Supro Delta King 12 1x12-inch 15-watt Tube Combo Amp - Tweed and Black Reviews

This amp. is just fantastic. I'm very pleased with it I have been a bules and country player for many years and you can crank out the tunes on this little baby no problem and its very well built and looks great. It would have been better if they included a cover with the price the Co. got cheap with that! But overall I just love it glad I added this to my collection also I like the standby switch Fender don't have one on the Bules j. ALL & ALL PICK ONE UP YOU WONT BE SORRY, LOVE IT !

I wanted a tube amp but didn't know a thing about them. I've only had a few solid state models and not being a professional player, my knowledge was limited. Did a lot of research and thought the Delta King 12 would be the best bet. I'm strictly a clean player, effects don't interest me frankly, so a clean tube sound is what I wanted. I am amazed at how bright and vibrant the sound of this little amp is. The clean sound is crisp and clear as can be. The boost is particularly nice and this amp really makes my G&L Doheny light up. The retro look adds a nice touch also. It's marketed as a blues amp but it will work well for anything you play through it. Good purchase!

John Carr
Winchester, VA

This is an amazing amp at the price point it is at. I'm sorry for those who need to hear this... inflation is real and voting directly affects that. Hence why it more expensive now.

This amp can get loud, but like any amp it distorts when you run out of headroom and cab space to project louder. It will compete with drummers but for those drummers who have sledgehammers for arms, you may want to Mic up.

It is a GREAT pedal platform amp, but if you don't want or have pedals, you just have to buy one pedal to control the onboard boost and drive (that pedal is sub $ at this current time), otherwise flip the switches and use you volume on your guitar which is what this amp is really about... articulation.

If your review is to tell me that I should buy another amp at at least over double the cost and is not directly comparative to the Supro, then your review means jack and I don't care who you opened up for or where you played. Especially when the amps you suggest are at double and quadruple the cost of this amp and have completely different power and preamp sections that run the amp.

"BOX TONE"...what does that even mean because last I checked all amps come in boxes and are a box themselves.

::Also, Sweetwater:: Asking what my musical background is doesn't mean I know anything about specific topics in music so it is a false sense of hope for those who are ignorant or naïve to music knowledge who are looking for answers. I commend the idea behind it but can lead to many people spending money that they don't have to.

I've been playing tube amps out live since 1990, and have my fleet of stadium crushing half stacks sitting in the rack ready to go. But when I'm between gigs (a lot lately) I've found myself gravitating to this little 15W beast. With the Supro only having a single 6L6 power tube running class A, it forces you to be a more touch sensitive player like Andy Timmons or Jeff Beck. Its a soulful violin or piano like quality you can't find at that price point anywhere. It's meant as a practice amp, but I'll be using it in the studio close Mic'ed with a Sennheiser e906 & Royer ribbon, I'm that impressed. HB's or single coils all sound great through it. Well worth the money & inspires me to play

If this had been the first amp I purchased, I would never have needed to look for another. It captures every tone I love. Small and easy to carry along. I love it!

This thing sounds amazing and can be quiet enough for home or apartment use. This can get whisper quiet or super loud. I am very pleased.

Years ago, I switched to digital. My Studios still has an Axe FX III Mk2, used to have a Kemper. I also have a Katana and Catalyst for the occasional jam or small venue I play at or my HX Stomp and Morningstar Midi pedal, for my tiny rig. Before going digital, I had Fenders (DRRI, BJr, Orange (OR15, Rockerverb) , Peavey (Valve King, 6505), Marshall (DSL and a JCM800), Egnater Tweaker, Laney Ironheart, Couple of Bugeras, and probably some others I forgot. Took up too much space, and heavy out of the studio. I've been more than happy. I miss nothing with the Axe, over that wall of Tube amps (sold all but the JCM), and the Katana, Catalsyt and HX Stomp are good enough for what they are used for.

Then I saw a video on the Sweetwater Blackberry and Cream Delta King 12. I had serious GAS. It was on sale. So bought one. GAS turned into Love. Sure I love the Retro/Vintage Aesthetics. That definitely is part of the love. The small size and weight, is another facet. But, this amp just sounds and feels and responds fantastically. I live a lot, musically, in that edge of breakup, light breakup territory. And the Delta King just excels at this. I also find it's clean tone. one of my favorites. It reminds me a bit of a Princeton, with a little more attitude. Beats the heck, tonally, imho, over a Blues Jr. Not even close, and it's cheaper too.

