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Fender Bassman 500 Head

#201
Hydron said:
I have read that some of you had some powering problems. is it just bad luck or their is a flaw in the desing of the amp?
also some concerns about volume variations, Fuses.
Click to expand...

I'd also read of a couple of power/fuse incidents with the Bassman 500, but that didn't stop me from getting one about 6 months ago and relying on Fender's warranty just in case.

I've not had any problem at all. Just rich, creamy bass goodness ever since. I've been using only one Bassman 115 neo cab with it, expecting to eventually need to add a second one. But, so far, it's usually been plenty alone. I did bring my Rumble 500 combo a couple times for additional support, but it wasn't really needed and I ended up turning down when using both, dang it.

:thumbsup:
 
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#202
Hydron said:
I have read that some of you had some powering problems. is it just bad luck or their is a flaw in the desing of the amp?
also some concerns about volume variations, Fuses.
Click to expand...

As I recall, there were a few fuse issues early on in the production run of Bassman 500's, but I'm pretty sure Fender took care of all of them. I have not had a Bassman 500 on the bench, but we did review the SB300 and we are currently bench testing the Bassman 800, and both of them have proven to be super solid in our bench tests. In fact, our Technical Editor, Dan Kropp, was just telling me how impressed he is with the Bassman 800 and that it was performing very well on the bench.

So, I would not think that there is any flaw in the design of the Bassman 500/800.
 
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#205
Bump for this sweet workhorse of an amp. I gave my original 500 to my son when I got the 100T and the Super Bassman. I have since sold the 100T and gotten another Bassman 500. Only made the switch back because I became the guy hauling and setting up the PA and was looking to lighten my load. Still have the Super Bassman for Gigantor Gigs and am running the Bassman 500 with a Neo 410 or Neo 115 Bassman Pro Cab.
 
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#206
I own the bassman for a month now, and love it. The vintage channel is typically bassman, the overdrive is very versatile. I haven't used my overdrive pedal since the b500 entered my life.
I have been gigging it twice, rehearsed and even used it recording a kidsband as a DI for guitar as guidetrack which ended up as main source for the guitar signal.
The guitar player in my main band even considers buying one...
Absolutely a keeper!
 
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#207
Hi guys,

I'm a proud owner of the Bassman 800 and really love the sounds of both channels, especially the drive - though it's a shame I can't use it as often as I want to! :bassist:

I had to read up on the Peak LED since it lights up fairly quick but I understand it's cool as long as the LED is not constantly on all the time... by then my face should have melted, it get's really loud!

Two questions for you 500/800 owners: Is your fan as loud and noisy as my one? I was told it's temperature controlled, but no matter how effin cold it is in Berlin / Germany right now, the thing is always on and always noisy! I don't care on stage but am quite annoyed at home.

Secondly, my DI Out is quite a bit noisy. Again, it's okay in a live situation but compared to my dead quiet Noble DI, there is quite a bit of noise going on.

Any opinions on that would be helpful!
 
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#208
PS: :smug:

fullsizerender-jpg.jpg
 
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#210
Love the Bassman 500...Great sounding amp, with lots of headroom into an 8ohm cab. I did encounter an issue on a Bassman 500 (into Fender 115 neo) that was recently shipped to my local GC, however. It was cutting out, which my guess is this "fuse" issue that has been noted before. I'm wondering if the stock sent from the warehouse was from the earlier run of these amps. That said, when running/performing like it should, I really enjoyed what I was hearing. I found both channels very usable, and the overdrive channel with its extra mid-eq shaping (even without much drive) is quite a bit of fun to sculpt to one's taste. It's certainly different from most preamps Ive encountered, but in a very pleasing, exploring = rewarding kinda way. I'm also very intrigued to try its big brother, Bassman 800 :).
 
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#211
This may have been covered already but Sweetwater is selling a "Fender Bassman 500HD" while GC and others are selling the "Invalid Link Removed". Judging by the part number it looks to be the same head with the exception of the grill cloth being darker on the Sweetwater model. Is that the real story?

Thanks!
 
#214
Hi all! So, this appears to be the most visited and recent thread about the Bassman 500. I'm considering a... side-grade (instead of an upgrade) from my current Orange Terror Bass 1K. I play in a heavy rock band, and prefer the warmth of hybrids vs SS, and not keen on going full tubes as back and neck issues are intermittent.

First of all, I love the Orange. I bought mine used, and the previous owner had swapped the tubes to something that is a little more mellow than the original 12AX7s, so I don't get much saturated tone from the amp, but it's really warm and does what it does really well. Here are the reasons I'm considering the Bassman:

-Better Versatility
-Two channels
-Classy look and practical in some ways, as the lunchbox form factor clashes with some of the amp stacking we do in the practice space

My main concerns are:

-Will I be loud enough for our ridiculously loud practice situations? I'd rather not spring for the 800 if I can avoid it, as they have the same functionality outside of volume
-Can I get in the same ballpark as the Orange regarding tone?
-The added versatility does always come with the added complexity, and I do love the TB's simple layout

Thoughts? Just buy it and keep both? :)
 
#216
Hi rod,
I play through a Schroeder 212 PL. The only experience I have with amps paired with this cab are the Orange and also a D800+, hence my concern about volume. Both of those amps are more than enough, I just don't know what the minimum barrier would be.
 
#217
Band Mom said:
Hi all! So, this appears to be the most visited and recent thread about the Bassman 500. I'm considering a... side-grade (instead of an upgrade) from my current Orange Terror Bass 1K. I play in a heavy rock band, and prefer the warmth of hybrids vs SS, and not keen on going full tubes as back and neck issues are intermittent.

First of all, I love the Orange. I bought mine used, and the previous owner had swapped the tubes to something that is a little more mellow than the original 12AX7s, so I don't get much saturated tone from the amp, but it's really warm and does what it does really well. Here are the reasons I'm considering the Bassman:

-Better Versatility
-Two channels
-Classy look and practical in some ways, as the lunchbox form factor clashes with some of the amp stacking we do in the practice space

My main concerns are:

-Will I be loud enough for our ridiculously loud practice situations? I'd rather not spring for the 800 if I can avoid it, as they have the same functionality outside of volume
-Can I get in the same ballpark as the Orange regarding tone?
-The added versatility does always come with the added complexity, and I do love the TB's simple layout

Thoughts? Just buy it and keep both? :)
Click to expand...

In my experience the Bassman is not going to sound a lot like the Orange but you could probably get close with some k of tweaking on the gain channel.
It definitely will not be near as loud as the Orange TB1000. I used the Bassman 500 with a loud band and needed the extra 300 watts. You would most likely need the same is your playing "ridiculously low d.
 
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#219
If your cab is 8 ohm... then adding another identical cab AND the Bassman 500 will get you there volume wise... but into the same cab... if 8 ohm... might leave you wanting. If it's a 4 ohm cab... it MAY make it ok... but adding cabs is always better for getting louder.
I'd think the Bassman 500 into 2 8 ohm 210s or 115s or 212s would be super loud... butt I've always found a fumble 212 too be JUST on the verge of not being enough in loud situations
 
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