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The Fender Bassman 100T thread

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#642
Bermel said:
I'd like to know if i could use both channels at the same time with an ABY pedal.

I've seen this head has two inputs, but maybe they are for the same channel?

Loving the reviews and Youtube clips so far.
Click to expand...

Yeah, they're hi and Lo level inputs for the same channel. It'd have to be modified around the channel selector switch to use both channels simultaneously.
 
#643
We played a no-stress kind of gig last Friday night at a small bar, and I decided it was time to try the 100T in 25 watt mode. I had used the 25 watt setting in rehearsal, which of course it did no sweat, but never where it had to pump out some volume. The 25 watt mode was one of the things that had intrigued me about the 100T from the start, I've just not felt comfortable experimenting with it at gigs so far - in case it sucked, or burst into flames or something.
We're three piece and even though we aren't a really loud band, our drummer is very powerful so I have to pump it out to drive the sound. Guitarist has a 100 watt Twin Reverb, and I'm using the 100T with the 410 Neo cab. To match level with drums in all the gigs we've played so far that haven't required mains support, I've been running channel volume around 5, master volume around six. In 25 watt mode, I was running master volume a little over 8.
I started the night with my Jack Casady Epiphone strung with roundwounds. I gotta say I was thrilled with the sound, and using the vintage channel I was getting exactly the gnarly grind I wanted from the roundwound bass that I had previously been using the overdrive channel to get, but now it had that more ballsy bark to it that I had hoped the power tube distortion would give. Even though I like the overdrive on the active channel as much as any I've tried, it is still just a little high-end buzzy for what I really like. In 25 watt mode the 100T was easily matching level with the drums.
After 4 or 5 songs I switched to my G&L L-1000 strung with flats. I'm going to have to give this another go at our next gig, as I wasn't nearly as pleased with what I was getting as I was with the roundwound bass. This is probably because of my style I'm guessing. On flats, I dig in REALLY hard, with which the 100T delivers an enormous punch in 100 watt mode, much like an upright when I pluck it right. But in the 25 watt mode, even though I liked the sound, I was missing the punch. Probably what I should have expected, since it's likely the power tubes compressing as they're driven at 25 watts. If I played more like a human, it would have probably been great. And it could also be that I need to experiment with it more. We're playing the same bar this Friday, so I'm going to give it another go with the flats.
I would like to get word from Fender on whether the amp should go into standby before switching power mode. I did this just to be safe, but you would think they would mention that in the manual if it is necessary. So for the first two sets I was switching back and forth between 100 watt and 25 watt as I switched between the basses and was going to standy each time. Is that putting undue wear on the tubes to be going in and out of standby? I also noticed that the bias didn't need recalibrate after switching modes, so I was able to go immediately from 25 to 100 and back. Regarding my question about it overheating if driven hard at 25 watts, I played the whole last set in the 25 watt mode, and even though it was cranking it was much cooler at the end of the set than it normally is in 100 watt mode, and for the first time the fan wasn't on at the end of the gig.
So to sum it up, I was more than thrilled with the 25 watt mode on the roundwound bass. But I only use that bass on maybe 10 of our 40 songs, so I'm hoping I can get it to come around with the flats. I'll report back after the next gig.
 
#644
Freight Train said:
We played a no-stress kind of gig last Friday night at a small bar, and I decided it was time to try the 100T in 25 watt mode. I had used the 25 watt setting in rehearsal, which of course it did no sweat, but never where it had to pump out some volume. The 25 watt mode was one of the things that had intrigued me about the 100T from the start, I've just not felt comfortable experimenting with it at gigs so far - in case it sucked, or burst into flames or something.
We're three piece and even though we aren't a really loud band, our drummer is very powerful so I have to pump it out to drive the sound. Guitarist has a 100 watt Twin Reverb, and I'm using the 100T with the 410 Neo cab. To match level with drums in all the gigs we've played so far that haven't required mains support, I've been running channel volume around 5, master volume around six. In 25 watt mode, I was running master volume a little over 8.
I started the night with my Jack Casady Epiphone strung with roundwounds. I gotta say I was thrilled with the sound, and using the vintage channel I was getting exactly the gnarly grind I wanted from the roundwound bass that I had previously been using the overdrive channel to get, but now it had that more ballsy bark to it that I had hoped the power tube distortion would give. Even though I like the overdrive on the active channel as much as any I've tried, it is still just a little high-end buzzy for what I really like. In 25 watt mode the 100T was easily matching level with the drums.
After 4 or 5 songs I switched to my G&L L-1000 strung with flats. I'm going to have to give this another go at our next gig, as I wasn't nearly as pleased with what I was getting as I was with the roundwound bass. This is probably because of my style I'm guessing. On flats, I dig in REALLY hard, with which the 100T delivers an enormous punch in 100 watt mode, much like an upright when I pluck it right. But in the 25 watt mode, even though I liked the sound, I was missing the punch. Probably what I should have expected, since it's likely the power tubes compressing as they're driven at 25 watts. If I played more like a human, it would have probably been great. And it could also be that I need to experiment with it more. We're playing the same bar this Friday, so I'm going to give it another go with the flats.
I would like to get word from Fender on whether the amp should go into standby before switching power mode. I did this just to be safe, but you would think they would mention that in the manual if it is necessary. So for the first two sets I was switching back and forth between 100 watt and 25 watt as I switched between the basses and was going to standy each time. Is that putting undue wear on the tubes to be going in and out of standby? I also noticed that the bias didn't need recalibrate after switching modes, so I was able to go immediately from 25 to 100 and back. Regarding my question about it overheating if driven hard at 25 watts, I played the whole last set in the 25 watt mode, and even though it was cranking it was much cooler at the end of the set than it normally is in 100 watt mode, and for the first time the fan wasn't on at the end of the gig.
So to sum it up, I was more than thrilled with the 25 watt mode on the roundwound bass. But I only use that bass on maybe 10 of our 40 songs, so I'm hoping I can get it to come around with the flats. I'll report back after the next gig.
Click to expand...

