What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

[foo3001]

What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

...apart from the tremolo, of course. And I´m particularly interested in information about blackface models.

What´s the difference in sound, headroom etc?

I may be buying a ´65 bandmaster, and I already have a ´64 bassman. Just wondering how different they are to each other.

 

[More-Gear-Than-Skill]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

the bandmaster is rated at 10 watts less, than the bassman's 50. But yet both are 2x6L6gc? But besides that, they appear the same. Look at: http://www.ampwares.com//ffg/

 

[LJ King]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

The bandmaster has a smaller output transformer than the bassman that will saturate earlier. It will also not pass as much low end due to lack of iron.

To me it sounds mushy when overdriven but others consider it tight.

Then there is also the tremolo.

 

[Farkus]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

The bandmaster has a smaller output transformer than the bassman that will saturate earlier. It will also not pass as much low end due to lack of iron.

To me it sounds mushy when overdriven but others consider it tight.

Then there is also the tremolo.

I agree that the Bandmaster amps can sound somewhat 'mushy' in OD, but I think they sound pretty cool. The amp really offered up some great tones after I figured out I could jumper the channels. I still prefer the Bandmaster for cleans though. My '67 sounds perfect with a set of JJ preamp/power tubes (6v6's) as they seem to roll off some of the highs and warm the amp up. I'll let others more familar with the Bassman chime in on those.

 

[sosomething]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

ssman and ndmaster.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

ssman and ndmaster.

:laugh2: :smack:

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Although ssn and ndster would be more accurate!!

 

[foo3001]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Got to test drive the Bandmaster today..

And the biggest difference is that..

..the bassman sounds a lot better!

The bandmaster has quite a bit more clean headroom, which is kinda cool.

But it also has a bit more shrill character, especially the high frequencies aren´t as pleasing as with the bassman. It didn´t like pedals as well as the bassman, either.

Guess I´ll stick with the Bassman.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Guess I´ll stick with the Bassman.

I come to this conclusion every time I play a different amp.

-X

 

[jeremy]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

the bandmaster has more clean headroom? that seems odd to me

 

[foo3001]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

the bandmaster has more clean headroom? that seems odd to me

It surprised me too. Being a 40 watt amp compared to the around 50 of the bassman.

Actually I´m not sure if there was more actual clean headroom, but the breakup sounded way different from my Bassman.. The bandmaster started to get noticeable breakup just above 5, and the breakup was kindof treble-y and kindof tight.

My bassman breaks up a bit below 5 and the breakup starts more in the mids than the trebles, and it sounds way more loose and, I must say, better.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

Re: What´s the difference between an Bassman and a Bandmaster?

A lot of the tone comparisons could be caps, tubes, biasing or simply age.

My recollections of my BF Bandmaster circa 1967 compared to other new Bassman amps of that era (new amps with factory tubes): the Bassman was louder, cleaner, tighter, and a lot more bass.

My Bandmaster distorted earlier, with a sweet singing sustain. Bassmans, when distorted, would sound again--tighter, and sometimes even harsh.

If you want more "sag", try the 35-watt Tremolux head. Want more clean headroom, try a Showman head.

Bill