the bassman club

i love my bassman :) perfect for classic rock cranked and great for 50's sounds at lower volume. not just for tweed bassmans!

I have a '62 Bassman head.
All stock except for a 1/2 power switch.

Mine is a 64, had a few others that did not have the clean twang I wanted. The cab is not Bassman, maybe Bandmaster, modded open back with EVM 12S speakers.
http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u265/donsmonarch10ee/?action=view&current=telecaster001.jpg

Well I am here as well.

Mine is a Point to point in a new Bassman cab.

Danger here, mine's a 135.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/IMG_5495.jpg

Fender Bassman 100.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3665055578_0600a3cd61.jpg?v=0

Nice to see Bassman's all around.

a transitional late '61 with some '62 features but still a 6G6 circuit and tube rectifier.....

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2002-11/71084/61BassmanCabangle.JPG


.

'64 6G6-B. It's halfway through a restoration in this picture.

http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/9/9/3/1/99319/pics/_c238732_image_0.jpg

I'm out. I just sold my point to point tweed... (for a '55 Pro)

I did play a friends '56 15" Bassman last weekend though! (does that count?)

I loves my tweedy Bassman.

Question for those with a tweed. What would I gain or lose by going from my current 6L6GC's to 5881's?

Oh, and here's a pic of the dynamic duo.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2032/3780959785_75d9168197.jpg

I loves my tweedy Bassman.

Question for those with a tweed. What would I gain or lose by going from my current 6L6GC's to 5881's?

It's my vague impression from what I've read on TDPRI that 5881's run hotter than 6L6's, are not as loud, and perhaps have more character than the cleaner 6L6's.

That being said, it is interesting to note the development of the PI tube in front of them, through the blonde period: 5881's get a 100x PI like a 7025/12-AX-7, while 6L6's from AA 864 use a 60x 12-AT-7.

For what it's worth, 6L6's weren't stock in either tweed or blonde Bassmans....

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g317/bluetone73/MY%20GEAR/256.jpg



One of my fav amps ever made !

Long live the ab165 !!!

Best amp I've ever played through, and that is more than a few amps. The tone (great at any level), the swirly, full surround sound and the ability to play any kind of music make it just the all-time best, imho!

Not the most popular Amp Club around here - is it ?

Looking for some help.I just bought a 70's bassman 100 head.Someone had modified it by takeing out the master volume and installing a jack input.Have no clue what they were trying to do.If you plug into it you have a very low sound come out of it.Can anyone give me a clue as to what you think they have done.Before i take this head apart i was hopeing to learn what to look for.I do want to restore it back to it's original condition.

Got one about eight months ago. Clean, it absolutely sparkles. Cranked up, it hurts people. For me, a much better amp for a tele or strat, than a LP or most others with humbuckers. Great for almost everything at lower volumes. Doesn't require a wrecker to move from gig to gig.

I just bought an ampeg svt-410he used at the local guitar shop and the bassman 100 sounds real sweet through it. When i'm not useing it my son runs it through a 412 cab and plays his Les Paul through it. Seems like this head was made for either bass or guitar because they both sound good through it.

Here is my 67 Bassman Head. It remains stock except for a grounded power cord and tubes. Sooooo nice for rockin & rollin.
Rob

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/rhomco/DSCF0049.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v217/rhomco/DSCF0050.jpg

Some views of my old '59.........
it sat in a pawn shop here in the early '80s forever,till a friend bought it for $150.I traded him out of it :rolleyes:.
It had been pro recovered a la '60s (even had the metal Fender badge),the speakers were shot.It now has 4 old blues out of a first issue Blues Deville.
When tuned up properly it is wonderful.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/refin/59Bassmanrear1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/refin/59Bassmanrear2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/refin/59Bassmanfront.jpg

Control panel ----
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v229/refin/59Bassmancontrols1.jpg

Oh yeah, I have a couple of Bassmans...:wink:

1973
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/FenderBassman1973_2.jpg

1965
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/1965FenderBassman_1.jpg

Mine is a 61 6G6 with a tube rectifier. I got it for 200 bucks in a Pawn shop back home in LA. It had all the original tubes in it. All the caps were original. had to rebuild the power supply but the trans was in really good shape.
It is in the wrong cab. Looking to order a repro one and a faceplate form Marsh to bring it back to its pristine glory.

Will try again later to get the pics to upload. Computer not cooperating currently.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g41/Bluesbob/2X10Bassmancombo3.jpg

I can't believe the mileage I get out of this photo!

I just picked up a 1966 or 67 Fender Bassman Blackface Head. The exterior is in rough shape cosmetically. I will be restoring it. I can't believe the power and volume that this head can create. I've noticed others have been connecting the bass side to the normal side. What is the purpose in doing this?

If you have an AB165 circuit you can do this to get a fuller sound, which sounds like it has more gain. Search "jumping channels" or "AB165". The advantage of the AB165 is that both halves of the amp are in phase. This is necessary to avoid phase cancellation issues. Fender reverb amps like PR, DR, TR and such are not in phase due to an extra gain stage in the reverb channel. The Bassman circuit before this one (AA1164) also has an unequal number of gain stages, making it unsuitable for channel-jumping. The AB165 circuit can be found in black and silver face Bassman amps from '66 through '69, IIRC. It has a hum-balance circuit which can be converted quite easily to bias-adjust. A search of the Amp Central Station archives should turn up a bunch of stuff on all of this.