Freight train, I actually used my 100T on 100 watts last weekend at a gig for the first time and I know what you mean about that punch. I was wondering if you have tried adjusting the tube bias to either cooler or warmer and if you had any impressions of those settings?
 
#645
joemer said:
Freight train, I actually used my 100T on 100 watts last weekend at a gig for the first time and I know what you mean about that punch. I was wondering if you have tried adjusting the tube bias to either cooler or warmer and if you had any impressions of those settings?
Click to expand...

I haven't played with the bias yet. Kinda the same thing as using it in 25 watt mode, or rolling the tubes - I'm so happy with it just as it is I haven't felt any urgency to change it. But I'll get to that eventually.
 
#646
Tim1 said:
My 100T follows the exact same pattern as FenderLove describes - just had a look. I must say that I have made a point of not looking at the lights as I don't want to obsess about them - sounds a bit like putting my head in the sand I suppose but I have never worried about bias on other tube amps I have owned. On my SVT VR which is user biasable but not autobias I checked it once a year. If I start to hear something wrong then I will have a look at the lights. The autobias feature is great for keeping the bias optimum or tube rolling, but I refuse to use it as something I should regularly check. I probably would not have put in the Winged Cs without it as it made the swap so easy - in the first turn on after the change I did watch the lights and it took a while longer for them to stop flashing (as you might expect with a different set of power tubes), after that everything was back to normal. Plug and play, forget about the lights unless you hear a problem.... and enjoy:)
FenderLove, have you tried running the bias hotter or colder at all??
Click to expand...

Yes, I have. Good results either way.

I'm currently running both my 100T and 300SB on the cool side, five clicks down, with terrific results. I like the fact these heads allow me to make this adjustment.

You know something, I can't find one fault with these heads! :smug:
 
#648
Does anyone know where I can try one of these in NYC?

I've been dying for an all tube head, and from everything I've read, this sounds absolutely perfect, but I'd like to be able to try one first.

Preferably with 2 1x15s or 1 4x10
 
#650
primussucks9126 said:
Does anyone know where I can try one of these in NYC?

I've been dying for an all tube head, and from everything I've read, this sounds absolutely perfect, but I'd like to be able to try one first.

Preferably with 2 1x15s or 1 4x10
Click to expand...
I think you'll find most (all?) of us here that have a 100T gave up on the idea of anyone ever having one in stock to try, so instead just dove in head first and bought one. But I haven't heard of anyone yet who didn't enjoy the dive.
 
#651
Freight Train said:
I think you'll find most (all?) of us here that have a 100T gave up on the idea of anyone ever having one in stock to try, so instead just dove in head first and bought one. But I haven't heard of anyone yet who didn't enjoy the dive.
Click to expand...

I figured as much. That's pretty much what I'm leaning towards. Unfortunately, NONE of the amps I'm interested in are carried anywhere, so I'm not sure which dive to take, haha.

Thanks though!
 
#652
Anybody run their 100t with any "super cabs"? fearful, audiokinesis etc? Just wondering cuz im still juggling a cab purchase. i have a 610 fender neo on hold but i am curious about fearful etc. i may go ahead with the 610 and just get the free fearful plans and build it myself for fun and sanity.
 
#654
MrCool84 said:
Anybody run their 100t with any "super cabs"? fearful, audiokinesis etc? Just wondering cuz im still juggling a cab purchase. i have a 610 fender neo on hold but i am curious about fearful etc. i may go ahead with the 610 and just get the free fearful plans and build it myself for fun and sanity.
Click to expand...

I think the FearFul cabs would have too much of a wide low end. The FearLess Dually or F215 would probably kill with these tube heads. I have tried the 15/6/1, F215, and the Basic (just like a Dually but it's a Singly) with a GK 800RB and an Ampeg 7 Pro. The F215 was my favorite of those.
 
#655
If (when?) I were to have this amp (or similar lower powered tube head), I'd want to try it through a Bassic 1x15 or similar. (Some things apply to the other Greenie cabs.)

1. They're very efficient (good for low power) but not so efficient that they'd kill babies if you want tube break up.
2. They can easily take anything the head throws at them without farting/ melting.
3. They'd be lighter than the amp.
4. You can experiment with plugging one or both ports for tighter low end and again higher efficiency.
5. They are closer sonically to fridges than Fearless/ful cabs, with tighter lows and less extended highs, perfect for self-slotting in the mix. No need for subsonics.
6. Finally, IME, I get mic'd most shows and don't get three mics for woofer/mid/tweet :p
 
#659
JerryD said:
1. Can you tell a tone difference between the 100t and the Super Bassman with the same cabinets.

2. Also with the volume and tone set the same on both amps, is there a difference in noise or hiss between the amps.

Thanks
JerryD
Click to expand...

1. Thet saoud the same.
2. I don't notice any noise or hiss. Even the fan on my SB 300 is fairly quite, especually compared to the one in my Ampeg B2RE.

The 15 neo cabs have a bit of a grunt to them compared to the 6-10 neo, but are tight, articulate, and clear. The high-frequency drives on these cabs are terrific. You can really dial-in YOUR sound.
 
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