MusicMan 65

hifibass · #1 07-26-2010, 10:21 AM

In January of 1974 I purchased a new, 1st year production, MusicMan 65 all tube amp. This was the first amp Leo Fender made after leaving fender. I used it constantly until '88 when I bought my first SWR rig and retired this amp to the closet. The only work ever done to this amp was in about '85 when I retubed it with all Mesa tubes. This past weekend I decided to pull it out of storage and give it a whirl. The only thing I did was rotate the controls a lot to scrap any oxidation off the contacts, plugged her into a pair of custom 1X10's (2 way w/Fostex horns) and then let her rip.

I had always said that this was the best sounding bass amp I have ever owned (I've owned A LOT), I currently use EA iAmp-500UK's with assorted EA VL Series cabinets, and to be 100% honest it sounds much better than I ever remembered!!!

If you ever get a chance to put one of these early (mine was built in the 4th quarter of '74) MusicMan amps thru its paces I believe you'll be impressed not only by the incredible tone but by the amazing volume too. Ken

KramerBassFan · #2 07-26-2010, 10:25 AM

Awesome!

These old MusicMan amps are rather good for the money.

I've got a HD212 which is a 130w head with a 2x12 on my bench, getting a new cap job.

hifibass · #3 07-26-2010, 01:07 PM

Interestingly I owned a new HD-130 which I expected to be a major upgrade from my original 65. There wasn't much difference other than 2 more tubes in the power amp. It was probably louder, Joe Perry used these on his solo tours (I saw them with nifty LED peak volume arrays), but I'm so deaf at this point (damn we used to play loud!!!!) that I doubt I could hear a difference at normal listening levels. Now here's a unique testimonial..... "Even A Deaf Bassist Can Hear The Superior Differences". LOL!!!! If only MusicMan amps were still around I could license this to them! Ken

KramerBassFan · #4 07-26-2010, 02:14 PM

Agreed.