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Fender Bassman 100T - chapter 2

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#461
want to add this too. In my search to find "the bigger sounding walkabout" it was the Bassman 100T I ended up with. So far it's been sooo nice. My only complaint so far is the drive is either barely there or full on. Having a hard time finding the sweet spot for just a bit of attitude without being a bully.

Been thinking of putting a pork loin or phat phuk in the front end. Anyone here tried any of these with the 100T yet?
 
#463
I just prefer the sound of the bassman at higher volumes and more air moving. For me the walkabout sounds best when its not working too hard. As far as "substantially more horse power" perhaps not, but it's definitely different. I also felt the bigger mesa rigs were too much for my needs. They sounded so good at very loud volumes (too much temptation). This is also why I didn't opt for the super bassman.

Chef, I know you're a defender of the walkabout faith. Rightfully so, it's a fantastic rig. It was really hard for me to fork out the bucks but I am sure glad I did. The WA/scout combo sounds so "big" at low volumes. For the band I play with now and the majority of our gigs I work the 100t pretty hard. I feel thats where it sounds best for me.
 
#464
PhatRon,

I have a Pork Loin that I use with my 100t. I've found that it doesn't really have enough gain on tap to add anything to the overdrive channel, but it sounds nice on the clean channel if you're looking on adding a bit of hair to the tone. I actually bought a new MXR bass overdrive to replace the PL (for the extra gain) but I think I might keep both and flip back and forth.

You'll find a lot of guys will say the OD channel takes awhile to dial in, and I've got to agree. So don't give up on it yet! That said, pedals sound great through the 100t, if you want to get your sound through them you won't be disappointed.
 
#467
PhatRon said:
I just prefer the sound of the bassman at higher volumes and more air moving. - snip -- For the band I play with now and the majority of our gigs I work the 100t pretty hard. I feel thats where it sounds best for me.
Click to expand...

That's exactly why I wanted a 100 watt tube head. After decades of fumbling around I finally figured out it was power tube overdrive I had been trying to simulate with pedals using solid state amps, and no pedal or dig simulation I've heard sounds like power tubes being driven right to that sweet spot before they fuzz out. Playing the 100T at volume for medium sized gigs puts the power tubes just there, where they're generating tons of nice harmonics, along with the self-compression going on at that level as well, combination of which gives a perceived fullness and volume that's beyond what a 100 watt amp should do. I was kind of guessing at that when I ordered the amp without hearing one, and thankfully I was right. For the way I play, anyway.
 
#468
TorontoAlex, thanks for the input on the pork loin. Actually it is on the vintage channel that I am thinking of using it. Looking for a little bit of low gain attitude on that wonderful creamy tone. I am also curious if the phat phuk b would suit this better. I have found some useful settings on the OD channel just not the subtle effect I'm looking for. More the "hot and nasty" which surely has some spots in the stuff I do.
 
#469
Freight Train-- you just nailed right on the head ++1 It's what I was trying to summerize. It's the perceived volume and not just horsepower numbers. There have been times already where I was thinking need more headroom but I just tweaked the eq a little and boom. If I had that headroom I'd be playing too loud. I know myself too well.
 
#470
Freight Train said:
That's exactly why I wanted a 100 watt tube head. After decades of fumbling around I finally figured out it was power tube overdrive I had been trying to simulate with pedals using solid state amps, and no pedal or dig simulation I've heard sounds like power tubes being driven right to that sweet spot before they fuzz out. Playing the 100T at volume for medium sized gigs puts the power tubes just there, where they're generating tons of nice harmonics, along with the self-compression going on at that level as well, combination of which gives a perceived fullness and volume that's beyond what a 100 watt amp should do. I was kind of guessing at that when I ordered the amp without hearing one, and thankfully I was right. For the way I play, anyway.
Click to expand...

Well said!
 
#471
I was kind of guessing at that when I ordered the amp without hearing one, and thankfully I was right. For the way I play, anyway.[/QUOTE]

actually it was after reading a couple of your posts Freight Train, that got me down off the fence when I ordered mine (without hearing also). I think we must have similar taste.
 
#474
NOLA Bass said:
So, I'm on the fence. The studio is set for May 10-12. Should I upgrade the tubes on the 100T?
Click to expand...

