Fender Bassman 100T Chapter 3

[outoftune]

Fender bassman 100T and neo 610

• outoftune
• Apr 19, 2017

I'm in with a new 100T. I just bought a used Bassman 800 for a super price but wanted to A/B it with the 100T. While the 800 is a super amp, sounds fantastic and is very similar with the same pre-amp, the tube heft from the 100T adds so much to the sound. I hate to say it but the 800 sounds thin by comparison.

 

[AMJBASS]

There is just something special about that harmonically rich sound you get with an all tube amp. And a weight to the notes that really change the way you play for the better. Makes it hard to go back to solid state...

 

[lookiel]

I love my 100T, the all tube dynamic response and change of character as it overdrives when you push it is beautiful!
However, to me it lacks a bit in headroom and most importantly in the solidity of the low end when I compare it to my Mesa 800. My cab also seems to reach it's full potential with the extra watts.
But when I use the Mesa I miss the 100T's power section grunt sometimes... There's no perfect solution

 

[rodl2005]

Solution. ....
Fender Super Bassman

 

[lookiel]

I knew that was coming!
Too heavy though, 50 pounds is my limit.
But I was acrually thinking of patching the Bassman's DI (in silent recording mode) into the Mesa's power section to see what happens. I just might get the best of both worlds!

 

[outoftune]

I knew that was coming!
Too heavy though, 50 pounds is my limit.
But I was acrually thinking of patching the Bassman's DI (in silent recording mode) into the Mesa's power section to see what happens. I just might get the best of both worlds!

That would be interesting to know how that turns out. You would get the full power section of the 100T with a boost from the Mesa, so it shouldn't lose any tonal quality. Correct?

 

[lookiel]

Yup, that's the plan!
A little gear intensive but I'll try it out next rehearsal.
If it works well something like the Quilter bass block could come in very handy for 100T owners who need a little more oumph on occasion.

 

[Freight Train]

I knew that was coming!
Too heavy though, 50 pounds is my limit.
But I was acrually thinking of patching the Bassman's DI (in silent recording mode) into the Mesa's power section to see what happens. I just might get the best of both worlds!

The only potential weirdness in doing that is that the 100T's DI in post position is not just a power soak across the output transformer, it is speaker modeled. Meaning of course that for the recording or FOH console it sounds like a well-mic'd bass cab. So it could be a weird curve to compensate for if you're re-amplifying that through yet another bass cab. My guess would be it would work best with the p.a.-style cabs that some people favor - 15", 8" and horn or whatever. A cab designed for a flat response.

 

[lookiel]

Hmmm... Good point, I didn't know that there was speaker emulation in there, thanks.
That DI sounds great!
I was also considering using the preamp out, I'll probably compare the two options.

 

[outoftune]

So, I have been using the 100T and 800 for a few days now and am finding things are different in the way that each sounds and reacts. Almost different enough to want to keep both around.
I have included a couple pictures (each are labeled), one of the 100T and the other of the 800 with settings in the vintage channel that sound similar. You can see in the picture the tube power section seems to mean more bass. I had to turn the bass down, and could have gone even more but decided to tun up the mids. I was using a Yamaha BB424x set flat in middle P/J position.
The 800 seems to get right to the punch and loses that hefty bottom end that is ever present in the 100T. The 100T has the heft and punch but sometimes the bass needs to be tamed.
With my G&L LB100 the 800 handles the lows very well but the heft of the 100T means I have to turn the bass back (or I need to lower the pickup a tad
Anyway, I just wanted to point out what I am hearing while using these two different heads.

 

[outoftune]

Where is the fan in the 100T?

 

[trebbihm]

Where is the fan in the 100T?

Front side of the chassis, behind the master volume and some of the overdrive channel eq.

http://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10001/2249100_bamp_manual_all.pdf

 

[Lowendtech]

Hi folks. Well after some long searches, I'm finally in. Sounds very very good. Loving it so far.
I do have a question about the fan as the manual doesn't mention it that I saw.
Is it supposed to be always on or is it temp dependant?
Seems the front and back panels get pretty hot to the touch (l know, tubes etc.) at around 130 deg f and the fan hasn't come on yet at that temp. Anyone in the know here that can help a brother out with some wisdom? Thanks.