Just super responsive and articulate. And it CAN cover a lot of ground, by itself. As small as the cabinet is, and thin, I fully expected that boxiness, that Blues Jrs have, in it's tone. Nope. Not at all, the DK 12 sounds huge, full and deep. That completely surprised me. Reminded me of how a Deluxe Reverb has that.

And it is definitely pedal friendly, dare I say a great pedal platform. Timmy, Tumnus, Blue Note, SD-1, Rat even a TS all work well, with the DK 12. Just got a Slo 100 pedal, and can't wait to try it with it as well.

It is just so fun to play, and great sounding and responding, I can ignore the knobs being set like old school amps, meant to be there on the stage, right next to you facing the audience.

The Pigtronix FAT circuit, I will say is probably it's one slight drawback. If you aren't careful with where you set the Volume and Master, it can move into real buzzy bee territory.

Might just replace the Katana and Catalyst as my small gig and Jam session amp, specially with a few pedals. Heck it;s smaller than both, and lighter than the Katana (and not much heavier than the Catalyst.

My first guitar in 1964 was a Supro so when I saw this I had to try it. Unbelievably rich tube tone! One of the best amps I've used for all styles; jazz, blues, and rock. So far, all I've had to do for great tone is turn the volume (gain) up or down depending on if I want clean or total crunch and up the master volume to taste (or the tolerance of the neighbors). Truly competes with my Marshall DSL40c and my VOX AC-30 and much easier to carry.

40 years of gigging, studio recording and gear buying and I have to say this little beast has impressed me royally!!
My main amp is a Morgan PR12 but combining it with the Supro Delta King in stereo is unbelievably amazing!!
It records very nicely and can be loud if you want it to be..
This amp will for sure be in my arsenal for many years to come..
Quick shout out to my sales rep. Andy Miller, thanks for all your help, I truly appreciate your help with all my musical needs!

I've been playing for 38 years and have owned just about everything at one or another. My primary amp had been a tweed '65 Princeton, and it has tone for miles. I picked up one of these o demo it as a gift for my brother, and I'm sorry to say, I'll be keeping it for myself.

It's super responsive to touch and a breeze to ring some great clean tones and it takes pedals like a boss. It punches way above its weight, and I was honestly surprised at what I could wring out of it with my PRS Vela. If my Princeton had feelings, they'd be hurt because the Delta has kind of stolen my heart. Yep, it's a keeper in a room full of Fender tube amps.

I've been playing 46 of my 55 years, and owned the same crazy assortment of amps, guitars, pedals, etc., that I think many of you have. All I can say about this is I have not ever owned a more pleasing amp, at any price point. It can do clean, it can do slight breakup, it can do all out saturated drive, all with about the most functional and effective EQ I've found in an amp. I can't recommend this enough, at any price point. My first Supro, and I am blown away.

I waited quite a while for this to come in. As soon as it was in, Greg Baum called and I picked it up same day. Thanks Greg, you guys are the best! I got the amp home and fell in love with it. This is what I have been looking for. I have several Fenders which I like each of them for what they are. Bluesbreaker, Superchamp, Pro Jr. all came close to what I was looking for. Orange and Vox...eh, ok. The Delta King nails it!!!

The cleans are beautiful and clear at usable volume levels. It does take pedals just fine, as long as you stay off the drive switch. EQ knobs are responsive and useful. Volume controls are very articulate and with a bit of manipulation, I can reach the edge of break up a different volume levels without feeling like the rig is going to explode. The tones are perfect to my ear. Reverb is very nice.

The boost switch is just what I thought it would be. It boosts the overall volume and changes the tonal output somewhat. The drive switch delivers you a whole new amp. Its gritty high gain and lots of fun. Its like having another channel. I could use this amp without pedals and be very comfortable through an entire gig. This is the amp Ive been waiting for . This will probably be the last amp I buy.

I'm giving this 5 stars because it's really a great little amp! First the cons:

The drive switch adds a crazy amount of volume, even more than the boost. This does vary depending on how the amp is set, it's more pronounced when playing at low volumes with the input gain really low and less so with the input gain maxed(but still very noticeable).
The boost isn't quite the volume boost I'd like but it's usable.
The preamp out and power amp in cannot be used as an FX loop, it mutes the preamp

The pros:
So light and compact. I thought it would be a about the same as the blues jr that I have but it's like 20% thinner and 3 lbs lighter.
It's loud. I haven't had a chance to practice with it but I'm sure it could keep up with a band, especially with the drive engaged.
What a classy look, mine is solid black and looks great in the living room.
Reverb is superb for the size
All of the knobs are usable across the whole range, the blues Jr gets very loud quickly and the maxes out.

