• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender Bassman 100T Chapter 3

#81
@MotorCityWest. I bought a StudioSlips clamshell case for my SB300. Whilst there are other options out there, such as D2F and LeCover, I find StudioSlips offer the best protection. Worthwhile spending the few extra bucks for the double padding IMO.
Invalid Link Removed
 
#82
OK dudes and dudettes,

After going thru a whirlwind of tube amps in the last few days I've pulled the trigger on a 100T. Some of you may know but I had a SB300 a few months ago but returned it for some biasing issues.

I might be crazy for coming back but we'll see. I just couldn't get that overdrive channel off my mind. My SB had such a split personality and I really liked that. I'm excited to try the 25/100 watt option too. Very cool.

Couple of questions for you guys and I'm sure you've covered this ad nauseum:

1. Was there a final answer on whether of not you can not have a speaker attached for "silent recording"?
2. Do you have to power the 100T down to switch between 25 and 100W's?

I'm really hoping this little beast cuts it volume-wise for a rock band coupled with my Dually 215 before it starts getting flubby. Only one way to find out right?
 
#83
Hi husky123 - welcome to the fold! Quick answers to your questions:

1) You do not need a speaker attached for silent recording. I use it that way every week at my church. You can have a cabinet attached, but it will not produce any sound.
2) You do not need to power down to switch from 25W to 100W mode. I have always done so in Standby mode, but with the Mains power on. Maybe someone else on here can comment about a "live" switch from 25W to 100W.
 
#84
arock said:
Hi husky123 - welcome to the fold! Quick answers to your questions:

1) You do not need a speaker attached for silent recording. I use it that way every week at my church. You can have a cabinet attached, but it will not produce any sound.
2) You do not need to power down to switch from 25W to 100W mode. I have always done so in Standby mode, but with the Mains power on. Maybe someone else on here can comment about a "live" switch from 25W to 100W.
Click to expand...

Nice arock! I like those answers.:D
 
#87
arock said:
Hi husky123 - welcome to the fold! Quick answers to your questions:

1) You do not need a speaker attached for silent recording. I use it that way every week at my church. You can have a cabinet attached, but it will not produce any sound.
2) You do not need to power down to switch from 25W to 100W mode. I have always done so in Standby mode, but with the Mains power on. Maybe someone else on here can comment about a "live" switch from 25W to 100W.
Click to expand...

Welcome back to the cult Husky! (You tried to get out, but we pulled you back in.)
As arock said, no cab required in silent record mode.
When I was first considering the 100T, I was very interested in whether you could "hot swap" between 25 and 100 watt mode during a set. The manual isn't clear on whether it can be switched while powered up, or if it should go into standby, or if it should be powered down. I called tech support twice early on and couldn't get an answer. So whenever I have switched, I've completely powered down just to be safe. It's probably fine to switch it while in standby, but I just don't want to risk it. And the thought of switching it while powered up just makes me way too nervous. I don't want to let the smoke out of it.
 
#88
@ azwhofan - thank you, StudioSlips look great, need to decide between that and a roadcase/flight case

@ husky123

1. Just got it yesterday, manual still fresh in my mind, arock is correct.
2. I was testing it out last night and switched a few times with it in standby and not powered down. I believe it states in the manual that this is ok to do.

Coming from an 800w Markbass head with 2x10 & 1x15, I was concerned about this being loud enough. I read enough forums on here and decided to go with it, although I couldn't get the 800w vs 100w out of my head as possibly having trouble keeping up with a loud punk band. All my worries were gone after 5 minutes last night at my first practice with it. It was also running into an old unmarked 15" that was laying around, my neo410 arrives Saturday...can't wait to crank that one up.

It's tough since we all have different opinions of loud as well as different needs, but mine have been met and I'm 100% satisfied with my purchase.
 
#89
husky123 said:
Are you guys finding the 25/100 flip useful for different situations?
Click to expand...

I've tried the 25 watt mode during gigs a couple of times. LOVED it with my roundwound bass - mucho cruncho. With the flatwound bass it just ran out of gas. Probably perfect for studio, but live it just wasn't enough with the flats. With a pair of 410's, or an 810, it might be enough, but with my single 410 Neo I got lost in the mix. Loved the sound though - extremely Cream Jack Bruce.
 
