It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:37 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 1:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2011 6:30 pm
Posts: 16
I have been presented with either a fender bassman or tremolux head amp. neither of them have matching cabinets. i know the bassman is 50 watts and the term is 35. i do like to crank it up for the blues and such. what do you think would be better. the term is all original but has a scratchy volume pot while the bassman sounds clean and had a recent cap job, but only a few were replaced. which one should i pick 64 term or the 65' bassman. give me some ideas. i play mainly blues, all man brothers, eric clapton, albert king, freddie king, rory gallagher music the good stuff.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:14 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Either would deliver the tone you seem to seek.

The Bassman will go a skosh louder before compression and overdrive occur.

I belive I'd grab whichever one was in better cosmetic shape (less for me to have to restore).

I'm certain this opinion is absolutely of no help to you.

:mrgreen:

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: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:16 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
In terms of loudness, I don't think you'll hear too much difference between 50 watts and 35 watts. Really both run dual 6L6GC's, with the biggest difference --- being the Bassman during that era, ran stiffer solid-state rectification. And the Tremolux ran GZ34. Loudness of the two units can easily be altered by the use of efficient speakers in the cab.

Of course, the Tremolux has that tremolo circuit. The Bassman has the BASS input.

Do you really think you are going to use the BASS input of that Bassman, as it uses one 12AX7 for that circuit? Which maybe wasted if it's never used. This "extra" 12AX7 goes into the tremolo/vibrato section of the Tremolux.

I think with a good GZ34 and a good cab, I'd go for the Tremolux. Esp if you are thinking old school R&R and Blues. JMO.

http://ampwares.com/schematics/tremolux_aa763.pdf

http://ampwares.com/schematics/bassman_aa864.pdf


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:26 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
If the Bassman is a '65 model, likely it will be the AB165 revision -- a big difference between the AA864 circuit, primarily in the "bass instrument" channel and the method of biasing.

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: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 6:07 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
Go with the Tremolux...there is something great that happens with an amp that has a recitifier tube...that mix between the power amp tubes, that Rectifier, and then speakers can be magical...IMHO.

The Tremolux is one of those amps on my personal bucket list.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 7:32 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
T2Stratman wrote:
The Tremolux is one of those amps on my personal bucket list.


I had a solid lead on a '65 T'lux but it was a cosmetic turd mated with a Silvertone Twin Twelve cab and the seller wanted the equivalent of a Krugerrand for the set.

:(

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: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:36 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
Retroverbial wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
The Tremolux is one of those amps on my personal bucket list.


I had a solid lead on a '65 T'lux but it was a cosmetic turd mated with a Silvertone Twin Twelve cab and the seller wanted the equivalent of a Krugerrand for the set.

:(

Arjay


That sounds like my luck...wouldn't mind one needing a bit of refurb as long as the guts were good...don't need a cab for it, have that 66 Bassman Cab...speaking of that does the Tremolux run @ 8ohms?

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: 1965 Fender Bassman or 1964 Fender Tremolux
Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:52 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Some early blonde/brownface T'Luxes ran at 8Ω (those that originally shipped with the 1 x 10 or 1 x 12 tone-ring enclosures). The blonde 2 x 10 and all AA763 blackfaces were wired for 4Ω.

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  [ 8 posts ] 

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: