THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

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s_mcsleazy
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by s_mcsleazy » Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:13 am

hulakatt wrote:
Fri Apr 22, 2022 9:00 am
I'm grateful I got into vintage Fenders in the early 00's when I could pick up a SF Bassman or Twin Reverb for around $300-400 bucks at Johnnie B Goodes. I've owned quite a few but never owned a Pro Reverb or Super Reverb. I've had many Bassman amps but my current one is a '66 BF I rescued from the trash, bought a matching horizontal 2x12 from Mojotone and loaded with Golds. I've also had many Twin Reverbs and nothing else sounds quite like them at low volumes, they're incredible!

Yeah, the QR and S6 were the answer to the question: What if I love the Fender sound and want a combo but I feel insecure about the size of my Super Reverb and I need to sterilize small woodland creatures?
i got into them in the late 00's when they were just starting to rise but blooze lawyers on reverb hadn't done their thing yet. my bassman 50 was £400 when i got it and now seeing some go for about £600-800 kinda shocks me. saying that, they're kinda rarer in the uk and many are in their forever homes. i used to pull mine to gigs and have middle aged men moaning at me saying "you shouldn't be using that live, it should be retired, tell you what, i'll give you £600 for it" and i'd just be like "no thanks" every time.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Wed Apr 27, 2022 4:27 pm

s_mcsleazy wrote:
Tue Apr 26, 2022 9:13 am
i got into them in the late 00's when they were just starting to rise but blooze lawyers on reverb hadn't done their thing yet. my bassman 50 was £400 when i got it and now seeing some go for about £600-800 kinda shocks me. saying that, they're kinda rarer in the uk and many are in their forever homes. i used to pull mine to gigs and have middle aged men moaning at me saying "you shouldn't be using that live, it should be retired, tell you what, i'll give you £600 for it" and i'd just be like "no thanks" every time.
Damn shame about pushy blooze lawyers. Old Fenders don't need to retire, the BF/SF ones are robust enough to live forever with a little maintenance and love and all the old amps deserve to stretch their legs and not be holed up in some purchased Man Cave.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by Russell1982 » Sat May 28, 2022 12:23 pm

I used to have a silver face bassman 100 from the 1970’s that I bought for a steal on eBay in the mid 2000’s. It sounded glorious but I sold it when I decided to sell off almost all my gear. I’ve regretted it since and this thread is making me regret it more. Really need to replace it some day.

Side note, mine was sold by a guy who had a car impound yard nearby, found it in the boot of a car that was going to be crushed and sold it. He didn’t know what it was or if it worked and I think I paid just over £100 for it. It was a hell of a find and made for a great story. So gutted I sold it.

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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by lamp » Sat May 28, 2022 12:41 pm

bulrich wrote:
Sun Apr 24, 2022 5:46 pm
Some recent scores.
Nice amps bulrich!

This is mine, Nov ‘64 AA864.

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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Sat May 28, 2022 2:49 pm

Russell1982 wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 12:23 pm
I used to have a silver face bassman 100 from the 1970’s that I bought for a steal on eBay in the mid 2000’s. It sounded glorious but I sold it when I decided to sell off almost all my gear. I’ve regretted it since and this thread is making me regret it more. Really need to replace it some day.

Side note, mine was sold by a guy who had a car impound yard nearby, found it in the boot of a car that was going to be crushed and sold it. He didn’t know what it was or if it worked and I think I paid just over £100 for it. It was a hell of a find and made for a great story. So gutted I sold it.
You should sort that out and pick up another!
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by Russell1982 » Sat May 28, 2022 2:53 pm

hulakatt wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 2:49 pm
Russell1982 wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 12:23 pm
I used to have a silver face bassman 100 from the 1970’s that I bought for a steal on eBay in the mid 2000’s. It sounded glorious but I sold it when I decided to sell off almost all my gear. I’ve regretted it since and this thread is making me regret it more. Really need to replace it some day.

Side note, mine was sold by a guy who had a car impound yard nearby, found it in the boot of a car that was going to be crushed and sold it. He didn’t know what it was or if it worked and I think I paid just over £100 for it. It was a hell of a find and made for a great story. So gutted I sold it.
You should sort that out and pick up another!
Yeah, I’ve been searching for a while. Prices are creeping up more and more though. I’m hoping I’ll pick another one up soon though. It was such a great amp. I used to run it through a Marshall 4x12 1960A cab and it just sounded so huge and full.

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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Sat May 28, 2022 4:13 pm

Russell1982 wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 2:53 pm
hulakatt wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 2:49 pm
Russell1982 wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 12:23 pm
I used to have a silver face bassman 100 from the 1970’s that I bought for a steal on eBay in the mid 2000’s. It sounded glorious but I sold it when I decided to sell off almost all my gear. I’ve regretted it since and this thread is making me regret it more. Really need to replace it some day.