Get your hands on a REDDI and your live rig will become just that.

But that's another fence entirely and a mighty big gaseous cloud.

I am curious though how the 100T does in the studio. Please keep us informed.

as far as the tubes go, I'm with the others. If it aint broke don't fix it.
good luck with the recording
 
#475
PhatRon said:
I was kind of guessing at that when I ordered the amp without hearing one, and thankfully I was right. For the way I play, anyway.
Click to expand...

actually it was after reading a couple of your posts Freight Train, that got me down off the fence when I ordered mine (without hearing also). I think we must have similar taste.[/QUOTE]

Same here. And it's turned out to be the smartest amp purchase I've ever made.
 
#476
Sort of Off Topic rant, but Musician's Friend and Guitar Center always have the coupon codes on the website. However, NOTHING I ever look to buy is valid with the code. It is such a crock of you know what. I posted here as I was looking at the NEO 410 on there and wanted to rant!!!! :ninja: Oh well, once again I will spend my $$ elsewhere just b/c it pisses me off so damn much!!!

I have decided to get the 410 NEO though to match up with my 100T. I figure it is worth it based on the visual match (I know, but I hate the way the head hangs over the sides). The weight savings is pretty significant over my Epi PS410, so the two factors combined are worth the $$.
 
#477
NOLA Bass said:
Sort of Off Topic rant, but Musician's Friend and Guitar Center always have the coupon codes on the website. However, NOTHING I ever look to buy is valid with the code. It is such a crock of you know what. I posted here as I was looking at the NEO 410 on there and wanted to rant!!!! :ninja: Oh well, once again I will spend my $$ elsewhere just b/c it pisses me off so damn much!!!

I have decided to get the 410 NEO though to match up with my 100T. I figure it is worth it based on the visual match (I know, but I hate the way the head hangs over the sides). The weight savings is pretty significant over my Epi PS410, so the two factors combined are worth the $$.
Click to expand...

You have to call them and ask nicely.
I got my 100T during one of their sales and got a great deal on it ($1200).
 
#478
I'm loving mine! So big and supportive. I've been using it for my cover band gig as well as using it as a DI for my church on Sundays. I have a couple sessions this week that I'll be using it for as well.

Question for those of you with a little more cab experience than me: I'm running it through my Bergantino HS 410 right now. It's definitely got girth - loving the low end response. But the lure of matching the 100t with the Bassman 410 cab is pretty intense. Add that to the weight difference between the Berg and Fender and I'm definitely seriously considering switching out my cab. Any words of wisdom on this? What kinds of tonal differences could I expect if I did this?
 
#479
I have not played through the berg 410 but I do use 2 HT112 er's. It sure is hard to beat the Berg boxes. They have such a mid presence while maintaining deep tight bottom end. I have the bassman 410 neo as well. It has a nice tight deep sound. I like it a lot but I do get that "home sweet home"feeling when back on the Bergs. I just did a split gig last weekend and we had the neo 410 and a berg HD210. It was quite WOW.
The lure as you say of the pairing is very appealing. Looks so good on stage and the cab is sooo light and easy to lift on/off stage or the car
That didn't really help, did it?
 
#480
KOI've had the HS410 but not tried the Fender at all.:(
The Berg is a GREAT sounding 410 imo. Tight, punchy, deep-all the usual things associated with a quality Berg cab.
I find almost all Berg cabs to pretty much take all you throw at em, sound as you'd like em too- eg take eq very well.
Meaning they can sound vintage, modern, bright, dark etc, depending which amp you're using with em. Even the NV series will "modern it up" :cool: to a degree.
I've only heard a few ppl report comparing various Bergs to the new Neo Fenders. Most have reported they notice a quality improvement when using the Berg.
I got nothing against the Fender & would love to try one, but Bergantino is the only cab co that's NEVER disappointed me with any of their products. Some others look good, some do lows well, some hi's well, some are mid scooped etc, but Bergantino's have always delivered & altho pricey, I, for one, don't mind paying for quality that's built to last.
:)
You'd probly not really test either cab with the 100w amp, & either'd probly work fine.
Me? I'd buy a meter or two of Silver Fender grille cloth, make a new grille & be in Fender/Bergland :D
 
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