Well, I "jumpered" the channels. The result was overpowering (to my 212 cab that is). By jumpering these channels it increased the output enough that it caused failure in my Eminence Legend GB128 (Green Back one-off). As a result I have removed the jumper and won't be reinstalling until I swap out that eminence speaker with a Weber 12" Ceramic 50 watt and enclose the back of the cabinet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/wildricechris/IMG_1155.jpg

Count me in as well. I've got a 1965 ab165. Never had a single tube, cap, or power cord replaced. 100% original. Found it a few years back for $400. It's far too loud for the apartment, so it kinda just sits. I can't bring myself to offload it :)

Just got my Bassman 59 RI (not LTD) used off Craigslist and I love it. Perfect for the punkabilly that I play!

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs196.snc3/20367_277308209136_854044136_3173966_2884030_n.jpg

1968 setting on top of a re-grilled Music Man 412 (X'd V30s & G12Ts).

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh172/tidalsurge/Amps/68%20Bassman/IMG_2416.jpg

Count me in as well. I've got a 1965 ab165. Never had a single tube, cap, or power cord replaced. 100% original. Found it a few years back for $400. It's far too loud for the apartment, so it kinda just sits. I can't bring myself to offload it :)

Found a pic:

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs128.snc3/17569_321645268988_680188988_4952818_5437292_n.jpg

Count me in as well. I've got a 1965 ab165. Never had a single tube, cap, or power cord replaced. 100% original. Found it a few years back for $400. It's far too loud for the apartment, so it kinda just sits. I can't bring myself to offload it :)


Make it into a 2X10 or 1X12 combo. You'll love it! :wink:

Make it into a 2X10 or 1X12 combo. You'll love it! :wink:

I would, but I don't think I could butcher a 100% original beauty. Plus, size isn't my main concern, it's the sheer power.

Here's mine. It's a 5F6-A, '59 Bassman clone PTP built to spec in a Bob Burt solid yellow pine cab. I went through a boat load of amps looking for the perfect tone and my search ended here about three years ago.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u279/soledaddy/HPIM0273.jpg

Here's my 61 with my Rivera Jake cab ( 2 12" Emminence Swamp Thangs ). I wish I had another, but I may get a clone built someday.

Fender Bassman 100.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3665055578_0600a3cd61.jpg?v=0

ohh, yeahh !

I've got one too...great for guitar, unbeatable -and I mean really -for bass.

and just like you did in the photo...I'd like to try too the ole trick of putting a cord in the second input of the first channel, and make a bridge on the normal channel, and so go with 2 preamps working in parallel...guess what it could sound like...but I'm a little afraid to burn everything out.

no risk at all ?

Got two-a '64 with non-original D-120Fs and an '07 LTD.Neither has much stage time since I'm mostly playing pedal now,and neither one is very good for that.The few times I've had the LTD out on guitar gigs,it's done fine.

Nice amps, Dave!

i have a great sounding pair of '64 bassmans. both PRE-CBS. one is a white knob transitional 6G6-b with blackface from 08/64. the other is a AA864 from 12/64. i love how these sound no matter what speakers/cab they go thru. wonderful tone...

http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/1002/p1010004g.jpg (http://img534.imageshack.us/i/p1010004g.jpg/)

I have a '72 silverface head. It looks like all the others you've ever seen..... but more 'distressed'! Killer tones from another century.

This is a gas! Tweed Bassmans are the best! My favorite amp of all time and I've had my share of amps. The best sounding amp I ever owned was a 5F6-A stamped HC. Got it from an old Western Swing singer/guitarist. It had sat in a horse barn in eastern Montana for 15 years! It was 100% stock and was till the day I sold it. My tech brought it up to power with a Variac over a few hours and it it worked perfect. After that he sold me the stuff to make my own Variac!
I sold it when I bought a house in 03. Promised to replace it someday. I got this 56 5E6A reasonably priced from a dealer pal. Naughyde covering, Peg board 2 piece backpanel, that covered the entire back. 65 Twin Reverb Power tranny so no dual retifiers. It had 4 64 Jensen EM-1001's in it. The frame of the one behind the PT was hacked up to fit!
It's got C10Q's in it now but the chassis sits on top. Still a great sounding amp.
When the cash becomes available I'll recover it and have the power tranny changed and dual 5U4's installed. I'm looking for a 7993 tranny if it's not obvious!:wink:
Of all the amps I've ever owned and sold, I miss that 58 the most. In March of 08 it showed up on eBay, still stock. I offered the seller 6K for it, got turned down and it only auctioned for 5777! Got sniped at the last minute:mad:
Probably THE amp I'd still pay the going rate for.

Picked up a '90s Made in USA '59 Bassman RI the other day. Haven't had a chance to give it a real tryout as yet, but the low volume sounds I have heard so far have been pretty nice. :wink:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/FenderUSA59BassmanRI_3.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/FenderUSA59BassmanRIBack_1.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-7/1052255/FenderUSA59BassmanRIControls_2.jpg

I love a Bassman on full break up. It sounds so juicy. It might be a particular type of Bassman, maybe the older ones, but i love that sound.

Well I was in the Blues Deluxe club but didn't stay long.I returned it & got a used Bassman RI LTD.Hopefully I'll stay in this club longer :mrgreen:

Last month I was let go from my and with bills
staying the same I had to sell my G&L Asat Classic
and my reissue Fender 40th Anniversary Twin Reverb.
I'm trying to save and get another guitar and amp. A
friend is letting me use one of his Parker Fly Artist. I'm
thinking that a reissue Fender 59 Bassman LTD and the
Parker would be a good setup. What do you guys like or
dislike about the reissue Fender 59 Bassman LTD:?: With
its Pine Cab and the guitar Sitka Spruce Body I should be
able to get some good sounds:cool: I know the Amp is lighter
then the Twin Reverb and would you guys do any mods or leave
it stock. Thanks for your input.