The footswitch I had to buy separately works great. Utilizing the guitar volume I could practice with my band with just this amp and the footswitch.

I recently got my Delta King 12 and am pleased with the way it sounds. A lot of punch for a 15 watt amp. But the really good stuff happens when you "fiddle" with the dials. You can go from clean to chicken-pickin' to a blues growl in seconds. The boost & drive switches give it even more versatility. I don't play gigs and am not sure how this would work on stage but it does have a line out so I guess you can connect it to a PA or mixer and get those tones out of it. I also haven't bought the footswitch to turn the boost and drive on and off but I have a couple of FS6's that I'm sure to try.
Overall, Supro has done a great job of replicating what I'm sure is one of their older 60's style amps. The 75w speaker is good quality and can obviously be pushed by the one 6L6 and 12AX7 pre-amp tubes. The Pigtronix FAT drive circuit gives it that dirty, fat sound and the boost helps to shape the tone too. The built in spring reverb is analog so that's another throwback to the good old days. I bought the Tweed & Black version so it looks "supro-cool" too. The only downside I can see so far, is getting used to the control panel facing away from you when looking from the front of the amp. But that's a minor gripe. So, if you're looking for a small but powerful amp that gives you some great bluesy sounds, this is a great choice.

Just purchased and received this amp. Very nice clean and gritty channels. Couldn't ask for more! BTW I have several other amps including some high end pieces but this small thing is a joy to play.

I sold my backbreaker tube amp many years ago and love all my digital tools. I kept a forty watt modelling amp around for one off gigs, but after two went bad, and were basically unrepairable, I reconsidered. I have always this whol time wanted a ssmall, somewhat light tube amp with bass-mid-treb tone stack and a spring reverb sitting in the sweet spot between giggable with a drummer and living room use at home. Always the amps I tried figured if you want a small amp, you can just forget about tailoring your tone, you get what you get. But recently a number have fit the bill enough of the way that I tried them out. The supro was the funnest and best sounding and arguably the most versatile of the several I tried: Orange Rocker 15 (no reverb, great for sounding like a classic orange amp but not versatile at all despite a promising new config for their clean channel. Fender Blues Deluxe IV: this sounded good clean but I could not get it to break up nicely at home levels. Its an all tube fender, so the cleans were lovely. Black Star HT 20R was my fav on paper, particularly because the ISF promised veratility in the mids, but it sounded 2D and the digital reverb was simply awful, unlistenable really.

So the Supro that you are reading about ticked all the buttons and is super fun to play. The power amp sag is wonderful and allowed me to literally dig in and tactilely feel the sound with my fingers. For recording I'd probably still go with my digital stack, but this is way more fun than a half-tube (usually the preamp with a 12 AX7) modelling amp. It took a few days to figure out how to get the most of the tone control because of one weird thing. Most amps, if you want it to break up, you push the gain and pull back on the master volume and you can get whatever the preamp gives up and lose some of the touch sensitivity and sag you get from pushing the power amp with the master. When I did that, I really got mostly nothing, just a nice sounding crunch with lots of headdroom. Turning on the boost and distortion switches overcame that, but not feeling it. after a few day of operating on the usual principle, I tried it the other way round and pushed the master to drive the power amp harder and pulled back the gain. All of a sudden the amp cam alive without the overdrive or distortion: Beautiful and variable crunch to to full on distortion, the feel was there in spades, and rolling off the volume a touch or backing off on the right hand attack, yielded lovely clean-to-crunch sounds. This was awesome.

The distortion is really good and I use it more than I thought I would. The boost is pretty transparent but might help drive the amp better with a weaker guitar signal. It was useful in volume matching the distorted to the clean levels, since the distortion does add considerable volume with no controls, just on or off. I manage it by using one pickup turned up for cleaner sounds and the other turned dow a bit for the distortion. one more knowb for distortion level would be nice, but the panel would perhaps get a bit crowded.

The Spring reverb was as good or better than the Blues Junior. Nuff said on that, but you can get your surf on no problem. I wish the reverb was hooked to the footswitch rather than the boost though, since I like to use it for emphasis sometimes.

One last thing:I always get my amps off the floor, so I can hear them better, and I started with the Supro at ear level in my studio (sitting) and the treble was really unpleasant. I have it now sitting a bit lower, resting on the broken Vox modelling amp which looks now like a cool little mini stack even though the bottom is just a glorified footstool at this point. You still might want to roll off your trebles a bit more than usual, but the ice pick goes back in its case if it is lowered from ear level a bit. This probably means that miking it will probably be a little fiddly too. To play with a drummer, you would definitely need to get this up off the floor to be heard well.

It has a line out from the preamp and a line in to the power amp, in effect and effect loop. I could do a digital hybrid, but running through the computer reintroduces the latency thing that I can't really hear but can certainly feel, so I'll probably just run it with just a guitar and nothing else.

I love this amp and have been playing it a lot.

I just love the tonal character of this amp. It has some sort of sparkly grit that both recalls my guitar ancestors and projects to the future of how I feel that I want to express myself on guitar. If you favor clean pedal platforms, this might not be for you but this is probably not the amp you were checking out anyway. However, if you enjoy summoning raw sonic bliss with personality from a compact package, you might want to check this out.

Sweet amp.

I absolutely Love my new DK12. I tend to play with out pedals and this Amplifier with my CS-336 together, well they are just made for each other!!!

Nice clean tone! Personally, I don't care for the dirt side much, but would be good in a pinch. The weight is why I purchased this amp. The tone was a complete surprise! Sounds great! The down side for me is I had to buy a pedal. I can handle that, but at least include the cord with your pedal instead of having to buy it separate too!

Nice amp blues rock it's got great cleans and can get dirty in the same jam. Built in boost and drive nice feature. I'd give it 5 stars but they don't include a foot switch which in my mind should come with every amp
You can lose with this amp 15 watt is plenty loud I will
Play out with this amp and drop a mic in front.
Man she looks sharp very classy vintage look love
That tweed.

This is a great little amp. it's made in China and is well built it only has two tubes but gives out a lot of power there are two things that they should do with this amp. a cover should be included and the foot switch should be also at this price they got cheap with this, and now no one carries the foot switch any more it's been discontinued !!

It seems built well and I like the features. Its a very bassy amp with a lot of midrange. Don't expect a fender sound. It's more raunchy. More barky.I definitely like it better with single coils. Humbuckers just seem to turn it into a vibrating mess. I can hear the reverb pan rattle with humbuckers. That bass knob is definitely getting used.
I like the reverb ..but don't expect full on surf tones.
I can't help but wonder what a speaker swap would do for this amp. Not sure if the " magnetic feild coil sound " isnt just a way of saying " we faked old and raunchy".
I've noticed this amp has taken a pretty big jump in price. Can't say I would of bought it at it's current price. I guess my trade in value just went up when I finally just give up and except the facts.....it's time to pay up for that blackface fender.

I have been looking for a small 15-20 W tube amp to use for small venues. Ideally one I can play harp and steel guitar through. I have a HotRod Deluxe and Music Man HD130 that sound great, but weigh a ton.

The supro looks cool and seemed to tick the boxes. Until I got it.

First, I was a little alarmed at the small size of the box. Part of this is that the amp is pretty small. pretty narrow front to rear, which may be a stability concern. But the box was also very thin, no double box, no corner reinforcements. It had a dent, but did not damage the amp. I mention this because most amps come double boxed.

Pulling the amp out, it is light. the covering was very "fuzzy", lots of loose strings, etc. The stripes above and below the speaker cutout did not line up. The cabinet and knobs kinda echoed the cheap feel of the box it came in.

Tiny knobs, no pointer so a little tough to read in low light. Tiny toggles for boost and gain.

And they are backwards. If you are in front of the amp, everything reads upside down. Kinda weird.

But the sound? Nice warm tone. But it just lacked punch. not volume specifically, but punch. Especially with high pick attack, it didn't want to jump. Same with the harp. It sounded good, but just lacked a certain bite and definition.

The boost switch was needed all the time. The gain switch added fuzz, but not adjustable.

No speaker out. No footswitch included. No cab emulation out. no line in.

Upon further research, I realized part of the lack of punch might be the lack of tubes. This amp has ONE preamp and ONE power tube. Even my cheap practice amp has THREE preamp rubes and two power tubes for 15 W. I wonder if Supro is fudging on the power rating, maybe using a higher THD than normal...

So I am reluctantly returning it. It's a good bedroom amp. You could mic it and gig with it, but I would worry about durability. And for the money, it seems there are more capable options.

I'm not understanding the other reviews of this thing. It's almost as if these other reviewers never had a real amp before and are just super happy to play something other than an old solid state amp, like a Ibanez Tone Blaster... actually that might sound better. But hey, if you just LOVE a small, really thin, super boxy sound, then this is DEFINITELY the amp for you. However, if you want a small amp that sounds really good, then get a Swart STR Tweed or a Tone King Gremlin.