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Post subject: Vintage Bassman 135
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 9:00 am
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I really like the warm tube tone that you can only get from a vintage Bassman 100, 135 or Super Bassman from the late 70's and earley 80's. So I'm on a mission to find a Bassman 135 to buy. I recently picked up a 1978 2x15 cabinet in great shape and want the head to go with it.
I've constantly been on ebay and craigslist and see a lot of vintage Bassman, Bassman 50 and Bassman 70 tube heads but I don't think that they will be enough power for the sound I want to get. I think that they will sound great at low and mid volume but I play bass in a three piece band and need to keep up with a heavy handed drummer and very loud lead guitar. I'm afraid that the Bassman 50 and 70 series will need to be driven too hard and loose the sweet warm fat tone I want. So I think that the Bassman 100 or 135 will be better for me.
I have never played one of these amps...only newer solid state stuff and they work okay for me. But from what I have heard from other bass players that I know that these old all tube Fender amps are just what I'm looking for. Anyboby have an opinion or suggestion? Should I be looking a new amp that can be had for what I will need to pay for the old Fender? Can I get the sound that I'm looking for in a non tube amp? Should I be saving up for a brand new Fender PRO300 all tube amp?
Does anyone know where I should look to purchase one of these vintage amps? As I said I've been looking on ebay and craigslist already. Isn't there shops that specialize in vintage gear like this?
Any info on this subject is appreciated.


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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:05 pm
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Go here.......... http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-FENDER-BASS ... 45f01add91 They go from about 400.00 to 475.00...... 8) Mike

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Last edited by cherokee747 on Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:11 pm
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And here...... http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... n+135/10/1 Hope this helps....... 8) Mike

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Post subject: Thanks for the info
Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:46 pm
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I appreciate the help. I hope to win that ebay auction and finally own the amp.


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Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 4:38 am
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Personally I find the Bassman 135 suitable for punky bass playing.

I saw Glen Matlock using a Bassman 100 during his early Pistols days in the mid '70s.

The Bassman 135 has all the cool features of the 100 plus the added versatility of the extra midrange control pot on the Bass channel and 135W RMS.

I didn't care much for the light blue labels of the control plate. A replacement faceplate with bright red labels is much suitable for a mid-to-late 70's silverface Bassman 135 with the odd-looking orange sparkle grillcloth and the matching jewel pilot light.

Unfortunately, CBS offered the red label faceplate ONLY on the Bronco student amplifier of 1967 and not on the other silverface models.


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Post subject: did you get a bassman 135...
Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 7:30 am
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i have a basman 135 w/4x12 cab .....see many stages...a bit worn ......but still works....needs some love and tubes....in storage now.....briandmoore1@yahoo.com]


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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 8:39 am
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chromeface wrote:
Personally I find the Bassman 135 suitable for punky bass playing.


I'd like to see some pics of your bass and bass rig.

Arjay

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 5:38 pm
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I'LL PUT SOME UP....SOON...


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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 7:38 pm
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Welcome to the forum Brian ! Yeah that OP was pretty much back there, 2009. Did you use the 135 for playing bass ? How'd that work out ? Art

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:26 pm
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i played the 135 on stage several times a week for years......i really love this head, but the cab......honestly sucks for bass....of course this is my opinion.....i played rock/alternative.......the guitar players constantly tried to buy it......NO SALE.....i needed it then...lol.......i bought it from another bass player(retired).....he pulled it out of his storage building when i picked it up........that was around 1997........now i've had it in storage for the last 8yrs...i've ordered a new bass it will be here tomorrow.....can;t wait.........it's x-mas eve....lol.........oh...i ran a processor on that head too.....it is interesting ...........natural distortions with electronic effects....crazy;.......fun.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 12:32 pm
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i just found out it is a 1978.


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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2010 9:45 pm
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Hey man, if you haven't fired up the 135 yet, I'd take it up slowly on a variac or use a current limiting method to reform the caps. If you can do it great, otherwise the tech charge shouldn't be much. It's well worth the time and money. Just a suggestion. Art

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:34 am
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ha...thanks.....i'll try to take it easy..........but there r no guarantees... :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 3:38 pm
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hi, I have a bassman 135 head for sale. I own a music store in Minnesota and can guarantee the condition is great. it will be going up on eBay soon, I will post the link as well .


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Post subject: Re: Vintage Bassman 135
Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2012 4:23 pm
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Sales of any kind are prohibited on this forum and your post has been flagged for removal.

Arjay

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