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Post subject: 1979 BlackFace Fender MusicMaster Bass Amp
Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:16 pm
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I could get a 1979 BlackFace MusicMaster Bass for 300-350 dollars. Are the 1979 worth it do they sound as good or should i get a early to mid 70's one?


Last edited by jjkelly84 on Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:11 pm
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JJ, do you mean the Musicmaster Bass amp(CFA7010) ? If so, in good working condition the price seems OK. As far as I know , there was only one circuit design for that amp, so the newer the better. I would be looking for one with the lowest hours possible. The transformers are my main concern. Will you be playing bass or guitar through this amp ? Art

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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:19 pm
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I will be playing guitar. What is that number you put behind it. Yea sorry I might buy the 1979 MusicMaster Bass amp Black Face it looks like it is in great condition all original parts . Sorry for the confusion.


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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:32 pm
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The amp was designed for use with a bass guitar, lower input impedance. CFA7010 is the circuit design number. You do know that this was an experimental design, right ? The huge 400 PS Bass and 300 PS Bass were the following members of the family to use this design. These amps don't have alot in common with the other Fender amps of the time. IMO these are kind of elite amps. Art

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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 6:41 pm
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what do you mean by experimental design. yes i do know it is a bass amp. some people told me that it is a small tone monster for guitar but sucked for bass. do you think i should pick it up is it worth it?


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Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:26 pm
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What I mean, JJ, is that it was a design that broke away from the standard Fender amp formula. IMO It's kind of a high zoot design effort. I'm not saying that it is bad, on the contrary. Actually, it has some really neat features; transformer coupled phase inverter, cathode biased 6V6 power tubes, a low impedance grid leak input, and a straight forward single channel pre amp with a minimum amount of tone shaping paraphernalia. I like this amp and have considered getting one, myself. Although, my experience is only theoretical. I've never played one of these amps. But everything about it, seems to add up to a nice amp. Art

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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 12:00 am
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thanks for the good info. do you think the black face ones have the same circuitry as the earlier silver face models. it says in 1980-82 they switched to blackface cosmetics i wonder if the insides changed. i cant find the info anywhere i would think not but fender has done some weird things before.


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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 1:12 am
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This amp remained substantially unchanged during its entire production run. However the first permutation of this amp used 6AQ5's in the output stage rather than the 6V6GT's of the later versions. Blackface cosmetics were introduced late in this model's life but the circuit remained the same. This amp would be an ideal candidate for a porch weasel, requiring only a more articulate speaker than the OEM CTS alnico that was usually installed. For vintage warmth I'd recommend a Weber 12A125 -- for modern tones and higher efficiency, an Eminence Swamp Thang.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:22 am
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awesome. i it has the 6v6s in it. which are better? i think i will pick up that amp. thanks for the outstanding info.


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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 9:05 am
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The 6V6's will yield more of the traditional Fender tone and offer additional clean headroom.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 10:44 am
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thanks for all the replys and the great help.


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