Bassman head and speakers

Luca · February 2nd, 2006, 02:54 PM

Hi, I have a 1965 Blackface Bassman head and, since the cab was missing, I bought a custom 2X12 cab with Fane speakers, 75W each.
It sounds wonderful, but the problem is that this thing is very very loud....I can't turn past 3 when playing live in a rock situation.

My question is: is my 150W cab too powerful for the head? Would a pair of original Jensens or Webers (around 30 Watts each) put out less volume and break up better/earlier?
Or is it just a matter of the very loud head?

Thanks
Luca

Tim Swartz · February 2nd, 2006, 03:23 PM

Yes, less efficient speakers would be a step in the right direction.

Ben Harmless · February 2nd, 2006, 03:23 PM

The wattage rating for guitar speakers is really only an indication of how much juice they can handle before they turn into confetti. What you want to find is the efficiancy rating. Unfortunately, in my quick search, I couldn't find that information for the Fanes, but it's probably still out there.

As an example, Celestion lists the "sensitivity" (same thing) of their G12M Greenback as 98db. In comparison, the Vintage 30 is listed as 100db. The Vintage 30 will, all things being equal, be louder.

The only real problem is that while you can often find wattage ratings and impedence printed right on the speaker itself, companies aren't always as forthcoming with efficiancy ratings.

Smokin OP · February 2nd, 2006, 10:41 PM

I have a 64 bassman & you are right, they are loud. A ton of iron hanging from these babies. I also use a 2x12 cabinet but own two of them. One is loaded w/ Mojotones, 30 watts & the other is loaded w/ Jensens, 30 watts. I prefer the Mojotones. Very rarely do I go past 4, usually around 3. I use this amp in small to medium clubs & an occassional outdoor gig.

zook · February 2nd, 2006, 11:54 PM

PLug into the #2 input instead of the #1 input.

Winnie

Tim Swartz · February 3rd, 2006, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zook

PLug into the #2 input instead of the #1 input.

Winnie

And give up a lot of front end gain? This wouldn't be my choice.

halouis · February 3rd, 2006, 03:33 PM

a weber MASS would be a very good solution. works great on my bassman->4x12

winny pooh · February 9th, 2006, 09:41 AM

Remember that you will also get less bass and less clarity from the lower wattage speakers at higher volumes.
A friend has the same blackface bassman that you speak of and the real thing you want is not speaker fizz but power tube distortion, so my recommendation would be to use a power attenuator ie Drz airbrake/THD hotplate or build a 1x12 cab with a Celestion Classic 30(actually 60W) or Classic lead 80 or any other more powerful speaker, this will also make the whole rig more portable. One speaker will reduce the volume more than two lower powered speakers.

Tim Armstrong · February 9th, 2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winny pooh

build a 1x12 cab with a Celestion Classic 30(actually 60W) or Classic lead 80 or any other more powerful speaker, this will also make the whole rig more portable. One speaker will reduce the volume more than two lower powered speakers.

This would be my suggestion, too!

Cheers, Tim

February 2nd, 2006, 02:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Luca TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 67	Bassman head and speakers Hi, I have a 1965 Blackface Bassman head and, since the cab was missing, I bought a custom 2X12 cab with Fane speakers, 75W each. It sounds wonderful, but the problem is that this thing is very very loud....I can't turn past 3 when playing live in a rock situation. My question is: is my 150W cab too powerful for the head? Would a pair of original Jensens or Webers (around 30 Watts each) put out less volume and break up better/earlier? Or is it just a matter of the very loud head? Thanks Luca

February 2nd, 2006, 03:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tim Swartz Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan - Tweenst the Great Lakes Posts: 1,904	Yes, less efficient speakers would be a step in the right direction. __________________

February 2nd, 2006, 03:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ben Harmless Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Albany, NY US of A Posts: 3,374 12 Photos	The wattage rating for guitar speakers is really only an indication of how much juice they can handle before they turn into confetti. What you want to find is the efficiancy rating. Unfortunately, in my quick search, I couldn't find that information for the Fanes, but it's probably still out there. As an example, Celestion lists the "sensitivity" (same thing) of their G12M Greenback as 98db. In comparison, the Vintage 30 is listed as 100db. The Vintage 30 will, all things being equal, be louder. The only real problem is that while you can often find wattage ratings and impedence printed right on the speaker itself, companies aren't always as forthcoming with efficiancy ratings. __________________ "I think I'll go for the life of sin, followed by the last-minute, presto-change-o, deathbed repentance." - B. Simpson

February 2nd, 2006, 10:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Smokin OP Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Leesburg, GA Posts: 335	I have a 64 bassman & you are right, they are loud. A ton of iron hanging from these babies. I also use a 2x12 cabinet but own two of them. One is loaded w/ Mojotones, 30 watts & the other is loaded w/ Jensens, 30 watts. I prefer the Mojotones. Very rarely do I go past 4, usually around 3. I use this amp in small to medium clubs & an occassional outdoor gig. __________________ It's so country, it couldn't go pop with a mouthful of firecrackers.

February 2nd, 2006, 11:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
zook Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Northeast Kingdom, Vermont Posts: 833	PLug into the #2 input instead of the #1 input. Winnie __________________ I have noticed that happy people are often evaluating themselves and unhappy people are always evaluating others. -William Glasser

February 3rd, 2006, 03:33 PM	#7 (permalink)
halouis Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,404 7 Photos	a weber MASS would be a very good solution. works great on my bassman->4x12 __________________ ~ Hal * I'M A DENIM DEMON *

February 9th, 2006, 09:41 AM	#8 (permalink)
winny pooh Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 1,615 7 Photos	Remember that you will also get less bass and less clarity from the lower wattage speakers at higher volumes. A friend has the same blackface bassman that you speak of and the real thing you want is not speaker fizz but power tube distortion, so my recommendation would be to use a power attenuator ie Drz airbrake/THD hotplate or build a 1x12 cab with a Celestion Classic 30(actually 60W) or Classic lead 80 or any other more powerful speaker, this will also make the whole rig more portable. One speaker will reduce the volume more than two lower powered speakers. __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions