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NAD Fender Studio Bass

#21
I believe they came in both 4ohm and 8ohm versions (have seen both). There also seemed to be a change in reported power output, with the earlier models reporting 180watts and the later versions reporting 200watts - I think this depended both on the output transformer and Fender's use of a greater THD% rating (and thus a higher, but more distorted, power rating). Ah, marketing. :cool:
 
#24
Freightshaker said:
The only 4 Ohm version I've heard of was in the Super Twin. If any one has a Studio Bass 4 Ohm, I'd love to hear about it. Mine has the overly optimistic 200 watt printed on back.
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did not mean to cast aspersions against the Studio Bass. I think it delivers a pretty honest 200w (even a bit more when equipped with the 35w plate dispersion 7581a power tubes).

If you go looking, you will find 2 different schematics for the Studio Bass (not the Super Twin). One shows 180w output, the other shows 200w. Minimal difference for sure.
 
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#26
pfschim said:
did not mean to cast aspersions against the Studio Bass. I think it delivers a pretty honest 200w (even a bit more when equipped with the 35w plate dispersion 7581a power tubes).

If you go looking, you will find 2 different schematics for the Studio Bass (not the Super Twin). One shows 180w output, the other shows 200w. Minimal difference for sure.
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I'm glad you said that. I went and looked at the schematic I have printed by the work bench and it's for the 180w. I'll have to print the 200w one and compare at a latter time. I was unaware they made changes in the short lived production run.
 
#28
Groove Doctor said:
Anyone running theirs at 4 ohms?
Any actual REPORTED problems from running it at 4 ohms?
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I run mine at 4ohms when I use the Berg NV610. I don't use that combination very much but I never had a problem.

It's my understanding that these big iron amps from the past are pretty forgiving with ohm/loads.
I have read much more technically educated users here on TB say that tolerances of 100% of listed rating are ok - so running an 80hm rated amp @ 4ohms is not crazy. I think as long as the rest of the amps electronics are sound, particularly the capacitors, they can easily handle those kind of loads.

I will defer on this to those here who have greater electrical knowledge.
 
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#31
interesting ive never seen a 4 ohm schematic i have seen 180 and 200 watt claimed versions. and both do have different part numbers for the power and output transformers. not sure if its relevant or not both versions are ultra linear and both running pretty high 500 volt plate. tells you nothing really you would need to know the transformer impedance and if the part numbers are relavant to a power transformer with more actual current capability. 180 is probably a fair rating
 
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#32
rodl2005 said:
I had a Studio Bass for a cuppla years. ..ran at 4 ohms almost always. Never a problem. According to John K they don't mind a 50% difference in impedance at all.
Same as my old Bassman 100.. It didn't mind 4 or 8 ohms. .. can't remember what it was "meant" to be run at. 4 I think.
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yes, I don't think this is an issue as long as the other components are solid.
I ran my SB with the 4ohm NV610 a week ago at a fairly loud rock gig with no issues at all. I have used my SB this way many times without any problems. Of course, I also had the caps replaced when I bought it, so that may help the situation.
 
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#33
BogeyBass said:
interesting ive never seen a 4 ohm schematic i have seen 180 and 200 watt claimed versions. and both do have different part numbers for the power and output transformers. not sure if its relevant or not both versions are ultra linear and both running pretty high 500 volt plate. tells you nothing really you would need to know the transformer impedance and if the part numbers are relavant to a power transformer with more actual current capability. 180 is probably a fair rating
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when I got mine, I did some of my own web research for schematics and other details, and I also was in touch with a few folks here on TB, particularly John Kallas (who is no longer on the board - too bad). I seem to recall that it does have to do with the specific part numbers for the transformers.
this was about 5 years ago, and so I may have my "facts" scrambled - so, please, a grain of salt until the real technical folks arrive (if they do).
 
#34
another thing I was really happy with on the Studio Bass is using it as a recording amp. When tuned up correctly, it is very quiet and its unbalanced output is great for running into a board (via DI). I also picked up a Countryman 25 last year specifically so I could use the speaker level out from the Studio Bass for FOH on live gigs when I do haul this beauty out on stage. That works great too FWIW.
 
#35
rodl2005 said:
I had a Studio Bass for a cuppla years. ..ran at 4 ohms almost always. Never a problem. According to John K they don't mind a 50% difference in impedance at all.
Same as my old Bassman 100.. It didn't mind 4 or 8 ohms. .. can't remember what it was "meant" to be run at. 4 I think.
Click to expand...

Meant to be run into an 8 ohm load, and the one I tested (multiple times) made around 120 watts at 4. The Super Twin Reverb combo I worked on was just the opposite.
 
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#36
Congrats on the amp. I bought one 2 yrs ago and it's one of my favorite pieces I own. I don't know why everyone it saying "keep the original cab", these amps aren't worth that much and aren't very desirable in the "vintage market". I trashed the old cab (I don't think it sounds all that great in its original box) had a head cab made, have a recon kit coming for the original speaker which I'm then putting into 1x15 cab, as well as another matching 1x15 with an ev15b, 200 watts 2x15...heaven
 
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#37
Linnin said:
Do Not Run @ 4 Ohms! 8 ohms only. It will cut out and blow the fuse at 4 ohms. If you force it, the transformer will burn out and quit. Many $$$ to replace. But sure go right ahead!
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Groove Doctor said:
Anyone running theirs at 4 ohms?
Any actual REPORTED problems from running it at 4 ohms?
Click to expand...
According to this fender literature on the amp, running it at 4 ohm is the only way to get the full 200 watts.
Since finding this literature I've run ghe amp at 4 ohm for over 100 hrs without issue...never blown a fuse.
@Linnin if you were blowing fuses and later the output trans, I suspect your problem was something else because I know plenty of folks running these at 4 ohm
 

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#38
Here are some internal shots of this amp. According to the serial number it is a 1980. It appears to not have had much work done to it. A couple resisters look like they have been changed. All of the electrolytic capacitors are Mallory's. They appear to be original as well. The backplate may offer some answers to the discussion about the impedance loads that have been discussed. Maybe some of them were made for a 4 ohm load and some for 8 ohms.

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