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Bantam Bass

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by whitespike, Dec 13, 2007.

  1. Dec 13, 2007 #1
    whitespike

    whitespike

    Nov 28, 2007
    Austin, TX
    I played a vintage Fender Bantam bass amp in a store the other day and was kinda blown away. Does anyone else like them?

    I know they were unpopular because of some weird speaker technology that made them blow out all the time. The word on the street is that almost none of them end up with the original speaker bc of this reason. Anyone have good luck with one ... with a certain replacement speaker?

    Anyone ever gig with one? i think they're 80 watts.

    cheers.
     
  2. Dec 13, 2007 #2
    Dan55

    Dan55

    Apr 26, 2006
    Atlanta
    My first amp, back in '69 or so. Had an odd shaped Yamaha speaker in it. The cone looked like some kind of styroform or something. IIRC, it sounded great, but I didn't have it long. It was stolen after I'd only had it a year or so.
    I'd say that in today's world, if you like the tone, it would make a great practice amp and a good low volume gigging amp. Depending on the asking price, it could be a nice unusual amp to have or you might be better served looking for a combo of more recent vintage.
    Dan
     
  3. Dec 14, 2007 #3
    brianrost

    brianrost Gold Supporting Member

    Apr 26, 2000
    Boston, Taxachusetts
    Nope, only about 30 watts RMS. You could get by in small bars but that's about it.

    The speaker was made for Fender by Yamaha (it was also used in some 70s Yamaha amps) and is no longer available so if/when they blow they usually get swapped out for a normal speaker.
     
  4. Dec 14, 2007 #4
    nysbob

    nysbob

    Sep 14, 2003
    Cincinnati OH
    I saw an old ad for one where they were explaining that round wasn't necessarily the best shape for a speaker and played up that crazy trapezoidal speaker as being shaped like a GRAND PIANO, which of course produces a very musical sound. :eyebrow:

    I'd love to have one for the shear novelty of it. It's probably a nice sounding little fender tube studio amp.