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Fender Bassman 500 Head
- Thread starter Thornton Davis
- Start date
subliminal message: Buy Bassman 500 ... Buy Bassman 500 ... Buy Bassman 500 ...
could the 500 bassman head be run with out a cab and just a lead in the DI, for silent recording?
Looks like a nice amp, but I don't like all the pulling on the knobs for extra features like deep, brite and mute. I would rather see a small Push button that lights up for ON.
Local fender rep let me give the basemen 500 a test drive this weekend. First thing I noticed was the fender good looks and how light this head is!
Paired with my 610hlf I was really impressed with the over all tone. The distortion channel with the blend feature is awesome! I could see myself always using this channel. Overall really impressed with the basemen 500! Has me thinking I might sell my pf500 and replace with this.
Paired with my 610hlf I was really impressed with the over all tone. The distortion channel with the blend feature is awesome! I could see myself always using this channel. Overall really impressed with the basemen 500! Has me thinking I might sell my pf500 and replace with this.
Totally agree! That's *exactly* what I do with my Super Bassman 300.
i found some answers to my questions in the 500 owners manual;
Silent recording is easy. Simply disconnect any connected speaker cabinet and capture the Preamp tone out of the XLR output without waking the neighbors!
and
PROBLEM: No sound is coming from the amplifier when the instrument is connected to INPUT {A}, but the amplifier DOES work when connecting the instrument directly into the POWER AMP INPUT {V}. SOLUTIONS: One of the preamp tubes V1 or V2 (both 12AX7) is bad. If the amplifier works normally in the 'VINTAGE' channel, but does not work properly in the 'OVERDRIVE' channel (unless BLEND {F} is set to "1"), replace preamp tube V2 with a new tube. Otherwise, replace preamp tube V1 with a new tube.
Silent recording is easy. Simply disconnect any connected speaker cabinet and capture the Preamp tone out of the XLR output without waking the neighbors!
and
PROBLEM: No sound is coming from the amplifier when the instrument is connected to INPUT {A}, but the amplifier DOES work when connecting the instrument directly into the POWER AMP INPUT {V}. SOLUTIONS: One of the preamp tubes V1 or V2 (both 12AX7) is bad. If the amplifier works normally in the 'VINTAGE' channel, but does not work properly in the 'OVERDRIVE' channel (unless BLEND {F} is set to "1"), replace preamp tube V2 with a new tube. Otherwise, replace preamp tube V1 with a new tube.
well, I'm guessing that it does not really need one. Tube amps have to have a load to operate safely, so "silent record mode" is a way to insert a dummy load on the amp when it has no speaker attached to keep it from having a bad reaction. Class D power amps sections don't need a load to operate safely, so you can "silently record" by simply not connecting a speaker. So, no need for a special switch.
pretty much what my mate rodl2005 said above.
makes sense to me.
It would be slightly more elegant, but I take your point. Not worth the additional manufacturing cost to Fender, either.
yeah, why add what amounts to a dummy switch that just operated like a speaker mute button, when you don't need to due to the power amp type. Just another thing that could break.
I had so much fun test driving the 500 the past week, I went out and picked one up today. I've had my svt-cl on consignment at the local shop and ended up working out a trade. I really wanted to get the fender 610 but I got a screaming deal on a new GK 412 cab for half the price as a new fender 610, could not pass it up. Not sure if I will keep the cab as is or outfit it with fender cloth and badge as I like the vintage look. I will let you know how it sounds with the 412 cab...hoping good!
If it sounds even half as good as my Super Bassman 300 into a GK 212-II neo then it will be amazing
Congrats!!
