I have used it a couple of times, but had a sound guy both times. They both seemed happy with the output and sound. All I was hearing on stage was the amp itself so I can't comment on the tone through the PA.
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Official Fender ACB Club
- Thread starter ghunter
- Start date
I have used it a couple of times, but had a sound guy both times. They both seemed happy with the output and sound. All I was hearing on stage was the amp itself so I can't comment on the tone through the PA.
Well, the 20 day wait was a killer but after a few snags, my amp has arrived in perfect condition and all is well in my bass world!
Every time I put the amp in standby and then come out of standby to start playing again, the amp crackles for like ten seconds before going quiet. Is this "normal." Is just warming up again?
Not normal. My amp was doing the same thing for a little while and then it went fulltime crackling. It was a 12ax7 tube. I dropped it off for a warranty lookover and the tech replaced the tube. It's been silent ever since.
Thanks for the info. Bummer. I was waiting on the amp to arrive so I could send in my HX stomp (that i was using through a powered cabinet) for repair and now both of my rigs might be out at once.
Change your tubes (not only the preamp ones, but even the power pentodes). The GT tubes that come with it are totally crap.
I am using a Radial ABY and it's really nice to have both channels + the Y available. I'll provide some detail on my signal path when I have a chance, I really like my current setup.
Do you have to take it in to a service center, or can you just replace the tubes?
If you go changing only the preamp tubes, you could go for yourself, because the four double triodes (3x12AX7, 1x12AT7) don't require any adjustment. I suggest swapping for good, selected tubes with lowest microphonics and noise you can find for V1 and V2 (the closest ones to the right) as - common to most Fender designs - the first gain stages are very sensible to noise and microphonics. I don't like NOS tubes, I prefer some new production tubes like the TAD 7025 RT093 that is among the best:
TAD ECC83-WB PREMIUM Selection
If you go with a V1 and V2 balanced set, you should not have differences in the two channels gain and volume.
The V3 is not that sensible, so you should go with a cheaper tube; same as V4 12AT7 phase inverter.
Changing the power pentodes requires a proper bias adjustment, that a good qualified technician cand do in a few minutes. The amp chassis has to be dismantled from the cabinet (only some long screw to be unscrewed...) and you have to measure the bias current. I have a friend who builds Fender clones that does that for free!
but I strongly suggest to adjust the bias even with the stock tubes, as Fender runs it very "cold" on their current production amps by default for reliability sake...
OK I just finished up my home-built matching external cab and I'm excited to share it.
Please know that I love projects like this, but I am a hobbyist. Not a cabinet maker, speaker box builder, I don't have any special tools. This is all just research and using what I have in the garage. I made this with a handheld circular caw, saber saw, radial sander... nothing special. Its not perfect but dang close, and it accomplishes my goals, which were:
I went to the scrap lumber piles in a local neighborhood to grab some scrap plywood and 2x2. I measured up the ACB50 and built out the box. I needed a 2x2 frame because the plywood was 5/8" thick... a little thin for direct screwing. The depth and width are identical to the ACB50, and the height I guesstimated on. I wanted it as short as possible while having sensible volume for the 15" speaker. I didn't run any speaker builder software or anything, just went for it. I built is rectangular, rather than angled, since I want to put the ACB50 on top sometimes.
I bought some stuffing and ordered tolex. I bought a jack plate, pre-wired jack, and a 100w/8ohm attenuator so the volume can be controlled when it's used a supplementary amp away from where I'll be with the ACB50.
I've done a few tolex jobs before. It never comes out perfect but I'm pretty happy with this one. I ordered "aged silver" grill cloth and did my first grill cloth job. It wasn't too bad, YouTube to the rescue. The "aged silver" is a touch more aged than the "aged silver" that came on the ACB50. Really close. Close enough for me. Added casters, feet, handle, and badge.
The 2 speakers definitely sound different. The external cab is bassier, clearly adds some rattle to the low end when at full volume. The general feel of the ACB50 remains, however, its midrange forward, and I love it. Here's a video with just the ACB50 in the first part, and then both in the 2nd part:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Hope this inspires some of you! It was a fun project. Here's everything I bought:
Total was about $250 and remember I had free scrap wood, screws, caulk/sealant, spray paint, adhesive, sanding discs, etc. all on hand that didn't add to the cost.
Please know that I love projects like this, but I am a hobbyist. Not a cabinet maker, speaker box builder, I don't have any special tools. This is all just research and using what I have in the garage. I made this with a handheld circular caw, saber saw, radial sander... nothing special. Its not perfect but dang close, and it accomplishes my goals, which were:
- Have an external cab I can place on the other side of larger stages for other members of the band to hear the bass better than our modest monitors can provide
- Be able to stack the ACB50 for a bigger look and sound in some venues
- Match the ACB50 as close as I could, visually, at a reasonable price
I went to the scrap lumber piles in a local neighborhood to grab some scrap plywood and 2x2. I measured up the ACB50 and built out the box. I needed a 2x2 frame because the plywood was 5/8" thick... a little thin for direct screwing. The depth and width are identical to the ACB50, and the height I guesstimated on. I wanted it as short as possible while having sensible volume for the 15" speaker. I didn't run any speaker builder software or anything, just went for it. I built is rectangular, rather than angled, since I want to put the ACB50 on top sometimes.
I bought some stuffing and ordered tolex. I bought a jack plate, pre-wired jack, and a 100w/8ohm attenuator so the volume can be controlled when it's used a supplementary amp away from where I'll be with the ACB50.
I've done a few tolex jobs before. It never comes out perfect but I'm pretty happy with this one. I ordered "aged silver" grill cloth and did my first grill cloth job. It wasn't too bad, YouTube to the rescue. The "aged silver" is a touch more aged than the "aged silver" that came on the ACB50. Really close. Close enough for me. Added casters, feet, handle, and badge.
The 2 speakers definitely sound different. The external cab is bassier, clearly adds some rattle to the low end when at full volume. The general feel of the ACB50 remains, however, its midrange forward, and I love it. Here's a video with just the ACB50 in the first part, and then both in the 2nd part:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Hope this inspires some of you! It was a fun project. Here's everything I bought:
- Grill Cloth 24"x36" Fender black/white/silver grill cloth (silver tinsel) -aged or regular
- Badge 099-4096-000 Fender Guitar Metal Black Tweed Plate Amplifier/Amp Logo
- Feet Sunn Fender amp and Speaker Cabinet Rubber Feet large 1 5/8" diameter
- Pre-wired Jack Speaker jack ferrule -available with 1/4" jack or as a complete prewired kit!
- Attenuator L-Pad 100W Mono 3/8" Shaft 8 Ohm
- Handle Exceart Vintage Style Guitar AMP Amplifier Leather Handle Amp Handle Strap for Fender Guitar Speaker Amplifier (Black)
- Casters Reliable Hardware Company RH-9006-SET-A Plug Caster Set, Black & Silver 2 inches
- Jack Plate ZZHXSM Black Metal Dual 1/4 Inch Jack Plate with Mounting Screws for Guitar Speaker Cabinet, Double 1/4" Jack Board for Guitar or PA Speakers
- Tolex Invalid Link Removed
Total was about $250 and remember I had free scrap wood, screws, caulk/sealant, spray paint, adhesive, sanding discs, etc. all on hand that didn't add to the cost.
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So does anybody actually know if the speaker in the ACB50 is the same exact one that's in the bassman 115 neo cabinet?
And that's probably the secret ingredient as to its incredible sound
Just got the ACB50. Is it supposed to hum in Stand-by? I think it's the Powertransformer, is that normal?
