Custom Faceplate

[The WideBody]

While i had the grill off of my bassman 2x15 cab - the thought came to me to replace the grill cloth as it has a tear in it. Then i thought that if i did that i would have to replace the matching grill cloth on the amp head. Then i thought how much i hate the sf aesthetics.

I dont want to deceive or front like i have a much pricier model - i just like the blackface aesthetics better. Who can make me a bassman 50 faceplate but with the blackface aesthetics?

[anderbass]

This faceplate:-> Marsh Amplification doesn't say 50, but you could ask them if it fits your head.

[The WideBody]

Thats cool. I think that it would fit except for the master volume. Drill a hole? Or have someone remove the master volume?

[johnk_10]

if you have a bassman 50, a blackface front panel will fit it perfectly. if you really like the blackface look, i'd remove the master volume control and just get one of these:

Faceplate: Bassman Amp, blackface - FACEPLATES vintage Fender

[JimmyM]

Call me crazy but I like the 70's silverface look. Of course, those are the only Fender amps I've owned so I would say that

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Call me crazy but I like the 70's silverface look. Of course, those are the only Fender amps I've owned so I would say that

i actually really like the silver ones too. possibly because they had just switched them from blackfaces when i started playing bass in 1967. plus, on the 'let it be' album, Paul's used a silverface bassman. i remember that ALOT of guys with early 60's blonde ones were spray painting their tolex black so they looked like they were new amps. i always thought that it was silly, and nowadays it's considered downright 'sacriligious'.

[The WideBody]

I was born in the mid seventies. I have only been trying to play for about six years. I dont have any memories of what guitar heroes played. My favorite tolex / grill combos are the tweeds and the blondes. I guess i find the black & silver very utilitarian. I am not a purist - i doubt i will make any cosmetic changes - but if time was not such a commodity in my life - i would not hesitate to alter to aesthetics of this amp & cabinet.

[JimmyM]

Well that's cool. And at least you know where you can get one if you want it.

[johnk_10]

i actually think that the silverfaced ones with the turquoise lettering and turquoise sparkle grill cloth looked more 'glamorous' and deluxe. the blackfaced ones look 'classic', but IMO, there's certainly nothing wrong with the silverfaced one's looks. some of the SF one's circuits left a bit to be desired though,(IMO).

[will33]

Originally Posted by johnk_10

i actually think that the silverfaced ones with the turquoise lettering and turquoise sparkle grill cloth looked more 'glamorous' and deluxe. the blackfaced ones look 'classic', but IMO, there's certainly nothing wrong with the silverfaced one's looks. some of the SF one's circuits left a bit to be desired though,(IMO).

This^^

My 135 is no classic bassman by any stretch, to some, it's barely even a bassman

When I take the time to do it up right, it's getting turquoise stripe silver sparkle cloth on the amp and cab. I love the look of that stuff. It looks great and matches the lettering on the faceplate. I wonder sometimes if it's really a coincidence that the EH Holy Grail reverb pedal I use with it has the same turquoise over silver scheme on the face of the pedal. Either way, it's cool.

[The WideBody]

This is a slippery slope. My ocd wont let me just replace the grill cloth. The tolex is separating from the cab a bit in the bottom - the metal corner protectors are tarnished. I am tempted to just redo the whole shiz in herculiner or other truck bed material. Then i know it would be durable.

[will33]

Originally Posted by The WideBody

This is a slippery slope. My ocd wont let me just replace the grill cloth. The tolex is separating from the cab a bit in the bottom - the metal corner protectors are tarnished. I am tempted to just redo the whole shiz in herculiner or other truck bed material. Then i know it would be durable.

Just glue the tolex down and clean it up. That's an old amp full of glass, man. Any beating it takes that requires truckbed liner is going to leave you with bigger problems than a nick in the finish.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by The WideBody

This is a slippery slope. My ocd wont let me just replace the grill cloth. The tolex is separating from the cab a bit in the bottom - the metal corner protectors are tarnished. I am tempted to just redo the whole shiz in herculiner or other truck bed material. Then i know it would be durable.

well, IMO, that's one way to devalue it.

[The WideBody]

Originally Posted by will33

Just glue the tolex down and clean it up. That's an old amp full of glass, man. Any beating it takes that requires truckbed liner is going to leave you with bigger problems than a nick in the finish.

True that! LOL!