Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender Bassman 500 Head
- Thread starter Thornton Davis
- Start date
Sorry - I used the wrong term - semi parametric - you can adjust the freq for the mid control but not the Q.
I wish I could get a real answer from someone that knows for sure. I don't see how (although I may be wrong) you could get all the active EQ on channel 2 when the entire preamp has 2 tubes. In a conventional Fender tube preamp (CH 1) one tube is used for input gain, then passive EQ, then a gain makeup stage (the next tube after the tone stack), which is the next tube, which then drives the phase inverter. That leaves one more tube to provide active EQ, overdrive, etc. I don't know how they get one tube to provide all that, and we're not even talking about the D.I. Correct me if I'm wrong. I am interested in this amp, but I don't want channel 2 to be opamp based.
I am leaning towards an MB Fusion 800 unless I learn more about this Bassman 500.
Sorry I can't give you a definitive answer. The 12AX7 tubes are essentially 2 tubes in one afaik. So it may be possible that each half is used for a different function. ......??
Lowendtech
Happily trending in my own peculiar direction.
Sub'd. I'm interested in anyone's experiences with these heads as I have some GAS (birthday cash) to expel.
I am not a tech, so I can't answer the question definitively either. But, consider an amp like the Ampeg SVT 7pro. It has just one 12AX7 in the pre and advertises all these functions (eq, DI etc) based on that one tube. What rodl2005 is referring to is that tubes are "two sided" devices (remember I am NOT a techie), and perhaps with 4 stages (2 tubes), all of these functions are covered in the Bassman 500. While it's not at all uncommon for manufacturer "marketing speak" to obfuscate certain things about gear, I would think by now we would have heard that only the Vintage channel of the Bassman 500 takes advantage of the tubes.
Perhaps someone with real technical credentials can offer us an clearer answer, or maybe someone can just ask Fender directly.
Last edited:
OK. so here's the deal. I just got off the phone with Fender. The techs said that the Bassman 500 has the same preamp as the 100T and Super Bassman.
Thank you, Fender!
Now I've got to go take a GAS pill (talk to the wifey).
Thank you, Fender!
Now I've got to go take a GAS pill (talk to the wifey).
That's what I've heard too. To be honest, I've never ppaid too much attention to what the tubes in my Super Bassman did as it sounds so freakin good. But I did swap V1 & V2 12AX7s out for NOS 5751s.
So if it has the same pre as the 100T and the SB, but not the same power amp, how similar will the tone be? Including the modern channel, will the over drive be tube driven or solid state?
I'm sure if it'd be tube driven like my Super Bassman. It made a fair difference swapping 5751s in for the stock AX7s in V1 & V2
the OD will be just like the full tube models (SuperBassman and 100T) as the OD control is just driving a section of the preamp 12AX7 tubes, not the power section. On the 500, you should get the OD sound of the preamp tube, pushed cleanly (without additional distortion) by the class D/SS power section.
Now, if SB/100T owners are also running their master Volume sections up to 11, they are probably getting some power tube crunch too, but I would think that few are doing that (although I have no idea personally). Maybe some current SB/100T users can chime in and let us know if they are driving both the pre AND power sections into grind-land. If SB users are doing that, I'd like to be able to leave the room first
I'm seriously thinking about one of these to use with my 2 PRO 115 NEO's. Love the Dual Showman with these cabs but 500 watts and a lot less weight would be a good thing. Going to wait a bit and see what reviews say on the head.
If it sounds as sexy as it looks, I'd say you're a very dangerous man!I'm seriously thinking about one of these to use with my 2 PRO 115 NEO's. Love the Dual Showman with these cabs but 500 watts and a lot less weight would be a good thing. Going to wait a bit and see what reviews say on the head.
Going to wait a bit and see what reviews say on the head.
Same here. Not many reviews yet. I'd like to know how it compares with the GK MB Fusion 500/800 models.
good to know. I have been keeping an eye on the Bassman 500 (like I really need another amp !
) Looks great, and by the reports so far, it sounds good too.
Argh.... decisions, decisions. I can't decide. The Bassman 500, Tonehammer 500, or a Rumble 500.
I love the cosmetics of the Bassman 500, it matches my PRO 115 cabs perfectly, and has the Fender tone stack. That said, it's not a small "toss in my gig bag and go" head. Plus I think it's priced a bit high compared to similar 500 watt heads. I realize that it comes in a full Fender wood case and you're paying extra for that.
Not sure about the Rumble 500 v3. Haven't played through one yet but I always considered the older Rumble series as entry level stuff. I owned one of the earlier Rumble 15 combos and while it was a decent amp, it just never gave me that wow factor. I guess a trip to the local SA or GC is in order for a test drive of the Rumble and the Bassman 500.
Then the Tonehammer. I played briefly through one of those sitting atop a DB 210 at a jam night. Had a great sound. A nice compact head and what can you say, it's an Aggie. Definitely has a great grab and go factor.
The GAS, the GAS, the GAS..........
I love the cosmetics of the Bassman 500, it matches my PRO 115 cabs perfectly, and has the Fender tone stack. That said, it's not a small "toss in my gig bag and go" head. Plus I think it's priced a bit high compared to similar 500 watt heads. I realize that it comes in a full Fender wood case and you're paying extra for that.
Not sure about the Rumble 500 v3. Haven't played through one yet but I always considered the older Rumble series as entry level stuff. I owned one of the earlier Rumble 15 combos and while it was a decent amp, it just never gave me that wow factor. I guess a trip to the local SA or GC is in order for a test drive of the Rumble and the Bassman 500.
Then the Tonehammer. I played briefly through one of those sitting atop a DB 210 at a jam night. Had a great sound. A nice compact head and what can you say, it's an Aggie. Definitely has a great grab and go factor.
The GAS, the GAS, the GAS..........
The TH350/500 is a great amp for sure, but although I've not gigged a V3 Rumble, when I've tried em in store, they do sound very good. They sure don't sound "entry level".
I love love love my Super Bassman 300 (and 410 Neo), but, very sadly, my back is telling me I can't deal with the head's weight and I've, very sadly, put it up for sale in the classifieds. This 500 could be the answer to my prayers. Sub'd to this thread. Very interested to hear more from those who are using it.
