made in China. Has the stylish, retro-looking Supro cosmetics. Points for being pretty light to carry. Single-channel, single input, Master Volume, Bass, Treble and Preamp Volume (gain) controls. Effects loop Send input and Return output. 2x6V6 output tubes, 2x12ax7 preamp tubes. Same tube complement as my prized Marshall 4001 Studio 15, and similar panel layout (the Marshall has a Mid control, which the Supro doesn’t) but voiced very differently. The 1968RK packs a surprising amount of low-end for a semi-open back 1x12 combo, and a surprising amount of clean headroom for such a low-powered amp. Supro claim it’s 25W in Class A, but something doesn’t add up there. 2 x 6V6 in Class A will not put out 25W, more like 15. 18 tops. It’s not as loud at full throttle as the 15W Marshall 4001, but that could be because the 4001 packs a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker with 100dB sensitivity vs the 97dB G12M-65 Creamback in the Supro. This is not something I will say often, but I actually think the V30 might have made a better - as in tighter, less muddy sounding - choice for stock speaker in this Supro model than the Creamback. Not only does this thing pack a LOT of bass, but it also has the kind of compressed, saggy response I normally associate with a tube-rectified amp, which it isn’t. The sag, combined with the abundant low end puts me in mind of the JTM-45/Tweed Bassman vibe. Great if that’s your bag, but it might not be. This amp is sold as the perfect pedal platform, and in this capacity it - mostly - delivers. The effects loop is clean, transparent and very quiet. A Roland RE-201 Space Echo through the FX loop of this amp sounds unreal. It single handedly eliminates the background hiss, and will do the same for any noisy modulation pedals. However, noise aside I found that my Boss CE-2 Chorus and DM-3 Delay sounded better going into the front of this amp than through the loop…go figure. The amp is voiced with prominent low-mids (the Creamback probably helps here), so the absence of a Mids control is not felt. That said, some may find the 2-Band EQ somewhat limiting. Would be my amp of choice for recording slide or lead, as the naturally compressed response compliments it. Think early 70’s Ampeg/Stones vibe, but with the sagginess and woodiness of a JTM-45, and you’re in the ballpark. Definitely one for the old-school, blues-literate guitarist. If that’s not you, you may wanna skip this one.

Pure Solid Amp!

Advertised as a 'pedal platform' although honestly i'd be happy to roll with the gain circuit in it; to me it's a solid amp that communicates what i play purely.

Has all the feature i'd want in an amp- ● Creamback 65 speaker ● Great drive circuit ● Simple EQ with a great range ● Plenty of power (25W) ● Master volume for bedroom level ● All gear works as expected through it ● Luxury feel ● Fairly Lightweight ● No unnecessary features or gimmicks