 

[Lowendtech]

Found the answer to my question. Seems like she's just a warm runner.

 

[rodl2005]

That's good. My Ampeg V4B is the same 100w from 4 x 6L6 power tubes and it has no fan at all. She gets hot. ..but, I've been using tube amps all my life and only the big 300w Super Bassman and SVTs have had a fan that's on always.
Enjoy!

 

[rodl2005]

@outoftune you DO know that 'flat' on the VINTAGE channel (as far as I know ) is Bass- 0, Mids -10, Treble - 0 . ?
I never run my Super Bassman at these settings but. .. I rarely have the mids off 10. Usually B-4, M-10, T-3 or 4. ....this ISN'T too say that YOU should do the same, just sayin....
Glad yr liking the amps. I'd be keeping both if it were possible and I were you!
I just bought a (2nd hand ) Rumble V3 500 combo. for the times I can simply chuck a combo in the back and get things done. Sounds darn good. But I'll test it out with a band this weekend.

 

[outoftune]

@outoftune you DO know that 'flat' on the VINTAGE channel (as far as I know ) is Bass- 0, Mids -10, Treble - 0 . ?
I never run my Super Bassman at these settings but. .. I rarely have the mids off 10. Usually B-4, M-10, T-3 or 4. ....this ISN'T too say that YOU should do the same, just sayin....
Glad yr liking the amps. I'd be keeping both if it were possible and I were you!
I just bought a (2nd hand ) Rumble V3 500 combo. for the times I can simply chuck a combo in the back and get things done. Sounds darn good. But I'll test it out with a band this weekend.

I have since sold the 800. While it was a super amp I just didn't need that AND a 100T. I am in love with the 100T now. It is everything I need for both my bands. Solid vintage bass sound and a great overdrive channel.
I am working with the vintage channel "flat" and adjust from there, depending on the bass I am using. My Yamaha and Dimension are different enough that I have to twiddle the knobs a bit. I am usually B-5(6) Mids-9ish T-5(6)
On top of the 610 Neo this rig is about as good as it gets.
I have been on a loooooong journey of instruments and amps and I have finally settled on this Fender rig as the one for the long haul. The only thing I am gassing for right now is a 410 neo for the small igs.

 

[rodl2005]

Excellent. Glad yr liking it. I can't say enough good about the Super Bassman.
I use one or two of the Bassman Pro Neo 115s.
If highly recommend you try this as a smaller (& really light. .great great sounding) cab option. I mean if you've already got the 610 Neo. ...
The 115 is warm and tubby sounding. ..and not tuned really low. ..to me. ..it's almost like a sealed cab sound. It sounds phenomenal south the Super Bassman powering it. My favorite is the Super Bassman and just ONE 115 Bassman Pro Neo cab. I can run the Super Bassman a li'l harder and the cab handles a ton of power and really let's the heft and thick tubey,tubby tone of the SB300 shine.
Two 115s is great too but, to my surprise. ...I like just the one better.
I s'pose if I had more really loud/stadium sized gigs. .. I might have more desire to run both 115s with the Super Bassman.
That said. ..my 100w V4B sounds superb with the 2 Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115s. And LOUD too. They're pretty efficient cabs.

 

[TinIndian]

Aside from the obvious power difference and subsequently different power tubes, what other differences are there between the 100T and the Super Bassman?

 

[rodl2005]

Aside from the obvious power difference and subsequently different power tubes, what other differences are there between the 100T and the Super Bassman?

Apart from the 6x6550 power tubes in the SB300 to the 4 x 6L6 power tubes in the 100T. .. the fan etc. . Don't think there's much other difference. Oh..the 100T has the ability to run without a cab or sumthin. ..so you get the actual POWER section into yr recordings.. the SB300 doesn't have that. It HAS a silent record thingy (elec expert term there) but the power section ain't included.
And the 100T has the 25w/100w switching available. Nothing like that on the Super Bassman neither.
I could be wrong. ..but them's my knowings