Best "Bassman" one channel tube amp?

  • Thread starter Thread starter japetus
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japetus

japetus

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I have been using Bassmans for awhile and I love them, but honestly, these old amps just aren't worthy of gigging a lot of times. And the ones that are, I would rather not gig them. I am not up on gear anymore to be honest...what one channel amps are available these days that do the "Bassman" thing and aren't $4000? I just want a simple one channel amp that can take a few boosts, 6L6, good bassy warm clean channel. I don't need channel switching, a loop, boost channels...any of it....simple is better..just that sweet thick bassman tone.
 
Just yesterday I played an old Bogen amp conversion (I think it was an old Challenger but not one that looks like a Silvertone, older I think) that had 2x KT66 and sounded like exactly what you are describing. Really killer fat clean tone that still sounded good when breaking up. There's a lot of old amps that fit the bill. Old Traynors and Sovteks are a couple.
 
SpiderWars":38a7tob4 said:
Just yesterday I played an old Bogen amp conversion (I think it was an old Challenger but not one that looks like a Silvertone, older I think) that had 2x KT66 and sounded like exactly what you are describing. Really killer fat clean tone that still sounded good when breaking up. There's a lot of old amps that fit the bill. Old Traynors and Sovteks are a couple.
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I have had some old Traynors, and they absolutely rule. The thing is I do have a few old Bassman, but I don't want to take them out. I just want a "new build" amp that I can trust, if that makes sense.
 
You can find original Bassmans for a 1000 or less. Why mess with a reissue or a clone? Also they are only going up in value. Just make sure new its gone over and good filter caps are used when they are replaced. I drag mine everywhere all the time, it's pretty damn reliable.

I love my channel switching Cameron modded 69 Bassman.



This is what it sounds like boosted:



No it's not for sale and that's not me playing. :thumbsup:
 
EXPcustom":2uwl0sr0 said:
You can find original Bassmans for a 1000 or less. Why mess with a reissue or a clone? Also they are only going up in value. Just make sure new its gone over and good filter caps are used when they are replaced. I drag mine everywhere all the time, it's pretty damn reliable.

I love my channel switching Cameron modded 69 Bassman.
Click to expand...

+1.

once i purchased 2 vintage blackface fender amps and sent them to David Allen @ Allen amp.
he went though the amps - replaced old caps, checking the tubes and so on.
the result was low noise and very reliable.

cost? the amp + around $200~300 for Allen.
 
EXPcustom":8aw1lb1i said:
You can find original Bassmans for a 1000 or less. Why mess with a reissue or a clone? Also they are only going up in value. Just make sure new its gone over and good filter caps are used when they are replaced. I drag mine everywhere all the time, it's pretty damn reliable.

I love my channel switching Cameron modded 69 Bassman.



This is what it sounds like boosted:



No it's not for sale and that's not me playing. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...



-(TRUTH!!!)-X3!!

-and!!!.. also the amp I was gonna suggest that he dug through the classified's for to see if you were still willing to sell it!...

-(DONT BE AFRAID BECAUSE ITS GOT SOME TIME ON IT, GOOD GOD MAN!!.... IM SURE YOU'VE LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD OF MORE THAN ONE BASSMAN!!... ANNNND!! WELL,.... THERE ISNT A HELL OF ALOT TO THEM!!.. THERE NOT COLLECTORS ITEMS,...... YET!...... ANYWAYS,....)-oops! sorry RTers, just noticed all the caps, apostrophes & shit -(TOO LATE BITCHES!!!!)-

-(I'm down to just 2 cabs-(4x12's, that is)-and these two are more than speacial, and there never going anywhere, but with me, why??? CUZ THERE FUCKIN MAGIC!! I TELL YA!!!! I've moved from MAINE to MIAMI, to BOSTON to OREGON, I place more value on these 2 cabs than my guitars, at least one of my amps, over 22 speakers, and all but 1 device, one of these cabs is a late 60's, FENDER BASSMAN CAB, made from solid PINE board!! its OS, being tall & wide, but the pine boards are only 11" deep, is this part of the magic??-(the baffle and back panel were/are pine plywood, originally an over sized 2x15, I installed a new 3/4" cabinet grade, Baltic Birch ply, baffle, made it a 4x12, now, its currently a -(2x12-&-1x15)-MAGIC-TONE-MONSTER!!-(1x15" CELESTION FULLBACK & 2x12" CELESTION 6402 coned GREENBACK's-(I've used THIS CAB!! to demo & sell over 15 amps!)-
I call it the MAGIC CAB, no matter what speakers I bolt into it, no matter what amp I throw on top of it, she never fails me, it just excels & looks for any and every chance available to KICK FUCKIN ASS!!! Good night!!!
 
I have an old blackface Bassman head that I've rebuilt to be more like a brown Bassman. While I do love it I hate the fact that it only has 4ohm speaker outs. It's like I have to have a special cab just for that one head. Running it at 8ohms noticably neuters the tone.
 
Are you talking 4×10 tweed style or blackface/Silverface 60's heads? The latter can still be had for under $1000. Someone's new version of it might run you a lot more.
 
I know you said 1 channel amp. But I keep hearing great things about the Electro Harmonix MIG 50. For the price it might be something worth checking out.
 
To the OP : Boston area CL has a 66/67 Fender Bassman for sale at $700. Only mods are recapped and 3 prong power cord. The real deal Blackface Bassman. Ad is from July 21st so it's recent. Good luck.
 
I miss my 67 Bassman. It had the purest tone of any amp I've ever played. If I were in the OP's shoes, I'd look for a void used Bassman or a JTM45. I'd probably go for the JTM45 first only because you can tweak the sound a bit more with them than a Bassman.
 
Bogner Barcelona is another option. Handwired, Bassman/JTM based amp. Warm thick clean/light crunch tones. 6CA7 power tubes. Very tweakable control knobs/switches. Taks pedals like a champ.
 
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