The Fender Bassman 100T thread

[PhatRon]

thanks for the link to custom covers inc. Freight Train. very nice product indeed.

[thrasher717]

I've had two gigs with my 100t and here's my take:
I now understand what people mean when they say they've "found the tone that's been in their head". I've been playing bass for 15 years, through various equipment, and I've never enjoyed my tone so much or had so much fun playing. I actually find myself playing fewer notes because each note sounds so good. I used to boost my mids to try to cut through the mix, but I find that's unnecessary with this head. The lows are powerful without being boomy and the highs ring through clearly. Our sound man can't get enough of it. Every time I looked out at him Friday night, he was smiling and giving me a thumbs up. He's also the drummer in the praise band I play in and he was disappointed that I didn't bring it with me for Christmas Eve service! I'm playing it through an Avatar 410, but I'm going to order the 610 neo. The socks need to match the shoes, right?

[soxhats]

Mine arrives tomorrow. I cannot freaking wait. I'm off next weekend. My first gig with it will be 1/18.

[TorontoAlex]

Right on Thrasher717, I'm in the same boat as you, been playing for 15 years myself, and I've never been happier with my tone.

Soxhats, let us know how you like it, and how the gig goes!

[soxhats]

Will do!

[thrasher717]

Originally Posted by Freight Train

When I first got the rig I was totally overwhelmed with the it using my flatwound bass - so thumpy and full sounding. But the last couple gigs I've found a sweet spot with the overdrive and my roundwound bass (Jack Casady Epiphone) where I'm getting the closest to a John Entwhistle/John Wetton sound I've ever gotten.

You mind sharing the settings that got you to that sweet spot? I wouldn't mind trying to sound like John Entwistle.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by Freight Train

But the last couple gigs I've found a sweet spot with the overdrive and my roundwound bass (Jack Casady Epiphone) where I'm getting the closest to a John Entwhistle/John Wetton sound I've ever gotten.

I'd like to find this tone:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6giiYDlqRQs

Can the 100T get it with one of my Ricks, one with TI Jazz Rounds ('73 4001 with '60s magnetic horseshoe pickup) or the 4004 Laredo (TI Jazz Flats on it).

Ignore the Cave Passive Pedals B-Drive Mk II in that one photo, I am evaluating the pedal for a friend and the manufacturer.

[thrasher717]

The only complaint I have so far is I wish there was a footswitch option for the mute. Frankly, I'm surprised there isn't since there is a tuner out on the back. I know I can pull out the volume knob to mute, but they could have made it a double footswitch and included a mute.

Regarding covers, I just ordered a road case from XCase. Drop-in style with a hinged lid.

[TorontoAlex]

Agreed on the mute switch Thrasher. Really my only complaints are;
1) The foot switch is one button only, no mute. Also, although the foot switch is a nice, classic looking design, a smaller switch with an LED would have been more functional.
2) No Speakon jack. I know the amp is 'only' 100 watts, but Speakons would have been a nice touch.
3) Fender doesn't include a cover, nor do they offer one.

Overall these are small details, and I realize that I'm just being picky. The tone and functionality on the amp is great, and more than makes up for these minor shortcomings. No regrets picking one of these up.

[soxhats]

Mine just arrived.

At least they give you a speaker cable.

[Tim1]

Tom Bowlus has just posted on the Super Bassman 300 thread that 1-10-1 is definitely flat on the vintage channel. Since the 100T is the same preamp as the SB300 I would expect it to be the same, so that is one of our longer running debates finally solved. He says the head came out well on the bench tests so look to Bass Gear Magazine's next issue for a review of the SB300, I think matched up to the neo 610 cab.

[liam_g]

I look forward to seeing what the overdrive channel scoped flat at. Tom said that that was "another story" or something to that effect.

Cheers,
Liam

[adivin]

Tom B just confirmed that flat on the vintage channel is 1 10 1 over in the Super Bassman 300 thread. It's gonna be in issue #10. I wish I could cut more treble actually.

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by adivin

I wish I could cut more treble actually.

Maybe there is a control on your bass that can help with that?

[adivin]

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott

Maybe there is a control on your bass that can help with that?

Passive P bass, I'm so use to running tone wide open on passive basses. I always look to the amp, but yea.

[liam_g]

The tone control on a passive P is made for cutting treble. Use it!

Liam

[hdracer]

I have to back the tone back about 1/3 on my P5 and it sounds sweet.

[PhatRon]

my local CL has an Ampeg SVT-410HE for $325. With the 100T, what do you all think?

[Freight Train]

Originally Posted by Tim1

Tom Bowlus has just posted on the Super Bassman 300 thread that 1-10-1 is definitely flat on the vintage channel. Since the 100T is the same preamp as the SB300 I would expect it to be the same, so that is one of our longer running debates finally solved. He says the head came out well on the bench tests so look to Bass Gear Magazine's next issue for a review of the SB300, I think matched up to the neo 610 cab.

All I gotta say is, if 1-10-1 is flat on the vintage channel, then 6-6-6 on the active channel is NOT flat. Set vintage at 1-10-1, active on 6-6-6 and switch back and forth while adjusting the channel volumes to match. What you'll hear is a LOT more bottom and top out of the active channel. Set the passive channel at 10-10-8 and match volumes, and they're pretty close to the same. So if 1-10-1 is flat on the vintage channel, that means the active channel has a huge mid-scoop when it's set flat, and I really don't think that's the case. What I think is that at 1-10-1 on the vintage channel the lows and highs are cut way back and you're getting a big midrange hump.

[liam_g]

I think there's no reason to assume that all knobs at noon is flat on the active channel. That setting is seldom flat on any amp, in my experience. Tom did state that the flat settings on the active channel would be in the article they're doing.

Cheers,
Liam