Ampeg b25 or SilverFace Bassman 50? or pf500?

[Fendert]

I'm really looking for either a Ampeg b25 or a silverface bassman. Ive never played either, but I have heard both from an audience prospective and I liked what I heard.

I want one of these mostly because I'm really in to that deep vintage sound that I have heard from both of these. I'm not too concerned about keeping up with a full band, because I plan on having a mic on it.

My question is which one is better? what are the differences between the two? What are the pros and cons of both?

I included the pf500 because I'm wondering if it wasn't even worth going through the trouble getting one of these old heads,then spending more money getting them serviced?

I have read really good things about the pf500 how would it compare to these two?

THANKS GUY!

[michael_atw]

I've owned both a '69 B25 and a '68 Bassman. I still own the Bassman on account of the versatility of being both a good bass amp and an excellent guitar amp.

Both will require the cab to round out the sound. If I could recommend one it'd have to be the B25. I used both of these with an SVT 115 HE for a time; then added an SVT410. More apt for a bass and cheaper to boot. Should be able to get one for $350ish while the Bassmans have reached the $450-$500 point. They also made the B25B from 1970ish on (if I recall correctly the information I've learned).

If you're looking for something a little bigger, the V4B is probably one of the best values out of any vintage bass head. An early 70's can be had for $400-$500, if you look hard enough.

[Fendert]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I've owned both a '69 B25 and a '68 Bassman. I still own the Bassman on account of the versatility of being both a good bass amp and an excellent guitar amp.

Both will require the cab to round out the sound. If I could recommend one it'd have to be the B25. I used both of these with an SVT 115 HE for a time; then added an SVT410. More apt for a bass and cheaper to boot. Should be able to get one for $350ish while the Bassmans have reached the $450-$500 point. They also made the B25B from 1970ish on (if I recall correctly the information I've learned).

If you're looking for something a little bigger, the V4B is probably one of the best values out of any vintage bass head. An early 70's can be had for $400-$500, if you look hard enough.

so you could run a 1x15 and 4x10 of a b25 at the same time?

[Fendert]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

I've owned both a '69 B25 and a '68 Bassman. I still own the Bassman on account of the versatility of being both a good bass amp and an excellent guitar amp.

Both will require the cab to round out the sound. If I could recommend one it'd have to be the B25. I used both of these with an SVT 115 HE for a time; then added an SVT410. More apt for a bass and cheaper to boot. Should be able to get one for $350ish while the Bassmans have reached the $450-$500 point. They also made the B25B from 1970ish on (if I recall correctly the information I've learned).

If you're looking for something a little bigger, the V4B is probably one of the best values out of any vintage bass head. An early 70's can be had for $400-$500, if you look hard enough.

so you could run a 1x15 and 4x10 of a b25 at the same time?

[coreyfyfe]

Originally Posted by Fendert

so you could run a 1x15 and 4x10 of a b25 at the same time?

I wouldn't for two reasons.

1 - the transformer outputs on the b25 are setup for 8 or 16 ohms. Properly hooked up, you can run one or two 16 ohm cabs or run one 8 ohm cab with a dummy plug on the main output of the amp.

2 - the combination of a 4x10 and 1x15 doesn't do you any favors. A single 4x10 will move much more air than the 15 and you put the 15 at risk of over excursion. Maybe not so much with the b25 but as a general rule it's a combination made much more based on hearing with your eyes than hearing with your ears.

If you're really going for tube tone the pf-500 isn't bad and will give you many more features of a modern amp (di, compressor, fx loop, etc) but wont quite nail the tube sound. While ive never owned a b25 head, I've owned a bassman 70, ampv4eg , and pf-500. The v4 - while heavier and 100 watts - will give you a similar tone with more headroom than the b25 while also having a 2-4-8 ohm impedance matching switch for the output. I greatly preferred the tone of the v4 to the bassman I had, more of the mid- range grunt I was looking for when I pushed the amp.

[Fendert]

Originally Posted by coreyfyfe

I wouldn't for two reasons.

1 - the transformer outputs on the b25 are setup for 8 or 16 ohms. Properly hooked up, you can run one or two 16 ohm cabs or run one 8 ohm cab with a dummy plug on the main output of the amp.

2 - the combination of a 4x10 and 1x15 doesn't do you any favors. A single 4x10 will move much more air than the 15 and you put the 15 at risk of over excursion. Maybe not so much with the b25 but as a general rule it's a combination made much more based on hearing with your eyes than hearing with your ears.

yeah thats what I thought, I would never really that kind of a set up. A 4x10 would be plenty for my situation. Really a 1x15 would even work in my situation!

