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Fender Bassman 100T Chapter 3
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
just ordered the neo 610. found a b-stock for a hair under 1k shipped
Good move. This is the setup I have and I love it.
That is going to KILL! I've loved my 410Neo, it's been more than enough. But a 610 would so rule. I am not all into tube rolling. I tried the much-heralded Winged C 6L6's and did not like them at all. I still love the sound of the stock Groove Tubes. After my 100T going though repairs a couple weeks ago the tech installed a quad of Tung-Sols, which he said are basically RCA black-plate knockoffs, and after playing a couple of gigs with them I like them as much as the Groove Tubes. That may even be what the Groove Tubes actually are since they just rebrand. Just to my ear, the Winged C's I described as "dry", the GT's and Tung-Sols as "fat and round". After thinking about it I'll say the Winged C's made the amp sound more solid state, the other two sound like I wanted a tube amp to sound. I'm sure by specs the =C='s are a much better tube. Probably the type you'd want in your high-end hi-fi or studio tube power amp. But in this case I didn't want accuracy, I wanted fat old tube grease, which is what I got from the GT's and TS's. That's all just my opinion.just ordered the neo 610. found a b-stock for a hair under 1k shipped
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A year ago, when Fender replaced the board and works on my 100T, they graciously sent the tech the GT selects 6L6 tubes. I have run the beast hard and heavy and very much love these tubers. I am not a connoisseur by any means but I have had zero problems and love the full 'grumpy grizzly' tone I get when pushing the power section! I can't find a lot of info on the Selects but am pleased thus far. Regarding cans, I love the tone of my Hartke Hydrive HX sealed 4-10 , tweeter off of course. Don't get me wrong, I would LOVe the opportunity to rock the 410 neo or, dare to dream, the 610.. That said, not in the cards at this time.
Regards, Marc
Regards, Marc
Saturday night I heard the best tone from my 100T/410Neo rig to date, which this April will mark a three year love affair. We played in a big enclosed tent, at least 80' x 30', 15' or 20' high, stage elevated 18". At first I was thinking maybe the Tung-Sol 6L6's had burned in and come to life, but I think it was the unique acoustical situation. Being in that big tent, with nothing but tent flaps behind us, was enclosing the sound so it wasn't just going up and out into the air like playing outdoors, but mainly there wasn't a back wall that the bass was reflecting off of and coming back. Which means for the first time I was really hearing what the combo sounds like. The back wall has a HUGE influence on your sound when you're playing at volume. If it's in phase, it's going to be reinforcing low's up to mid-low's that will muddy the sound, and often cause sub lows to be too heavy in the back of the room. Or if the reflection is out of phase, it's gong to rob you of punch. Either way, it's a big part of what you're hearing, along with what's coming back at you from the back of the room and sides. Anyway to my point, this combinaiton is amazing. I was hearing all the tube roar in a lot more detail, which was glorious, and the rig has a larger tighter bottom than I've been able to hear before. The F.O.H. guy had none of me in the system, and it was tight and large. Vintage channel pre volume about 5.5, master at 6.
The neo speakers are one of Fender's best kept secrets IMO, and I am surprised more people have not latched onto them with other heads. Not only are they light but they are tight, punchy and easily eq'able. Played a big biker rally on Saturday with my neo 810 and Super Bassman 300 and it pumped. Sound guy was as usual happy with the DI on the head and the tone with a Ric was formidable. I don't think there is a bad speaker in the neo range. Only downside was the burnout plate was in front of the stage and I spent Sunday cleaning rubber particles off the Ric.
So recieved my fener neo 610 and its freaking awesome. Sounds great, looks great, etc. My only concern is I was super surprised to find it has no side handles. This cab is pretty light, but I found it next to impossible to get into my SUV without having handles on the side. Anyone have any advice or success stories on a flow to get this cab in and out of the vehicle. It seems silly that I'm going to need help for a such a light cab 
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
So recieved my fener neo 610 and its freaking awesome. Sounds great, looks great, etc. My only concern is I was super surprised to find it has no side handles. This cab is pretty light, but I found it next to impossible to get into my SUV without having handles on the side. Anyone have any advice or success stories on a flow to get this cab in and out of the vehicle. It seems silly that I'm going to need help for a such a light cab
Yeah, that was one of the things that I noted in my review of the Neo 610. It's really one of it's very few weaknesses. I was able to load it into and out of my Veloster Turbo, which has a pretty high rear sill, but man, it would have been SOOOOO much easier with side handles...
its amazing how light/small the overall box is but yeah....are you tipping one side in and then pushing from the bottom? i know it would void the warranty, but have you thought about putting handles on it? would seriously be the perfect cab if it had them
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I had to return the rig after the review, but one time, I did a quick "clean and jerk" on the back/top handle, and the other time, I tilted it back, squatted down, and picked it up like a box with no handles. If I were to own one and gig one, I would absolutely add handles. But first, I would pull a driver and look inside to make sure that you are not going to damage anything if you cut a hole where you want to put the handle. Or use a surface mount handle...
The lack of side handles is a huge oversight and my only complaint about the cabinet. Fortunately, I never need to load it solo. BTW, I recommend getting a padded cover for it if you're moving it around a lot.
Agreed. I bought a Studio Slips cover with extra padding and it gives me total peace of mind when schlepping the cab. I load the cab into my compact SUV on it's side and if I were to add only one exterior handle it would be on the bottom 1/4 of the cab to help balance the lift.
EDIT: I got the non clamshell style with the Velcro strap on the bottom.
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dings and scratches add personality
anyone have advice on what external handles to get?
I hate to do this but I need to fund a baby on the way so my rig is for sale in the classifieds
100t/neo 410... definitely a killer combo
For Sale - Fender Bassman 100T and Neo 4x10 Cab | TalkBass.com
100t/neo 410... definitely a killer combo
For Sale - Fender Bassman 100T and Neo 4x10 Cab | TalkBass.com
- Feb 3, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
On the 610 no side handles thing: the 810 doesn't have side handles, either. Is it only a problem for the 610 because of it's shorter height? Does the 810 just have a better tilt axis when loading it in/out of vehicles? I have back issues that can flare up if I do stupid things, and I had been thinking the 610 would be a good compromise for having a big box. As relatively light as it is, I don't want to get myself into situations of having to dead lift. Or should I just wait and go for the full 810?
Agreed.
My Bassman Neo 115 IS as punchy and good a cab as I've ever tried. I sold my Bergs (kept my NV412) as it rendered them obsolete for my needs.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,935
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Well, the 610 is most definitely light enough to lift if it had side handles. Not sure with the 810, but I would personally find the lack of handles also a bit disappointing on the 810. It's really frustrating on the 610, because you know how easy it would be to load in/out if it only had handles. But since it doesn't, you end up lifting/moving it in bad back positions, etc.
I own the 810 and have previously owned the 610. The 610 is noticeably easier to move and lighter. I was initially surprised at how great the difference is. It is mainly that the greater height means that the 810 leans more heavily on you when dragging it around, I think. That said it is still by far the easiest 810 to schlep I have ever come across, but the 61o is still much easier. The lack of side handles on the 610 never bothered me, it is a tremendously light cab for its size. IMO of course.
Was the power difference that noticeable, as well? Do you feel much better off with the 810 for your needs? (ie, it was worth the upgrade and putting up with less maneuverability?)
