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Fender Bassman 25. Anyone still using/have one?

Heavy Blue

Heavy Blue

Nov 11, 2017
1,302
1,200
Saskatchewan, Canada
#1
Goodday TB’ers. I’m wondering who still has one of these and how they’ve stood the test of time.

I used to have one until it went in a gear purge about 10-12 years ago. At the time I thought I’d never want anything that small again but since then I’ve probably come to regret selling it more than any other piece of kit I’ve ever sold/traded.

It was my second amp. Replacing a Yorkville XM50 and I swear it was louder than the yorkie in addition to being tonally better in every way.

I’ve tried to source one again and almost got one again for C$100 last summer but no joy. Since then I haven’t seen any around.

I’d like to get one again because I’d like a smaller amp for home and tbh the smaller (<100w) Rumbles do nothing for me and the 40 is definitely out of my budget for this anyways. The B25 also has an effects loop, line out, tuner out, and most most importantly for me, an external cab out and the option to kick back the cab. Why modern combos don’t offer an external cab out is beyond me.:eyebrow:

So, does anyone still have one and using it? How is it holding up?
 

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#2
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@GonePlaid, @shirojiro, what do you say?

The feature set on this little workhorse is way cool! See attached manual. Too bad the external speaker connection cuts off the internal speaker, though. But, then the internal speaker wouldn’t get the most out of the amp. So, overall, a good tradeoff to be able to use external cabs.
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#3
G-Dog said:
.
@GonePlaid, @shirojiro, what do you say?

The feature set on this little workhorse is way cool! See attached manual. Too bad the external speaker connection cuts off the internal speaker, though. But, then the internal speaker wouldn’t get the most out of the amp. So, overall, a good tradeoff to be able to use external cabs.
.
Click to expand...
Even though it's close to twice as heavy as my R40, I'll try to remember to take it on the next tiny space jazz gig.
Operative phrase, try to remember. That's not 'til 1/21.
 
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#4
GonePlaid said:
Even though it's close to twice as heavy as my R40, I'll try to remember to take it on the next tiny space jazz gig.
Operative phrase, try to remember. That's not 'til 1/21.
Click to expand...
Did the jazz gig last night with the B25. Had to turn down from 3 to 2. That's 2, not "o'clock". Sounded good as always. So the experiment went well. Next time(1/23)I'll be back to the R40. Load in/out is a PITA. Every pound matters.
 
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#5
Still use mine. It’s my favorite practice amp.

I love the sound and feature set. The only thing that bugs me is that the volume knob is super sensitive in the very beginning so it get loud too quickly in the rotation of the knob.

The tilt back function is great for home practice especially for a small
amp. I had daisy chained it to other combos in the past for small gigs. It’s suprisingly loud.

Just sold a BXR 25 and parted with my Ampeg B100r (I’ll probably regret that move) because the Bassman 25 works better for me as a low volume small amplifier.
 
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#6
shirojiro said:
Still use mine. It’s my favorite practice amp.

I love the sound and feature set. The only thing that bugs me is that the volume knob is super sensitive in the very beginning so it get loud too quickly in the rotation of the knob.

The tilt back function is great for home practice especially for a small
amp. I had daisy chained it to other combos in the past for small gigs. It’s suprisingly loud.

Just sold a BXR 25 and parted with my Ampeg B100r (I’ll probably regret that move) because the Bassman 25 works better for me as a low volume small amplifier.
Click to expand...
I had been using mine for the ~45 piece community concert band I'm in. I cover the string bass parts-or double the tuba-on electric bass(I've never played upright). Unfortunately, the amp has developed an 'ability' to cut out for no discernable reason(happened during a rehearsal a month ago). [It also did that 'trick' once on a gig. Turning it off and on a few times brought it back to life, but I can't afford to have it do that during a performance. FWIW, I tried changing cables, power cord, and a coupla other things. I was about to go to my van and get my 'backup' amp when it came back on.]
I began using the R40 instead, but wasn't getting the sound I wanted so I've since switched to the R100.
 
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#8
This baby sound fuller than my friend's Katana 110. Stock speaker has no farting issue at 3 o'clock volume at input 1. Beyond 3.30 o'clock entire tone get little blurry but still dint hear any fart or clip thing even pluck the string aggressively.

Meanwhile the input 1 able sound much louder than expect while connect to Rumble 210 cab.

The 11 o'clock volume (input 1) equal to Ampeg RB112 at 1 o'clock setting on same 16 feet hearing distance.

I highly recommend this old combo to you guys who love 25~30 watts small combo with serious bass tone !

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#10
dusterdan70 said:
I too had an Ampeg B100R, a B50R, and the little Bassman 25. The first is gone, the second is for sale, and the 25 will be with me forever….it nails the round sound as good as anything i’ve ever heard, albeit with a much smaller footprint and much less weight. These are fantastic amps!
Click to expand...

I let go mine a months ago. Nothing wrong with the Bassman 25, she sound seriously nicer than current rumble 40/100 V3. I am more bond on RB112 tone myself ~ Ampeg Heft..
 
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