Hey y'all! Will be getting my first head soon and it's down to an Orange OB-1 500 and a Fender Bassman 500. I play an OB-1 at the rehearsal studio and will be picking up the Bassman 500 to compare. My question is, has anyone who owns a Bassman 500 had any issues with it? There's a protect light and it's class D, so will I have issues if I push it past half? (Not that I will regularly, I just want to know if the headroom is there without it cutting.) I'm really planning on owning and using this amp consistently and for as long as I can, so I'd like something that is reliable. Thanks!
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Fender Bassman 500 Issues?
- Thread starter DaddyFatBass32
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- 500 bassman fender fender bassman
I doubt it. There was one "brand" that had some troubles with that, but Fender was not that brand.
I had a Bassman 500, and know of another player, that had a powering up issue with Bassman 500's. We both turned our's back in, and as it turned out, we both went for Super Bassman heads.
No problem. On a cold power up, about 10 seconds into power up, it started making an increasing in volume roar. Not feedback, a roaring sound that increased, and stayed going for about 30 seconds. Then it made a click, or popping sound, and it ended. The head only did this on a cold start up. Once the the unit heated up, it was functional. The other player's Bassman 500 did the same thing.
Hmmm...That doesn't sound good. I'm hoping mine doesn't do that. I really wanna like it, use it, and not worry about it.
Aside from that, what'd you think of the head?
If they worked out that issue, it's good head. I'd check with Customer Relations at Fender, and see what they say about it. I don't know what happen to the head I turned in.
Have a look at this thread Fender Bassman 500 Head Issues ?
In particular the second last post. I've now got a cheapie backup (TC Electronic BH250) and hopefully I won't have further problems with the Fender. Sound wise, it's really fantastic with plenty of headroom and the two separate channels gives great flexibility. In particular, the GAIN / BLEND / MID LEVEL controls really give you a ton of very usable options.
The PEAK light does come on a lot above Master Volume 4 - 5 but it doesn't affect the performance
In particular the second last post. I've now got a cheapie backup (TC Electronic BH250) and hopefully I won't have further problems with the Fender. Sound wise, it's really fantastic with plenty of headroom and the two separate channels gives great flexibility. In particular, the GAIN / BLEND / MID LEVEL controls really give you a ton of very usable options.
The PEAK light does come on a lot above Master Volume 4 - 5 but it doesn't affect the performance
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Oof, just checked it out. 1 in 5 doesn't make me feel too great. I'm buying from Guitar Center, and if I decide to keep the amp I am DEFINITELY getting the protection plan. Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks!
Modern channel depends on where yr gain and channel vol is set also. ..
That channel takes a lil getting used to adjusting the blend/gain/ch.vol controls - which are all interactive. .. but once ya do, there's a lotta scope to do heaps of boogering around.
I'd make sure you've got all that sorted 1st before swapping tubes.
BUT....if ya gonna try swapping tubes. ..do that. ..swap em... if the problem moves WITH a tube, then ya know that's yr problem. Then buy a noo one.
That channel takes a lil getting used to adjusting the blend/gain/ch.vol controls - which are all interactive. .. but once ya do, there's a lotta scope to do heaps of boogering around.
I'd make sure you've got all that sorted 1st before swapping tubes.
BUT....if ya gonna try swapping tubes. ..do that. ..swap em... if the problem moves WITH a tube, then ya know that's yr problem. Then buy a noo one.
Well I had the gain cranked to 7 and the volume was at 6. I had to keep the blend at 1 or else I wouldn't be able to hear anything. What settings do you recommend?
Will do! Do you think I should take it to someone or is it a job I can do myself? Thanks!
Easy to do yourself. Turn amp off. If there are metal covers on the pre amp tubes, they simply twist n remove- a little like a bayonet light bulb fits n removes.
Then gently wiggle the 12AX7 tube outta its socket. Take note of the position, simply to make putting it back in easier - gotta match the pins to their sockets - again, easy.
Do the same with the other & swap em round.
If there's a problem with another section of the amp now &/or the original problem had now gone. ..... there's your culprit.
Buy another tube - the same - (doesn't have to be the same BRAND, just same type...eg 12AX7 12AU7 etc. . I THINK they're both AX7's in there.
Let us know how you go
Then gently wiggle the 12AX7 tube outta its socket. Take note of the position, simply to make putting it back in easier - gotta match the pins to their sockets - again, easy.
Do the same with the other & swap em round.
If there's a problem with another section of the amp now &/or the original problem had now gone. ..... there's your culprit.
Buy another tube - the same - (doesn't have to be the same BRAND, just same type...eg 12AX7 12AU7 etc. . I THINK they're both AX7's in there.
Let us know how you go
W
Was finally able to try this and it turns out it might be something else is wrong with the amp. Shame, I really wanted to keep it. Also played through a Tech 21 VT Bass DI recently and I liked it very, very much. Might try the VT Bass 500 amp instead of getting a new Bassman 500. Thanks to everyone for the input!
Was finally able to try this and it turns out it might be something else is wrong with the amp. Shame, I really wanted to keep it. Also played through a Tech 21 VT Bass DI recently and I liked it very, very much. Might try the VT Bass 500 amp instead of getting a new Bassman 500. Thanks to everyone for the input!
