Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $900

High-end/Boutique

$300

$701+

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Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash the raw power and vintage charm of the Supro Thunderbolt S6420, a versatile combo guitar amplifier that has captivated musicians since the 1960s. Originally designed as a bass amp, this iconic piece of equipment delivers 35 watts of pure tube-driven sound through its single 15" speaker, offering a rich, resonant tone that has become a favorite among guitarists. Renowned for its simplicity and robust construction, the Thunderbolt S6420 is a no-frills workhorse that brings clarity and depth to every note.

This legendary amp is celebrated for its ability to produce crisp, clean tones at lower volumes and a gritty, saturated overdrive when pushed to its limits. Whether you're playing in your living room or on stage, the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 ensures you'll be heard with its dynamic and responsive performance. Its timeless design and reliable build make it a must-have for any serious musician seeking that classic rock sound.

Embrace the legacy of an amplifier that has stood the test of time, cherished by legendary artists and emerging musicians alike. The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 is more than just an amp—it's a piece of musical history.

Key Features:

  • 35 watts of tube power
  • Single 15" speaker
  • Originally designed for bass, ideal for guitar
  • Known for both clean tones and overdriven sounds
  • Simple, robust design perfect for gigging or studio use

Product specs

Brand Supro
Model Thunderbolt S6420
Finish Blue Rhino
Year 1960s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Direct Output No Direct Output
Electronics Tube
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 35
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb None
Speaker Configuration 1x15"

FAQs

What type of tubes does the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 use?

The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 uses two 12AX7 tubes, two 6L6 tubes, and one 5U4GB tube, providing its distinct tube-driven sound.

How loud is the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 amplifier?

The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 produces 35 watts of power, suitable for small to medium-sized venues and studio recording, offering a classic tube-driven sound.

What kind of speaker configuration does the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 have?

The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 features a 1x15 speaker configuration, which contributes to its rich, full-bodied tone.

Does the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 have built-in reverb?

No, the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 does not include built-in reverb, allowing the natural tone of the amp to shine through.

Is the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 suitable for gigging musicians?

Yes, with its 35 watts of power and robust 1x15 speaker, the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 is suitable for gigging musicians who appreciate vintage tube amp tones.

Iga Massardi

Iga Massardi

Supro Thunderbolt S6420 with Telecaster

Video thumbnail for Supro Thunderbolt S6420 with Telecaster by Iga Massardi

Supro Thunderbolt S6420 with Telecaster

Iga Massardi

Iga Massardi

Video thumbnail for Supro S6420 Thunderbolt Tube Combo Amplifier Demo - Sweetwater Sound by Sweetwater

Supro S6420 Thunderbolt Tube Combo Amplifier Demo - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Video thumbnail for SUPRO Thunderbolt S6420 by Guitariste.com

SUPRO Thunderbolt S6420

Guitariste.com

Guitariste.com

Video thumbnail for Supro Thunderbolt S6420 Demo by Elias Zaikos by MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

Supro Thunderbolt S6420 Demo by Elias Zaikos

MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

Video thumbnail for Supro Thunderbolt S6420 | Playthrough Demo by ChoptonesOfficial

Supro Thunderbolt S6420 | Playthrough Demo

ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Video thumbnail for I Finally did the Great Supro Thunderbolt Reissue Justice!! by Johan Segeborn

I Finally did the Great Supro Thunderbolt Reissue Justice!!

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Video thumbnail for SuproThunderbolt S6420 with Gibson ES-335 Demo by Elias Zaikos by MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

SuproThunderbolt S6420 with Gibson ES-335 Demo by Elias Zaikos

MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

MusicPower Καραπάνος Μουσικά Όργανα - MusicStore

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers authentic 60s/70s rock tones, reminiscent of Jimmy Page's sound

  • Unique sound unmatched by modern modeling or reissue amps

  • Compact and lightweight, easy to carry alongside a guitar

  • Simple controls with only a volume and tone knob

  • Equipped with original components, including a Jensen C15N speaker

CONS

  • Limited tonal variety, best suited for classic rock

  • Can be too loud for home use

  • Lofi sound may not appeal to all musicians

  • May require modifications for optimal sound with modern power sources

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Supro Thunderbolt S6420.

Features and functionality

  • The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 offers a switchable wattage between 35 and 60 watts, providing versatility for both practice and gigging environments.

    Source
  • The Thunderbolt Plus model offers unique tonal versatility with a 15" speaker, providing a fat sound without excessive bass and maintaining bright gain without fizz.

    Source
  • The Thunderbolt Plus allows switching from class A (35 watts) to class A/B (45 watts) and class A/B with a silicon rectifier (60 watts), enhancing power options significantly.

    Source

User experience

  • Users report that the Thunderbolt has significant headroom and handles pedals effectively, especially with an EQD Bellows, enhancing its overdrive capabilities.

    Source
  • An owner uses a Weber MiniMass attenuator to manage volume when seeking a dirtier sound, as the amp breaks up relatively early but remains loud on the 35-watt setting.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to the Vox AC15cc, the Thunderbolt is noted for its ability to maintain clarity at higher volumes, making it more suitable for larger venues.

