Fender Bassman 300 Pro All-Tube head

redbeard1206 · #1 04-22-2011, 10:54 AM

For sale or trade I have a Fender Bassman 300 Pro bass head. Its 300 watts, all tube. Six 6550s, three 12AX7s, and one 12AT7. I run it through an Ampeg 8x10 and live my volume hits 4 1/2 without being in the system. It will push two 8x10s easy. Its 2 channel, and the channels are blendable, 2-band EQ, 10-band graphic EQ, deep and bright boosts and mid cut switch, built in two band compressor. I do not have the footswitch, and the preamp tube covers are gone. This does not affect the amp. The only downside to it is the weight (80 lbs or so), and that's expected out of these all tube heads. The reason im wanting to sell or trade it is that im looking for a hybrid amp that's lighter and rackmountable. This amp is in very good shape. $1700 new. Asking $900. Available for pick up in the central Kentucky area, or I can ship but buyer pays shipping.

KingNikko5 · #2 04-22-2011, 12:32 PM

What kind of heads you looking for?

redbeard1206 · #3 04-22-2011, 02:29 PM

Really interested in Genz Benz, Like GBE 1200, or ShuttleMax 12.0, possibly 9.2 or 9.0. Interested in MarkBass, possibly, with a little extra money. Really prefer GB, but I'm open to offers of whatever.

carbonfold · #4 04-23-2011, 07:35 AM

Oh do I want!

arthur31686 · #5 04-23-2011, 08:24 AM

Got a chance to play one of these. I can confirm that it is a monster

eyeballkid · #6 04-23-2011, 08:56 AM

what kinda tubes are in it? any issues?

redbeard1206 · #7 04-23-2011, 12:14 PM

PM's replied

redbeard1206 · #8 04-23-2011, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

what kinda tubes are in it? any issues?

It currently has Groove Tubes in it. Six 6550s, three 12AX7s, and one 12AT7. I have had no problems with it at all. I run it through my Ampeg SVT-810E. Just plugged it up a few minutes ago and played it, quiet as can be, and sounds incredible. You'll never have to turn it up past 5 1/2 or 6 tops. Any higher and you might kill whoever's in the room. I play live at right around 4 1/2 - 5, without running through the soundboard, and I keep up with both guitar players who are running both a Peavy 6505+ and a Peavy Windsor, and the drummer. I looked at it and the tolex is totally fine, bit of wear on the metal corners, but it's not really even noticable. Its in great shape other than the missing preamp tube covers. If you really want them, I'm sure you can find them online, or email Fender, but I've not needed them for any reason, so therefore have never looked.
Just another note to anyone, as I mentioned originally, this amp is HEAVY. I would recommend having someone help you carry it, as it is also very deep and bulky, not fun to carry alone. Right around 80 lbs.

redbeard1206 · #9 04-23-2011, 12:39 PM

Another note on the depth--As you can see in the second picture, the amp is as deep as most cabs, so on slant back cabs it sits a bit odd. I cut a board and lined it with rubber to set the head on. The back of the board rests on the handle of my 8x10.

lillinator · #10 04-24-2011, 04:20 AM

I have a GBE 1200. I've been interested in these amps for some time but gave never actually heard one. Any chance you could do a video/audio through your cab?

redbeard1206 · #11 04-24-2011, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillinator

I have a GBE 1200. I've been interested in these amps for some time but gave never actually heard one. Any chance you could do a video/audio through your cab?

If I can locate a camera I will post a video of it. Tried to earlier with the camera on my phone, but the sound quality doesn't really give you a feel of what ot sounds like. Im sure in the meantime YouTube probably has a few. It sounds great, but like I said, if i can locate a camera I'll post a video so you can hear for yourself.

lillinator · #12 04-25-2011, 12:51 AM

That'd be awesome. I know it has a thick sound but I just wanna know if it can be tight and middy. I am a guy who likes punchy midrange bass maybe I should just give up the tube amp dream (I've had 6 and gone back to SS everytime)

xjeremiahx · #13 04-25-2011, 12:54 AM

I can personally vouch for this head giving you plenty of that tight midrange. It's what I go for with my bass. Running a Stingray5 through it. I run my very distorted...but, I push the mids & it's a beast. I love this amp. lillinator, you should get this thing. it's wonderful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjEbWCavtfM
fast forward to about 1:25

lillinator · #14 04-25-2011, 01:01 AM

Thanks for the video Jeremiah. What are your guitarists using for rigs? Also what cab are you using? I play with my fingers so I know that would also cut down on the attack as well. I'm just scared cuz the genz is yummy

xjeremiahx · #15 04-25-2011, 01:10 AM

guitarist closest to camera uses 2x Peavey VTM120s through 2x Emperor 4x12s, I use the SWR for sale in my sig, and the other guitarist uses 1x Line6 Bogner HD100 through 1x Emperor 4x12 & 1x 1x18 <-- built as bass cabs.

I used this in a pop/funk/rock band a while ago using my fingers & a little slap as well, and it was just as yummy my friend. I will probably never get rid of this head. It's been able to do everything I've needed it to do and then some.

xjeremiahx · #16 04-25-2011, 01:16 AM

some more videos of the head...to give you an idea of what it's packing

YouTube - Fred Frizz plays Aerodynamix [rock cover for guitar & fretless bass]
YouTube - bass guitar: fingers or pick?
YouTube - Matt Plays a Fender Jazz Bass and the Bassman 300

redbeard1206 · #17 04-25-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lillinator

That'd be awesome. I know it has a thick sound but I just wanna know if it can be tight and middy. I am a guy who likes punchy midrange bass maybe I should just give up the tube amp dream (I've had 6 and gone back to SS everytime)

I can promise you that you'd be able to get nice mids out of it. I play a little bit of everything, one of the bands I'm in now is a hardcore punk group and the other is more of a bluesy rock jazz thing, haha. For the most part I scoop my mids a bit, but if I want a bit more of that punch you're talking about I'll mix in some of the mids and throw a bit of gain on my tone and it's perfect. I play with both a pick and finger style, and I've been able to get the sound I want doing either. If I'm doing more slap, I usually use the mid notch switch, throw on the compressor, and EQ accordingly. You can really do just about anything with it.

redbeard1206 · #18 04-25-2011, 12:18 PM

lillinator · #19 04-25-2011, 12:59 PM

Here are my troubles. Re-tubing=300.00, no footswitch, no cooling fan (big issue for a loud player like myself) and my lack of resources to actually try one.

eyeballkid · #20 04-25-2011, 01:59 PM

These dont need a fan. they are all open air so thats not a problem and theres nothing in the listing to show it needs new tubes. Plus I play as loud as my cabinets will allow and NEVER had an overheating problem even after 3 hours.. the top of the case gets warm, but the amp is FIIIIIIIINE!!!