What would you guys that know these amps say to this;
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/saintOlav/Guitars%20and%20stuff/fender_bassman_10.jpg
Not mine, not yet anyways, but would this be an amp to jump? Or stay away from? Any input appreciated, total Bassman-n00b here...

Deleted

Vox-I'm very happy with my LTD.JMHO it's not real "thumpy" on the low end,but unless you play in a trio,other instruments cover that part of the spectrum.My Teles like this amp,and it's plenty loud.
Olav-Your pic isn't real clear on my monitor,but it LOOKS like a '70s-era Bassman Ten that's been put into a head-only cab.Or maybe a Bassman 100/135.I played bass through a stock(combo) Bassman Ten once,and fell in love with the airy,almost acoustic vibe it had going,although it wasn't very loud.I always thought that a Ten would be a really good guitar amp.Had a 135 for a short while,and it was a muscular bass amp that delivered low-end better than any other Bassman I've used.

Dave, thanks for your reply. Not my pic, it's seller's web shot. Seller says it's a 70s amp, he's not sure on what end of 70s.
I really can't find anything much on Bassman Ten amps, or at least about heads, on the net. How will I find out if this is a 'chopped' combo and if it is a 100 or 135? Will it say 10 or 100 or 135 on the chassis?
I'll play it this weekend and dig around a bit more.

Olav-
Try this link:

http://www.ampwares.com/

Bassman Tens had the word "Ten" on the faceplate,denoting 10" speakers,and I'm certain they were all combo amps.Bassman 50s,70s,100s and 135s were all head-only,and they all had the numeral on the faceplate beneath the word "Bassman".

Make it into a 2X10 or 1X12 combo. You'll love it! :wink:

Or a 1x15? :grin:

This:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs066.ash2/36665_463775668988_680188988_6459833_5804198_n.jpg

Into this:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs454.ash1/25006_395004968988_680188988_5249108_7472803_n.jpg

Big Improvement. :grin:

Thanks a bunch David! That helped clear up why I wasn't able to find anything on the web about "Ten" heads.

'60 Tweed Bassman - redone by Big Cookie, and I have to say, he did a great job restoring it from the years of abuse and mods it had before I picked it up.

Well I was in the Blues Deluxe club but didn't stay long.I returned it & got a used Bassman RI LTD.Hopefully I'll stay in this club longer :mrgreen:

The same. Was a member of the blues deluxe club and now the proud owner of an LTD with KT66s and and blue frames. It sounds great! Nice cleans on the lower end and breaks up nicely on the other. So glad to be over here.

Have to say,I'm a bit intrigued by the KT66's part,was it modded to accommodate them?My first choice for a combo was a Bluesbreaker but that was just a bit too rich for me even used,so the 59 LTD seemed to be the next logical choice.I'd love to hear/play it with KT66's though!

Have to say,I'm a bit intrigued by the KT66's part,was it modded to accommodate them?My first choice for a combo was a Bluesbreaker but that was just a bit too rich for me even used,so the 59 LTD seemed to be the next logical choice.I'd love to hear/play it with KT66's though!

They are Tung Sol. It was biased professionally. I think that was all that needed to be done. Does anyone else know? I read about it and as far as I know they are interchangable.... The amp sounds great. I hope people around here aren't going to tell me that something's wrong, but I'd like to know if there is.

They are Tung Sol. It was biased professionally. I think that was all that needed to be done. Does anyone else know? I read about it and as far as I know they are interchangable.... The amp sounds great. I hope people around here aren't going to tell me that something's wrong, but I'd like to know if there is.

Any chance of getting you to post a clip of it?

Mine sound GREAT!! Anyone retube with 12ay7s?

This works out for me.
64 head, 60 something, could be Showman cab, with 2 12" EVM 12s speakers, open slot back.
And a slightly beat up 68 Tele.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u265/donsmonarch10ee/telecaster001.jpg

Last summer I needed to get a tube amp. Everyone I talked to said Bassman.
After a bit of searching, I one a beat up Bassman 50 from a pawn shop in Arkansas. Broken knobs, crooked grille cloth, beat up face plate, sloppy 3 prong cord install but intact and it worked kinda.
Guess I wasn't worried about keeping it stock but new caps, pots, knobs, light, some blackfacing and other tweeking, new face plate, leather handle.
Striped the cab, reglued, tweeded it and replaced the grille cloth.
Added it to a 210 slant cab for portability and this is what I came out with.
Then I needed a Tele to go with it, so I built this partscaster.
So far the best sounding equipment combo I have.
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/Picture_0191.jpg

Someday I will take that garbage Peavey tweed off the cab and put on real tweed to match.

I'm in!

I have a 2007 '59 Bassman LTD that looks like this with some of its friends:

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo178/splattle101/Guitars/ClassicFenders.jpg

I liked the basic sound of the thing, but I was less happy with the bass handling...or rather the lack thereof. The Jensens just couldn't do it. Part of the problem was the tone circuit, which has the big slope resistor and the 0.1 uF bass cap. So I pulled out that PCB with the pots and replaced it with a hand wired set of pots from Alpha, all with vintage correct values and tapers, and replaced the tone network with oil caps and a silver mica for the treble...and an orange drop on the presence control:


http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo178/splattle101/Amps/NewPotsnStack.jpg

And replaced the speakers with Weber 10A125s. They're simply superb. I was cautious about the Webers because they're so expensive here in Oz by the time one's paid freight, but I'm absolutely sold on these speakers now. They're just suberb (I like them so much I bought another four for my old '73 Super Reverb):

http://i373.photobucket.com/albums/oo178/splattle101/Amps/BassmanwithWebers.jpg

Those changes and some vintage glass complete the deal. The preamp and cathode follwer are AWA Radiotron and GE respectively, and the power valves are Sylvania 5881s. The rectifier is a Westinghouse 5V4, which gets the plate voltages down around 440 V (this amp puts 476 V on the plates with the stock 5AR4).

