Bassman LTD

JumpMarine

JumpMarine

18 watts of Mayhemologist
I'm very curious about this amp, first off it's a thing of beauty. Fender makes the statement that because of the already installed bias adjust you can experiment with other power tubes. So, what is the reality of the extent that you can experiment? Will it handle EL34 or KT77's? I'm assuming that KT66's aren't a problem, but has anyone actually done this?
 
Re: Bassman LTD

I just picked up a '59 bassman reissue ltd (relic). I love the amp to death because it can carry my home bass and guitar rig VERY well. I patched the channels together and it sounds great. My only complaint though is for the stock Jensen speakers. They just don't have the ability to one, handle real low bass frequency and two, get muddy around 7 or so.

As far as changing out the power tubes, I've heard of it being done, but I've never ventured as far as to do it myself.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

Well, at a minimum, you have to rewire the socket for EL34, change the screen resistor, and rebias. The PT also has to be able to handle the additional current draw...it might, it might not. With a SS rectifier, you have a better chance of handling the additional current draw. You may have to change some values in the bias circuit as well. Any of the mods for EL34 operation void your warranty. When Fender says 'other power tubes' I'm pretty sure they mean in the 6L6/5881 family...
 
Re: Bassman LTD

What about the EL37 tube...I've read that it's the English equivalent of the 6L6...is it a drop in tube, or would an amp need mods?
 
Re: Bassman LTD

ES350 said:
Well, at a minimum, you have to rewire the socket for EL34, change the screen resistor, and rebias. The PT also has to be able to handle the additional current draw...it might, it might not. With a SS rectifier, you have a better chance of handling the additional current draw. You may have to change some values in the bias circuit as well. Any of the mods for EL34 operation void your warranty. When Fender says 'other power tubes' I'm pretty sure they mean in the 6L6/5881 family...
Click to expand...

That is specifically what I was looking for, THANKS!
 
Re: Bassman LTD

I had one, and liked it. Some even think it sounds better than the old originals. All the components are big, just like PTP, although they're on thick tracer PC boards, with wire connecting it to all the pots etc. For that reason, it sounds almost identical to PTP.

I wouldn't change tube types, for fear of stressing components, plus you'd need to change a resistor or 2 in order to switch to EL-34's. Not worth it.

I agree with many that Jensens can't handle lows. I've always thought the Bassman would sound perfect with Celestion 10's.......and it would lend that British vibe you're seeking with tubes. The Bassman LTD with speakers that can pump heavy lows would be about perfect for me.

I only sold mine because I liked the 212 Matchless Chieftain more.....plus I used the money to fund a Roland workstation.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

If you end up getting one I would suggest not changing tubes in it as most of the tubes you mentioned draw a fair bit more current that the stock 6L6/5881's would. If you really want to tighten up the lows on it take 2 of the reissue Jensens out and put 2 ceramic 10 in their place...it will add some weight to the amp but it'll really clean up the lows and keep it a bit tighter.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

just another opinion from someone who used to own the amp.

stick with 6l6 type tubes like the others said. kt66's are ok as long as the power tranny can handle the extra current, mine was fine with em. i liked mine best with a 12ay7 in the first preamp slot, a 5751 would be my second choice, two strong 12ax7's in the others. a good 5ar4 and the tubes biased kinda hot worked for me too.

the p10r speakers arent my favorites. i think a bigger voice coil helps the tone. a mix of alnico and ceramic works well to preserve some of the tweed character while beefing up the tone. im sure a quad of the v10's would be really nice too.

the biggest consideration is volume. this is not a quiet amp and different speakers are gonna make it even louder. to sound its best it needs to be around 1/3 the way up which may be clean depending on the guitar and tubes but i really liked it about 2/3 up which is pretty freakin loud. i typically only got to use the amp at a volume i wanted outdoors. there was a couple times i had my esquire plugged straight into my ltd at an outdoor gig and i couldnt have been any happier with the tone. it was perfection those days. never was as happy at an indoor gig, im sure because the volume was lower.

i loved the tweed tone but couldnt deal with the volume. so i had scott build me a 25-30 watt tweed bandmaster/super/pro and then i kept modding it till it was right for me. i ended up with the tone cap values of a bassman.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

Thanks gents, interesting comments! Has anyone compared the Bassman side of the Supersonic to an LTD? Obviously there will be a difference with the speakers alone.
 
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Re: Bassman LTD

JumpMarine said:
Thanks gents, interesting comments! Has anyone compared the Bassman side of the Supersonic to an LTD? Obviously there will be a difference with the speakers alone.
Click to expand...

The bassman "in" a Supersonic is based on a 1965 Blackface Bassman, he LTD is a reissue of a 1959 Tweed Bassman...COMPLETELY different sounding amps...
 
Re: Bassman LTD

Isn't the stated output 60 watts on the RI (IIRC)? If that's the case, dropping some B+ would get you a little closer to tweed era voltages and sound a bit sweeter...a tech can do this for you pretty easily.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

Even though the Supersonic doesn't completely nail a Bassman or Vibrolux....or a Marshall, I stll think it's one of the most versatile Fender amps for a working musician. It's hard to find things I don't like about the Supersonic, because it was made to be a versatile gigging amp that does a couple nice cleans and higher gain. I don't snub my nose at it, and even contemplated getting one.

It's easy to say that the best Fender amps are vintage ones, but once in awhile Fender comes out with a good modern amp, and my favorite 2 are the Supersonic and 2001 Concert Reverb 4-10.......and those Pro Tube amps have depreciated massively, so they're a good buy. The Pro Tube Series, which includes the Twin, Concert, Pro, and Supersonic are all worthy offerings, as modern Fenders.

Sure, old vintage Fenders have the greatest clean tones on earth, but some of Fender's modern amps like the Pro Tube Series, also give you nice gain channels, tube reverb, 1/2 power switches, easy biasing, and more tonal options.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

ES350 said:
Isn't the stated output 60 watts on the RI (IIRC)? If that's the case, dropping some B+ would get you a little closer to tweed era voltages and sound a bit sweeter...a tech can do this for you pretty easily.
Click to expand...

im pretty sure they are still around 50w or so
 
Re: Bassman LTD

jeremy said:
im pretty sure they are still around 50w or so
Click to expand...

45 to 50 watts..

More on the speakers, cause i have the stock jensens still in her. (sorry if im taking from your thread dude)

What are some specific models and configurations i should look into to get the amp nice and clean with a great low end able to carry my bass rig as well as sounding good with my tele driven with a dynacomp (slight extra gain)

Thanks guys
 
Re: Bassman LTD

It is one wicked and open sounding amp.

I owned one new, but I had too many high powered amps so it had to go.

I loved the tones, but I think you REALLY HAVE TO WEAR IT IN to get the goods.

i also think a couple of upgrades in components could make it even ore fat and smooth.
 
Re: Bassman LTD

to get the best sounds from a bass you would want different speakers than for guitar. a pair of ceramic speakers mixed with some larger voice coil/heavier magnet alnico would be my first choice for guitar but for bass you'd want four ceramic speakers
 
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