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Pass on a Fender 135 (Silverface) 1980?

#21
I know this thread is about the 135, but I recently picked up a Bassman 70 which I believe is similar in design though less powerful. It needed repair but once I got it up and running, wow. Through an SVT212AV it's plenty loud, clean, and has a really great round tone that I enjoy more than I thought I would. It won't replace my Ampegs either but this Bassman is a keeper. I'd say if you try it out and like the tone, you won't be sorry you spent $450 on it.
 
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#22
Rodrigues said:
So does it mean the bassman 100 gets distortion very fast?
When I am playing in a bar (e.g 200 people)does the bassman 100 gets a distortion because of less power.

Is it a cool distortion?

I loved ampeg CL + 810 all the way, but i sold it because it was too big for me.
I dont play that big shows anymore.
So now I have only a reddi (SVT sound) and looking for a different bassamp. Like bassman, orange or maybe hiwatt 100....
Click to expand...

Relative to the 135, the 100 does move into distortion sooner because of less power. The transformer in the 100 is like what you find in most amps. The additional taps found in the ultra-linear Fender amps are similar to what is used in many hi-fi amps. The design keeps the power amp cleaner. They do still distort when cranked, you can get more clean headroom out of them. The 135W is a higher power amp, it will be louder than the 100W amp. Guitar players love the distortion of the blackface amps. But the 100 can be played clean. The more speakers in your cab, the louder it will be. So the speaker cabinet that you use is important.

The problem with buying any vintage amp is that you don't know if it is performing up to spec. If the power supply capacitors are old, the amp will distort sooner. If the tubes are weak, there will be issues. The same goes for resistors and capacitors in the amp. There's a lot of work that a vintage amp may need. This can be costly. Of course you can find vintage amps that have been well maintained and don't need any work. If at all possible, find a 135 and a 100 to audition and see which one will best meet your needs. I know that this isn't always possible.

People buy vintage amps for different reasons. Some because they had one in the past, others because they want the look or the sound that they offer. People buy these amps knowing that they will need to put a lot into them to restore them to spec. You want an amp that will performer as well as it did when it was new. Often the restoration is a labor of love.

If you are on a budget and want to get the most out of your purchase, seriously consider a new amp. The advantage is that you have a warranty and you'll have many years of service. A lot of people like the Ampeg V4B reissue, the Orange AD200B MK3, as well as the current Fender amps.

I had a 135 Twin Reverb that I bought new in the 70's. It was the one amp that I wished that I never sold. It was a combo and was pretty heavy.
 
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#23
beans-on-toast said:
If you are on a budget and want to get the most out of your purchase, seriously consider a new amp. The advantage is that you have a warranty and you'll have many years of service. A lot of people like the Ampeg V4B reissue, the Orange AD200B MK3, as well as the current Fender amps.
Click to expand...
But in my opinion, if you buy an old handwired Amp, which cost you maybe 600-800€ or$ and you spent maybe 400 €or$ to repair this thing than i am having an AMP which is good for the next 40 years. Am I right?
 
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#24
most been covered but yes it's ultra linear and uses high plate voltage
much more overhead and clean to a 100.

these amps are late 70s early 80s
so the capacitors usually hold up pretty good sometimes just basic maintenance and new tubes is all they need.
 
#25
Rodrigues said:
So does it mean the bassman 100 gets distortion very fast?
When I am playing in a bar (e.g 200 people)does the bassman 100 gets a distortion because of less power.

Is it a cool distortion?

I loved ampeg CL + 810 all the way, but i sold it because it was too big for me.
I dont play that big shows anymore.
So now I have only a reddi (SVT sound) and looking for a different bassamp. Like bassman, orange or maybe hiwatt 100....
Click to expand...

Just my opinion from using 60's Bassmans but they sound great, nice and warm until they distort which to me is a ratty sound at least with a bass, the distortion is hard to control because it comes on so suddenly, you have to have a very even touch. I'm sure the bassman 100's are the same if they have the same basic circuit, I had an 85 watt dual Showman years ago which did the same thing and that amp I'm sure is very similar to a 100. Any tube amp will distort if you overdrive the power tubes and I'm sure the 135 can be overdriven if that is what you want, the preamps in tube amps are usually capable of overdriving the power amp in them because of basses different levels. The amp needs to be able to drive any bass to a nice loud clean level which always leaves extra unless the bass has extremely low output.
 
#26
Rodrigues said:
But in my opinion, if you buy an old handwired Amp, which cost you maybe 600-800€ or$ and you spent maybe 400 €or$ to repair this thing than i am having an AMP which is good for the next 40 years. Am I right?
Click to expand...

Yes you are right. The key is to find the right person to do the work that will take care of everything. Find a so-so tech and you can find yourself spending more than a good new amp.

I have a number of better than new vintage amps that I wouldn't trade for anything. There are many that can't cope with the issues that a vintage amp can bring. I just wanted to point out the tradeoffs.
 
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#27
Yes, i think i am going with 135 or Maybach with the Bassman 100.

next question:

Which cabs Do you like best?
I always had 810 its really Nixe Blut I want something new or Special.
I have 3 setups which in my opinion is very interesting. But I dient habe Andy Experience with the bassman. Except a 15" Ampeg.
  • 2 x 15"
  • 4 x 12"
  • One 2 x 12 + one 15"
 
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#28
Techs have traditionally used Sprague Atoms in these Fender amps. Not a modern capacitor but they are popular. Some companies sell recap kits such as this one: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I've not dealt with this company. I like the F&T caps that they sell and have used them in other amps. You do have to get the right kit for your amp, whatever it will be. I've usually buy F&T from Antique Electronics, but it depends on where you live.

The caps that I use the most are Nichicon GW or GX series caps. These require designing a circuit board as they are snap-in type. Modern capacitors are way better than the ones used in the past, both in terms of performance and service life.

I think that speaker cab selected has to suit the need. Sometimes you need a smaller sized cab, other times size is not an issue. I'm a sucker for 15's, two of them are even better. An 810 is the standard. The more speakers, the more volume you will be able to get out of your amp. Try them all, use whatever works the best.
 
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#37
Kirk Bryant said:
Not to be argumentative but the size of the speaker has no bearing on the frequencies reproduced. If it did headphones wouldn't work.
Click to expand...

correct, the speaker cabs that most companies make to accommodate 15's have more low end than the ones they make for 12's and 10's the majority of the time because they make the 12 and 10 ones to be Punchy instead of deep and full. YMMV but that's what I've experience with most of the popular cabs out there.
 
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