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Post subject: Blackface Bassman 135
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:42 pm
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Location: Between Philly and Pittsburgh
I've just acquired a Bassman 135 blackface. Serial number indicates it's a 1981. I've acquired it from the original owner whose had it parked in his closet practically since 1982. Except for minor surface rust on the transformers and jack nuts on the faceplate, this amp is in cherry condition. I have the original QC tag that was attached to the handle when he bought it. It still has the original tubes, and surprisingly, the pots are not even scratchy. In a SBS comparison to a '69 100 silverface head that has been serviced regularly, it sounds fantastic with a US P Bass.

I hear pretty much negative stuff about the amps with the ultra linear transformers, especially from the guitar players. I haven't been able to find much info on this amp on the net. I figure it's either a million $$ winner or a Million $$ loser. Any info on it would be appreciated.

What's this thing worth?

Should I leave it alone and stash it or re-tube and re-cap it?


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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 12:15 am
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Hey Bluz, the ultra linear output transformer is a hi-fi design and should be great for straight ahead bass work. Sorry you missed the window on reforming the caps, this would have been the perfect candidate. Oh well, the tubes should be just fine. Maybe pull the tubes and use some contact cleaner then some preservative. If you're going to use the amp, the electrolytic caps will have to be checked for leakage. If it's going to be stored away for six months or more, I'd try to reform the caps before turning the amp on. As far as the market value, there are folks here that know the ropes on that question. ART

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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:19 am
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Thanks ART, I appreciate the answer.

When you say reform the caps, do you mean replace, or something else? As you can tell, I'm new to this forum, but I've been around since the days of tubes, and in my earlier years, used to help my father repair tube TVs. I am well aware that there are little tricks with these amps and there are folks out there live Fender tube amps. In a way, I hate to just stash it away. My philosophy is that something this sweet (even though it was never serviced in any way) is meant to be heard. I currently use a bassman 100 for studio and practice and an SWR SM400S for gigging, but have a few too many amps around. I did want to get some input about servicing it before I use it regularly. If I am correct, the 135 has that "death cap" in it, and the original owner cut the the third prong off of the plug, so that issue needs to be taken care of. Even once that is repaired, I will still use my wire that I alligator clip from the amp chassis to somewhere in the building I'm in. Just call me "zapped one too many times."

I did want to post this in the bass section, but made the newbie error of putting it in the guitar section, so please don't be offended if I post the original in the bass amp section.

Bob


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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:15 am
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Congrats on your purchase! Here's a little more info on your amp:
http://ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=29

I agree that first thing to do would be to get a proper 3 prong AC cord and get it properly wired into the amp, bypassing any "death cap" or ground switch if they're connected.

As for the slight rust on the transformer - don't worry about it and definitely don't try to sand it off. This is from a Music Man amp site

Transformer laminations are coated before assembly to prevent electrical conductivity through the core. The role of the laminations in transformer operation is intended to be purely magnetic in nature. If rust gets past the coating it can cause electrical conductivity along the surface of the effected laminations and promotes "eddy-currents" which lower the magnetic efficiency of the transformer causing increased core temperatures and current losses. At worst, such a transformer will not work at all and may cause the amp to blow primary AC fuses.

If you encounter light rust on an otherwise working transformer DO NOT attempt to clean it off! You will only make things worse if you attempt to wire-brush or apply cleaning solvent. The best thing you can do is to either leave it alone or apply a coat of paint or sealer to prevent further rust. Avoid bumping or abrading the rusted laminations as well. Simply avoiding an amp with such a transformer might be the best idea.



What cabinet will you run it into for bass?

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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:21 am
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Thanks for the link and the info nedorama.

Fortunately I know not to mess with the transformers concerning rust. I had it plugged in for about 1/2 hour and ran it through an Avatar 4 x 10, and also a BXR 100 combo cab (minus the amp) with an upgraded Eminence 15". It definitely sounded better through the 15". That Avatar and BXR cab are my working rig that I normally have paired up with my SWR SM400S.

Once I have the caps changed in this 135, I want to try out some 2 x 15 cabs (other than bassman). It seems that my Bassman 100 sounds best through the 2 x 15 config, and I have used that set up for smaller gigs. It was a borrowed no name cab with 2 - 15" EVs in it. It must have sounded good because the Ampegheads came up and check out what they first called my sh** set up. They were laughing when I brought it in, but I was smiling ear to ear when I left.

I'm certainly open to suggestions as far as what cabs to try.

"Sure, the guy with the expensive gear and the great tone is cool, but the guy with the junky gear and the great tone is awesome."


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Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 5:17 pm
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Yeah Bob, I was talking about bringing up the voltage and current slowly on the electrolytic caps. ART

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