It rocks really well now. It's ropey and dirty when pushed, and cleans up beautifully when I roll off the guitar vol.

Great amp now!

And it sounds even better again since we finished the cathode bias mod this afternoon!

The amp now puts out about 30-35 Watts, and it's so touch sensitive. It sounds the best it has yet. Really fantastic. I suppose the output stage is more like an early tweed Super now.

I have a 1968 AB165 Bassman head that's been internally blackfaced and an old (date unknown) 2x15 Fender cabinet.

Question, if the amp has been internally blackfaced, can I still jumper from Normal 2 to Bass 1 input with no problem?

Also, is there a way to determine the date of the speaker cabinet?

Here's a pic of my Bassman head standing on its head - I'm running it thru a Dr Z 2x12 cabinet.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs352.snc3/29188_451496004551_727464551_6052216_5419222_n.jpg

thx!!

When I was in college my brother decided he wanted to learn bass, so he bought a no-name axe and a Bassman. I played through that thing a lot more than he did - loud, full, and niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice.

I don't need one now, but it would be fun to have!

I have a 1968 AB165 Bassman head that's been internally blackfaced...
Question, if the amp has been internally blackfaced, can I still jumper from Normal 2 to Bass 1 input with no problem?
Also, is there a way to determine the date of the speaker cabinet?


It depends what you mean by "blackfaced". The AB165 circuit can be found in Bassman amps with the black faceplate, so the difference would be only cosmetic. If it has been changed to a different circuit, like the AA864, then there would be a different number of gain stages in the two channels, resulting in opposite polarity. Whether this is a problem or not is up to you to decide.
I have a '68 Bassman (AB165), and all I did to it (at first-:wink:) was to install a bias circuit in place of the hum-balance, a very easy mod.
Anyway, since the AB165 circuit is already a "blackface" circuit, you'll have to spell out exactly what was done to the amp for an accurate reply to your question.
You could just try it out and see if it sounds good. That's probably the best way to check it out, no? Don't worry about harming the amp, you won't do that.

If you measure the size of the cab and compare it to the cabinets for a certain year you can usually narrow it down to a period. Then, working from things like tailed or tail-less logo, grill cloth and types of speakers you can get it pretty close, at least within a couple of years. For all I know there may be markings to determine the exact date of manufacture. Maybe somebody else can chime in?

Splattle101,

What made you decide to makes the changes you did? I'm looking to get my first gig worthy amp and I've pretty much settled on a RI Bassman. Was there a website you used or do you have the knowledge about amps? I'm pretty familiar with guitar guts, and I don't think amps will give me many fits. If you could point me towards any info I would greatly appreciate it.

You saying the 'lack of bass handling' scares me, as I was sort of hoping this amp would be able to double as a bass amp too.

How much did four speakers run you before shipping costs? I wonder if it is worth mixing and matching a combination of speakers to get a desirable sound?

If anyone else has suggestions about worthy or great mods, I'm all ears.

...It was bought and left unused, perfectly stored, for three years in a beautiful house in Nice (FR)... A couple days ago I went there from the province of Como (IT), paid a bargain price, grabbed it, and now he's my Avery (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/213086-ngd-even-fgd-acronyms-galore.html#post2511350)'s husband. :cool:


http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1796/p1000495h.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8121/p1000507fo.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7633/p1000513ny.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5296/p1000493i.jpg

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/8060/p1000529e.jpg

I'm the happiest furniture&crystals-demolisher guy in my town now.

Giacomo

I just bought a '63 6G6-B Blonde Bassman. My brother-in-law has it for now (he lives a few blocks from the guy I bought it from), I'll post pictures when I get my fingers on it.

Anybody have a blonde/wheat Bassman 2x12" cabinet they want to sell me?

Does anyone know how to date the '59 reissue?(not ltd)
I just picked this puppy up from craigslist for $600 and it sounds freaking awesome with a melt your ears off kind of sound. But I read you can date these amps by checking the tube listing on the inside and looking for the 2 letters which correspond to a year and a month. But mine says OCT next to the production line. I'm taking this to believe that it was one of the first original 59 reissues and it was built in 1990 October? Is there any truth to my theory or am I missing something?

0ceZ2HqrwnQ

[I'm the happiest furniture&crystals-demolisher guy in my town now.

Giacomo

:lol:

When the cash becomes available I'll recover it and have the power tranny changed and dual 5U4's installed. I'm looking for a 7993 tranny if it's not obvious!

If you want something a little more period correct before finding an original, Magnetic Components offer many transformers built in the "old school" fashion, interleaved windings and paper bobbins. You'll be pleasantly suprised by the pricing and they're made in the USA.

http://www.classictone.net/Fender-Style-Transformers.html#anchor_1784

Not sure what extra leads are required, or not ,for a dual rectified amp but they also do "custom" special orders as well. I have one of their custom PT's in my 5F6-A clone.

Just a regal, powerful Fender amp. Outstanding, deep tone for my surf band, but a fabulous amp for blues, rock, country, etc...

im a proud member of this club! I have a 1966 bassman head, and I've got a somewhat love hate relationship with it. does anyone else's bassman sound kinda plunky or farty? it may be the crappy marshall mg cab i run it through. as far as i know shes all original right down to the two pronged power cord:cool:

I have a great blackfaced Bassman head (75, I think) and my pride and joy, a 57 dual rectifier tweed Bassman. It's a 4x10 that may have begun life as a 1x15. I'll have to check the circuit when I get home and post it. Sounds heavenly, but I rarely take it to a gig these days.

