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Fender Bassman 100T - chapter 2
- Thread starter BassyBill
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Yep, I always thought that had something to do with it. Probably the reason it is easier to get an svt sound from the 300 if you want too.
Just got my 100t in last night. The 410 neo cab is on backorder until mid-Feb it sounds like. So that little Ampeg is my practice cab until it comes in. Have a gig this weekend and was hoping to use the 100t so I'm going to borrow a friends Ampeg 410. From the 2 hours of playing last night I'm absolutely loving this thing.
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Eric - Power tube distortion is a growly, grunty-er sound where preamp tube overdrive is more buzzy. As you drive the power tubes hard they go through several levels of distortion and the tube self-compression before they actually break up. Those lower levels of distortion don't necessarily sound distorted to the ear, but a lot of harmonics are being added that give a presence and power to the sound. I don't know how to describe it except that it sounds "ultra-tubey", if that makes sense. That's why I wanted the 100T because at 100 watts you can get to those pre-breakup levels without being too loud in small and medium sized gigs. The 25 watt mode let's you get that at even lower levels so it'd be perfect for studio and background-music gigs, and I've also used the 25 watt mode in regular gigs as hdracer is saying to get super crunch in combo with the overdrive.
I ordered a road case from XCase. Not cheap ($245), but will provide peace of mind since I'm often not the person transporting my equipment.
BTW, I had great experience with XCase. He (Tim Marsh) responded to emails promptly, even on the weekend, and I had the case about a week after I ordered it (even though he said it would be 2-3 weeks).
BTW, I had great experience with XCase. He (Tim Marsh) responded to emails promptly, even on the weekend, and I had the case about a week after I ordered it (even though he said it would be 2-3 weeks).
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According to the FedEx label, 31.9 lbs. With the amp in there, it's heavy as hell. But still not as heavy as an SVT.
My first gig with the 100T is tonight. A classic rock/hard rock cover band. Likely will use my Ric. And then tomorrow night with a different band -- Americana and roots rock, with a P Bass. Color me excited.
My first gig with the 100T was last night -- with a classic/hard rock cover band in a large bar. About 200 people present (fairly close together). PA support, but I think just a touch of the bass going through it; most through the rig, which also included Genz Benz Focus 210 and 115 cabs. Ended up using my Jazz Bass instead of the Ric because I wanted the convenience of a detuner last night.
I tend to be pretty prominent in this band's mix. They just like a lot of bass. No complaints from me. I played mostly through the Vintage channel, though on several songs I hit the foot pedal and went to Overdrive. Had the Vintage channel around 6 on both Volume and Master. Bass 2/Midrange 10/Treble 1. I don't recall exactly how I had the Overdrive set -- pretty much flat and around 4-5 on the Gain and Volume, and Blend all the way to Overdrive. I don't know yet if these are optimal settings -- still learning the amp -- but sounded right to me.
I was pleased. Extremely so. And judging by the looks from the rest of the band, so were they. I should point out that I've been all solid state or hybrid the last several years, so to some extent, any all-tube amp would be blowing my socks off. But the 100T is what I have, so that's all I can assess. This thing delivered everything I'd hoped. Very tight bottom. and, holy crap, the articulation on the highs. The sensation to me was High-Definition Bass.
Volume-wise, this was all I needed and then some last night. Just enough beginnings of breakup on the Vintage channel -- which is the sound I love. And some real hair on the Overdrive... but, for whatever reason, not as overwhelming in the band mix as it seemed it might be when I've played the head at home.
The 100T likely would run out of headroom in very large venues, but for the gigs I do (mostly medium-size to large bars, with the occasional 400-600 capacity theater-type venue), it's perfect. I also found the 50 pounds no problem loading in and out.
I'm very happy. Using it tonight with an Americana/rootsy band. P Bass. Slightly smaller bar than last night. No PA.
