And just WHY don't I have a Musicmaster Bass amp yet?

[Honga Man]

I thought I was fairly Fender-savvy, but I've only recently become aware of the existence of the Fender Musicmaster Bass amp, a 12 watt combo with 12" speaker.

Those controls are just what I want, except maybe I could do without that fancy "tone" control.

The price certainly is right and apparently even cool mods are dirt cheap.

Is there any reason I shouldn't buy one for home use?

Anyone have one for sale?

[stantheman]

plan on $135-$150 depending on how pristine the piece
is, most of the ones I've seen that were good were at $135, they're on E-Bay all the time. Good Hunting!!

[buglecorps]

Versions of this..the later one has 6v6's (traditional Fender tube)..early versions have something else (6BQ-5..aka el-84 ? )..I would go for the 6v version if possible.
there are also two types of knobs..early "Zodac" sheetmetal knobs..later traditional BF/SF knobs.I DONT KNOW that the knobs changed with the tubes..also for real fun try finding one of the ones from the early '80s with the second version BF lettering!! All had a cruddy speaker..plan on changing it esp. if you want to use it for bass.

[Honga Man]

Thanks for the advice.

I assume from the beginning that I will need a replacement speaker. I plan to use this as an amp for my Tele for solo practice/home recording and jam sessions (a specific one with friends where we don't get very loud) and maybe low-volume (like home recording) for bass if I don't just go direct.

I know from experience not to play loud bass through a guitar amp speaker!

I do have a good amp tech, one of those old-school guys with the factory service manual for every tube amp ever made in his dusty old file cabinet. In addition to a new speaker, I plan to take it straight to him for a complete check up/maintenance visit right after I do some cosmetic cleanup if necessary.

So, for use with a Tele for the traditional Fender sound, any speaker recommendations or mod advice for this Musicmaster Bass amp newbie?

What sounds good and is suitable for this amp?

8 ohm or 4 ohm?

Thanks for any advice! :D

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by buglecorps

... early versions have something else (6BQ-5..aka el-84 ? )...

6AQ5 - this is not an EL84.

IMO, the 6AQ5 is a tasty tube and there are plenty to be found and all are cheap. Either tube version of the MMB will satisfy. Swapping out the speaker is a must, IMO.

[buglecorps]

I couldn't rember what they were...I owned one with those and it alwas seemed a little "lacking" probably could have used a service!I played one with 6v's a few months ago, and was stunned by the big full sound, with a P Bass..it was really pushing that stock speaker though!!

[Rob DiStefano]

Originally Posted by Honga Man

... So, for use with a Tele for the traditional Fender sound, any speaker recommendations or mod advice for this Musicmaster Bass amp newbie?

What sounds good and is suitable for this amp?

8 ohm or 4 ohm?

Thanks for any advice! :D

MMB's require an 8 ohm speaker. I've tried more than a few and prefer the Weber 12A125 (P12Q), but there are many good cheaper alternative speakers like the Naylor 12" and Jensen reissue C12N.

[chris m.]

I had mine overhauled- cap job, new 6V6 tubes, and a Celestion speaker. It is lightweight, simple, and has sound to die for. I use it for gigs- just mic it on stage. I couldn't be happier. I put the volume and tone knobs on about 5 or 6 and it is good to go- clean when I back off the volume knob on the Tele, bluesy grit when I turn up the Tele. It responds great to an O/D pedal when I want to take it over the top for creamier distortion. If I dime the volume knob, I can get ZZ-Top or Zeppelin style full distortion just from the amp alone but it is too loud to dime it in our band's practice studio. I have to use the O/D to get full distortion when in the studio or else it's just too loud! Since I'm used to using the O/D pedal in the studio, I usually stick to the same setup on the road just to keep things easier for me. It has no reverb, but I use a little slapback echo with an old Ibanez pedal once in awhile. I'll say it again-- tone, tone, tone!