Hi all
I just picked up a fender bassman 300 head the one similar in looks to the sunn 300t. It is my first step into an all tube setup and it has been interesting. The head sounds really nice and I am digging the tone it just seems to clip very easily then heat up. I do not feel that I am overdriving the channels channel 1 is set at 6 channel two is set at 6 with gain on channel 2 at 7-9 main volume hasn't been over 3-4. While playing my passive p bass with the input pad off the amp will easily push into the red on the input indicator. This seems unusual to be that a 300 watt all tube amp would ride in the red so easily with so much left to turn up. If there are any simple checks or tests I could do before loading it up for the local tech that would be appreciated.
All you're doing is pushing the pre amp hard. The power section still had a lot of head room left in it.
Turn the pre amp gain down and turn the master volume up. I usually have my gain set around 3-4 some times higher depending on the bass. Use the master volume to adjust the overall volume level. Nothing is wrong with the amp.
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Thanks for the input. I was assuming that I shouldn't be running out of headroom. My only concern is that when I did drive the pre amp hard an ride the red light the head got very hot and had a hot electrical smell. As soon as I put the amp in standby the smell dissipates quickly. Should I install some sort of fan to aid in airflow around the tubes and transformers? Lastly the 6550 tubes seem to really pulse purple and heavily glow when the amp is clipping could that be a sign of worn tubes or overhearing?
It's a tube amp. Clipping doesn't matter. Ignore the red light and use your ears. If it sounds good to you, then it's fine. A fan might be good, and perhaps getting it checked out by a tech in general wouldn't be a bad idea if you just got it. I've heard this particular model gets hot, though.