I have a Clark Piedmont ( 59 Bassman replica ) on order....does this make me a member?? ;)

I guess it will be official when I bring that baby home in several more weeks..
Can't hardly wait!
:)

I will put my rig on, I have only been running it about a week. 68 head 50 watts with a 68 pa cabinet cut down to a 2 10" cab.

Lucky enough to have recently picked up a vintage 1960 Fender Bassman. :grin:

At moderate volume this amp plays country twang and mellow jazz faultlessly. When cranked up it nails AC/DC. This amp is unbelievably versatile. Some pics:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/1960-fender-bassman-front.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/1960-fender-bassman-back.jpg

WOW!....That is one nice find there Stan!

Big COngrats~

VERY nice score, StanV. Let us know how you like it after you've had some time to break it in!

'63 Bassman

http://www.luxetoneamps.com/_images/amp_pics/Bassman/cab_014.jpg

VERY nice score, StanV. Let us know how you like it after you've had some time to break it in!

Thanks ravindave. Am lovin' this amp.

Played clean it has "piano lows" & sparkling highs. Has a "big" sound. Don't know how the Fender boys did it, but it also has enough mids so that it doesn't sound like a blackface. It's a great desert island amp that works with many varieties of styles.

Played distorted is another matter -- and it has a lot of distortion and is LOUD. It's a one trick pony... Sounds just like a Marshall JTM45 and makes every note sound like Angus. Oops, other way around... the JTM45 sounds just like this model Bassman...

It's almost impossible to find an amp that can play clean and distorted equally well without effects, modeling and the like. This one does it. :mrgreen:

I posted earlier in this thread about the '61 Bassman I use for my surf band, and yesterday we had to play at a large car show, with no PA system. So, the Bassman had to be cranked way up there, and what a performance. When I wanted to get a clear, warm chord with all the notes separate and distinct, it delivered, even at a high volume. And the overall full tone and depth of the amp was a joy - I even liked hearing my own playing for the whole gig!
(And, I use a Danelectro Spring King for strong reverb - and you can still get the reverb spring crash by kicking the pedal!)

this is my 67 bassman it's a fairly new amp to me but Its becoming a definite favorite!!! especially for overdrive tones!

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee471/Nickc66/photo-33.jpg

Just picked up a 90's Bassman in a trade that has had some mod's done to it to bring her to more period correct values,eq was modded, power amp section, polarity of speaker output changed, cap's and some unnecessary circuit items removed.

Currently the speakers are 2 eminence copperheads and 2 celestion vintage 10's. The tube's running are winged c's and some new production tungsols in pre amp and rectifier tube is balance 12at7..

This amp sound's great, real beast. I'm waiting for wife to go out for awhile so I can really dig in. I played her for a bit and the wall's were shaking. The amp has been around touring so she's a dirty girl and that's how she'll stay. I don't believe in cleaning tweed up. Here are some pics.

All mod's were done by Bill Webb in Austin,Tx.. He also does Eric Johnson's amp's so I feel pretty confident about the work.
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/shamrock6996/bassman015.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/shamrock6996/bassman014.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/shamrock6996/bassman012.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/shamrock6996/bassman005.jpg
http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/shamrock6996/bassman003.jpg

I cannot wait to do a proper demo on this, she sound's amazing. I have to admit I was rather noobish when I first started playing through it and called the owner several times saying this is weird that sound's off.

Now that I have swapped the ay7 for a ax7 in the p.i slot. wooeee she is a bad B##ch.. I have never owned anything with such power, Now I understand completely what it mean's to own one of these amp's.

The mod's that Bill Webb did are amazing, amp is so tight and anyone wondering about different speakers, I am getting amazing tones from the 2 copperheads and vintage 10's. They pair up well together and they were already in there, I cannot claim credit for doing any of this work, I traded for this amp...

Can anyone tell me what I would need to ask for at weber for an attenuator if I wanted to get one. I may not but I want to play this amp loud more than I probably will be able too so I may have to bite the bullet. I understand these amps are different because the way the speakers are wired. What's the harness I need called?? Anyone know or ever use or see one. Thanks all

Mine has been modded to brown face specs. I love it!!! Chrystal clear tone. Bright, clean, yet warm and girthy & dirty. I would like a better cab (Pine or birch) My speakers are Weber Chicago Vintage 10s and would no doubt sound better resonating in a birch cab.

I didn't mean to say 12at7 for rectifier tube, that p.i slot I meant. I now have a ax7 in there as well. It was a 12ay7 in p.i which I guess should have been in v1. I butchered that part of description I guess.

Picked this'n up last week. It's a 2008 '59 Bassman RI LTD and I am completely smitten. I have my first band show with her this weekend, so we'll see! Next week, she gets Tung Sol 5881 power tubes, NOS 12ax pre-amp, re-biasing, and new electrolytic and coupling caps... and different speakers the following week. But for now, it's still a sweeet baby!

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/RustyB613/BassmanTele1.jpg

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i213/RustyB613/Bassman.jpg

Gringo13 what are you putting in for speakers? I have copperhead's and vintage 10's in mine 2 each, I can say with confidence that they can handle the low end nicely, no mushy farting tone. I'm curious as to what your getting. I didn't put mine in they were there when I traded for amp.

Let me know how you like the 5881's, I have winged c's now and they are a big o bottle of glass, nice tubes but I'm always looking for different input.

