Bassman Faux Ten

[doc540]

Built as an experiment.

Never intended to be a volume producer.

Tone turned out great with a Jbass into it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I used to have this amp that sounded excellent for bass at reasonable (living room) volume levels.

1962 Fender Concert Amp with Mojotone drivers.

Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2014 All rights reserved.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

This little Darlin' sounds great with a bass through it. A fully restored 1963 Fender Brownface Pro amp. 40 watts with a JBL D130.

 

[Jim C]

I've used a twin in the studio when a amp sound was desired and no bass amp available.
At low volume, many open back amps record well close mic'd.
Personally don't care for the live tone of open back.

 

[Kro]

Built as an experiment.

Never intended to be a volume producer.

Tone turned out great with a Jbass into it.

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I really like it - great execution.

No issue with power amp cooling in that position?

Definitely has a great vibe that a rack with the same gear up front wouldn't have had. I'm feelin' it.

Just to spell it out because I feel like it's getting missed - that top driver is for show only right?

 

[doc540]

I really like it - great execution.

No issue with power amp cooling in that position?

Definitely has a great vibe that a rack with the same gear up front wouldn't have had. I'm feelin' it.

Just to spell it out because I feel like it's getting missed - that top driver is for show only right?

Thanks

Nope, no cooling issues. just for insurance I also stuck a small electric fan (aimed up) in the bottom of the top cab.

I don't understand... "top driver"?

Both cabs have neo 15's.

 

[Kro]

Thanks

Nope, no cooling issues. just for insurance I also stuck a small electric fan (aimed up) in the bottom of the top cab.

I don't understand... "top driver"?

Both cabs have neo 15's.

Top speaker - but never mind, I guess I misunderstood. I had assumed that the top speaker was part of the "faux" element - being just for looks and not really connected, with that unit just really being a housing for the preamp and power amp. Guess not. Still very cool looking.

 

[bobcruz]

I really like it - great execution.

No issue with power amp cooling in that position?

Definitely has a great vibe that a rack with the same gear up front wouldn't have had. I'm feelin' it.

Just to spell it out because I feel like it's getting missed - that top driver is for show only right?

The top driver is high-passed to protect it from over-excursion in an open back cab. It's all spelled out in the build thread doc put up a few years ago.

 

[Kro]

The top driver is high-passed to protect it from over-excursion in an open back cab. It's all spelled out in the build thread doc put up a few years ago.

Nice, I don't remember that thread, may have to go digging...

 

[doc540]

Thanks

Actually, I don't think it's high passed. I may have misspoken. (Those Alameda guys don't forget ANYTHING)

I'm just running one channel of the power amp into the top cab, the other channel into the bottom.

Typically, and because my Jbass is bright and punchy, I run less power into the top cab than the lower.

It seems to balance just fine.

I've had others play through my rig so I could go out front and listen.

verrrah haaapy

 

[bobcruz]

I only remember stuff that's really cool! IIRC, you were using a two-channel QSC power amp at first and high-passing one channel for the top speaker to protect it. A full-spectrum signal to the top cab (even at reduced volume) might not be good for the long haul....maybe check that build thread to see what the advice was? Bob

 

[doc540]

I only remember stuff that's really cool! IIRC, you were using a two-channel QSC power amp at first and high-passing one channel for the top speaker to protect it. A full-spectrum signal to the top cab (even at reduced volume) might not be good for the long haul....maybe check that build thread to see what the advice was? Bob

The Crown is connected the same way.

It's still working fine, and the haul has been long.

May, 2010
Classic Tribute Amp: Bassman Faux Ten

 

[doc540]

7/18 update

Sounded boss last night with Paul Orta's blues band.

still winning

 

[bobcruz]

The Crown is connected the same way.

It's still working fine, and the haul has been long.

May, 2010
Classic Tribute Amp: Bassman Faux Ten

What works, works...but I still think the haul could go longer if your Crown lets you high-pass that open-back cab to cut out the really low stuff. You're probably careful enough that it doesn't matter. Peace, Bob

 

[agedhorse]

What works, works...but I still think the haul could go longer if your Crown lets you high-pass that open-back cab to cut out the really low stuff. You're probably careful enough that it doesn't matter. Peace, Bob

Agreed, the power handling of the open backed driver will be less than 1/2 of the manufacturer's rated power.

 

[Stumbo]

Why build the top cab open back?

 

[doc540]

Stumbo, we did it as an experiment and mostly for shtizngiggles to copy the original '59 Bassman. (Which, of course, became a great guitar amp and not so great bass amp for obvious reasons.)

Often I use only the top cab (and even when using both cabs never push it hard).

However, bobcruz, I'll try setting the high-pass on the open back cab and see what it sounds like by itself.

The experiment continues. But if this messes up my English tone, I'm gonna stop this car and whip you kids in the front yard so the neighbors can watch.