Who makes a Supro Thunderbolt clone?

[jaydawg76]

The thread title said it all. Is there anyone out there making a straight up Supro Thunderbolt clone. Correct cab w/ proper tolex, correct chassis, speaker, yadda, yadda, yadda. You get the point.

I've done a bunch of searching and the answer seems to be no but I figured it's worth asking.

[wyatt]

I don't think I've seen one. It's a pretty straightforward design, but the "rhino-skin" cab covering isn't available anymore 9though later T-Bolts used black tolex).

These days, originals have become more affordable as people have moved on to other model Supros trying to nail the Jimmy page tone. For a while they were trading around $1400, now i see many back down to around $700.

I've owned and restored two, hated both. Big, tight and bold, but bland with lousy OD, would probably be a great surf amp with the right outboard verb in front. I love the tweed Supros and the 6973-powered models, but this model left me feeling blah. Others love it though.

[jaydawg76]

I don't think I've seen one. It's a pretty straightforward design, but the "rhino-skin" cab covering isn't available anymore 9though later T-Bolts used black tolex).

These days, originals have become more affordable as people have moved on to other model Supros trying to nail the Jimmy page tone. For a while they were trading around $1400, now i see many back down to around $700.

I've owned and restored two, hated both. Big, tight and bold, but bland with lousy OD, would probably be a great surf amp with the right outboard verb in front. I love the tweed Supros and the 6973-powered models, but this model left me feeling blah. Others love it though.

That's what it seems like. Just figured I couldn't hurt to ask. I had thought about building a clone also but like you said no one make the rhino tolex. Mercury does make clone trannys. The cab and chassis would be no problem and a weber 15" would work for the speaker. I don't know. I just have no interest in taking on an amp build in the near future.

If you come across any T-Bolts shot me a PM. I've got a vibro clone built off a '69 super reverb with a real JBL d130 that I would trade.

[nmiller]

Ryan at http://www.classictubeamps.com/ has made Valco clones for myself and at least one other TGP member. He's open to all sorts of features and has very reasonable prices.

[wyatt]

That's what it seems like. Just figured I couldn't hurt to ask. I had thought about building a clone also but like you said no one make the rhino tolex. Mercury does make clone trannys. The cab and chassis would be no problem and a weber 15" would work for the speaker. I don't know. I just have no interest in taking on an amp build in the near future.

If you come across any T-Bolts shot me a PM. I've got a vibro clone built off a '69 super reverb with a real JBL d130 that I would trade.

Well, Weber has a kit in the works, I doubt you'll see it before X-mas. The cab is supposed to be pretty true to the original, but obviously the covering won't be.

The "rhino skin" isn't tolex. It's sort of a durable gap-stop between tweed and tolex. More resistant to wear and tear than tweed, but still more fabric than not.

[jaydawg76]

Yeah, I've heard Weber is coming out with a kit. I like his speakers but the rest of his offerings are not really up to par. I've built six amps over the past handful of years and the only time I used some of his transformers i had issues.

That's interesting about the rhino skin. It makes sense that supro would use a cheaper material. Have you ever come across anything that looks similar?

[jaydawg76]

Has anyone out there built a clone of their own?

[cugel]

check out the clip of a tbolt from the forum member on you tube
in-freakin-credible

[jaydawg76]

check out the clip of a tbolt from the forum member on you tube
in-freakin-credible

That was the trigger that set off my thinking about the Thunderbolt. It's a great clip!

The clean sound he gets at the beginning of the clip with the tele is frickin' awesome.:love:

[jaydawg76]

Here is the thread with that clip. And just for the record this isn't the first time Valcotone has sent me on a tone quest.:FM

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=556212&highlight=thunderbolt