Nice amp you have there congratulations. I like the look of the laquered tweed, mine is from 1990 and is not laquered, very dirty tweed a matter of fact. Sound's great though, this amp really showed me how much my reverb and delay were hiding my mistakes, I play straight into this with just an o.d and you can hear all the subtleties. Good luck, let us know

I'm putting two of the blue Eminence speakers that used to come stock in the 59 RI and leaving the other two Jensen speakers in. I will re-evaluate the tone and then consider changing the other two. I've heard great things about the Emi Copperheads and have been seriously considering putting some in if need be. I'll keep you informed.

I'm in again... Just picked up this '75 Bassman Ten for cheap with plans for light modding. I LOVE a Tele through a Bassman!

Gringo where did you find those speakers, I have been looking to see if there around and they seem to be very scarce, the blue emi's I'm talkin bout

http://angela.com/fenderspeaker108ohm30wattvintagebluealnico.aspx

Nice amp, Leogot! Glad to see more some Tele-Bassman appreciation in K-town!

I'm in again... Just picked up this '75 Bassman Ten for cheap with plans for light modding. I LOVE a Tele through a Bassman!

Just couldn't stay away, huh? haha Tele through any Bassman is a great sound.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/66%20Bassman/Amps029.jpg

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/66%20Bassman/Amps026.jpg


http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i320/kyle_74/66%20Bassman/Amps025.jpg

I'm very happy to join the club here guys, pics of my July, 1990 Bassman and you can see The Tank too while we are at it!

http://theoldweirdamerica.blogspot.com/2011/09/i-love-it-when-plan-comes-together.html

Teaser pic:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FGIJ2BK2G7A/TnrUVzllpyI/AAAAAAAAABI/sTevdczZXcU/s320/IMG_0857.JPG

Since typing that, I've had to replace a speaker as it had opened up. Got two standard 50watt Eminence's in there to keep her balanced. The rattle I wrote about is naturally, gone.

bassman 5f6a speakers

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Advice please
i've just bought a fender bassman 5f6_a serial number is 44.
it has had someone put in a single 15 inch fender speaker, thankfully they mounted it on another board and did not cut out the original mounting board.
i would like to change it back to 4 10 inch speakers, my question is, which ones? all of one type, half and half, webers......
tell me what and why?
this is for home use, not for gigs, just personal playing
thanks
scott

I'm in this past Saturday I bought a used Fender 59 Bassman LTD:cool:
I don't have pictures yet going to bring the Amp and guitar over to a
friend's house and he will take the pictures for me:smile: Very happy
with my setup the Bassman and Telecaster I plan on doing some mods
and I'll start with new tubes. Tonight I'll have more time to play with it
and it was in my price range and I did look at other amps. I even A/B
with a Vox AC30H2 50th Anniversary and the Bassman sounded better
to my ears. The Vox, Tone King, and Top Hat and DR Z Jaz 20/40 were
all looked at and with bills to pay they were all out of my price range.

I just completed building a Weber 5F6A kit. I documented the build here:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=65668

If you just want to see the photos, they are here:

http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/582068370PZHrJN

My crappy demo is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sio3jHx-cKQ

my tele and my bassman
ill sale these tele and build one with swamp ash premium body maple neck and nocaster pus,
in the colour of amber butterscotch blonde..

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/421281_385795168116137_100000569725716_1452499_123 8527282_n.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/Texsunburst59/100_0339.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/Texsunburst59/100_0418.jpg
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/Texsunburst59/100_0001.jpg

Hi! How do I join the club?
What are ther rules?
Who do I pay monthly dues to?
Where do I locate the link within the TDPRI website?

Are there annual Summer picnics and Chrismas/NYEve dance parties?
Is this club a great way to meet my future spouse?

I own a 1954 Fender 5D6 "DK" 4x10 Bassman
and a 1964 Fender Blackface w/Presence Bassman
and a "Baby Bassman" Pignose Hog 20w :rolleyes:

Thanks for the help. Toppscore :cool:

Hi! I own a 1964 Fender Bassman Blackface Amp Head
with the "Presence" control. I was told that it was extra rare
to have the Presence" control, as most all blackface Bassman
amps after, were without the "Presence" control.

Are the tubes & capacitor values different within a
1964/1965 Bassman with or without the "Presence" Control?

Are there any records of how many Fender Bassmans
with "Presence" controls were made? and which months
they were shipped?
Thanks for any response. Toppscore

Lucky enough to have recently picked up a vintage 1960 Fender Bassman. :grin:

At moderate volume this amp plays country twang and mellow jazz faultlessly. When cranked up it nails AC/DC. This amp is unbelievably versatile. Some pics:

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/1960-fender-bassman-front.jpg

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/medium/1960-fender-bassman-back.jpg
Nice amp. I own a 1954 5D6 4x10 Bassman
and a 1964 Bassman amp head.
Question. Do you play with or without pedals/effects?
Do you use a stand alone reverb tank?
Why or why not? Toppscore

Weber 5F6A clone I built earlier this year:


http://inlinethumb29.webshots.com/47516/2895916840090987409S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2895916840090987409BaNiXY)


http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/49385/2451788890090987409S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2451788890090987409rYVAGX)

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/50694/2555120650090987409S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2555120650090987409ZnMvEW)

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/36139/2549737550090987409S600x600Q85.jpg (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2549737550090987409FMvuFh)

Guys, I've had this amp since 2/18/12 and it just isn't
working out for me. Today I put in the Classified section
for sale. I think I made the mistake of buying it in the
first place. In my den it sounded bad and in the back
bedroom it sounded a little better but not much. I don't
know if it's the speakers or the tubes. I even thought
about changing the pickups on my guitar. I call a person
who works on Amps and he left me a voice mail just got
to call him again. Maybe I just have to gut the Amp and
use quality parts and not the sub standard parts that
Fender has in the amp:confused:

I had an offer for my Bassman LTD now just have to think
about it:eek:

Last night I (sold) my Bassman so now I have
to look for a new Amp.

