70s Fender Bassman Head

astrozombie

KatyPerryologist
$400 locally. is this a good deal? I know nothing about bassman amps, let alone bassman heads. I've read it's basically a plexi. how true is this? anything I should know before I call to try it out?

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Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

It's sheer power, and it's got a nice grind when it's pushed. No verb, no tremelo, no OD. If the pots, caps and tubes are in good shape, grab it.
 
Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

Is it the 50 or the 70? It would either say Bassman 50 or Bassman 70 on the faceplate.

Are you sure it's a 70's model? Does it just say Bassman Amp on the face?

Ask the seller to look at the tube chart...what circuit is it? If it says AB165, get it quick.
 
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Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

$400 is around current market value. ($350 sounds better) Although the 1st Marshall's where Tweed bassman knockoff's, A SF Bassman is far from a Plexi tonality wise. Give it a test ride...see how you like it? At 50 watts, Good cleans, Breaks up when pushes hard, Takes pedal's well.
 
Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

There is some good info here.

Bassman heads and Plexi Marsdhalls have almost nothing in common really but that doesn't mean that the Bassman heads are not cool guitar amps.

If it is a non master Bassman head $400 is a good deal but they can be had for less.
 
Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

i think the marshall/bassman link you are thinking is the earliest marshalls (like the bluesbreaker model) and the original tweed bassman amp circuits were very similar. The later fender bassman amps come in many shapes, sizes, wattage, circuitry and eqs etc.
Many of these have very little in common with the earliest bassman amps (which are the ones that gained the reputation as great guitar amps).
Silverface bassman amps do sound great for guitar if you are after loud, flat and clean. The tweed style amps are brighter, dirtier and saggier due to the tube rectifiers. the earliest marshalls were based on this design.
Do not get this amp if you want a plexi. Get a plexi or a clone. Do get this amp if you want linear and loud with bags of clean headroom.
 
Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

What I'm looking for is a Fender tube amp that will get me a beautiful clean tone with maybe some slight break-up if I'm up for it.

I think Empty Pockets has one of these... ?
 
Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

$400 locally. is this a good deal? I know nothing about bassman amps, let alone bassman heads. I've read it's basically a plexi. how true is this? anything I should know before I call to try it out?

634227165206779218uro2yze4.JPG

Is it the 50 or the 70? It would either say Bassman 50 or Bassman 70 on the faceplate.

Are you sure it's a 70's model? Does it just say Bassman Amp on the face?

Ask the seller to look at the tube chart...what circuit is it? If it says AB165, get it quick.


THIS is why people like me, LOVE the AB 165 circuit Bassman. (see sig)


<--- guitar straight into map (I think they made this circuit right up to 1968)

This amp, into two 4X12's with the right speakers, and tasty fuzz box = DOOM CITY !!! (with P H A T T sounding humbuckers)




PS : above clip is not me.
 
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Re: 70s Fender Bassman Head

For that $400 you'll get a great Handwired head, that'll be loud as hell, and kick the **** out of anything even close to "new" you could get for even triple the price. It's not gonna be as Loud and clean as a Twin, or Showman. But it'll still be very very loud.
You said in a previous thread you were planning to run whatever amp you get, loud, clean and run pedals into the front right? If thats the case...personally, I would actually LOOK for a Master Volume UL Model. You'll get GREAT fender cleans, with hardly any breakup even cranked. I have a UL Master Volume Bassman 70, because I run pedals for my dirt. It works beautifully for that. Plus since everyone seems to think the UL fenders suck, you can get them for even Less than a normal SF Bassman.
Thats a non master head BTW (6 knobs = Non-Master, 7 knobs = Master). Even the Non-master heads are still really loud and clean. So you should check it out, and if you dig it...Buy it.
 
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