I have an opportunity to buy a Fender Bassman 50 head and cabinet

Ron Plichta · #1 11-10-2010, 01:32 PM

It's a 1969 silverface Bassman 100 with 2x15" cab. The power cord has been upgraded to a three prong and it has the AB159 (?) circuit. I've played through the rig and it has a nice tone to it. I have no pretenses of gigging with it, so it would be a basement rig or quiet (acoustic) gig.

The seller is asking $850. It's been meticulously maintianed. What say ye?

fenderhutz · #2 11-10-2010, 01:34 PM

The heads usually go in the 550-600 range. I wouldn't say it's a great deal. But if it's in good shape (speakers original etc etc) it's a good deal.

Those heads sound better for guitar in my opinion.

PJSShearer · #3 11-10-2010, 01:53 PM

If you want this rig for the antique value then fine. As you say, it sounds fine at low volume, but for the money you have to spend you could get something that sounds much better, is more compact and considerably more powerful.

I used to gig a Fender Bassman 100 (with the big 4 x 12") in the late '70s and was glad to see the back of it!!. Currently, I use an Ashdown 300w 2 x 10" combo and it is simply streets ahead of my old Bassman in every respect.

billfitzmaurice · #4 11-10-2010, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Plichta

The seller is asking $850. It's been meticulously maintianed. What say ye?

That's a bit high.
http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=28

Ron Plichta · #5 11-10-2010, 02:00 PM

This won't be my main rig. I have an EBS TD650/Classiclines 410 rig and Mark Bass CMD 102P combo for gigging. And as was said before, it's a helluva guitar amp and I still play guitar from time to time.

BassmanPaul · #6 11-10-2010, 02:28 PM

The bottom line is you. If the amp is worth it to you and you really want it then go ahead and buy it. I had no real use for my B15 at about the same price. It's my practice amp and sits happily next to my computer. Sometimes it's my computer subwoofer too.

m.oreilly · #7 11-10-2010, 03:45 PM

lol, i sold mine (mid 60s) for $50 about 20 years ago, to a guitar player. for a bass rig, made a lot of fluffy noise. that's about it.

zachoff · #8 11-10-2010, 04:13 PM

If it's in good working order, that's not a terrible price. I sold my Bassman 135/215 for $650 a couple months ago but the older silverface Bassmans generally go for more than the blackfaces.

plangentmusic · #9 11-10-2010, 04:26 PM

Not a modern sounding amp by any means though I know some guitar players who'd love to own it. .

Ron Plichta · #10 11-10-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Not a modern sounding amp by any means though I know some guitar players who'd love to own it. .

I wasn't looking to get a modern tone out of this one. I have plenty of other amps that will do that. This one is for the basement and maybe a small gig since he have a good PA in the band.

Mojo-Man · #11 11-10-2010, 04:31 PM

There great guitar heads.
The 2x15 cab sound good, for bass, not great.
It would be a good rig for recording. or practice.
Too big to haul around for gigs. (and under powered)
If your into the vintage thing, find a Sunn 200s with 2x15 cab.
That is a gig monster.
Or a V4B with 2x15 cab.
Both are much better for bass.

zachoff · #12 11-10-2010, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojo-Man

The 2x15 cab sound good, for bass, not great.

See, I absolutely loved the tone of my Bassman rig... It just wasn't loud enough to compete with a 100W full stack & a drummer that hits super hard. I'm not sure how different the 60s cabs were from the early 80s cabs, but man... I loved the tone from that rig.