59 RI Bassman followed me home today...

The Snowman · November 28th, 2003, 06:50 PM

turned around and this amp jumped in the back of my trusty pickup....sooo I took it home...brand new for $700.00...immediately a/b'd against the Vibro King and it's a close call...for $1000.00 less it sure ain't that much less in sound...very touch sensitive and bluez tone that just won't quit.....love not having reverb...just that right at ya, up front sound....anyway...it moves air great and..it's time to take it apart and shellac it....later...don

Abe · November 28th, 2003, 07:34 PM

I had a harp player sell me mine for $300. I told him I couldn't do it - was too cheap. He said "No way man, you're the only guy I know who will appreciate it, and I like what you do through it." Great amp. It gets even better if you do the bias pot mod and get a good set of output tubes dialed in.

I have a friend that at one time owned real 58 and 59's, plus a RI. He said they aren't exactly the same tonally, but the RI certainly was no worse.

Nice score.
Abe

blues · November 28th, 2003, 09:03 PM

If I could find one for 700,new,I think I would be on it too.

The Snowman · November 28th, 2003, 09:39 PM

I couldn't pass it up..not for that kinda price...great amp man....got tone to da bone....funny thing...I've been gigging with my VK and the last 4 or so months..I haven't even used the reverb...thus the need for this amp...basically the same thing but less headroom and that ain't a bad thing...and about 20 lbs lighter...now that's what I'm talkin' bout....rockin blues tone and my Van Zandt's just love it...later...

back to jammin'...maybe I can get the cops to knock on the door...hehehe.....

Mik · November 29th, 2003, 10:57 AM

I just found a used '59 Bassman RI for 400 bucks in a classified ad, and I emailed the seller. The ad may be "cold" but if this is amp is in good shape and available and I buy it, I am gonna take a long vacation from the TDPRI, my consumer addiction habits get aroused by postings like Snowman's!

I love the clean and overdrive tones of my '66 SR so I wonder really if I have the 4x10 combo Fender thang well covered with the SR leaving tweed vs BF aside...

Mik

The Snowman · November 29th, 2003, 11:27 AM

but I thought the same thing...1st off..the weight issue is a biggy for me...54 and still gigging all the time....the Bassman weighs in at 53 lbs...my SF Super is alot more and the VK is about 20 lbs more than the Bassman...don't forget...no reverb in the circuit and other things makes the Bassman very attractive to me...as far as voicing goes...it's completely different...granted, I get great tone from all my amp/guitar combo's....but the Bassman has a certain reality to the sound that just floats my boat...doesn't sound like my Super at all....most guys like Reverb on board so that makes the 59 Bassman obsolete to them...that's why ya can still get great deals on them...on ebay, they go fer about $550-$700.....still a great deal...for me at my age at the moment....it's the perfect amp...tomorrow...well who knows....that's why I have sooo many amps around....ya never know what will float the boat tomorrow...but today...the 59 Bassman RI is bad ass....

not trying to create GAS for you but trying to keep it real....don

Scotland · November 29th, 2003, 04:57 PM

I agree. The short time I had mine was a sonic experience never to be repeated. It has a great sound, maybe not everyone's cuppa tea but certainly was mine. There have been many great recordings using this amp so that speaks for itself. It seems to marry itself to a Telecaster beautifully too.

Lance · November 29th, 2003, 07:22 PM

add a Hoffman point to point board and you'll have a real killer!

November 28th, 2003, 06:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	59 RI Bassman followed me home today... turned around and this amp jumped in the back of my trusty pickup....sooo I took it home...brand new for $700.00...immediately a/b'd against the Vibro King and it's a close call...for $1000.00 less it sure ain't that much less in sound...very touch sensitive and bluez tone that just won't quit.....love not having reverb...just that right at ya, up front sound....anyway...it moves air great and..it's time to take it apart and shellac it....later...don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

November 28th, 2003, 07:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Abe Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 236	I had a harp player sell me mine for $300. I told him I couldn't do it - was too cheap. He said "No way man, you're the only guy I know who will appreciate it, and I like what you do through it." Great amp. It gets even better if you do the bias pot mod and get a good set of output tubes dialed in. I have a friend that at one time owned real 58 and 59's, plus a RI. He said they aren't exactly the same tonally, but the RI certainly was no worse. Nice score. Abe __________________ Member-in-exile, The non-Cult of the Hamer Tele Creator of the TeleFAQ

November 28th, 2003, 09:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
blues Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 143	ri If I could find one for 700,new,I think I would be on it too.

November 28th, 2003, 09:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	yeah...man I couldn't pass it up..not for that kinda price...great amp man....got tone to da bone....funny thing...I've been gigging with my VK and the last 4 or so months..I haven't even used the reverb...thus the need for this amp...basically the same thing but less headroom and that ain't a bad thing...and about 20 lbs lighter...now that's what I'm talkin' bout....rockin blues tone and my Van Zandt's just love it...later... back to jammin'...maybe I can get the cops to knock on the door...hehehe..... __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

November 29th, 2003, 10:57 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mik Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,416	I just found a used '59 Bassman RI for 400 bucks in a classified ad, and I emailed the seller. The ad may be "cold" but if this is amp is in good shape and available and I buy it, I am gonna take a long vacation from the TDPRI, my consumer addiction habits get aroused by postings like Snowman's! I love the clean and overdrive tones of my '66 SR so I wonder really if I have the 4x10 combo Fender thang well covered with the SR leaving tweed vs BF aside... Mik __________________ a "motor-bike with a touch of blood in it is better than all the riding animals on earth, because of its logical extension of our faculties, and the hint, the provocations, to excess."-T.E. Lawrence

November 29th, 2003, 11:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
The Snowman Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philly Pa Posts: 763	Mik.....sorry! but I thought the same thing...1st off..the weight issue is a biggy for me...54 and still gigging all the time....the Bassman weighs in at 53 lbs...my SF Super is alot more and the VK is about 20 lbs more than the Bassman...don't forget...no reverb in the circuit and other things makes the Bassman very attractive to me...as far as voicing goes...it's completely different...granted, I get great tone from all my amp/guitar combo's....but the Bassman has a certain reality to the sound that just floats my boat...doesn't sound like my Super at all....most guys like Reverb on board so that makes the 59 Bassman obsolete to them...that's why ya can still get great deals on them...on ebay, they go fer about $550-$700.....still a great deal...for me at my age at the moment....it's the perfect amp...tomorrow...well who knows....that's why I have sooo many amps around....ya never know what will float the boat tomorrow...but today...the 59 Bassman RI is bad ass.... not trying to create GAS for you but trying to keep it real....don __________________ it ain't nuttin but the bluez....

November 29th, 2003, 04:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,404 3 Photos	Snowman I agree. The short time I had mine was a sonic experience never to be repeated. It has a great sound, maybe not everyone's cuppa tea but certainly was mine. There have been many great recordings using this amp so that speaks for itself. It seems to marry itself to a Telecaster beautifully too. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

November 29th, 2003, 07:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lance Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,163	Mik.....if you get it for 400... add a Hoffman point to point board and you'll have a real killer! __________________ Lance "not very good...but I make up for it by playing loud"