Tweed bassman cracked magazine

How the fender bassman set the standard for guitar. Sure, there were great amps made before and after it, but its arguable that no other single model had such a major impact on the sound of rock and roll as did this tweed wonder. The jensen p10r speakers are very forward and bright. Heres the schematic and layout to locate the components. The 1959 bassman model 5f6a, was known to a lot of people in the business as the 59 bassman, or the tweed bassman because of its stylish 50s cabinet.

The fender has been reissuing the 5f8a 4x 10 tweed bassman for quite some time now and its one of fender better amps but it does not sound that much like a original bassman. Buy catalinbread formula 5f6 tweed bassman overdrive guitar effects pedal. The build quality, the sounds and the response of these amps are extremely good. Bringing a blackface bassman in from the cold by jeff bober now lets move to the mixer circuit and the output stage. I should note that i have been using thd yellow jacket converters to use el84 tubes in class a in place of the stock 6l6gcs, and this is a nice way of getting earlier breakup at low volumes, and a slightly warmer sound. If you plan on working on, or building a tweed bassman, there are a few things that you might want to know. This was my main gigging amp until i built the weber tweed super 5f4. Admittedly, they sound great for guitar, but lets back up a little and see as fender makes a bass amplifier. Way more headroom than the lower power tweeds, and all the great so. Our victoria capacitors were designed specifically to sound like a slightly degraded, 40 yearold cap. Its quite clean for a bassman, as most of these were gigged and beat around. After a handful of smallshop makers offered wellreceived clones and homages to the late50s tweed bassman combo, fender caught on and in 1990 released its own reissue.

Huw price takes a 59 fender bassman housed in a reproduction cabinet and finds. Mods for fender reissue tweed bassman carls custom amps. The early era of fender bassman amps laid the groundwork for virtually all rock combos to follow, so much so that it was the 4x10 bassman that inspired the very first marshallbranded amp in 1962. Text by dave hunter data compiled by alan greenwood and gil hembree. The fender bassman emerged from the factory to give voice to the bass. Aug 24, 20 ever since i have been involved in electronics i never once built an electronic kit of any sorts. Ive replaced the jj glass with vintage including nos tungsol 5881s. Fender bassman 59 reissue settings gretschtalk forum. Tweed was an is a generic term, used not as an actual product name, but as a description of the rough cloth covering that gave the amps their unique aesthetic. I explain a few safety measures i take when checking out an amp for the first time. This 61 bassman headandcab in blond tolex marked a major change of format, but is also an enduring classic. The mighty 4x10 bassman began life as a bass amp before guitar players discovered its sonic. Jaime merritt silberman, a daughter of michele and william silberman of east brunswick, n.

This is exactly what this book gives us, and why its an important addition to the knowledge. Ridiculous tone that saras known for, but with an even bigger sound. Though your amp is a blackface, the ab165 circuit is a transitional unit. While there are schematics for fender tweedera bassmans, bassman 10s, bassman 70s, bassman 100s, bassman 5s, 12watt bass amps, 200watt bass amps, and even fenders behemoth 300watt bass ampsa schematic specifically labeled bassman 50 is simply nowhere to be found. Fender output transformer, super reverb, bassman, concert. In 1954, the bassman was upgraded from a 1x15 to a 4x10inch combo. This leads to some poor soul complaining that his bassman doesnt sound like the one used by his favorite guitar player. Award winning writer to take helm as editor of bassman magazine. During this time i have discovered that one of the holy grail of amps is the 1959 tweed bassman. Unfollow fender bassman to stop getting updates on your ebay feed.

One anomaly is that two speakers are dated 220 750, one is dated 220 749, and the fourth is dated 220 450. The tremolux similar to a bassman was a little weak, but the showman and bassman 100 were enough to cause hearing damage. I have a pretty accurate boutique tweed bassman copy. This amp is 100% original, right down to the original filters caps which are still in good working order. My other son plays a mexican fender telecaster through a fender bassman 59 reissue amp. This picture and the fact that i played through a tremolux, showman, and bassman 100, in that order are all i need to know. I understand they break in after awhile, but can be annoying at first. The fender bassman is a bass amplifier introduced by fender during 1952. Sep 08, 2009 this is exactly what this book gives us, and why its an important addition to the knowledge. Scott bassman concentrates his practice on state and federal civil trial and appellate law, including civil rights, class actions, commercial litigation, condominium and homeowners association, employment and labor law, land use and real property disputes, premises.

There are a plethora of bassman heads out there, and just as many circuit variations. Nothing has been changed on this amp, it is totally original. It was indeed designed to be a bass amp in the early 70s. He graduated from washington university in st louis school of medicine in 1975 and specializes in orthopedic surgery. My kit has arrived and i am going to blog about the build of a 1959 tweed bassman with the 5f6a circuit and my own idea of what tubes to use.

