1960s Fender Bassman 100 Tube Amp Head

Mojaaz · #1 07-10-2010, 02:11 PM

Hey guys,

I am new here. I just joined to ask this question but I have I guess reading these forums for a little while now. Anyways, my friend who is out of town is at some garage sale. There is some old guy that owns the sale and is selling a Fender Bassman 100 amp that is apparently from the 60s. He is going to send me pictures of the tube chart in a little to confirm it. Anyways, the guy is asking $150 for it. If it is really from the 60s, do you guys think it would be worth it to buy it? Any help is appreciated! Thanks so much!

johnk_10 · #2 07-10-2010, 02:14 PM

if it is indeed an actual bassman 100, i'd buy it for $150 in less than a heartbeat.

kazuhank · #3 07-10-2010, 02:16 PM

Of course it's up to you and your friend, but any Fender Bassman model is worth $150 if it is in working condition (i.e. powering up without releasing fire and smoke).

Most older Bassman Amps need new caps and other work done anyways, so if you're willing to put a little extra in, great. If it's been maintained and is ready to go, even better!

billfitzmaurice · #4 07-10-2010, 02:18 PM

The average selling price for them with speaker is $400, most of the value being in the head.
http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=29

Mojaaz · #5 07-10-2010, 02:37 PM

Well he was unable to find a sheet inside (maybe he didn't look hard enough) but he told me that on the back it said cfa7100 and the model number was A01527 (and it is silverface) so It's actually from 1972 if I am not mistaken. How much do you think this one would actually be worth (assuming it works.) Thanks again!

JimmyM · #6 07-10-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojaaz

Well he was unable to find a sheet inside (maybe he didn't look hard enough) but he told me that on the back it said cfa7100 and the model number was A01527 (and it is silverface) so It's actually from 1972 if I am not mistaken. How much do you think this one would actually be worth (assuming it works.) Thanks again!

silverfaces sell for a little less than blackfaces, but for $150, who cares? still a great deal any way you slice it. keep hemming and hawing and it'll be gone...get your ass over there and play through it!

Mojaaz · #7 07-10-2010, 02:45 PM

Here are a few pictures of it.

I am tempted by it. I don't really need a new amp, but I have always wanted old fender gear. I probably am going to end up buying it.

KramerBassFan · #8 07-10-2010, 02:45 PM

I'd pay $150 for a 72' Bassman 100 - as long as it was a TUBE one.

$150 for a Solid State bassman? Hell-o-no!

I do love my old Transistor amps, but not that much!

EDIT: Disregard my solid state comments.

BUY THAT!

Mojaaz · #9 07-10-2010, 02:49 PM

Update: It was tested and everything on the amp works. I am most like going to buy this, thanks for you help guys!

NecroticImbecil · #10 07-10-2010, 02:49 PM

Shh... Don't say the T-word out loud! HE will hear!

I'd buy it, as long as it was close to working. A little noise, crackly pots, etc wouldn't scare me off, but an amp that made no sound would.

Edit - I see, tested and working. If you don't, post where it is and whoever's closest will drive out to buy it!

Mojaaz · #11 07-10-2010, 03:54 PM

Thank you so much for your help guys! My friend bought it and I am going to pay him back for it. He said that it is plays extremely well with no popping or anything, but when it turns off it crackles or something a little, so I think this is caused by dust or dirt in the amp. Anyways, I have one last question, I am dying to try it out, but the only cab I have is an Ampeg Fridge? Would there be any issues with hooking it up to the fridge? Thanks in advance!

BassmanPaul · #12 07-10-2010, 04:13 PM

IIRC the Fender is a 4Ω output amp and the 8x10 is also 4Ω. You'll be fine.

Paul

JimmyM · #13 07-10-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojaaz

Thank you so much for your help guys! My friend bought it and I am going to pay him back for it. He said that it is plays extremely well with no popping or anything, but when it turns off it crackles or something a little, so I think this is caused by dust or dirt in the amp.!

worry about stuff like that when it affects the on sound, not the off

esoxhntr · #14 07-10-2010, 04:54 PM

Definitely a 70s model, I'm pretty sure that the Bassman 100 did not appear in the 60's, but the front of that head gives it away as an early 70s model. Definitely worth $150, if you wind up not liking it I'm sure there are a pile of us droolers who would be more than happy to take it off your hands.

Bigjohn · #15 07-10-2010, 08:04 PM

You are right. That amp is mid to late 70's. If you wanted a 100W Fender head in 60's you had to use a Showman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by esoxhntr

Definitely a 70s model, I'm pretty sure that the Bassman 100 did not appear in the 60's, but the front of that head gives it away as an early 70s model. Definitely worth $150, if you wind up not liking it I'm sure there are a pile of us droolers who would be more than happy to take it off your hands.

johnk_10 · #16 07-10-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigjohn

You are right. That amp is mid to late 70's. If you wanted a 100W Fender head in 60's you had to use a Showman.

or a dual showman.

Scott McC · #17 07-10-2010, 09:35 PM

I had one of these for backline at a weird gig in a weird small town. it had a matching 2x15. amazing, i was in heaven the whole set.

bassplayer8953 · #18 07-10-2010, 09:50 PM

When I returned to playing in the early 90's I bought one of those, still have it. Great amps, reliable as can be expected, and yes they work for bass, as well as being a helluva guitar amp.

For bass, I found myself preferring the sound of the guitar channel, using pedal graphic eq and compressor, to give the sound a more modern edge. Use with the speaker of your choice, plenty of volume for most gigs. It does not have a preamp out, though, so youy either have to di-out between the bass and the amp, or find one of those di boxes that picks up the hot signal, between the amp and the speaker. Not sure of the name of those; I'm sure someone here can recommend one.

And for $150 it should be Xmas wrapped, because you're getting a present! Grab it and don't look back!

JimmyM · #19 07-10-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassplayer8953

When I returned to playing in the early 90's I bought one of those, still have it. Great amps, reliable as can be expected, and yes they work for bass, as well as being a helluva guitar amp.

For bass, I found myself preferring the sound of the guitar channel, using pedal graphic eq and compressor, to give the sound a more modern edge. Use with the speaker of your choice, plenty of volume for most gigs. It does not have a preamp out, though, so youy either have to di-out between the bass and the amp, or find one of those di boxes that picks up the hot signal, between the amp and the speaker. Not sure of the name of those; I'm sure someone here can recommend one.

countryman type 85, radial jdi and jdv. stay away from stuff like the h&k red box and that red di that radial sells for speaker di'ing guitar. i made the mistake of getting a red box, not knowing that it cuts off a lot of low end that bass needs.

will33 · #20 07-11-2010, 12:23 AM

You can also jump the channels to get a little more gain/girth. Plug your bass into input 1 of the bass channel, then plug another jumper cable/guitar cord from input 2 of the bass channel to input 1 of the normal channel. You now have the preamps stacked and have 2 input volumes, double tone controls and a master volume. I would at least try that if you're playing it through a fridge.

Enjoy, nice amp. I have the bassman135 version of that, close to the same thing.

Edit: Oh, yeah, and do yourself a favor and plug a fender guitar in there once in a while.