[Quintin]

Really glad I asked!

Originally Posted by FenderLover

First, you realize that the 5F6A was pretty much a failure as a bass amp. It became the Holy Grail for may guitarist. Fender was having a hard time limiting the bass response to prevent tearing up the speaker with the huge cone excursions that low frequencies produce. That's why they went to multiple 10" speakers (I've read that in a Fender history book I have some where).

No I didn't. I'd always understood that it was a little under powered for larger venues and just so happened to be very guitar friendly. Thanks for the information.

Originally Posted by FenderLover

The later Blackface models may be better for your purpose, and frankly, unless you build it yourself there will be compromises. If you want to skip ahead to 6) below, I would not suggest a Bassman as your starting point.

Hadn't seriously looked at BF, Twin Reverb or Deluxe...but will now.

Originally Posted by FenderLover

With that in mind:
1) Blackface models already have "Bass Instrument" and "Nornal" channels. The Normal channel is gain > EQ > gain > PI. That's about as 'guitar' as you're going to get if you like Blackface amps.
2) The two inputs are separated as I mentioned, which gives you room to modify them separately too.
3) You will need a separate reverb circuit for reverb, and it would be just like any other Blackface amp where the reverb is on the 'Vibrato' channel. Look at a Twin, Deluxe, etc. schematic for details. Again, unless you build something, you won't get exactly what you want. For off-the-shelf, you could use a reverb pedal on your intended Guitar side.

Thanks, that was the input I was looking for.

Originally Posted by FenderLover

4) Not that I know of. Really, there is no one amp that does everything well, especially being useful for bass AND guitar.

Exactly, but I am looking for a happy compromise, i.e. something big for guitar (50 tube watts) which is what I get hired to play most often, and something acceptable to hone my love for bass

Originally Posted by FenderLover

I suggest a head because you can pick your poison for speakers.

Yep, I think I was heading that direction too...

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

1. Build yourself a BF Super with some beefy 10"s... really beefy.

I was looking at some Weber 10"s originally, further suggestions welcome.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

2. Mod the Normal channel's preamp cathode with a 820 ohm cathode resistor and a large value bypass cap (perhaps 100uF-330uF).
3. Mod the Normal channel's tonestack for more bass (maybe a 1M Bass pot and a 500pF cap instead of 250pF to start? IDK, some tweaking/experimenting will find the best tonal range for bass).

I'll be sure to ask once I get a look some schematics.

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

In stock form the Vibrato channel will only have reverb and it will be perfect for guitars as-is.

Duh! That makes sense. Seems I over complicated my own thinking on this one. Thanks for setting me straight.

Originally Posted by Tim Swartz

And they also have 2 more power tubes... so imo, build a Twin Reverb/Dual Showman Reverb sans trem if you don't need it.... And maybe even with 6550s if you really want some umph.

Thanks Tim, I'll look at their schematics. Do you know what the Showman circuit code is? I think I have the Twin Reverb's.

Thanks again for the information, much appreciated.