'63 Bassman Cabinet

Jhtjon · #1 11-08-2010, 10:32 AM

I have a '63 Bassman that I love for guitar. I use a reproduction 2X12" cabinet with a pair of Re-Issue C12N's in it. I was thinking about building a second bottom to go with the head, strictly for bass.

I was thinking about a single 12 or a single 15 in a vented enclosure. From my rough calculations the stock bottom has a volume between 3-3.5ft.

I like a very vintage sound. And I would like it to match the cosmetics of the head. I also need the cabinet to be 4ohms. Any thoughts?

Pilgrim · #2 11-08-2010, 10:36 AM

Yes, you will create a nice vintage sound, but not enough volume to be useful in any venues other than small ones. The 50W Bassman was a good amp in its day (I have a '67 that I also like very much) but it doesn't have enough power to keep up with other amps today.

If the limitations of the amp are OK, go for it and enjoy. The cab construction isn't complicated and the Tolex and other materials are available to get the period look you want.

JimmyM · #3 11-08-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Yes, you will create a nice vintage sound, but not enough volume to be useful in any venues other than small ones. The 50W Bassman was a good amp in its day (I have a '67 that I also like very much) but it doesn't have enough power to keep up with other amps today.

yeah, that's what everyone told me about my 25w b-15n, including you, i believe. yet here i am, about to go do a gig with it. and i'm only using one cab this time instead of my usual two. go figure

any thoughts for a cab? aguilar, avatar, and low down sound all make cabs that look good with fender heads.

Jhtjon · #4 11-08-2010, 10:49 AM

Any suggestion on speakers or cabinet design. I know it isn't going to be really loud, I don't need that from this amp.

JimmyM · #5 11-08-2010, 10:53 AM

the speakers most people recommend for vintage style low wattage cabs are the eminence beta 15 and delta 15a.

billfitzmaurice · #6 11-08-2010, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

the speakers most people recommend for vintage style low wattage cabs are the eminence beta 15 and delta 15a.

With only 3 cu ft net a pair of Alpha 12 is probably best, keep it sealed. Beta 15 would be OK but the Bassman needs a 4 ohm cab for best results.

chadds · #7 11-08-2010, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

yeah, that's what everyone told me about my 25w b-15n, including you, i believe. yet here i am, about to go do a gig with it. and i'm only using one cab this time instead of my usual two. go figure

any thoughts for a cab? aguilar, avatar, and low down sound all make cabs that look good with fender heads.

I respectfully disagree with you. A B-15n can do amazing things. I've tried to practice with a reasonable drummer a guitarist with a Super Reverb (40 watts) with two bassman heads and two of the larger 2x12 cabs and I was drowned out.
The B-15 cab makes the most of it's speaker complement and it's watts.

JimmyM · #8 11-08-2010, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadds

I respectfully disagree with you. A B-15n can do amazing things. I've tried to practice with a reasonable drummer a guitarist with a Super Reverb (40 watts) with two bassman heads and two of the larger 2x12 cabs and I was drowned out.

how can you disagree with me? i'm about to go do it and i do it all the time! and i'll be honest...i've played in louder bands, but i've also played in way quieter bands, too. oh well, i'm sure it's not the answer for everyone, but it works for me.

hennessybass · #9 11-08-2010, 12:18 PM

Low watt amps can do some pretty cool stuff and are great amps - if you and your band knows what they are doing... They are not super low volume like everyone seems to think. I use a B-15 (sometimes) like Jimmy (I think mine is a full 30watts though), and also a bassman 100 head w/ 2x12. Never had a problem, and have tons of headroom with the bassman. I play in a rock band with drums, two guitars, and keys!

Check with LDS for cab builds. They have some nice fender looking stuff. There are some monster LDS threads on here. Perhaps a 15/6 of some kind? Those seem to be pretty popular. Or a 2x12 - I would avoid the single 12" (but it's not my rig). There are free design specs on TB for the Fearful stuff - check out the Fearful threads.

Jhtjon · #10 11-08-2010, 12:32 PM

I was going to build a Fendery looking bottom, to match my head. My original thought was a Basslite 15 in a sealed cab but I wanted to get other people's thoughts.

recreate.me · #11 11-08-2010, 12:40 PM

I would take a look here,
doc540's Tweed Bassman Faux Ten Stack Project - MERGED

Theres some good discussion on building a cab with a single 15", he built both sealed and ported, and there all the talk about how to figure it all out. I read the thread, and i feel like i can build a cab now haha

chadds · #12 11-08-2010, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

how can you disagree with me? i'm about to go do it and i do it all the time! and i'll be honest...i've played in louder bands, but i've also played in way quieter bands, too. oh well, i'm sure it's not the answer for everyone, but it works for me.

Because I'm agreeing with you!!!!
There can be so much obstinance on this site that some folks quickly missread a compliment.
The Fender Bassman could never hold a candle to the amazing B-15n.
I played them when they came out. I even tried Olivers. We wanted to toss our Fenders out. The B-15 had real Bass Tone. It really was a bass amp not something that was sorta ok.

tdvt · #13 11-08-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhtjon

I was going to build a Fendery looking bottom, to match my head.... but I wanted to get other people's thoughts.

I will be interested to know what you end up doing.

I have a '61 Showman head (100w) sitting around doing nothing (w/no cab). Since I don't play guitar much I thought about the same thing, a cab to match the head but ported with an updated driver.

pgk · #14 11-08-2010, 01:46 PM

'61 Showman head (100w)

if that's a Blonde showman you are sitting on the best sounding amp fender ever made for bass duty, lucky guy! the bf/sf heads are no slouches either, but a blondie is a truly amazing bass head

tdvt · #15 11-08-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgk

'61 Showman head (100w)

if that's a Blonde showman you are sitting on the best sounding amp fender ever made for bass duty, lucky guy! the bf/sf heads are no slouches either, but a blondie is a truly amazing bass head

It is indeed blonde (or was, as someone spray-painted the cab black) but I haven't played through it much, so that's great to hear.

I got it in a trade from a guitar player friend who wanted a Pro Reverb I had & he thought we would each have a more usable amp for our respective instruments. Guess he was right!

chadds · #16 11-08-2010, 03:52 PM

Loved the old Showman heads. What tone!

**WoodyJ** · #17 11-08-2010, 06:13 PM

Here's my Showman bass rig with a Fender lookalike 1x15 cab that my cabinetmaker buddy made. It is 15" deep and has an E-V 15BX.

John D · #18 11-08-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyJ

Here's my Showman bass rig with a Fender lookalike 1x15 cab that my cabinetmaker buddy made. It is 15" deep and has an E-V 15BX.

Woody, I've been looking for some input on doing something similar. Can you give some specifics: dimensions, porting, etc.? Also, how does it sound compared to an original Showman cab? BTW great job.

Thanks,
JD

tdvt · #19 11-08-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoodyJ

Boy, does that look NICE!

I should really get my **** together someday.

doc540 · #20 11-08-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by recreate.me

I would take a look here,
doc540's Tweed Bassman Faux Ten Stack Project - MERGED

Theres some good discussion on building a cab with a single 15", he built both sealed and ported, and there all the talk about how to figure it all out. I read the thread, and i feel like i can build a cab now haha

I just hope everyone gets as lucky as I got.