take it out to dinner and a movie?
Wasn't sure if I should go for a comedy or a thriller
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Fender Studio Bass Club!
- Thread starter gjesse
- Start date
Wasn't sure if I should go for a comedy or a thriller
Not sure if this has happened to you yet... But I've been playing with a vt bass deluxe as a preamp for as long as I can remember...
I'm finding more and more that I have no use for it unless I'm looking for overdrive (which is like never)
Do you guys still run into a preamp prior to your ST/SB?
I'm finding more and more that I have no use for it unless I'm looking for overdrive (which is like never)
Do you guys still run into a preamp prior to your ST/SB?
I still use a VT Deluxe in front of every amp I use whether they are my own ... Mesa Walkabout and Studio Bass, or event/venue provided backlines. I'm one of those who will actually run the VTD into an SVT backline - no hesitation, just makes things very simple for me, I pretty much know what I'm going to sound like wherever I play. easy!
I do like my personal amps very much, but I also really like that little bit more that the VTD provides too. Of the 6 pre-sets, I only have 2 with any real hair/overdrive on them. The other 4 are clean and, at least to my ears, the VTD provides a deeper soundstage, maybe call it some "air" than the amps on their own. I also use the VTD for solo tone - level pushed a bit and a slightly more aggressive EQ setting to stand out. I'm guessing much of what I like is from the VT speaker sim. Not a big pedal guy either, but for me, the VTD is staying.
Fender manufactured the "140", an all-valve guitar amp for a short period by 1980. It's almost a Twin Reverb head with a 5-band graphic equalizer (slider pots) and 120W output (4 x 6L6).
Does anyone have had experience with this Fender 140 for bass amplification, with a suitable bass cabinet of course? It looks not very different from a (200W) Super Twin, that is as good as a Studio Bass head in that case.
I have found an opportunity to get one (without the guitar cab), but it's a full day trip and I would like to get some advice before travelling.
There is another one currently on ebay.
Main info here.
More Invalid Link Removed and here.
Does anyone have had experience with this Fender 140 for bass amplification, with a suitable bass cabinet of course? It looks not very different from a (200W) Super Twin, that is as good as a Studio Bass head in that case.
I have found an opportunity to get one (without the guitar cab), but it's a full day trip and I would like to get some advice before travelling.
There is another one currently on ebay.
Main info here.
More Invalid Link Removed and here.
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Fender manufactured the "140", an all-valve guitar amp for a short period by 1980. It's almost a Twin Reverb head with a 5-band graphic equalizer (slider pots) and 120W output (4 x 6L6).
Does anyone have had experience with this Fender 140 for bass amplification, with a suitable bass cabinet of course? It looks not very different from a (200W) Super Twin, that is as good as a Studio Bass head in that case.
I have found an opportunity to get one (without the guitar cab), but it's a full day trip and I would like to get some advice before travelling.
There is another one currently on ebay.
Main info here.
More Invalid Link Removed and here.
well, I have no experience or even awareness of a Fender 140. Looks cool, but I am thinking that a Bassman 135 (easy to find) or even a Super Twin (which aren't too hard to find) might be better bets all around for bass.
I'm sure the 140 would work as a bass amp, but might not be worth the trouble.
good luck though.
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Bassman models do not have a 5-band graphic EQ. For each of the other amp options that have it, frequencies are as follows:
Studio Bass: 80 190 310 1000 1850
Super Twin: 100 235 485 1250 2300
Model 140: 90 240 750 2300 6200
This shows that model 140 is probably the weakest option for bass tone shaping.
I will now focus on a black cloth Studio Bass combo that I currently have under discussion with the seller.
Thank you
Studio Bass: 80 190 310 1000 1850
Super Twin: 100 235 485 1250 2300
Model 140: 90 240 750 2300 6200
This shows that model 140 is probably the weakest option for bass tone shaping.
I will now focus on a black cloth Studio Bass combo that I currently have under discussion with the seller.
Thank you
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,069
- 46,011
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
I have lots of experience with the smaller sister amps of that era, the 75 and the 30. IMHO both sound a lot nicer with all the channel switching bits removed. I'd expect the 140 to be a "project" amp, not a turnkey one, unless a good tech has already modded it quite a bit.
hey, just happened to see that there are two Super Twins for sale locally in the SF Bay area (San Jose). I know this is the Studio Bass club, but the Super Twin is basically the same amp with a bit more guitar oriented rotary EQ section and a nasty distortion control. You don't see these FS all the time, so I thought I would let you all know.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
fwiw - these items are not mine and I have no connection to either of these sales or the sellers.
good luck
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
fwiw - these items are not mine and I have no connection to either of these sales or the sellers.
good luck
Glazenn, good luck chasing down the real deal Studio Bass amp. Regarding the rotary EQ, I just wanted to point out that it's a footswitchable option on the Studio Bass (probably the others too). If you don't plug the footswitch in, the EQ section is on by default.
After using my Studio Bass amp for a while, my feeling is that, while the Studio Bass EQ points are pretty well thought out for bass, and the EQ is a very useful feature, it is not the only thing that makes the tonal magic of the amp happen.