My 64 with AA165 circuit

http://i1105.photobucket.com/albums/h349/paulmantello/IMG_6558.jpg

Nice amp. I own a 1954 5D6 4x10 Bassman
and a 1964 Bassman amp head.
Question. Do you play with or without pedals/effects?
Do you use a stand alone reverb tank?
Why or why not? Toppscore

Sorry for the late response....

I don't play with any pedals, effects or reverb tank. The amp sounds great the way it is. IMHO anything else in the signal chain is a tone sucker.

Sorry for the late response....

I don't play with any pedals, effects or reverb tank. The amp sounds great the way it is. IMHO anything else in the signal chain is a tone sucker.

In case you hadn't notice, Toppscore has been banned from this forum.

I've got a '68 Bassman I picked up about a year ago. Sweet amp, but I haven't been yet able to find a single speaker to use with it yet that sounds good for guitar. Mostly I've been trying 8 ohm speakers (like the JBL D130 here, and others) with a proper resistance to 4 ohms, but all of them sound very thin through the normal channel. The amp was looked over and recapped recently, and is just fine according to the tech. Would like to turn this into a smaller combo amp, but I have yet to find a single speaker that sounds any good at all -- unless the gain is cranked to 7, which obviously isn't going to work.

I have a bone-stock '76 silverface with the 2-15 diagonal cab. Believe it or not, this is my main bass rig. I've used it along with a deluxe active j bass (fralin pups), 7 band eq., rack mounted compressor and rack mounted sonic maximizer. Despite what some may say, I've kept up with a heavy handed drummer with ease. Needless to say this thing impressed me and did it with cheap sovteks in the power section.

Weber 5F6A clone I built earlier this year:

[/URL]

(http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2895916840090987409BaNiXY)



[URL="http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2549737550090987409FMvuFh"] (http://entertainment.webshots.com/photo/2555120650090987409ZnMvEW)

Nice work, how much does it cost?

Nice work, how much does it cost?

Thanks.

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5F6A

Thanks.

https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5F6A

Thank you :-) you made my day.

Thank you :-) you made my day.

Here is the complete build of my amp, with photos. Warning: It's 16 pages long. :shock:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=65668

Here is the complete build of my amp, with photos. Warning: It's 16 pages long. :shock:

http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=65668

Thanks I'll check it out ;-)

Thanks I'll check it out ;-)

Hope you enjoy it. :grin:

Here is my '64 Bassman.

Custom 1x15 Combo

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL361/492960/9377670/66865581.jpg

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL361/492960/9377670/66865579.jpg

Here is another that was on loan to me for a while.

My buddy's '66 3x10. This one has a Post phase inverter master on the back. It sounds fantastic.

http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL361/492960/5915369/399376879.jpg

Here's my early 90's 59' Bassman RI. It has a few mods by the previous owner to bring it closer to original specs. I've previously owned an original 4X10 Blues Deville, Hotrod Deluxe and a few others. Like this one the best. Always jump the channels.150328

SFK, that looks great man. I bet it sounds glorious. Where did you get that cab?
Congrats!

I have picked up a Victoria 45410 "'57 Tweed Bassman" recently. I am rather blown away by its sound. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.

SFK, that looks great man. I bet it sounds glorious. Where did you get that cab?
Congrats!

Thanks. I bought it in the cabinet. It was made my a company called Rogers.

I'm in!


151989

Wow that is inspirational. My 68 Bassman head is being serviced right now (something we all wish for) and I want to make it into a combo.

This thread is Bassman Porn, gotta love it. Here's my ol' girl, a brownface '63 6g6-b sitting atop my '62 brownface Super 6g4a sweetie. The Echolette tube tape delay is another story itself, too, wowza! These are my favourite amps along with my first year JCM 800. I bought the Bassman when it was 12 years old, just entering puberty. I've played it through every cabinet known to man and a few I made myself, too. I use a single 12 EVM, this is my favourite setup, but want to load a blonde box with 2 old EV SROs that I have kicking around, thats pretty spectacular, too. Any sound any volume, AC/DC to Zappa and all colours in between, could anyone really ask for more? The 2nd foto is the setup as I use it, a late '40s Gibson GA30 box with the EVM in it. The amp is missing from the ga-30... I'm so happy with my bassman, I'll never get rid of it, that would be like getting rid of my left arm. Oh yeah, I paid $75 for it from my buddy back in the day, he gets angry every time he hears it 'coz he realizes what a mistake he made. I replaced the power filter caps 10 yrs ago with Spragues, otherwise all original, even 2 prong power cord (be careful with that zap, Eugene!) You are all a lucky bunch of players that realize what you've got....the best amp ever! Give 'er...:mrgreen:

Here is my 1960 5f-6A bassman I got last week and my 1966 piggy back with original matching cabinet.. The cabinet has never been separated from the head, how cool is that..


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f70/juliaan/bassman2.jpg


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f70/juliaan/bassmanback.jpg


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f70/juliaan/IMG_0801.jpg


I added the green tone jewel but I still have the original..and I know the back panel on the 1960 is upside down :)

Has the 5F6A been recovered? That tweed looks new and like it has been lacqured.

my 1x15" combo'd '64

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v95/echosonic/1BD13B84-DD2C-4A2C-8090-2AC4CCC1299D-6421-0000093727F3D617.jpg

Yup its a retweed.. I play em so the retweed was a bonus if I take it out people will think it is a reissue and will be less inclined to steal it..plus it looks awsome and yes the tweed has been laquered.. couldn't be happier..