[BassmanPaul]

Originally Posted by Fendert

so you could run a 1x15 and 4x10 of a b25 at the same time?

You wouldn't really want to do that though!

[Sartori]

Between those, I'd go for the B25.

[JimmyM]

Given the choice, I'd always go with tubes, but I'll throw in a good word for the PF500. Does a really good job of copping tubey sounds. It's not quite to the level of a good tube amp, but it's pretty great at doing it. If I had to get one, it'd be the B25, but I'm quite happy with my PF350.

[OctopusinSpace]

I have a bassman 100 and while researching for the right cab I found a lot of people had problems getting enough volume for bass. I ended up purchasing an SVT 810 and it's plenty loud, but I bet you'd have some trouble with volume if your depending solely on the amp and no DI box/Mic for large venues. Your going to want to match the right ohms, which I believe is 4on the 50 as well. I really have no experience with the B25 but unless you're using the bassman for guitar or studio use, you'd be better off finding something different.

[Fendert]

Originally Posted by OctopusinSpace

I have a bassman 100 and while researching for the right cab I found a lot of people had problems getting enough volume for bass. I ended up purchasing an SVT 810 and it's plenty loud, but I bet you'd have some trouble with volume if your depending solely on the amp and no DI box/Mic for large venues. Your going to want to match the right ohms, which I believe is 4on the 50 as well. I really have no experience with the B25 but unless you're using the bassman for guitar or studio use, you'd be better off finding something different.

I honestly don't know what to think about the bassman! I have heard just as many people say they suck for bass as I have heard that they are awesome. The one I heard was awesome, but there seems to be so many variables when it comes to the bassman

[JimmyM]

The Bassman heads are pretty killer. They have the Fender tone stack, which makes it hard to dial in enough mids sometimes, but if you can deal with that, they sound great. But they break up earlier than comparable Ampegs, and the Fender cabs back then kind of sucked.

[OctopusinSpace]

Originally Posted by Fendert

I honestly don't know what to think about the bassman! I have heard just as many people say they suck for bass as I have heard that they are awesome. The one I heard was awesome, but there seems to be so many variables when it comes to the bassman

It's a great amp and very pedal friendly. What really sold me is that I play guitar as well and it's great for both worlds. I will say though, my singer/guitarists other band's bassist bought a 410 bassman 50 watt combo and it's just not loud enough. If you really like the tone, can find a good cab w/ match ohms and will be recording with it, you should consider it. But I would take a look into the 100's, twice the wattage and they usually go for about $100 more. I've read complaints about the 100 even not being loud enough, but after i got the svt 810, the neighbors are complaining about their windows shaking.

[Fendert]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

The Bassman heads are pretty killer. They have the Fender tone stack, which makes it hard to dial in enough mids sometimes, but if you can deal with that, they sound great. But they break up earlier than comparable Ampegs, and the Fender cabs back then kind of sucked.

would maybe an overdrive pedal help bring those mids out of a bassman? or would that sound terrible?

[JimmyM]

Overdrive pedals could if they have enough mid control, and so would a separate EQ. And it might be enough mids for you as it is.

[Fendert]

There is a b25 I might try and snag tonight.

does it make a difference if its the b25 or b25b?

[JimmyM]

Not especially. They're the same basic amps...EQ points might be a little different but other than that, they're the same amps.

[michael_atw]

By "added" I meant added to my arsenal. I never used two cabs at the same time until I had a V4b.


Sometimes I would use the 15", sometimes the 10's. Just meant that to queue you in on where my opinion/experience of the sound was...as the cab(s) is(are) important to one's opinion of the sound.

[walterw]

Originally Posted by Fendert

I'm really looking for either a Ampeg b25 or a silverface bassman. Ive never played either, but I have heard both from an audience prospective and I liked what I heard.

I want one of these mostly because I'm really in to that deep vintage sound that I have heard from both of these. I'm not too concerned about keeping up with a full band, because I plan on having a mic on it.

"deep" and "50-watt tube bass amp" don't really go together, except at lower volumes.

are you sure you weren't just hearing the "depth" from the PA system? in which case the amp could have been left in the van?

[walterw]

Originally Posted by OctopusinSpace

I will say though, my singer/guitarists other band's bassist bought a 410 bassman 50 watt combo and it's just not loud enough.

they bought a tweed bassman to play bass through?