    Source
  • The Thunderbolt is noted for its superior performance with low-output single coil pickups, while the Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb better handles humbuckers without sounding muddy.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Thunderbolt's ability to switch between wattages makes it ideal for both basement jams and larger gigs, offering flexibility for varying performance settings.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Supro Thunderbolt S6420 combo

guitarinteractivemagazine.com

The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 impresses with its vintage '60s tone and modern reliability. While it foregoes extras like an effects loop, its simplistic design—volume, tone, and rectification—lets your playing shine. The custom 15" speaker, developed with Eminence, delivers a robust sound, adjustable via the tone pot. It's ideal for blues and jazz players seeking authentic retro vibes. However, its distinct sound and minimalist controls might not suit everyone. Overall, it’s a must-try for those chasing a classic tone in a dependable modern package.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
goddog

Thunderbolt

30 watts of growl and punch. Very simple setup, 15" speaker. Just a volume and a Tone knob. I have stripped down my rig to include just a Maxon OD9 with Analog.man Silver Mod, a POT with the TS808 chip, a Digitech Hardwire Delay and a Keeley Red Dirt OD for a different flavor.

jimmarchi1

why not just turn the thunderbolt to 10? that's its whole thing.... they're kinda bland til you whack em up to 8 or 9, lame clean tone

goddog

That will work, but I am just using it as my practice amp so the pedal is must to avoid blowing out my kids ear drums lol

goddog

I actually like the clean tone on the low gain channel. I have owned a lot of tube amps, got sick of my Twin Reverbs ice pick tone and had a Mesa Single Rectifier Rectoverb that sounded absolutely horrible clean, but awesome dirty. I traded a 95 Strat for the Supro, wanted something different. I really like it for blues. Prob not a amp for metal or alt.

walter

The Supro clean tone is great

jimmarchi1

@goddog I just realized you never said if yours is an original 60s one, whether its tube or SS rectified or whether its a 'reissue'

based on you mentioning 2 channels it sounds like a reissue? all the old thunderbolts I've played are single channel (most early supros were with the exception of my favorite supro design the dual tone)

I have a kid too, think I should stop pointing my ac30s right at his head when he's bad? j/k

trying to rock out at home is a drag as a Dad, though he's more tolerant than my ex, I just don't want to deafen him, I kinda like him

@walter, I am not a big fan of the THUNDERBOLT's clean, other supro models have cleans that really do it for me in a warm n furry way, its just the dual 6L6 supros I think only sound good once they're breaking up ;-)

I've played and owned a good number of original supros and other valco made amps from the 50s to the mid 60s, they sued to be cheap with a distinctive sound for recording... same goes for vintage danos and silvertones too

ethandk11

Great amp if you love classic rock.

I had this amp for a few months not too long ago. I loved it, but only get this if you want to play Led Zeppelin or any other kind of classic rock music. I found it sounding a little too "thin" for me (not a bad thing, it's just not the kind of music I play).

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Johnny Stevens uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Johnny Stevens

Singer, Guitarist

Highly Suspect

...
Verified via Photo

I saw the amp at one of their shows in Hollywood, it was a Thunderbolt. You can see it in the bottom right of the picture.

See how John Nolan uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

John Nolan

Guitarist

Taking Back Sunday

...
Verified via Photo

John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday uses the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 amplifier. The band has two Thunderbolts, which are employed in their live performances, as seen in a photo posted by Taking Back Sunday on Instagram during their June 19th Philadelphia show. Eddie from the band praises the amp for its exceptional low end and high gain in a compact form, describing it as the best on the planet.

See how Bob Lanzetti uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Bob Lanzetti

Guitarist

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via YouTube

Bob plays through a Supro Thunderbolt in this video.

See how Eddie Reyes uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Eddie Reyes

Guitarist

Taking Back Sunday

...
Verified via Photo

Eddie Reyes uses the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 amplifier, praising it as "by far the best amp on the planet" for its remarkable low end and high gain in a compact design. The band employs two Thunderbolt amps, among others, and utilized Supro amps during the production of their album "Tidal Wave." This information is supported by a post from Pedro the Roadie on Instagram.

See how Michel PT uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Michel PT

Singer, Guitarist

Tiedraw

...
Verified via YouTube

You can see a lot of his gear in the video from "Dull days"

See how Jose º Pepe º Salazar uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Jose º Pepe º Salazar

...
Verified via Photo

Jose "Pepe" Salazar used the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 amplifier while recording the "Gran Blanco" album, as seen in an Instagram post by joe_trouble.

See how fuller's bridge uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

fuller's bridge

...
Verified via Instagram

Fuller's Bridge used the Supro Thunderbolt S6420 amplifier during recording sessions, as seen on their Instagram.

See how Jamie Tipson uses Supro Thunderbolt S6420

Jamie Tipson

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Jamie Tipson uses the Supro Thunderbolt S6420, as seen in a photo posted by Gold Phoenix on their Facebook page.

Album Usage

The Supro Thunderbolt S6420 has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Supro Thunderbolt S6420, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

MXR M169 Carbon Copy
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1
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Boss GE-7 Graphic Equalizer Equalizer Effects Pedals
1
Electro-Harmonix Crayon
Electro-Harmonix Crayon Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar
Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
1
Fender Telecaster Deluxe
Fender Telecaster Deluxe Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Fender '59 Bassman LTD
Fender '59 Bassman LTD Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer
Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Overdrive Effects Pedals
1

3 alternative and related items for Supro Thunderbolt S6420, curated by the Equipboard community.

JHS SuperBolt

$117.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound cheaper alternative

The JHS SuperBolt is an amp in a box, based off the sound of 1960's Supro amplifiers such as the S6420 Thunderbolt.

JHS SuperBolt V2

$135.00 - $208.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound cheaper alternative

JHS' newer take on a Supro style drive pedal, now discontinued.

Supro 1305 “Drive” Pedal

$149.50 - $219.00

similar sound cheaper alternative

Supro's own drive pedal takes inspiration from their vintage amps, and mimics their circuitry, down to the actual power transformer used.

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