215 Bassman prices

ThatBassistDude · #1 07-13-2011, 03:06 PM

Hello TB, while driving around today I found a small music shop that I've never seen before. I went inside and checked out, way in the back they had a late 60s 215 cabinet. It was the big upright one, not the horizontal one. It was in great shape, no rips on the vinyl or anything. Im interested in buying it, they want $320 for it. Is that a good price, or should I try to get him to come down a little bit, thanks

Gord_oh · #2 07-13-2011, 03:09 PM

thats not bad assuming nothing on it is broken and it is what they say it is.
if you get a chance to go back take pics.

zachoff · #3 07-13-2011, 03:11 PM

Just make sure it has the original speakers. Not sure which was standard in those days, but it's probably either D130s or D140s. They're only about 150W though... Meant to be played w/ lower wattage tube heads.

billfitzmaurice · #4 07-13-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachoff

Just make sure it has the original speakers. Not sure which was standard in those days, but it's probably either D130s or D140s. They're only about 150W though... Meant to be played w/ lower wattage tube heads.

The standard driver was a Jensen/Utah/CTS/Oxford guitar driver, so if that's what's in there it isn't worth much, $200 tops. Fender amps of the period have value, but aside from the JBL loaded Showmen the cabs don't.

johnk_10 · #5 07-13-2011, 03:20 PM

all vertical 2x15 silver/blue grilled bassmans came standard with CTS speakers (it was the dual showmans that had JBLs), but if you custom ordered one you could get them with JBLs. if the cab has JBLs in it, it's a steal. if it has the original CTS ones and it's in great shape, it's worth what they're asking, and actually probably a bit more. they're not the best bass cabs in the world by far, but they do have a certain vibe to them. BTW, that's the same cab that McCartney used on the Let it Be rooftop recordings.

ThatBassistDude · #6 07-13-2011, 03:37 PM

Hello TB, while driving around today I found a small music shop that I've never seen before. I went inside and checked out, way in the back they had a late 60s 215 cabinet. It was the big upright one, not the horizontal one. It was in great shape, no rips on the vinyl or anything. Im interested in buying it, they want $320 for it. Is that a good price, or should I try to get him to come down a little bit, thanks

billfitzmaurice · #7 07-13-2011, 03:50 PM

The value appreciated at least fifty bucks in the half hour since you first posted the same question. Better buy it quick before it goes up some more.

nashvillebill · #8 07-13-2011, 04:29 PM

Question: how are you/they sure it was a 60's era cab and not one of the late 70's era, which also was a big vertical 2x15? (I have one of the latter)

Can you post a pic of the cab and also get them to (or let you) pull a speaker so you can see the speaker code? (For that amount of coin they BETTER be willing to let me pull a speaker out...)

Oren Hudson · #9 07-13-2011, 08:31 PM

For me, big factors would be if it had original speakers and not missing trim items and, this is the big one, is it a JBL D140 equipped cab. If everything is real good and with good JBLs, $320 wouldn't be too bad IMO. Never hurts to try for less. As Bill F and others will tell you, not the greatest cab around, but to each his own. I have a '68, the first year of the 2-15 upright cab and it has the D140s and I like the sound of it.

BillyIVbass · #10 07-13-2011, 08:41 PM

I have a larger era 2x12 that I can't even give away. But if it's got the JBLs and is in good shape that is a good price.

ThatBassistDude · #11 07-13-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nashvillebill

Question: how are you/they sure it was a 60's era cab and not one of the late 70's era, which also was a big vertical 2x15? (I have one of the latter)

Can you post a pic of the cab and also get them to (or let you) pull a speaker so you can see the speaker code? (For that amount of coin they BETTER be willing to let me pull a speaker out...)

The tag just said late 60s, I didn't ask many questions, next time I go back I will post some pick and stuff.

johnk_10 · #12 07-13-2011, 09:52 PM

just as a quick indicator, 60's cabs have the silver/tan/black grill cloth up to '66. mid '67-'69 would have the turquoise/silver cloth. '67 and some '68's have the silver 'drip edging' (aluminum strip). 69's didn't have the edging trim and shortly after that, the metal 'fender' logo lost the tail.

nashvillebill · #13 07-13-2011, 10:33 PM

Personally, unless I absolutely HAD to have a 1960's 2x15 Bassman cab...

I'd look on CL for a used Peavey or Mesa 2x15. The Peavey if loaded with Scorpions or Black Widows could easily handle 300 to 400 watts and would likely be built heavier and sound "deeper". And cost less.

Even my 1979 (or 1980, not sure) Bassman 215 cab really isn't all that great as far as cabs, not built as solid as other 215 cabs I've had, and I suspect the speaker's power handling wasn't all that great (it was likely originally paired with a Bassman 135 head which realistically was around 100 watts).

p.s. My late 70's era 215 has a black grill with plastic gold dripedge, and "made in usa" on the Fender logo. The bottom shelf port is different from the earlier versions too I'm almost certain.