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Post subject: Need Help Choosing
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:58 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:52 pm
Posts: 5
Ok so I am looking at buying a bassman amp. For my budget I've narrowed my search to these two amps:

1971 AB165 Silverface
http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-FENDER-71-B ... 2556a7bae5

Total cost w/shipping: 465

1979 Bassman 70
http://www.musicgoround.com/detail.aspx?id=839021

Total cost w/shipping: 440

So in the end the cost difference really isn't a factor. My question is which of these is the better amp?

or is there not enough info here?

my idea is that maybe i can rely on the stores word when they say its in good quality. especially vs somebody who says they dont know much about the amp.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 6:21 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:53 pm
Posts: 2252
Location: Harvard IL
Hi Ryan, Can't say I like the '71 Bassman amp. A '71 would be an AC568 , but even if it was an AB165 IMHO they are not the greatest guitar amp, in stock configuration. I have a '68 Bassman chassis in a custom 2X10 combo cab. It took a year and a half to eventually turn it into a sweet dynamic guitar amp, but I've been working on '60s amps for 20yrs, and knew I could coax the soul of Fullerton out of it. I have no experience with the Bassman70. If you really want a Bassman, I'd try looking in shops, so you can give it a test drive. ART

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2009 11:40 pm
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Joined: Tue Oct 06, 2009 3:52 pm
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thanks!


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 6:32 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
Well - looking at the ebay ad - the photo shows the circuit diagram and its an AB165 circuit.... so who knows. The issue that bothers me is the ebay seller is selling a lot of other musical equipment.... but claims "I am no expert". Also - "No Returns" is an issue.... so what happens if it doesn't work when you get it. :cry:

Looking at the Fender Field Guide - I think the AB165 circuit seems appropriate...... You need to reference a full guidebook to confirm. The AC568 was a very late circuit - the Fender Field guide lists the circuits in chronological order.

Also note the 1971 Bassman is averaging $381 - less than the average for all of the silverface bassman heads? Art is giving you the heads up from his experience about this particular amp. :wink: .

But to Art's real point - you really need to be able to play through these vintage amps. Other than your local shops, look on Craigslist in your area - there have been a number of blackface Bandmaster and Bassman heads here locally in the $400 range. You can review the amp in person and play through it. If it sounds great and you like the - who cares what mods - if any - were made.

BTW - take your guitar and your cords to play through the amp.

I personally have had very good success buying a couple of vintage Fender amps from craigslist.

I have found this article to be very helpful. 11 Things You Have to Know About Purchasing Vintage Amps


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