#90
Hey guys,

Going into Standby will be fine for switching from 100 to 25w and back again. When in Standby mode, the power amp and the power tubes are put into low current idle mode, so you won't damage anything by switching back and forth with the power tubes in idle mode.

I did it all the time with mine early on. These days I tend to leave mine in 100 watt mode though, and just lower the master and/or preamp volume if I am playing late at night or something.

I just like the sound better with the power tubes running at their full plate voltage.
 
#91
Oh! Forgot to reemphasize the importance of letting the amp warm up from a cold start in Stanby mode for at least a full minute before putting the amp into full operation.

I've always given mine a good 5 minutes in Standby before I flip the amp on for use. This gives your power tubes a chance for their Cathode and Heater elements to warm up thoroughly before you hit them with full plate voltage of actual operation.

I've noticed with mine, that if you give the amp a good warmup in Standby, the auto-bias is a lot quicker at tweaking the power tubes. It makes sense from a technical standpoint, since the tubes will change their bias behavior as they get hotter.

If anything, this will help prolong the life of your 6L6s by easing them into operation each session. :)
 
#94
MotorCityWest said:
I was wondering about this, as this is my first tube amp.

Before powering off, switch to standby and let it sit for a bit?
1 minute, 5 minutes?

Thanks for any info.
Click to expand...

Not as crucial as the warmup, but it can't hurt, and I generally let mine rest in Standby for a bit before power off. (5 minutes is fine)

BUT!... if you see that your cooling fan is running then MOST DEFINITELY leave the amp in standby until the fan shuts off.

The fan only comes on if the amp is running in a very HOT environment, and for many owners, it will never come on. Mine never has in my 100% recording studio environment/application.
 
#95
I give it about 5 min on standby then another 5-10 min off before moving it.

My routine is,
last song, pull mute flip on standby,
unplug bass and put basses in bags or cases, take down mic stand, roll cables put them and mic away.
Turn off amp
unplug cabs and put cables away.
Help drummer with tear down and carry stuff out.
Set head on floor and wheel cabs out and help drummer some more.
Carry head out.
If it is winter I wait until the head is totally cool before taking it outside.

If I'm not moving the head I just give it 2-5 min on standby then flip it off.
If I remember.
I've left it on standby over night plenty of times and for 3 days once. I even left it fully powered up for a weekend once.
 
#96
@ GG7

Thanks, good info.

+1 on leaving it at 100w as well. Granted I don't have much time spent playing it yet, I expected a greater change in volume between 25w & 100w. It's nice to have the option, but I don't see me running in 25w mode again, just use volume instead and keep the full blast voltage running.
 
#97
The only time mine sees 100w is at gigs.
Practice and band practice is all 25w.
It sounds better pushed it hard.
The pre amp seems lame if it is under 4. I like the pre set between 4 and 5 1/2 depending on the bass I'm using.
The same goes with the main. It doesn't come alive until 5 1/2-6.
 
#99
hdracer said:
The only time mine sees 100w is at gigs.
Practice and band practice is all 25w.
It sounds better pushed it hard.
The pre amp seems lame if it is under 4. I like the pre set between 4 and 5 1/2 depending on the bass I'm using.
The same goes with the main. It doesn't come alive until 5 1/2-6.
Click to expand...

+1

The reason for 25 watt in my case is to get power tube grind at a reasonable volume. If I want clean, whatever volume, I use it at 100 watts. And I totally agree with hdracer re preamp and master settings. So I do not agree with setting the master on 10 and adjusting volume with the preamp gain. With my passive basses, the preamp sounds best between 5 & 6. To match levels with a loud drummer, this usually puts my master on 6 by the end of the night.
Just a broad generalization, but by design most active preamps, either hi-fi or instrument, give their best performance when the gain is set somewhere between around 1/3 to 2/3, meaning between like 4 and 7 on the 100T. To my ear, the 100T's vintage channel opens up about 4.5 and sounds great to just under 6. 6 and above I just don't really care for the sound of the vintage pre's distortion. No reason to screw with that when you've got the great overdrive on the active channel anyway. And again this is with my passive basses, input 1. And it's just my opinion. You may prefer the the sound of the Master on 10 method.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back