Fender Bassman 120

I just picked one up at a garage sale. Does anyone know anything about the Bassman 120?

 

gee yem, what do you want to know ?

The classic all tube Fender Bassman's come as the Bassman 50, 70, 100 and the 135. I never heard of a Bassman 120. Is it a newer ss Fender model ?

 

I've never heard of the 120 either. Doesn't mean it does exist but I've never seen nor heard of it. I am curious.

 

As am I. Thinking about buying a silverface Bassman 50 to have tube tone with more reasonable volume. never heard of a 120 though.

 

Hey Guys,
I'm new here on the block but I have some information on this infamous Bassman 120 you are all talking about. I bought one of these brand new around 85-86. It is a combo cabinet with a 120 watt transistorized amp. It has a volume, Treble, Mid 1 mid 2 and bass tone controls and a compressor circuit with gain and limit level. This circuit can be defeated by the switch on the front of the amp or via a footswitch which was not included with the amp. It also has a "Bright" switch on the front of the amp. It has a single 15" fender speaker. It has a relatively good sound, bass could be deeper, but still good enough that I gigged with it until 1990 when I got the proverbial "Wild Hair" and bought a 59 Bassman. This is still a good quality amp as it was made here in the US. If you need any more info, let me know. Oh, by the way, I still have this amp and will be restoring it to be sold sometime later this year.
See Ya,
Venturas

 

Cool. How 'bout posting a picture of it?

 

It's a 100w solid state amp that shouldn't be any louder that the previous bassist Crate 100w x 15" amp...

http://books.google.com/books?id=N_...ts=3ttQpU_sK9&sig=XEptzY__Is308XvM4qbeJeBhO5k

 

Do you know how to date these amps?

 

ha!

It works fine at low/bedroom volume. The speaker will be replaced when I find some money.

 

If you want to be louder than the previous failure you'll need considerably more than 120 watts to do it. I suggest, since it doesn't sound like you will want to spend a whole lot of money, that you go for at least 200 watts and speakers that can handle it-multiple speakers like a 4x10 or 2x15 or maybe a good 2x12.

In fact you could get a GK Backline 600 head which will give you 300 watts into 4 ohms and pair it with a 4 ohm Avatar 4x10 or 2x12 for a pretty fair price. You'd be way louder than the Fender or Crate would be, your sound would fill every nook and cranny of the room and you'll be able to compete with the rest of the guys. You'll even be able to get good tone too if you want that.

 

I have that amp. But it won't work. Do any of you guys know how I can fix it? when i plug in and switch on, the light wont go on and there will be no sound translating from the bass to the speakers. when i move the amp around it sounds like its about to connect but doesn't. it's been getting worse. i figured it might be the fuses or something to do with the connection, but i dont want to take it apart without knowing what im doing. maybe you guys know what i should do? its the same exact amp as seen in those previous pictures.

 

Hi.

Did anyone who replied to OP check the date .

Bassman120, it sounds like a loose connection. Usually easy to spot and repair, but by doing it incorrectly, that thing can turn into a fire hazard. A tech is Your friend, IMHO.

Regards
Sam

 

I'm sorry, I don't mean to LOL, but the duct tape ...

 

No need for apologies, that speaker is a joke. I thought it was funny that speakers could be repaired in such a way and still work at low volumes.

 

Not familiar with that particular amp but if the other guys 100 watt combo wasn't enough, that one won't be either. A used 410 or 215 and about 300 watts or so will get you what you need.

 

the original fender bassmans' were in fact guitar amps