How does a Fender Bassman sound?

trippstrat · February 14th, 2004, 12:49 AM

I'm looking for something to replace my Fender Twin. It has been shot from being on the road so long. I think I want a head this time also. Anyway, I've always played through Twin Reverbs and was wondering how a bassman sounds. Is it close to a twin reverb? What years are the best? I assume these are pretty clean amps considering some are 135 watts. My main effects to run through it are delay and a sparkle drive or fulldrive. I've noticed on eBay that most of them from the 60's and 70's seem pretty cheap. I would appreciate any information anyone could give me. Thank you.

Skydog · February 14th, 2004, 02:49 AM

They sound good. I just go back from hearin' BluesDawg, one of the guys in that group has an early seventies chassis built in a combo cab. The amp is quite small but has plenty of power. I've played thru it and got fat tone (turned up loud). When Joe plays his old Strat thru it, it sounds cleaner like a Twin, but much nicer imho. Think he has some sort of Celestians in it. One more thing, I think tdpri's "Silverface" has one or two Bassman heads for sale ..his stuff is in great condition cuz he works on amps.

Greg_C · February 14th, 2004, 03:02 AM

I have a SF Bassman 50 probably a '72 that's been slightly modified by Billy Zoom; removed master volume, removed some caps and resistors, changed other cap and resistor values, cleaned up the lead dress, etc. Now, in general the sound is Fender BF slightly scooped mids. It stays clean til about 7 (a strat through it sounds like Sultans of Swing Knoppfler sound) this thing has a HUGE output transformer. Max volume really occurs at about 4 and it's LOUD, even though it's just 40 watts. At higher volume settings it gets the early-mid Eric Clapton sound, almost like a Marshall JTM45 (While My Guitar Gently Weeps) depending on cabinet and speakers used. I like to use it in bigger rooms where it can be opened up, I use a smaller amp for bar gigs.
My P-90 equipped SG Special loved this amp as did my Firebird. Teles like it too, just in a less gainy way.
More sounds are available by jumpering the channels together and playing with the tone and volume controls. As with all things this is mostly subjective and YMMV because everybody picks a little differently and everyone hears things a little differently.
Greg.

Skydog · February 14th, 2004, 03:45 AM

Yep ..that explains it, clean at lower volume, bluesy at high vols. Nice ring and sustain too, good amps.

stantheman · February 14th, 2004, 10:29 AM

Get a "Drip Guard" '68-'69 Dual Showman TFL5000D.
The "Drip Guard" Showmans ARE one of the finest Amps
Fender EVER made. My "Dream Fender Half Stack" has
always been that head and a 4X12 bottom consisting
of: 2 EV-12's and 2 Vintage 30's....
As Quentin McHale would say: "huminna,huminna" 8)

jumpnblues · February 14th, 2004, 11:55 AM

That quote has gotten me through many of life's tough spots, by the way.

Jason Lollar · February 14th, 2004, 10:05 PM

i have a late 63 with diode rectifier and presence control.
The closed back 2-12 sounds tighter and bigger on the bottom end than any of the open back fenders i have.
its like two different amps, single coils, you can get a typical Fender amp sound, with humbuckers it grinds and sounds more rock and roll than any other Fender amp I have enough so that if I take my 335 out i leave the bassman home.
some guys would grab the bassman and leave thier other amps home.
to me Bassman + HB's = R+R.

stantheman · February 14th, 2004, 10:44 PM

Ernie must have gotten it from Jackie....maybe....they're both the same age and they're both mega stars BTW for those who don't know Ernie was a HUGE talent on the Big Screen long before McHale's Navy "From Here To Eternity" and "Marty" (Best Pictures 1952 and 1958 I believe).
Anyways Jumpin' you're right too...they both are famous for saying it.
And that's ONE POTENT HALF-STACK.
Fender-Style 8)

February 14th, 2004, 12:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
trippstrat TDPRI Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 11	How does a Fender Bassman sound? I'm looking for something to replace my Fender Twin. It has been shot from being on the road so long. I think I want a head this time also. Anyway, I've always played through Twin Reverbs and was wondering how a bassman sounds. Is it close to a twin reverb? What years are the best? I assume these are pretty clean amps considering some are 135 watts. My main effects to run through it are delay and a sparkle drive or fulldrive. I've noticed on eBay that most of them from the 60's and 70's seem pretty cheap. I would appreciate any information anyone could give me. Thank you.