Gives the bassman a nice british flavor in a magnicifently sounding amp. Nov 15, 2011 bringing a blackface bassman in from the cold by jeff bober now lets move to the mixer circuit and the output stage. Of late i have been dabbling in tube guitar amp repairmodding with my good friend kris and discovering how great older tube fender amps can sound. It sounds great and all speakers are working perfectly. I never played an actual tweed bassman so i cant tell you how close it comes to the real deal, but i think it sounds great. I just heard a bassman clone by a company called marsh and it sounded amazing. I have fairly good evidence to back up my opinion that they were very capable stage amps see below. In the 90s, fender released an affordable 59 bassman reissue amplifier to great acclaim.

Donald bassman, md is an orthopedic surgery specialist in breese, il and has been practicing for 45 years. Fender bassman clones gearslutz gearslutz pro audio. Way more headroom than the lower power tweeds, and all the great sounds. The tweed covered fender bassman is considered by many to be the epitome of tone, and every current tube amplifier myth revolves around this amplifier. The bassman is a clean amp at low volumes and when cranked boasts a creamy overdrive, its no wonder why its everyones favorite iconic amp.

Two 1963 bassman reboots are at the heart of rockabilly genius brian setzer. The tweed bassman andmarshall circuit fed the tone controls from a cathode follower, or the output was taken from the cathode as opposed to the plate loaded circuit shown above. The cpc40t is my version of the legendary 5f6a tweed bassman. Legendary fender bassman the tweed covered fender bassman is considered by many to be the epitome of tone, and every current tube amplifier myth revolves around this amplifier. The tweed pro junior was laso featured in a 1993dated uk ad for the fender tweed series amps, so i assume it was first introduced in the latter part of that year. The bassman 10 is not the same as the openback tweed bassman amps guitar players love. When most guitarists consider fenders famed vintage tweeds, the first that come to mind are the 5e3 deluxe and 4. But, i have found a company that makes a kit that you can build with the same circuit and cabinet design that fender used all those years ago. Keep in mind throughout this lesson that fender is in business to make money, and the bottom line is a. Weve yet to use the amp at a gig, but hes worried about breakup at higher volumes. This victoria 45410 is our loving recreation of the 59 bassman and no detail is left undone. Im not trying to improve the 5f6a so much as im trying to make the amp more versatile.

The history of the fender bassman amplifier fender. A 1964 fender bassman with the coveted 6g6b circuit, smooth blonde tolex and transitional faceplate with a brownface circuit and blackface cosmetics. It is a great general purpose upgrade for super reverb, concert and many bassman style amplifiers since it offers the best available grain oriented m6 steel for cool running and high performance, offers the multiple impedances of 4816 ohms and has the correct, offset and raised mountings. The tweed 59 bassman influenced many amp builders to replicate or to improve the circuit in there own way. Like a fine wine, tweed amps often improve, aesthetically at least, with age. Its loud enough to play at most clubs and it great for a player for which touch. Discussion in amps and cabs started by moldyplum, jun 26, 20. Yeah ive seen tweed cabs cracked at one or both of the two primary screws. Oct 20, 2002 jaime merritt silberman, a daughter of michele and william silberman of east brunswick, n. And man, how i wish id had that particular knowledge a little sooner in life, when an original tweed bassman still cost a lot less than a new highgain amp with a fourmonth waiting list. We specialize in vintage fender amplifier cabinet restoration from late 1940s and up. Hes looking for a really clean 50s rockabilly sound. This is my original 59 bassman amp, and im playing a custom shop reissue telecasterno pedals, into the normal channel. Fender output transformer, super reverb, bassman, concert, 4.

A multi turn 50k trim pot and a 33k resistor in series, replacing the fixed bias resistor on the bassman circuit board. Apr 19, 2011 while there are schematics for fender tweedera bassmans, bassman 10s, bassman 70s, bassman 100s, bassman 5s, 12watt bass amps, 200watt bass amps, and even fenders behemoth 300watt bass ampsa schematic specifically labeled bassman 50 is simply nowhere to be found. Gehause fur tweed bassman style 5f6a tube amp doctor. One rendition or another of the legendary 5f6a bassman has since remained in the catalog, and it continues to be one of the most revered and referenced guitar amplifiers. At 40 watts its great mid powered amp for blues, rockabilly, rock and roll and classic rock players. The fender bassman amp was paramount to the success of many in early rock and roll. Mod your bassman reissue for vintage tone to start i. These are all time classic amps and are destined to become highly priced museum pieces. It is brighter and harsher sounding and the overdrive is not the same. Yes it is a completely different amp, the only real similarity being the 4x10 speaker configuration but if youre interested in fenders i think the 70s silverface models are probably the best value on the market and. Mod your bassman reissue for vintage tone singlecoil. I have tried countless of boutique takes on bassman, such as a thd bassman, a couple of kendrick clones, and the wonderfully crafted victoria 45410. May 04, 2010 this is my original 59 bassman amp, and im playing a custom shop reissue telecasterno pedals, into the normal channel. How fenders invention of the precision bass led to one of its greatest amps.