So, if you can get your hands on a Super Twin (which are a bit easier to find - more of them were made) you can always put some sort of EQ in front of the amp and still get the all tube greatness these amps can do for your tone.
good luck
Thank you, pfschim
Unfortunately, the guy selling the Studio Bass had his cellar flooded. There were unusual heavy rains at the end of last month in his region.
The lower half of the combo remained soaked during his absence... but fortunately, the chassis, the tranformers and the valves, and the top in general, have not suffered and can be recovered. The 15" EV loudspeaker is dead.
I may now get the combo or the amp only for a good price, or buy a Fender Super Twin for the amp. In both cases I need a head enclosure (I already have a 15" 400W speaker cabinet).
From there, I have three options :
1) buy a brand new Twin Reverb enclosure (chassis width: 24-1/2") from Mojotone, but this is expensive when shipping to Europe and custom duty are considered.
2) buy the Studio Bass with the wrecked cabinet, cut it at the height required for the head (9-1/2"), and apply a DIY bottom.
3) if 2) does not work, or in the Super Twin case, buy locally a cheap used Fender Frontman/FM 212R (same 24-1/2" chassis width), cut the top of the cabinet as in 2) above, discard the middle and all the rubbish inside, and re-assemble with what is needed from the bottom.
However, I have read that these made in China Frontman feature poor quality build, the wood and the tolex are very fragile, apparently there is no finger joint assembly (?), and the glue that they use instead does not hold well.
I will keep you aware of the rest of the story. Comments are welcome. Thank you.
Unfortunately, the guy selling the Studio Bass had his cellar flooded. There were unusual heavy rains at the end of last month in his region.
The lower half of the combo remained soaked during his absence... but fortunately, the chassis, the tranformers and the valves, and the top in general, have not suffered and can be recovered. The 15" EV loudspeaker is dead.
I may now get the combo or the amp only for a good price, or buy a Fender Super Twin for the amp. In both cases I need a head enclosure (I already have a 15" 400W speaker cabinet).
From there, I have three options :
1) buy a brand new Twin Reverb enclosure (chassis width: 24-1/2") from Mojotone, but this is expensive when shipping to Europe and custom duty are considered.
2) buy the Studio Bass with the wrecked cabinet, cut it at the height required for the head (9-1/2"), and apply a DIY bottom.
3) if 2) does not work, or in the Super Twin case, buy locally a cheap used Fender Frontman/FM 212R (same 24-1/2" chassis width), cut the top of the cabinet as in 2) above, discard the middle and all the rubbish inside, and re-assemble with what is needed from the bottom.
However, I have read that these made in China Frontman feature poor quality build, the wood and the tolex are very fragile, apparently there is no finger joint assembly (?), and the glue that they use instead does not hold well.
I will keep you aware of the rest of the story. Comments are welcome. Thank you.
My vote is the Studio and re-cab it. Putting a piece of 3/4" plywood on the bottom is easy. They're brutal heavy and awkward to start with, so making it a 2 piece is a good idea anyway.
Kinda like what I did:
The cab is actually from a Showman. It enclosed the Super Twin Reverb I'm modding to Studio specs and will use with that 1516 when I want to be really obnoxious. I refitted the cab with two Eminence Alpha 8A's and a Gauss 400w 15". It sounds delicious...
Kinda like what I did:
The cab is actually from a Showman. It enclosed the Super Twin Reverb I'm modding to Studio specs and will use with that 1516 when I want to be really obnoxious. I refitted the cab with two Eminence Alpha 8A's and a Gauss 400w 15". It sounds delicious...
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well, I would not say brutally heavy, 55lbs is about what mine weighs. I'd agree that the single strap handle on the top does make for a pretty awkward carry though. If I could redo mine, I would do what Don Oatman of LDS has done with his, which is to put handles on each side of the amp case.
Glazenn, sounds like mother nature helped you out, at least on the amp. I think the Studio Bass amp is probably better off as a separate head anyway. That way you can use any speaker cab or combination you want, rather than being limited to the single EV15 in the original combo. Just my opinion.
As far as a headcase for the amp, why don't you look at the the Mojotone copy of the Super Twin head case ? That's what mine is in. I'm guessing Mojotone would ship it anywhere, including France - vraiment mon bassplaying ami!
You could also look for a local skilled cabinet maker, I'm sure someone with the right skills and materials (pine wood, black pebble tolex and Fender silverface style grill cloth) could build a suitable head case without too much trouble.
avoir la foi - vivent longtemps le Studio Bass !
I just weighed my combo - I scales in at well over 110 lbs. The head in the showman case weighs 47, the cab and 15 are - wait for it - 75! For my 40something purposes, id say brutal heavy. Someone has put handles on the cab, but at that weight I swore that (a) I'd never load it in/out to a gig and (b) leave it on stage for someone to knock over because the cab is so shallow and top heavy.
But that's personal opinion. Hopefully Glazenn gets the Studio reasonably and can add to the collection!
But that's personal opinion. Hopefully Glazenn gets the Studio reasonably and can add to the collection!
