It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:44 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Project done! Pics posted! (Re:Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman)
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 10:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:25 am
Posts: 8
*Pictures now fixed and viewable*

Was gifted this beauty (!) but as a bassist it doesn't suit my needs, although all my Strat and Tele guitar playing friends love to jam on it (and drool over it). Pics below.

I know it is prized and used by many pro guitar players, so I've decided to sell it, but need some advice.

As background info before the questions...

-In addition to being modded to fit an original Fender FS-1001 Bandmaster tilt back stand here's what I have:
* 6G6-B circuit
* 2 original Tung Sol (USA) 6L6-GC power tubes
* 4 original RCA 7025 (date code MU = 1962) pre-amp tubes
* All original (and working) power transformers and pots
* The 6 electrolytic power supply caps (under the cover near the transformers) were changed 5 years ago (Ruby Gold Cap x 2, Sprague Atom x 4)
* The caps on the underside of the amp (tone, coupling, bypass, etc) have NOT been changed as far as I can tell
* The power cord has been changed to 3-prong grounded one and the ground switch (and "death cap") bypassed
* Original Oxford drivers (2 x 12) with all the original fiberglass insulation in the cab (removed for pics)

This amp sounds AMAZING... quiet, rich tone, all pots are clean/quiet and control the tone as they should, etc.

I'm looking for advice from the perspective of the buyer as I'm looking to get max $ and don't want to ruin a vintage amp by having an amp tech muck around with it too much.

My questions:
a) Is it better to change the old caps even if they are functional, sound great and visually inspect as good?
Or would it be more desirable to leave them alone for fear of changing the "originality" of the amp and sell it as is?

b) How much does the mod to fit the Bandmaster stand affect its value? (makes it easier to move but prevents using it in its original kickback/piggyback application)

Help me out!
I need your opinions on this as I have minimal experience with vintage Fender tube amps!
.....

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image


Last edited by BassDogDoc on Sat Oct 13, 2018 7:33 am, edited 4 times in total.

Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Help me with 1964 Blonde Bassman 6G6-B !
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 12:07 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:25 am
Posts: 8
Pics have now been added/fixed in original post.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help me with 1964 Blonde Bassman 6G6-B !
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 2:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
No pics visible.

:(

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help me with 1964 Blonde Bassman 6G6-B !
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:09 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Getting this error:

Image

Error (401)
It seems you don't belong here! Check out our Help Center and forums for help, or head back to home.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 11:25 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:25 am
Posts: 8
Okay, let's try this again... pics should be visible now in the original post.
Sheesh!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 11:38 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
Great portfolio of pics!

As for your specific questions:

I definitely would replace that electrolytic in the bias-supply circuit. A failure there could result in catastrophic damage.

The presence of the amp stand *may* be problematic for some and could possibly depreciate the value but I would leave it in situ and take the price hit (if it comes to that). Such contrivances can be removed, albeit with some restoration required, so it shouldn't be regarded as a permanent fixture. The missing speaker-enclosure logo could then be reattached in the conventional location.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 4:56 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Photos look fine, now!

Several resistors looked like they were changed (screen grid, in particular). Love the feedback/presence pot, on these era Fender amps. :)

Wonder why the tech didn't swap out the bias cap? 100mfd/100VDC Sprague Atom will do fine (WATCH the polarity of this cap).

Main filter caps looks years 2000-current version of both brands. Blue color of plastic cover and font style on the Sprague Atoms, definitely looks mid 2000 and newer. Should be good for many, many more years.

Good luck! Great find!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 5:39 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
BMW2002Ti wrote:
Several resistors looked like they were changed (screen grid, in particular).


+1

The cathode-bypass caps are modern equivalents as well.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:35 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Dec 12, 2013 2:54 pm
Posts: 618
BassDogDoc wrote:

Was gifted this beauty (!)


What an extremely nice gift!

BassDogDoc wrote:
The caps on the underside of the amp (tone, coupling, bypass, etc) have NOT been changed as far as I can tell

The components outlined in red have been replaced, IMO.
Image

Retroverbial wrote:
Great portfolio of pics!

I definitely would replace that electrolytic in the bias-supply circuit. A failure there could result in catastrophic damage.
Arjay


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:25 am
Posts: 8
vinyl wrote:
What an extremely nice gift!

I KNOW, right?
Wish I could use it myself, but I'll sell it to fund a vintage solid state bass amp resto-mod for myself.

vinyl wrote:
The components outlined in red have been replaced, IMO.

Thanks, vinyl, I needed that info!

Retroverbial wrote:
I definitely would replace that electrolytic in the bias-supply circuit. A failure there could result in catastrophic damage.
Arjay

Is that the old orange Mallory cap you're speaking of?
Sorry, not that familiar with tube amps so I'm aware of bias circuits but wouldn't recognize one if I saw it.

---
Also, I'm assuming the remaining blue "molded" caps are desirable for Fender purists, so leave those right?
One of those "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kinda things?

I was kinda thinking of taking it off the rack and replacing the missing handle with an original one (got my eye on one on eBay), and picking up some vintage feet and the thumbscrews to lock the piggyback on top.

Then I could sell the rack separately while appealing to the lovers of the "true" Bassman look for this set up.

2 more questions:
1) Should I try to find a vintage Fender logo (or maybe a new "remake" that matches the old style), or just leave it for the purchaser to do if desired?

2) I'm thinking I could get $1800-2000 for this from looking at comps on Reverb... fair price? More/less?

Thanks again for all the help?
.
.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 8:40 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
BassDogDoc wrote:
2) I'm thinking I could get $1800-2000 for this from looking at comps on Reverb... fair price? More/less?


Less.

It looks like the original tilt-back legs are missing and those are worth at least $100 or more if you can find a decent set that isn't bent and rusty. Vintage examples can be distinguished from contemporary parts by the "MADE IN USA" stamped on each one, plus a serial number formatted as "Mxxxxx" on one of them. Likewise, vintage thumbscrews are also pricey. If the original glides are missing from the bottom of the cab they'll need to be replaced -- do not use those that Fender now sells, they're too big in diameter and too tall (they look like stainless-steel bagels). A reproduction blackface logo will work fine on the speaker enclosure. Carefully inspect the grill cloth to locate the original mounting holes and use them.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 3:37 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:25 am
Posts: 8
Retroverbial wrote:
It looks like the original tilt-back legs are missing...

...vintage thumbscrews are also pricey. If the original glides are missing from the bottom of the cab they'll need to be replaced...

Arjay

Thankfully the original tilt back legs and stops are still on the cab as well as the original extendable glides under the head. I just need the top cab handle and bottom cab feet that were removed to allow rack mounting, and piggyback thumbscrews.

Anyone know if modern thumbscrews are threaded to fit properly if I can’t locate vintage ones?

“Bias circuit cap”... the old orange Mallory one pictured?

Thanks again for helping this tube amp noob out!
-Clint
.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 5:51 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2014 7:34 am
Posts: 245
BassDogDoc wrote:

2) I'm thinking I could get $1800-2000 for this from looking at comps on Reverb... fair price? More/less?



Reverb or eBay are not always accurate price guides. If you're dead set on selling it, come up with a price that works for you and let the buyer bring it to a tech or do their own servicing. That's the easiest way.

UN


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 7:22 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
“Bias circuit cap”... the old orange Mallory one pictured?

Yes, on separate circuit board, chassis side of the pilot lamp.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: *Pictures Now Fixed*...Help me w/'64 Blonde Bassman 6G6-
Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2018 8:01 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26415
Location: Tombstone Territory
Modern thumbscrews feature the same thread dimensions as the originals.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 24 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron