The Storied Legacy of Supro Amplifiers

The Origins: Chicago Roots and Early Innovation

Supro traces its origins back to 1935, established as a subsidiary of Valco and forming part of the legacy of the National Dobro lineage. Manufactured in Chicago until 1968, Supro amps earned fame for their Class A, all-tube design, warm tone, and Art Deco styling—especially prominent during the golden era of guitar amplification in the 1950s and ’60s.

A significant milestone in amp history: Supro was the first to launch a combo amp with built-in spring reverb, a feature that would shape the sound of early rock ‘n’ roll.

By the 1950s and early ’60s, Supro was rivalling giants like Fender in popularity, particularly among blues and early rock guitarists  . However, financial challenges led Valco (and thus Supro) to cease operations in 1968.

Legends and Studios: Supro’s Musical Footprint

Supro’s amps were sought-after in legendary contexts:

• Jimmy Page recorded much of Led Zeppelin I using a Supro Model 24, capitalizing on its gritty yet defined tone as his signature folder-wall-of‑sound riff generator—even though Supro had already closed by the time of recording in 1968.

• Jimi Hendrix, early in his career, famously borrowed a Supro Thunderbolt (a bass amp) to deliver his guitar parts during his stint with the Isley Brothers—reportedly because it gave his six-string a snarling edge.

Beyond those icons, Supro gear appeared on landmark recordings by the Rolling Stones and David Bowie, reinforcing its role in shaping the sound of rock history.

Rebirth and Modern Revival

After decades of dormancy, the Supro brand was resurrected beginning in 2013–2014, when Absara Audio (parent to Pigtronix) secured the trademark and commissioned new vintage-voiced reissue amps faithful to the 1964 originals, both cosmetically and sonically.

In 2020, Supro was acquired by Bond Audio, joining the likes of D’Angelico Guitars and Pigtronix and entering a new era of design, production, and distribution.

Contemporary Supro models are grouped into a few key lines:

• Classic Series: Nostalgic tributes to the late-’50s Chicago-made combos.

• Retro Series: More gig-friendly, high-power models (6L6-powered) with added features like reverb, tremolo, and 2-band EQ.

• 1964 Reissue Series: Meticulously crafted replicas of mid‑’60s originals—right down to cabinetry, “Blue Rhino Hide” Tolex, custom transformers, and period-correct circuitry.

Top sellers like the Delta King, Montauk, Black Magick, and Royale continue to deliver that signature vintage Supro tube tone, combining warmth, reverb, and tremolo in modern formats.

Modern-Day Players & Tone Enthusiasts

Supro’s revival has attracted a diverse roster of contemporary artists:

• Joe Perry (Aerosmith): Often seen wielding a Black Magick Reverb in live shows.

• Other notable names include Lenny Kravitz, Billy Gibbons, Cory Wong, Paul Simon, Robby Krieger, Richard Fortus, and Vernon Reid, among many others—all playing various Supro models from the Black Magick line, the ’64 Reverb, Montauk, and Amulet series.

Tone fans on forums praise Supro amps for their dynamic response, tonal character, and compatibility with pedals:

“If you drive it hard, it breaks up… great for garage and indie rock.”

“Transparency and tube dynamics… it doesn’t ‘Fender’, ‘Vox’ or ‘Orange’ up my sound…”

“They take pedals extremely well… great variety of wattages and speaker configurations.” 

Noteworthy Models Through Time

Summary

Supro amplifiers are more than gear—they’re a piece of guitar history. Born in 1930s Chicago, they powered the dawn of rock ’n’ roll and echoed through legendary sessions. Though the original company folded in 1968, the brand’s reawakening in the 2010s brought its warm, dynamic tube tones back to life—this time fused with modern design and premium components. From Jimmy Page to Cory Wong, Supro continues to connect the past with today’s artists, offering a alive, expressive platform for tone-seekers everywhere.