I'm looking into replacing the tubes in a 1991 '59 Bassman I recently purchased on EBay. I hear Groove Tube's aren't the best, and I can't afford NOS Mullards. Is there any good tube that is fairly affordable? Also, was wondering if all Bassman Reissues are equipped with Jensen Speakers? Thanks for the help!
New Tubes for a '59 Bassman Reissue
- Thread starter thejbs
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McLaughysSN
New member
Re: New Tubes for a '59 Bassman Reissue
I've actually got a brand new '59 Bassman reissue 4x10 with (I believe) ceramic Jensens.
I'm looking for a calmer sound at higher volumes. I blend the channels cause the bright is too bright, the normal is too dull, but everything is perfect at lower volumes. What tubes would you guys suggest to get a warmer, cleaner tone without being as dull as the straight normal channel?
I've actually got a brand new '59 Bassman reissue 4x10 with (I believe) ceramic Jensens.
I'm looking for a calmer sound at higher volumes. I blend the channels cause the bright is too bright, the normal is too dull, but everything is perfect at lower volumes. What tubes would you guys suggest to get a warmer, cleaner tone without being as dull as the straight normal channel?
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: New Tubes for a '59 Bassman Reissue
The 91 Reissue came with Eminence speakers, Fender labeled Sovteks, less handwiring than the new LTD, and fixed bias.
The best improvements you could make are to swap all the speakers for Weber, Jensen Moderns, or something that handles lows better. Also, replace the power tubes with Svetlana or JJ 6L6's, and the best pre tubes you can get.
The 91 Reissue came with Eminence speakers, Fender labeled Sovteks, less handwiring than the new LTD, and fixed bias.
The best improvements you could make are to swap all the speakers for Weber, Jensen Moderns, or something that handles lows better. Also, replace the power tubes with Svetlana or JJ 6L6's, and the best pre tubes you can get.
Gunny47
New member
Re: New Tubes for a '59 Bassman Reissue
Tung Sol Reissue 5881s are amazing - I have em in my Tweed Twin Reissue and they really made the amp sing at higher volumes! I also did away with the stock pre-amp tubes and put in JJs which warmed up the tone a lot, not nearly as harsh as it was when it was stock. In addition to the speakers breaking in. I want to try to put in some 12AY7s in the first three pre-amp spots and that should lower the harshness even more, have that 50s lower gain tone. I had NOS stuff in the past with my little Gibson amp and even threw some leftovers I had into my Fender and I just was not impressed. Definitely not worth the money IMO, some people believe that is key in tone, I really don't.
I had the same problem as you with the channels, the bright channel was basically unusable by itself so I was forced to plug into the normal channel. Now I have them jumpered (with the Tweed Twin its a little different from the bassman) with a Y cable one going into the 1st inoput of the normal and one going into the first input of the bright. I don't think I'll ever play that amp again without jumping the channels. Such an improvement, really great tones!
Tung Sol Reissue 5881s are amazing - I have em in my Tweed Twin Reissue and they really made the amp sing at higher volumes! I also did away with the stock pre-amp tubes and put in JJs which warmed up the tone a lot, not nearly as harsh as it was when it was stock. In addition to the speakers breaking in. I want to try to put in some 12AY7s in the first three pre-amp spots and that should lower the harshness even more, have that 50s lower gain tone. I had NOS stuff in the past with my little Gibson amp and even threw some leftovers I had into my Fender and I just was not impressed. Definitely not worth the money IMO, some people believe that is key in tone, I really don't.
I had the same problem as you with the channels, the bright channel was basically unusable by itself so I was forced to plug into the normal channel. Now I have them jumpered (with the Tweed Twin its a little different from the bassman) with a Y cable one going into the 1st inoput of the normal and one going into the first input of the bright. I don't think I'll ever play that amp again without jumping the channels. Such an improvement, really great tones!
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