amp kits?

[ginormous]

I'm going for a vintage tweed Bassman 4x10 tone; rootsy, bluesy, creamy OD with a little grind.

Does anybody do amp kits (w/tremolo & verb) in this vein? It's been a while, but I do have some skills with a soldering pencil.

Should I even bother price-wise ($400 or less US), or just go dumpster-diving for a Peavey Classic 50?

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: amp kits?

Here's a Weber kit: 5F6A Bassman (Tweed Bassman): https://taweber.powweb.com/store/kits_50a.htm#5F6A

It's $650, for the kit.

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: amp kits?

If I were you, I'd look for used Silverface Bassman and mod it if need be. They can be modded to 5F6A specs pretty easily.

I am no amp modder, so I can't speak to "how easy" this supposedly is :laughing: so forgive my regurgitation of information - I just wanted to mention this option.

Silverfaces seem to be the best bang / buck ratio on the used market.

If it doesn't have to be Fender, you can find a Peavey "Delta Blues" on the cheap if you keep your feelers out. They are pretty stout amplifiers!

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: amp kits?

Ceriatone - all the classic amps are there.

 

[ES350]

Re: amp kits?

With trem and verb, you might as well just get the Peavey...part of the tweed thing is not having that stuff in the circuit. You can mod a BF to do a kinda sorta tweed vibe, but they are different critters in some basic ways. If you look around, you may be able to find a 5F6A kit (or just a chassis) already built and ready to go...but most everything is going to be more than your budget once you get it all together (cab, speakers, etc). For less $$$, you might be able to get a tweed Pro/Super homebuild and get the real grind.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: amp kits?

Mojotone will provide the best parts of those mentioned above.

 

[DankStar]

Re: amp kits?

I have a "how to build your first tube amp" instructional guide book that starts at a champ and ends at a bassman (with a few others in between). Want to borrow it? I probably won't use it any time soon.

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: amp kits?

If I were you, I'd look for used Silverface Bassman and mod it if need be. They can be modded to 5F6A specs pretty easily.

I am no amp modder, so I can't speak to "how easy" this supposedly is :laughing: so forgive my regurgitation of information - I just wanted to mention this option.

The best thing to do with a SF is turn it into a BF, which is fairly easy. To turn it into a tweed may be possible, but would be more involved calling for a tube rectifier ect....

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: amp kits?

I'd suggest taking advantage of all the good stuff being dumped on Craigslist, and find the same thing all built up or name brand. Their loss will be your gain, and all you do is bring it home.

 

[MojoMonster]

Re: amp kits?

I have a "how to build your first tube amp" instructional guide book that starts at a champ and ends at a bassman (with a few others in between). Want to borrow it? I probably won't use it any time soon.

That sounds useful... what's the name of the book?

MM