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Fender Bassman 135
- Thread starter Eikari
- Start date
I could never hear a difference between the Bassman 135 and the Bassman 100, and I owned a few back in the seventies. To be honest they never seemed to have enough headroom for my needs at the time, even when I partnered them with fairly efficient JBL fifteens. I know some people swear by them though. The new Fender Bassman 100T is a far superior amp IMO ( and I owned one of these for a while too).
Of course, YMMV
Of course, YMMV
for the day (70's) the Bassman 135 was a very respectable amp. It was pretty much the same design as the Bassman 100 (same 4 x 6L6 tube compliment ), but with a bit heftier output transformer, probably a bit higher THD% rating (to help Fender support the 35 additional watt rating over the 100), and an added mid control for the bass channel. I am also petty sure the 135 was an Fender ultralinear design, which generally gave it better headroom (stayed cleaner further up the master vol level) than the prior Bassman models.
If you dig the old school Fender tube sound, these are great amps when kept in good working order. They also take FX very well too. The 135 is not going to be as loud as a 300w SVT, but if you pair it with a reasonably high efficient cab with multiple drivers (i.e. 2 x 15 loaded with JBL K140's or newer Faital 15PR400's) and it will have plenty of usable volume.
pair it with a P or J, and you will have a great old school tone combination.
enjoy
If you dig the old school Fender tube sound, these are great amps when kept in good working order. They also take FX very well too. The 135 is not going to be as loud as a 300w SVT, but if you pair it with a reasonably high efficient cab with multiple drivers (i.e. 2 x 15 loaded with JBL K140's or newer Faital 15PR400's) and it will have plenty of usable volume.
pair it with a P or J, and you will have a great old school tone combination.
enjoy
Last edited:
Thanks for the replies. Few more questions here..
What cabs would suit this head, I´m no amp expert but mine SWR 4x8 cab is probably too small..
Is there a website that you can look up serial numbers for Bassman heads. Would be nice to know what year it is.
Can you check the condition of the tubes, or are they like light bulbs? Work until they are out.
Thanks in advance.
What cabs would suit this head, I´m no amp expert but mine SWR 4x8 cab is probably too small..
Is there a website that you can look up serial numbers for Bassman heads. Would be nice to know what year it is.
Can you check the condition of the tubes, or are they like light bulbs? Work until they are out.
Thanks in advance.
there was a JBL D140 (maybe K140) loaded 2x15 that came with the amp originally. Pretty efficient 2x15 cab that would get good results from the 135.
There are newer cab/speaker designs that would also work well too. Barefaced, Bergantino, LDS (made to order), Genz Benz.
Lots depends on what you will use the amp for, and what you are looking for as far as sound and tone.
Key thing for cabs will to look for efficiency (as close to, or over 100dB), and multiple drivers to get the most out of the amps 135w.
Tubes can be visually inspected for obvious issues (cracks, powdery residue inside the tube) but only a qualified tech with a decent tube tester can tell you what shape the tubes are really in. Tubes can, and do. last a very long time if they are taken care of, so just because a 70's amp has its original tubes, does not mean they still don't have plenty of life in them.
Another thing to consider is that the amp may need a tech to check and replace some of the capacitors (caps) as they do have a finite operational life.
Turn it on, plug your bass in and see how it sounds. Bad noises (hum, buzzing, distortion at low volume, etc) are basic signs that the amp probably needs a good check out by a tech. On the other hand, if it sounds good, and operates for long period of time without changing, its probably ok.
good luck
There are newer cab/speaker designs that would also work well too. Barefaced, Bergantino, LDS (made to order), Genz Benz.
Lots depends on what you will use the amp for, and what you are looking for as far as sound and tone.
Key thing for cabs will to look for efficiency (as close to, or over 100dB), and multiple drivers to get the most out of the amps 135w.
Tubes can be visually inspected for obvious issues (cracks, powdery residue inside the tube) but only a qualified tech with a decent tube tester can tell you what shape the tubes are really in. Tubes can, and do. last a very long time if they are taken care of, so just because a 70's amp has its original tubes, does not mean they still don't have plenty of life in them.
Another thing to consider is that the amp may need a tech to check and replace some of the capacitors (caps) as they do have a finite operational life.
Turn it on, plug your bass in and see how it sounds. Bad noises (hum, buzzing, distortion at low volume, etc) are basic signs that the amp probably needs a good check out by a tech. On the other hand, if it sounds good, and operates for long period of time without changing, its probably ok.
good luck
