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Post subject: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:58 pm
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Funny story. I've been looking for a showman for awhile. I got contacted by a young man on Craig's List saying he had just come into a Bassman 135 head in good condition and wanted to know if I was interested. So I drove about an hour away to take a peek. Nice kid. Co-owns a record store and they have a stage set up for their band and other live entertainment in the warehouse area in back. Hooked the head up to a 4x10 and I gave it a short work out. Very nice amp. He was asking $200 for it but knocked it down to $150 without my asking when he saw me looking at a tear on one of the corners. I paid him and he told me that was the fastest $100 bucks he had ever made. He paid $50 at a yard sale. Big smile on his face...until I told him I could flip it for $400. He said darn it (fill in the real word) and pulled a pair of cold beers out of his fridge.

Now I can officially blow the windows out of my music room, once I find a nice 2x15 cab that is.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 1:38 pm
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Ha, good story. Nice when you find those little gems.

When I found my Squier Musicmaster on Craigslist I contacted the guy who was about 1 1/2 hour away from me. He was only asking $100 for it so couldn't pass it up. Turned out he was gonna be in my area over the weekend in a couple days so we set up a meeting time/place.

When I got there turned out he was someone I worked with almost 15 years before and he was the one that originally repainted my Fender Musicmaster for me, the one that's now in "crash" format. Also the one that was found in a barn.

Musicians have the best stories! Enjoy your new amp head.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2013 10:16 pm
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True find at that price. A no-brainer.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:36 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
True find at that price. A no-brainer.


+1

Looks like a previous owner diddled with the grill cloth on the valence panel.

Definitely worth a yard and a half though.

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2013 9:28 am
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Wrong forum :?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 1:56 pm
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Bassman 135's are cool amps.
You can drive a single 15 cab with that head and be plenty loud.

I have a showman that is great with bass, but I would love a bassman 135 to try out.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 3:04 am
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BCbassman wrote:
Bassman 135's are cool amps.
You can drive a single 15 cab with that head and be plenty loud.


This amp can be much louder if you add an extra 2x12 cab.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 11:04 am
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chromeface wrote:
BCbassman wrote:
Bassman 135's are cool amps.
You can drive a single 15 cab with that head and be plenty loud.


This amp can be much louder if you add an extra 2x12 cab.


Sounds better and louder with 2x15's.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 1:28 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
chromeface wrote:
BCbassman wrote:
Bassman 135's are cool amps.
You can drive a single 15 cab with that head and be plenty loud.


This amp can be much louder if you add an extra 2x12 cab.


Sounds better and louder with 2x15's.


I like that answer.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 10:09 pm
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Glen Matlock owned one in the 1970s.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:49 am
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If we start listing everyone who owned one in the 1970's this is going to be a VERY long thread. That is a very nice instrument in the photo. I'm thinking Pre-CBS probably and stock.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 4:50 pm
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I just wonder how many of the responders to this thread can even fit a Fender Bassman 2x15 cabinet in what they currently drive?

I am giving no argument that it would sound great! I just can't carry that much amp.

The bass in the picture looks like a Vintage reissue '62 Precision to my eye.

No holes for the bridge cover, the color of the tortoise shell pg and no finger rest, plus the overall look to that bass screams VRI to me.
PS- that photo is fairly recent.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:40 pm
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I used to put my showman 2 x 15 JBL in the trunk of my 66 SS. Wish I had both back, along with the jazz I used it for. I will hold out for a 2 x 15, but it will likely never leave my music room.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 9:22 am
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Your 66 SS- was it a Chevelle or an Impala?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 11:08 am
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Chevelle 396 x 375 Blue. Suicide on the floor. Two dual feeds. Fun stuff! Between that car, the band and raging hormones - it was great to be a kid.

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