Hi gang, Im hoping someone can help me out. I bought a mid-70’s vintage Silverface Bassman head from a family member. The cabinet that came with it has a tag identifying it as a Fendar Bassman 50 PS15B. So far I have not been able to dig up much (any) information on it. Anything you can provide would be appreciated! Thanks!
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Bassman 50 PS15B Speaker Enclosure
- Thread starter IMAdufas
- Start date
Hey! Welcome to Talkbass.
I'm sure someone will pop in sooner or later.
It might help if let em know what kind of info you're looking for.
For instance... Power handling? Type of speakers (assuming original)? How to ID the date it was built?
For some folks that rear tag is TMI. Others might know the name of the guy who built it at Fender.
Nice rig anyway you cut it. How does it play? Pics of the amp please!
I'm sure someone will pop in sooner or later.
It might help if let em know what kind of info you're looking for.
For instance... Power handling? Type of speakers (assuming original)? How to ID the date it was built?
For some folks that rear tag is TMI. Others might know the name of the guy who built it at Fender.
Nice rig anyway you cut it. How does it play? Pics of the amp please!
Thanks for the heads-up! I’m curious about things like years of production, dependability, collectibility… I am more of a guitar player than a bass guy. I have played my Tele through the combo with a delay and a tube screamer and I think it sounds amazing! I have a 40w Traynor that actually sounds very similar, imo. Here is the stack.
Attachments
- Feb 12, 2006
- 51,503
- 172,665
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
There are several driver possibilities, is this a 215 cabinet?
You would need to carefully remove the back panel (beware of possible short wires to the jack, and post pictures.
You would need to carefully remove the back panel (beware of possible short wires to the jack, and post pictures.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 51,503
- 172,665
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
What's to know? They called them "Bassman 50" from '72 to '77. Mediocre speakers in a much-MUCH-too-small cab. Not rated for any more than the 50 watts the head provides, so 25 or 30 watts per driver. If you date the amp, via the tube ID label or otherwise, that's likely to be the date for the cab. If you feel like putting the effort into it, you can take the back off and take a look at the speakers. There should be a code number stamped on the speakers that will ID the manufacturer and the date of manufacture for the speakers themselves, which will approximate the build date -- it certainly can't be before that. You can search for "EIA Code" or "Manufacture Date Code" online and find how to decode the numbers. Or take some pics and post it here.
Wait... you're holding a git-fiddle in your avatar. (!) It might not be much of a bass cab, but it might have some groovy tones for one of them things. As I say, it's not much of a bass cab though; miserable actually, even by the relatively low standards of the era. If the amp hasn't been turned on a couple of decades, take it to a shop before powering it up. Of course, I know that's pointless advice -- so, is it working now?
And an obligatory 'Welcome to TB' to you as well.
Edit: I've got some old eyes but is it possible that the model number on the serial number plate is P515B, not PS15B? "PS" actually makes more sense, because it really was a PoS.
Wait... you're holding a git-fiddle in your avatar. (!) It might not be much of a bass cab, but it might have some groovy tones for one of them things. As I say, it's not much of a bass cab though; miserable actually, even by the relatively low standards of the era. If the amp hasn't been turned on a couple of decades, take it to a shop before powering it up. Of course, I know that's pointless advice -- so, is it working now?
And an obligatory 'Welcome to TB' to you as well.
Edit: I've got some old eyes but is it possible that the model number on the serial number plate is P515B, not PS15B? "PS" actually makes more sense, because it really was a PoS.
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Attachments
Not sure what they are, but they do look the part.
I still wouldn't pump a whole lot of power through them.
I still wouldn't pump a whole lot of power through them.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 51,503
- 172,665
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Ok, what you have is a driver manufactured by Cetec Vega for Fender. They are a premium driver and worth more then the entire cabinet by a long shot if they are in good condition. They may have a double-spider, the parts are unique and expensive. Good for about 100-150 watts RMS each for bass guitar.
I stand corrected -- I expected some cheezy, stamped-frame drivers from Utah or Jensen.
Thank you, I appreciate the information! Good to know it's not a boat anchor. The combo was previously owned by my brother's father in law, who passed in 2018. I'm pretty sure he was the original owner. He was a cool old bird who actually played his accordion through it. He was pretty active right up until his death, so there was no need to warm things up with a variac (which I did need when I rebuilt the amplifier for my jukebox) . I picked up the combo, an old Peavy PA600 PM, and a handful of microphones for 500 bucks, so I feel like I made out fine on that trade. I really like the tone I get with the guitars, so it's been a nice addition to the basement! Thanks again!
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