The Fender (Ultra Linear) Bassman 70 is not a bad amp at all!!
2 6L6 power tubes, 70 watts (thought 6L6 was a 25 watt tube? anyways..) ,
2 channels bass and normal (both channels can be jumpered for another sound)
,
2 inputs per channel, bass deep switch and bright switch, master volume for both channels,
volume, treble and bass controls (no mid) on each channel , line-out (both channels can be jumpered for another sound)
Ok, I am still "new" to amps and guitars. I wanted a "real tube" base sound of "clean" to build on.
I set my goal to 300.00- 400.00 usa dollars. Either new or used did not matter much.
Nothing fancy, didn't need any effects because I already have them.
Knowing fender amps as clean I focused on them. There it was .. Bassman the Clean of fender!
Then I started reading, In most threads "they" say it "has to be" this certain older bassman or else you get garbage.
I kept searching out threads on bassman's when I seen such a difference in prices on old 'blackface" bassmans and newer "silverface" bassmans.
The old Backface is hard to get under $500.00, I have watched on e-bay.. you might get one torn up for less...
or one that hums etc.. but on the average its going for $500.00.
On the other hand, I am no collector.. or keeper of anything. The Silverface bassman goes from $250 (beatup or needing caps) to $400.00.. right in my price range.
Never hearing one, I started searching why these are such "bad" amps.. and from what I can tell there is a number of reasons compared to the old blackface.
1)CBS made them.. thats the biggest complaint. (and their point? most are made in china now)
2)After the old fender stock ran out (first year or two of Silverface amps) the circuit was changed along with parts. people claim to cheaper parts (cheaper then the chinesse parts these days?)
3)Bias went to Hum balance circuit to just cancel hum but not actually Bias the tubes "properly?"
4) Solid State and Ultra Linear was used for transformer. (aint most Solid State now?)
Well, I had my data... but how bad does this really make these amps, sound wise, for someone that didn't hear or knew they heard old blackface amps and just wanted a clean channel to build on?
I searched further.. Bassman70 and Bassman135 both had more power, but with the dreaded UltraLinear transformers.. these must really sound like crap!
Time passes.. I keep searching.. and start to run up on some sites that actually think the silverface is the deal.
In fact some say the newer (silverface) ones did one thing better..
they had cleaner "clean" fender sound! (sterile? not to me) even with those dreaded Ultra Linear Transformers!
plus more headroom! sonofa gun! thats what I wanted.
It also seemed in most threads that those that down the silverface amps have never actually played through one..duh!!
So I started looking for "new" amps with the features of the Bassman70 or 135 and that price range with being tube drive..
not out there.. nothing seemed even close to what an old silverface has in this price range...
I had to bite..
I found a Bassman70 Head in pretty darn good shape with manual and schematic.
When it arrived, I really didnt expect much from it. I mean it's a "Silverface" after all and it uses that dreaded "Ultra Linear" transformer!!
To top that off.. the bias setting isn't there.. I only get hum canceling and balance..
Time to hear it hum, hiss and sound like crap... turn it on..
my goodness.. I don't hear a thing.. oh wait..
it has to warm up...
hmmm..still silence.. hit strings..and it rings out.. wooohooo..
so much for the worries of caps and Hum canceling.. its a winner so far.. but how does it sound to these ears?
Not knowing what a true "blackface" amp sounds like ... it sounds fantastic!! Pure Fender!!
Compared to anything "fender" that I "owned" , it blows away the Cyber-Champ I had!!
I am able to feel the power and tubes come thru my little 2x12 cab!
All I wanted was a "clean" Fender sound with some power.. and I got that in spades!!
Let me note here, even with the Ultra Linear Transformers.. The CBS as owners.. SilverFace..
And bad rap these amps get.. I don't care!!
You are not going to find a 70 watt head with 6l6 tubes and the fender label and sound any place for $300.00-$400.00!
except on e-bay and one of these amps!
Also, if you must have the blackface circuit and the older Bias circuit..
there is a ton of mods out there you can do to these amps and make them "blackface" later if you really really think that is needed after you "hear" these amps!
Added feature... the Bassman70 has a line out to record with and it works, but does not silence the speakers with master down..sigh..
still need a dummy load for that part.. not bad for $329.00 for mine.
Before anyone wants to tell me what garbage these are..
make sure you actually played one..
make sure it's not just the hype you have "heard" that these suck eggs..
because I am more then pleased with the "SilverFace" compared to what I would have to pay for a new amp that might sound like a fender clean amp.
And make sure you mean the "clean" sound, I didn't/don't want my tubes to distort.. using the master control you get the tube feel as it goes up but no breakup if that makes sense?
I want my pedals to distort them...thats why I bought them.
For anyone wondering if a SilverFace is worth the money..
hey, I like it, I like it alot..
and if you understand this is fender clean with headroom.. no distortion.. (use pedals for that) then go for it..
if nothing else, you put it back on e-bay and have had the experience of what they really sound like!
Hmm.. whats the clean fender sound to me.. the closest thing I can think of at the moment..
Country clean.. You all have heard it... you might not like it or your taste in music.. but you heard it.. and this amp delivers that big time..
then add in the pedals and I am grin'n like a possum in a garbage dump! ude: : : ude:
Some links of interest on Silverface good or bad you decide:
Fender Bassman --- Bassman 70
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