sidekick 35 bass amp

slobake · #1 08-11-2011, 12:24 PM

Howdy,
I am a fairly new bass player. I found a used MIM Precision I have been playing through and old SWR 15. I found an even older made in Japan Sidekick 35 at a garage sale for a good price. I have been taking it to practice with my friends because it is a lot lighter than the SWR.
Turns out I like the tone on the sidekick better than the SWR, maybe it is my inexprienced ear but it sound pretty warm and mellow, great for practice at low volumes.
Then the darn thing died on me. I get 120 AC before the transformer but nothing after that. I talked to a repairman and he said it might be a safety feature that Fender built into the transformer that shuts down the amp when it overheats. They are supposed to re-open when the amp cools down but he says they oftent don't on these amps. If this is the problem is suggestion is to have him remove this part from the transformer.
My question : Is this amp worth repairing? I haven't got a quote yet. Is there anyway I can test with my meter to find out if this is the problem?
thanks,

slobake · #2 08-11-2011, 08:29 PM

After reading other posts here and doing some homework I think I'm going to let go of the Sidekick and get an Ampeg BA-108. I can get a new one for $99. Good for practice and I have the SWR 15 if I need more volume. I will miss the Sidekick but I should probably move on. Comments about the Ampeg vs the Sidekick?

slobake · #3 08-30-2011, 02:27 PM

Been playing the BA-108 for two weeks now and love the tone. I was doubtful I could get a decent tone from such a small speaker but it sounds great. Did a side by side with similiar priced Acoustic bass amp in the store, and the Ampeg sounded way better. IMHO

RickenBoogie · #4 08-30-2011, 03:39 PM

Yeah, those little Ampegs pack the tone. Good choice.

slobake · #5 08-31-2011, 04:21 PM

Thanks RickenBoogie, I have even played it in our small church, but we are a pretty quiet band for now. Next week our drummer brings his full kit. I may need to use the line out or switch to my SWR Workingman's 15 at that point. Don[t know if we have and extra channel on our board at church, half of them don't work, but I actually like the tone from the Ampeg better. But the SWR can shake the windows. If I use the SWR I'll probably put some casters on it to save my back.

JimmyM · #6 09-01-2011, 01:51 AM

BA108 is freakin' amazing. I actually gigged one on a little jazz gig this past Sunday and got asked to turn down.