Yup its a retweed.. I play em so the retweed was a bonus if I take it out people will think it is a reissue and will be less inclined to steal it..plus it looks awsome and yes the tweed has been laquered.. couldn't be happier..

It looks good.

Thanks..well if ya heard it the looks aren't the half of it..these amps are certainly not overrated..they have something unique to themselves..I never thought I would have the opportunity to own an original tweed. They are expensive and if you did find one it would most likely be from the states..This one is beautiful, original plays and sounds great..everything works perfect, I checked all the numbers and they all line up perfect and I found it 45 minutes from my house and of course got to try it first. So it wasn't shipped and you had to hope you got something good..I bought it knowing it was what it was..I am super thankful to have found this and it is going to be gigged with not in a collection, although I have seven old amps in total all blackface or tweed and one a1972 silverface thats a super reverb..they all get gigged..

Got this in a trade many moons ago. For my Christmas this yr its going in for an overhaul.
71 Silverface 50w
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab223/PineAppleSlim/121217-161509_zps9e6a6748.jpg

I don't remember if I posted this before. My 66 baseman that used to sound horrible and pick up ham radio signals. Sent it off to Dave Allen for repairs and the baseman mod he use to do. Sometimes I use an aby switch between channels but mostly stick with the normal channel.

Jim Marshall was apparently quite impressed by Fender's 'Bassman', and at a claimed half the cost in the UK, he supposedly produced a 4x10" 'Bluesbreaker' for Eric Clapton. This was in 1961 or thereabouts. This eventually became the 2x12" "Bluesbreaker".

Fender, in turn, acknowledged Jim Marshall's efforts of borrowing the 'Bassman' idea for his own company's use, by having the Fender Custom Shop produce the 'Bass Breaker' amp. This may have been some kind of tongue-in-cheek pay back of some kind or just a natural progression of the 'Bassman'.

The 'Bass Breaker' was built at the Fender CS in Corona from 2001 to 2004. It has a tube rectifier and two 12"British built Celestion30 speakers, which produce a "very warm rich sound".

Here is my signed 'Bass Breaker' - a type of 'Bassman'.

BTW anyone know whose signature that is?

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBr10.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBr5.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBR3.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBr6.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBr2.jpg

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBr1.jpg

Here is my signed 'Bass Breaker' - a type of 'Bassman'.

BTW anyone know whose signature that is?


http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBR3.jpg

Sure, that's Juan G's signature.


Sorry, that may not have helped.

Sure, that's Juan G's signature.

Thank you ravindave_3600 ....and who is 'Juan G'? Any further info? 'G' as in ????

Surely not a relative of Kenny G ? .........:confused:

Thank you ravindave_3600 ....and who is 'Juan G'? Any further info? 'G' as in ????

Surely not a relative of Kenny G ? .........:confused:

That's why I thought it might not be a lot of help. I doubt if he's related to Kenny G, though - not enough coolness in that DNA to play a tele!

I loves my tweedy Bassman.

Question for those with a tweed. What would I gain or lose by going from my current 6L6GC's to 5881's?

If you put a matched set soft duet, they will breakup quicker.

Here's my early 59 RI. A harp player I used to play weekly jam sessions with asked me to play through it one night. I didn't want to. He asked me if I knew what it was. I told him I did, and that I didn't want to play through it because I'd want it. That's when he told me he wanted me to play through it because he wanted me to buy it from him. For $200. It took a week, but I finally talked him into taking $250 for it. This is my "normal" rig, a Custom Shop Esquire (with neck pickup) into it. But my Hamer Artist Korina with P-90's into this amp is the absolute most fun I've ever had on stage. I guess I've had it about 10 years now. I've put new power tubes in it, a Weber Copper Cap, and done the bias mod to it.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh245/92Esquire/Guitars/esq_zps61fd0ee2.jpg

BTW anyone know whose signature that is?


http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l48/tonyjp/BassBR3.jpg


Colombian race car driver Juan Montoya? Maybe he built amps on the side. :lol:

I traded for a "new" '76 Bassman 50 over the weekend... so I guess this thread is back at the top for a short moment :wink:

This was the perfect addition to the perfect bedroom setup... don't you think?

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/Stoneflycutt/Bassman50001_zpsc30ca95e.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/Stoneflycutt/Bassman50010_zpsdc8a5142.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/Stoneflycutt/Bassman50004_zps58560099.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd63/Stoneflycutt/Bassman50011_zps384d22ee.jpg

Got this in a trade many moons ago. For my Christmas this yr its going in for an overhaul.
71 Silverface 50w
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab223/PineAppleSlim/121217-161509_zps9e6a6748.jpg

Shes up and running and sounding great. New fresh set of 6 JJs. Fixed a short at the power input, put on a grounded plug. Inside, she was clean as a whistle, everything looked practically brand new. No caps leaking. So, no cap job at the present time. Put a 4 ohm 15 bass speaker in my old cab to match impedence.
Im loving it. Guitar sounds awesome, bass is nice and warm and fat thru it.
http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab223/PineAppleSlim/130311-164511_zps001a3eeb.jpg

I just built this one.
6G6-A circuit, but with a tube rectifier.
Sounds great.

Just added some almost NOS E140's to my Bassman 50...old school bass rig is complete. As you can see, I had help with this...lol

I just built this one.
6G6-A circuit, but with a tube rectifier.
Sounds great.

telex76, that is a beautiful job. I bet that amp sounds glorious.
Well done man.