Fender Showman/Bassman GIANT 2x12, Project or Cut My Losses?

BillyIVbass · #1 03-27-2011, 07:37 PM

Picked this bad boy up on Craigslist unloaded hoping I could slap my JBL D140Fs in it...cleaning it up and no kidding, it's just a comically large 2x12 cab.

Is it worth dropping some mediocre Eminence bass speakers in it or should I throw it back into the ocean of Craigslist and try to get my $100 back.

bassie12 · #2 03-27-2011, 07:39 PM

While not a "modern" cab by any stretch, this is a great sounding bass cab! Classic rock tone. I miss mine!

BillyIVbass · #3 03-27-2011, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassie12

While not a "modern" cab by any stretch, this is a great sounding bass cab! Classic rock tone. I miss mine!

Mind taking a walk down memory lane?

What bass did you play? I'll most likely be playing a P-bass through it. I like a mostly flat tone. I think this cab could do that. It would definitely look cool onstage.

will33 · #4 03-27-2011, 08:02 PM

If the box is in good shape/sturdy, I'd at least measure the inside and do a few WinISD models. It might be big enough to let some modern 12's bring it in the lows, that is if you don't mind dragging around something that size. If I recall, they look huge in width and height but are shallow in depth so it might be a little decieving when it comes to how much room is actually in the box.

BillyIVbass · #5 03-27-2011, 08:05 PM

Thanks, I'll get the dimensions.

Also the removable back panel is in rough shape. It looks like it is chipboard. The rest of the cab is solid wood and in good shape. Not sure if I should repair it, get a new one etc.

will33 · #6 03-27-2011, 08:07 PM

I'd figure on replacing it with plywood if you decide to keep this thing. If there are any ports behind that grillcloth, measure those too.

Would also need to know what amp/how much power you'd be using with it.

BillyIVbass · #7 03-27-2011, 08:16 PM

Looks like one small rectangle port.

BillyIVbass · #8 03-27-2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by will33

I'd figure on replacing it with plywood if you decide to keep this thing. If there are any ports behind that grillcloth, measure those too.

Would also need to know what amp/how much power you'd be using with it.

Amps I'd use:

Hartke LH1000 1000watt (really I never play the thing past 2)
Fender Blackface Bassman 50 watt
Hartke HA2500 250 watts

will33 · #9 03-27-2011, 08:29 PM

Cool, that'll matter when looking at speakers. It sure would look pretty all cleaned up with that bassman sitting on it.

BillyIVbass · #10 03-27-2011, 08:58 PM

Thanks, I'm taking pictures as I go and will have them posted on my Guitar Channel Blog.

The tolex cleaned up decently with Murphy's Oil Soap and a brush. It by no means looks brand new, but much cleaner.

The hardware is soaking overnight. It is very rusty.

I'm not sure if the grill comes off. If it does, I'd like to steam clean it with just hot water to see if that cleans it up any.

The cab is bulky, but not heavy. 2 Eminence speakers would only ad about 18 pounds.

Jeff Scott · #11 03-27-2011, 09:30 PM

Windex and a toothbrush work well for cleaning Tolex®, also. Try it on an area you've already cleaned and see if it gets even cleaner.

Regarding the hardware, do you have a good chrome plater in your area? If not, I do.

I did all this to an early '70s Princeton Reverb Amp and the chrome looks new, now (it is new, now!), and the cabinet, in general, looks great. I left the grillcloth alone as it is in good condition, just nice and mellowed with age.

will33 · #12 03-27-2011, 09:42 PM

The grillcloth/frame should pull off to the front. Sometimes they catch on the corner hardware but you've got those off already. Try hooking an allen wrench behind it and pulling gently, maybe with a pliers. If it still doesn't want to come off, figure out something else before anything breaks.

BillyIVbass · #13 03-27-2011, 10:33 PM

Thanks again for the tips! Too late now, I need sleep so I don't do something stupid ha. If I have the back off think I can gingerly push the grill out?

I'm leaning towards Eminence Beta 12A.

BillyIVbass · #14 03-28-2011, 01:38 AM

Also looks like there is a chip in the corner and a crack around the center of the MDF back panel. Should I repair this? Mount a thin strip of wood on it to hold it together or not worry about it?

johnk_10 · #15 03-28-2011, 01:48 AM

it looks like a late '66 early '67 bandmaster cab to me.
on those cabs, the grill cloth is part of the baffle board and it does not pry off, so i wouldn't go prying on it. you remove the back panel and access the screws that hold it on from inside the cab.

the giveaway on those old cabs is, if it has a rear panel that is screwed on, then the speakers are rear loaded and it has a screwed on baffle. the ones with a removable grill panel have sealed backs and are front loaded.

billfitzmaurice · #16 03-28-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

it's just a comically large 2x12 cab.

At about 6 cu ft net it's actually the right size for two twelves of that era, it was the 3.2 cu ft net 2x12 of 63-67 that was comically small for a bass cab, though just fine for guitar.
Loaded with a pair of Beta 12s it would work pretty well for a minimal investment. Be sure to add fore/aft bracing from the baffle to the back and line it with damping.

coreyfyfe · #17 03-28-2011, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

the giveaway on those old cabs is, if it has a rear panel that is screwed on, then the speakers are rear loaded and it has a screwed on baffle. the ones with a removable grill panel have sealed backs and are front loaded.

Ha I learned this lesson with my B25 cab that hard way. I was trying for like half an hour with various objects to get the damn grill off but it wouldn't budge. Finally I gave in and took out the 900 screws to remove the back panel and saw all the screws holding the grill on. Good news was that I didn't damage the cab, but if I was any more impatient I might have.

BillyIVbass · #18 03-28-2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

it looks like a late '66 early '67 bandmaster cab to me.
on those cabs, the grill cloth is part of the baffle board and it does not pry off, so i wouldn't go prying on it. you remove the back panel and access the screws that hold it on from inside the cab.

the giveaway on those old cabs is, if it has a rear panel that is screwed on, then the speakers are rear loaded and it has a screwed on baffle. the ones with a removable grill panel have sealed backs and are front loaded.

If I unscrew the MDF back panel, it looks like I'm loading the speakers behind the baffle, and yes it looks like the grill frame and baffle are hooked together.

So that leads you towards this being a Bandmaster? Interesting. Thanks for your insight! If the darn Fender backplate wasn't lost...there is a small chrome strip with a serial number on, I'll grab that later and see if I can't track down a year.

billfitzmaurice · #19 03-28-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyIVbass

So that leads you towards this being a Bandmaster?

There's no visible difference between the Bandmaster and Bassman. They used the exact same drivers as well.

BillyIVbass · #20 03-28-2011, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

At about 6 cu ft net it's actually the right size for two twelves of that era, it was the 3.2 cu ft net 2x12 of 63-67 that was comically small for a bass cab, though just fine for guitar.
Loaded with a pair of Beta 12s it would work pretty well for a minimal investment. Be sure to add fore/aft bracing from the baffle to the back and line it with damping.

Bill, thanks for the info! I have read some of your posts before on adding extra padding to amps. It worked out great for the inside of one of those cheap new Acoustics.

The original insulation for the bottom and sides are still there. If I covered the rear panel with 1" egg crate mattress (easiest thing to buy around here) do you think that would be too much/not enough damping?

Bracing is completely new to me. Any insight on where to start?