FENDER PROSONIC

FENDER PROSONIC

1996-2002

Configuration: Combo
Power: Switchable 30 Watts, 50 Watts, 60 Watts
Effects: Reverb

SCHEMATIC

LAYOUT

  • Front Panel: In, In, Channel Switch, Volume, Gain 1, Gain 2, Treble, Bass, Middle, Master Volume, Reverb - Pilot Light
  • Back Panel: Rectifier Switch, Power Switch, Standby Switch, External Speaker Jack, Foot Switch Jack

CABINET

SPEAKERS

  • Size: 2x10 (8ohms each)
  • Impedance: 16 ohms
  • Model: Celestion

TUBES

  • Pre amp:
  • Power: 2 x 5881
  • Bias: Fixed Bias
  • Rectifier: Class A/ 5AR4, Class AB/ 5AR4, Class AB/Solid State (switchable)
Back to FENDER FIELD GUIDE

23 comments

Hi all, I am a new Prosonic owner and have a question I do not find an answer to: I want to use an attanuator. It has inputs for 4, 8 and 16 Ohms. Which one shall I use? Thanks a lot

Jan Ole,

I love how people cry, whine, and defame a great Fender high-gain amp. It’s possible this just isn’t the amp for you! I own three of these amps—two heads and one combo—and I’ve been through all sorts of gear, from vintage to modern: Friedman, Mesa Express 5:50+, Super, JCM, and others. I tried to like the Super-Sonic combo but ended up with a used Prosonic combo instead, and I couldn’t be happier. The reverb sounds fantastic. I sold all those other amps and keep coming back to the Prosonic. These amps require time and patience to really dial in your sound—small adjustments on the active EQ shape the tone dramatically, especially depending on which class you choose. I use all of mine stock, and they perform beautifully both on stage and in the studio. They sound incredible just plugged straight in, without a bunch of pedals in the way. The gain can be over the top past a certain point, but it’s up to the player to figure it out, not complain about it. I figured it out, and it’s absolutely worth it. I have both a red snakeskin “LO” model and two “CR” models, and the tonal difference between them is negligible. Also, to clear up confusion from earlier posts—none of these were ever Custom Shop amps; they were Custom Shop–designed by Bruce Zinky, but not built in the Custom Shop. According to my Fender manual, the combo weighs 48 pounds. To clarify some misinformation: the combo is wired to a 16-ohm load. When using an external cab along with the internal speakers via the external speaker jack, it switches to an 8-ohm load (all explained in the manual). Just make sure you’re smart enough to use a 16-ohm external cab—mismatching impedance can cause problems. Bottom line: the Prosonic is a unique, special high-gain amp that isn’t for everyone. The players who understand and love them rarely sell them, which should tell you something. These amps will only go up in value, so I’m holding onto mine for as long as I can lift them. People who bash or dismiss the Prosonic simply haven’t chosen the right amp for their style—or haven’t taken the time to figure it out. It’s a high-gain rock amp, plain and simple. If that’s not your thing, move along quietly. Savvy?

Chuck,

I have the lizard skin green one it is a bad boy I’ve played on albums and been on tour and I can tell you I’ve had many of fender amps and the black production line of the but the tone the green one rocks ! It’s custom shop .

Ron,

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.