This one isnt mint, but its a very nice example, with only modest wear to the tweed. Its essentially the thencurrent bassman head two 6l6 power tubes, normal and bass channels, etc. I am somewhat familiar with getting the bias current for a marshall, but am new to bias a fender amp like the bassman. Through the 60s and 70s, the original alltube tweed 4x10 bassman was popular with rock, country and blues guitarists as a reliably greatsounding and easytouse guitar amp.

I dont expect anyone to mod their original 5f6a bassman but if you have a bassman reissue or home build like me then adding some switchable mods can be beneficial. The modern edition of one of the greatest guitar amps ever made. Three speakers have been reconed, one has the original cone. We recently got a load of vintage fender tweed amps together for a forthcoming magazine feature and video. Fender bassman problem fender stratocaster guitar forum. While the original bassman combo of 1952 was intended to accompany fenders new electronic basses, it didnt take long for rock and blues guitarist to embrace the raw tube power of the line. Well, by following this guide, you can decide which bassman head is best suited to you. Marshall would be the first to do so back when they released the jtm45 in 62. Combo amps free delivery possible on eligible purchases. They show up all the time on ebay, people dump the bandmaster chassis out and build vibroclones with the guts. If you have an original tweed bassman, dont touch it unless its broken. Buy fender 59 bassman ltd 50watt 4x10inch tube bass combo amp. Leo fender and his staff were building a new tvfront 1. If youve ever wondered why expensive new reissue amps often sound cold and chiseled compared to their vintage counterparts, now you know.

Tweed bassman the bassman design of the late 50s is right up there with other icons of the era such as the les paul and strat. Years ago, i saw that a 59 bassman ri had a short piece of angle iron or. About a year ago i set out to find a vintage tweed bassman, but after a few months of searching ended up with a 70s super reverb. Catalinbread formula 5f6 tweed bassman overdrive guitar. History of the fender bassman vintage guitar magazine. Ditch the heavy clunky 4x10 closed back bassman 10 combo cab. Besides being a popular and important amplifier in its own right, the bassman also became the foundation on which. The one exception is the handle, which is a proper, heavy duty, leather. Aug 10, 2014 three speakers have been reconed, one has the original cone. If they could have just one amplifier, many guitarists from barroom grinders to arena megastars would choose a fender bassman. Transformers should always be installed by a professional electronics technician since there are high voltages involved and may result in serious physical harm to yourself, the transformer andor your equipment if installed incorrectly.

The actual tweed guitar amps were known by other names, like bassman, champ and princeton. The bassman channel sounds like a bassman through a 12inch along with the drawbacks of the current drri type amps they generally lack the warmth of the hand wired ones. As it happens, fender had already dropped the onboard speakers and the tweed aesthetic in the early 60s, relaunching the bassman as a blonde tolexcovered head. Paper layer wound output transformer like originals for that ultimate tone. Vintage guitar is marking 25 years of publication with a year full of features. Fender amplifier cabinet restoration by armadillo amp works. Its loud enough to play at most clubs and it great for a player for which touch sensitivity and awesome 50s tone is key. Red arrows show changes from the original 5f6a bassman schematic. Starting in mid1957, this map had four inputs instead of two. But it went on to become a classic for guitarists as well, spawning. From a rock perspective, if theres a where it all began amplifier, then fenders tweed bassman of 195860 is it. Many of the mods on this page apply to the bassman reissue. One of the most lauded and influential amps of any sort, for nearly 70 years it has been the goto for players seeking.

That gives you a bassman 10 head that you can hook up to an 8 ohm cabinet any old way you can get 8 ohms. This results in a little less insertion loss, but thats about it. Using data compiled for the official vintage guitar price guide 2011, we continue the celebration with a list of the 25 most valuable amplifiers those that helped create the tones made famous by virtually every genre of pop music. Fender tweed bassman style transformers by classictone. Scott bassman concentrates his practice on state and federal civil trial and appellate law, including civil rights, class actions, commercial litigation, condominium and homeowners association, employment and labor law, land use and real property disputes, premises liability, product liability, and professional malpractice. My son is a bass player, and lucky for me he appreciates the sound of the old school tube bass sound. Toronto bassman magazine is pleased to announce that award winning outdoor writer and angling educator wil wegman of bradford ontario, has accepted the position as editor of the quarterly publication. A retweeded 1959 fender tweed bassman first sounds youtube. Fender 59 bassman ltd 50watt 4x10inch tube bass combo amp.