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Fender Studio Bass Club!

#461
pfschim said:
do tell, what's the "new technology" involved here (I don't pay attention to guitar amps) ... and how would it apply to tube bass amps ?
Click to expand...
Fender has accomplished the most accurate digital mimicry of vacuum tube behavior to date. The new amps are getting rave reviews especially from purist 'tube snobs'. If (and that's a BIG if) Fender were to apply the new technology to a bass amp, I think the Studio Bass would make an excellent candidate.
 
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#462
Here a pic of my Invalid Link Removed:
image.jpg
 
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#464
took my nephew to a local Guitar Center today for him to check out Fender Jaguar guitars (apparently all the cool kids crave these).
While he was fiddling around I went to check out the used gear corner and was surprised to see a Super Twin guitar combo ... which is pretty much the same amp as the Studio Bass with a bit different rotary EQ points and a distortion circuit. Never saw one in the wild before, let alone at a G.C.
 
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#468
For example, I liked the Studio Bass into the LDS 2x15 cab I had Don build me several years ago (2x Faital 15PR400's, no tweet). Big sound/lots of air, but it kind of left me cool as far as tone/range/clarity. When turned up thru that cab the amps tone would get a bit muddy/indistinct.

But, I really love the sound of it through a recently acquired 70's/80's era Fender Fullerton 1x15 loaded with an EVM EV15L. That EV loaded cab is a perfect match for the Studio Bass tone IMO/IME. The EV driver has lower performance specs, and is more low-mid/mids oriented .. but the combination of the 15L in that sized and spec'd cab really lets the Studio Bass shine. Lots of old school low-mid thump there with plenty of definition/clarity.

I'm also interested in hearing the Studio Bass thru another recently acquired Berg NV212t cab. I had used the Studio Bass with my (now sold) NV610 and felt like the amp seems to interact really well with sealed cabs. I'll have to set that up and give it a listen soon.
 
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#470
pfschim said:
For example, I liked the Studio Bass into the LDS 2x15 cab I had Don build me several years ago (2x Faital 15PR400's, no tweet). Big sound/lots of air, but it kind of left me cool as far as tone/range/clarity. When turned up thru that cab the amps tone would get a bit muddy/indistinct.

But, I really love the sound of it through a recently acquired 70's/80's era Fender Fullerton 1x15 loaded with an EVM EV15L. That EV loaded cab is a perfect match for the Studio Bass tone IMO/IME. The EV driver has lower performance specs, and is more low-mid/mids oriented .. but the combination of the 15L in that sized and spec'd cab really lets the Studio Bass shine. Lots of old school low-mid thump there with plenty of definition/clarity.

I'm also interested in hearing the Studio Bass thru another recently acquired Berg NV212t cab. I had used the Studio Bass with my (now sold) NV610 and felt like the amp seems to interact really well with sealed cabs. I'll have to set that up and give it a listen soon.
Click to expand...

I can say with confidence that the Super Twin sounds great thru a Bassman 115 Neo:
Fender Super Twin + Bassman 115 Neo(2).JPG


I'd love to have a pair of those cabs...
 
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#471
mesaplayer83 said:
I can say with confidence that the Super Twin sounds great thru a Bassman 115 Neo:View attachment 3618997

I'd love to have a pair of those cabs...
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It's a great cab the 115 Neo. The Super Bassman is superb thru it, and thru 2 of em, just crushing. I actually like it better thru the single 115, and thru 2, I s'pose if I had louder gigs tti allow it, it'd be great to push it thru the 2x115s. I usually use my NV215 as the single cab is easier for me.
20160429_164158.jpg
an older pic, but still a goodie
 
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#472
pfschim said:
But, I really love the sound of it through a recently acquired 70's/80's era Fender Fullerton 1x15 loaded with an EVM EV15L. That EV loaded cab is a perfect match for the Studio Bass tone IMO/IME...Lots of old school low-mid thump there with plenty of definition/clarity.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. I tried to go the separate head and cab route with my 1978 Studio Bass. But, at least to my ears, she really sounds best through the original EV speaker (which I believe was branded a Fender “15F” speaker). I’m still not thrilled with the form factor of the original combo - its top heavy and too eager to tip over when rolled over uneven ground. But, the sound sure makes up for it.

Anyway, here’s mine:

EA91772D-5B2D-440C-9984-62BE6DF79DD6.jpeg
 
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#475
rodl2005 said:
It's a great cab the 115 Neo. The Super Bassman is superb thru it, and thru 2 of em, just crushing. I actually like it better thru the single 115, and thru 2, I s'pose if I had louder gigs tti allow it, it'd be great to push it thru the 2x115s. I usually use my NV215 as the single cab is easier for me.
View attachment 3619122 an older pic, but still a goodie
Click to expand...
Berg NVs or Baers could nearly sway me away from EV. Surely having a cone mid driver would get you into similar sonic territory? The NV 215 gets raved about for tone. Luckily for my finances I’ve avoided trying them!
 
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#476
pfschim said:
man, that's a clean looking rig. You even have the original ad for the amp too !
I hear you about the tipping-over problem. The original combos (like yours) are tall and narrow front to back, and very top heavy.
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Exactly right. And yes, I 've got the ad (a framed full-page ad from a copy of Rolling Stone magazine from 1978) and even the the original Fender owners manual for the amp. The amp is 100% original down to the tubes with the exception of the 12AT7 phase inverter, which finally gave out last year and got replaced by a NOS JAN/Philips tube. Still sounds like new.

About a decade ago, I went on the search for my "perfect" small tube rig. I tried a Sunn 200S with 1x15 JBL cab, Ampeg B15-N, B15-R and B15-S amps, Fender Bassman 20 and Bassman Ten combos. Then, once I got my Studio Bass, my searching ended. For me, at least, the Studio Bass is THE perfect small(ish) tube amp for bass. Great tube tone. Loud enough to gig. But, sounds equally great a lower volumes for home noodling and recording. It is my forever amp.

If I am being honest, I still have a little GAS for a vintage Traynor YBA-1A Bass Master Mark II or a YBA-3 Custom Special. I just want to see if there is any real sonic advantage from powering a tube bass amp with EL34 tubes. Make take the plunge one of these days. But, I can guaranty that I won't be trading my Studio Bass for it.
 
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#480
rodl2005 said:
It's a great cab the 115 Neo. The Super Bassman is superb thru it, and thru 2 of em, just crushing. I actually like it better thru the single 115, and thru 2, I s'pose if I had louder gigs tti allow it, it'd be great to push it thru the 2x115s. I usually use my NV215 as the single cab is easier for me.
View attachment 3619122 an older pic, but still a goodie
Click to expand...

I've been using this quite a bit lately:
Mesa Subway D800 and SW115.JPG


Or this for bigger stuff:
Mesa Subway Full Stack(1).JPG
 
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