I tend to be pretty prominent in this band's mix. They just like a lot of bass. No complaints from me. I played mostly through the Vintage channel, though on several songs I hit the foot pedal and went to Overdrive. Had the Vintage channel around 6 on both Volume and Master. Bass 2/Midrange 10/Treble 1. I don't recall exactly how I had the Overdrive set -- pretty much flat and around 4-5 on the Gain and Volume, and Blend all the way to Overdrive. I don't know yet if these are optimal settings -- still learning the amp -- but sounded right to me.
I was pleased. Extremely so. And judging by the looks from the rest of the band, so were they. I should point out that I've been all solid state or hybrid the last several years, so to some extent, any all-tube amp would be blowing my socks off. But the 100T is what I have, so that's all I can assess. This thing delivered everything I'd hoped. Very tight bottom. and, holy crap, the articulation on the highs. The sensation to me was High-Definition Bass.
Volume-wise, this was all I needed and then some last night. Just enough beginnings of breakup on the Vintage channel -- which is the sound I love. And some real hair on the Overdrive... but, for whatever reason, not as overwhelming in the band mix as it seemed it might be when I've played the head at home.
The 100T likely would run out of headroom in very large venues, but for the gigs I do (mostly medium-size to large bars, with the occasional 400-600 capacity theater-type venue), it's perfect. I also found the 50 pounds no problem loading in and out.
I'm very happy. Using it tonight with an Americana/rootsy band. P Bass. Slightly smaller bar than last night. No PA.
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Same result last night with a P Bass w/ flats. Maybe even better. I'm gonna shut up now, but in sum: This is one of the best and most important pieces of gear I've ever purchased. YMMV, but that's how it feels to me.
Yep...Greenboy composite Dually with the Faitals.
I too was using the overdrive channel with fairly low gain and blend. I really need to use it on stage to determine if it will ultimately work for me. As a side I played the 100t through a Bag End s15-d and thought it sounded even better than the Dually. I've since picked up a second BE s15-d and plan to run the 100t through both of them to see how that goes.
I haven't yet read through all of the first 100t thread but has anyone switched out the tubes on their units?...would a tube swap perhaps afford me a bit more clean headroom? I really think that this comes very, very close to being enough and if a change in tubes could keep it clean a bit louder I should be good. Tremendous sounding amp.
I've been using the Streamliner 900 has my backup at rehearsals...still a brilliant sounding amp and I would have no problem whatsoever using it for practice, gigs and recording sessions.
Agreed. I don't mean to denigrate the Streamliner; still a big fan. Mine isn't going anywhere. But the 100T is gonna be my go-to now.
You guys are killing me. I have a Streamliner also and really love it, but the Fender 100T caught my eye as soon as it came out. I've really been wanting one of these. Thanks for making my gas even worse lol.
I know the question of replacing the tubes for improved sound has been discussed earlier, but I am happy with my current sound, but as this is my first tube amp I had 2 questions I have not yet found addressed;
a) Do you buy replacement tubes to have on hand, and if so what brands- I went to several web pages, and it gets confusing how many are out there.
b) What has been the best place to buy your tubes?
I think I would like to have at least 1 each of the 12AX7, 12 AT 7 and 6L6GC on hand.
a) Do you buy replacement tubes to have on hand, and if so what brands- I went to several web pages, and it gets confusing how many are out there.
b) What has been the best place to buy your tubes?
I think I would like to have at least 1 each of the 12AX7, 12 AT 7 and 6L6GC on hand.
On of the great things about the 100t is that if one of the 6L6's go down, the amp will take it out of the chain and the amp will still function. The amp would have less headroom, however you don't 'need' a spare power tube.
I know Tim1 stated in the other thread that he put new 'Winged C' 6L6's in his 100t, and he had a bit more clean headroom, and the tone improved a bit.
At some point I'll put a new set of tubes in my 100t, but no complaints with the tubes now!
I know Tim1 stated in the other thread that he put new 'Winged C' 6L6's in his 100t, and he had a bit more clean headroom, and the tone improved a bit.
At some point I'll put a new set of tubes in my 100t, but no complaints with the tubes now!
thats what I was planning to do if I kept it Alex, but.. like you, I had no complaints as it was. I have just always noticed a dramatic improvement, to my tastes, by putting winged c's in anything! glad youre diggin it! miss my little baby.
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