Side note, mine was sold by a guy who had a car impound yard nearby, found it in the boot of a car that was going to be crushed and sold it. He didn’t know what it was or if it worked and I think I paid just over £100 for it. It was a hell of a find and made for a great story. So gutted I sold it.
You should sort that out and pick up another!
Yeah, I’ve been searching for a while. Prices are creeping up more and more though. I’m hoping I’ll pick another one up soon though. It was such a great amp. I used to run it through a Marshall 4x12 1960A cab and it just sounded so huge and full.
I did the same thing with my first Bassman and it was also glorious. The next few Bassman amps I owned, I was really disappointed in and couldn't figure out why until I played another one through a cab loaded with Celestions again. I just don't care for Bassman amps paired with american speakers.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by Russell1982 » Sun May 29, 2022 12:46 am

There is always a little part of me that worries I’ll get another one and it just won’t be the same. I see the 60’s black face ones and they look great and I know they get praise but then I think “what if it’s not quite the same.” What were you running through it? Guitars/pedals?

I agree, I think the bassman head with the Marshall cab just made such a perfect combination. And they look great together, like a mix a match look.

I’m gonna keep a look out for a 79’s silver face and hopefully one with come along. I’m just annoyed with myself for letting it go when I purged almost all my gear in a period of self doubt “I’m waiting my time/can’t play/blah blah.”

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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by JSett » Sun May 29, 2022 1:24 am

hulakatt wrote:
Sat May 28, 2022 4:13 pm
I did the same thing with my first Bassman and it was also glorious. The next few Bassman amps I owned, I was really disappointed in and couldn't figure out why until I played another one through a cab loaded with Celestions again. I just don't care for Bassman amps paired with american speakers.
See, it was the complete opposite for me. Didn't like my 67 through the Celestions in my Marshall so quickly pulled them and stuck in some Eminence. Much better to my ears. As always, taste is totally subjective
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Sun May 29, 2022 11:35 am

Russell1982 wrote:
Sun May 29, 2022 12:46 am
There is always a little part of me that worries I’ll get another one and it just won’t be the same. I see the 60’s black face ones and they look great and I know they get praise but then I think “what if it’s not quite the same.” What were you running through it? Guitars/pedals?
My first one was a '72-ish Bassman 50 and I deeply regret selling that one. Been through 3 or 4 additional ones in the meantime and finally ended up with my '66 BF. I have to say, the '66 sounds as good as I remember the Bassman 50 sounding.

I ran a mexi Strat through the first one with all kinds of pedals.

I really like my current ones with a pair of Golds :D
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by Russell1982 » Sun May 29, 2022 1:32 pm

It sounds like we had similar set ups. Although I used a Japanese Fender Jaguar from 1997 and a reissue gretsch duo jet but also with a tonne of various pedals. ;D an EHX English muffin and MXR distortion + stacked into the bassman had the most amazing crunch. It took modulation and synth/filter pedals great too, it was a perfect pedal platform as well as having the most beautiful clean sound. In case you can’t tell, I miss that amp so much. :'( Haha

There is a silver face from about 72 I think on reverb for a really decent price but it’s collection only and about a three and a half hour drive from me. I’m thinking it might be worth the trip though.

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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Sun May 29, 2022 3:06 pm

Russell1982 wrote:
Sun May 29, 2022 1:32 pm
It sounds like we had similar set ups. Although I used a Japanese Fender Jaguar from 1997 and a reissue gretsch duo jet but also with a tonne of various pedals. ;D an EHX English muffin and MXR distortion + stacked into the bassman had the most amazing crunch. It took modulation and synth/filter pedals great too, it was a perfect pedal platform as well as having the most beautiful clean sound. In case you can’t tell, I miss that amp so much. :'( Haha

There is a silver face from about 72 I think on reverb for a really decent price but it’s collection only and about a three and a half hour drive from me. I’m thinking it might be worth the trip though.
If it's a Bassman 50, those are my favorite.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by s_mcsleazy » Sun May 29, 2022 3:32 pm

mine is a 50 from 72 and i'm gonna say, it's fantastic.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by hulakatt » Sun May 29, 2022 6:01 pm

Yeah, I think they only made the 50 from 70-72 IIRC.
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Re: THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BASSMEN: Fender Bassman (and clones) Owners Thread

Post by Russell1982 » Mon May 30, 2022 1:14 pm

It’s a 100, which is what I had previously too. What about the 50 do you prefer?

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