February 14th, 2004, 02:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Skydog Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 371	Bassman amps. . . . They sound good. I just go back from hearin' BluesDawg, one of the guys in that group has an early seventies chassis built in a combo cab. The amp is quite small but has plenty of power. I've played thru it and got fat tone (turned up loud). When Joe plays his old Strat thru it, it sounds cleaner like a Twin, but much nicer imho. Think he has some sort of Celestians in it. One more thing, I think tdpri's "Silverface" has one or two Bassman heads for sale ..his stuff is in great condition cuz he works on amps.

February 14th, 2004, 03:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
Greg_C Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Clemente, CA Posts: 152	It varies from model to model I have a SF Bassman 50 probably a '72 that's been slightly modified by Billy Zoom; removed master volume, removed some caps and resistors, changed other cap and resistor values, cleaned up the lead dress, etc. Now, in general the sound is Fender BF slightly scooped mids. It stays clean til about 7 (a strat through it sounds like Sultans of Swing Knoppfler sound) this thing has a HUGE output transformer. Max volume really occurs at about 4 and it's LOUD, even though it's just 40 watts. At higher volume settings it gets the early-mid Eric Clapton sound, almost like a Marshall JTM45 (While My Guitar Gently Weeps) depending on cabinet and speakers used. I like to use it in bigger rooms where it can be opened up, I use a smaller amp for bar gigs. My P-90 equipped SG Special loved this amp as did my Firebird. Teles like it too, just in a less gainy way. More sounds are available by jumpering the channels together and playing with the tone and volume controls. As with all things this is mostly subjective and YMMV because everybody picks a little differently and everyone hears things a little differently. Greg. __________________ "cogito ergo sum"

February 14th, 2004, 03:45 AM	#4 (permalink)
Skydog Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 371	Bassman . . . . Yep ..that explains it, clean at lower volume, bluesy at high vols. Nice ring and sustain too, good amps.

February 14th, 2004, 10:29 AM	#5 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,071	If you love your Twin Reverb... Get a "Drip Guard" '68-'69 Dual Showman TFL5000D. The "Drip Guard" Showmans ARE one of the finest Amps Fender EVER made. My "Dream Fender Half Stack" has always been that head and a 4X12 bottom consisting of: 2 EV-12's and 2 Vintage 30's.... As Quentin McHale would say: "huminna,huminna" 8) __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime

February 14th, 2004, 11:55 AM	#6 (permalink)
jumpnblues Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Midwest Age: 59 Posts: 1,679	stantheman...wasn't it Jackie Gleason that said that? That quote has gotten me through many of life's tough spots, by the way. __________________ jumpnblues "Heaven St." (Original Blues Instrumental): http://www.box.net/shared/static/z96atf0zn2.mp3 http://www.myspace.com/drbluezz

February 14th, 2004, 10:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jason Lollar TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 67	bassman i have a late 63 with diode rectifier and presence control. The closed back 2-12 sounds tighter and bigger on the bottom end than any of the open back fenders i have. its like two different amps, single coils, you can get a typical Fender amp sound, with humbuckers it grinds and sounds more rock and roll than any other Fender amp I have enough so that if I take my 335 out i leave the bassman home. some guys would grab the bassman and leave thier other amps home. to me Bassman + HB's = R+R.

February 14th, 2004, 10:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
stantheman Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: White Mountains Posts: 5,071	jumpin' how could I forget THAT !?! Ernie must have gotten it from Jackie....maybe....they're both the same age and they're both mega stars BTW for those who don't know Ernie was a HUGE talent on the Big Screen long before McHale's Navy "From Here To Eternity" and "Marty" (Best Pictures 1952 and 1958 I believe). Anyways Jumpin' you're right too...they both are famous for saying it. And that's ONE POTENT HALF-STACK. Fender-Style 8) __________________ Somebody Loan Me A Dime