Question about tube replacement for a vintage Fender bassman 100.

[cuatro_cuerdas]

Hi folks,

I am about to purchase a vintage fender bassman 100, but it´s most likely I will have to change the power amp tubes,
. I know that the old tubes are 6L6 (i don´t know which brand), the question is if some of you guys out there have some advice regarding which tube I should buy to retube this head?

I will be using this head to play bass, and I would like to have a clean sound as loud as possible, I don´t mind a bit of grit but I would like to be able to play loud without getting heavy distortion.

I would appreciate some advice.

thanks in advance.

[RedLeg]

These

or these

[cuatro_cuerdas]

Thanks man, do you know which one of those will give me the *cleanest* sound?

[jastacey]

I've had good luck with JJ- 6L6GC's and Sovtek 6L6's ... keep in mind, with a 100 watt amp, you will need a pretty efficient cabinet to get "loud", and loud is a pretty subjective subject ... just make sure you get your tubes from a reputable seller

[f64]

First thing I'd do is have a tech give it a run through. Many of the 1970's tubes are still being used today without issue. A good tech can test each individually to make sure they're in spec. The other issue is that capacitors often dry out and need to be replaced. This is usually a more common ailment and is rectified at relatively low cost. The 100 has a fixed bias circuit. If all your tubes are within spec and don't need to be replaced I'd pick up a matched set of replacements and carry them with you.
Bottom line: I'm not a doctor so I go to one to stay well. I'm also not a tech so I bring my amps to one to keep them well.

Tube stories:
A few years ago I landed up with a used Fender TB-600 head. The first thing I did was replace the front end tubes with a set of GE's manufactured in 1966! Smooth and sweet sounding.
I had a Hiwatt bass head shipped to me by it's former owner. Unfortunately they didn't remove or support the tubes. I opened up the box and in the bottom were all the black plastic locater pins from the center socket of each tube. The tubes were still in but without locaters. I didn't have a problem with this but my tech fell off his chair when he pulled the first one.

[jastacey]

I had the same thing happen to me, when I purchased a old amp and had it shipped !!!

[cuatro_cuerdas]

thanks for the advice guys, the head will be played with a matched cab (4x12) fender (if I but the head with the matching cab) or with my vintage Kustom 2x15, I know that the kustom is very effcient, but I am not sure about the matching cab, I will tested anyway.

The head will go of course to a tech by the owner, who is a good friend of mine, and the tech will check everything in the amp and replace what needs to be replaced, I just asked about the tubes because with your advice about tubes,I then can recommend my friend the tubes the tech should use to replace the old ones. After all I will be the owner of this head, and I would like to have the best tone I can get from this head.

The reason what I would like to have the "cleanest" tone form this head is because I use fuzz and distortion pedals that I really like, and when I am not playing with the pedals on I will play clean.

[cuatro_cuerdas]

By the way, can some of you guys point me to like a website or something to see a list of different manufacturers of 6l6 tubes and the different prices? I guess you would not recommend me to buy the cheapest brand?

[jastacey]

I've had good experiences with the TubeDepot.com & AES ( Antique Electronic Supply = Tubesandmore.com )