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Post subject: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 8:29 am
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Just got a '68 Bassman piggyback with 2x12 speaker cab, and found a repair tag inside the cab. As the tag states, one of the speakers had a tear in the cone that was repaired in '69. The repair didn't hold and I don't know if it's worth repairing/re-coning or should I just replace it/them, and if so, what speakers would you recommend. All recommendations welcome, as I am not opposed to using modern speakers. The cab measures approx 29" x 11.5" x 39-3/4" (it's huge!).

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:01 am
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Shimmi...recone the oxford since it appears they are the original speakers. But if it were me, I would go with a new set of Kendrick Blackframes or better yet a set of vintage Jensen C12N's. These were IMHO the best speakers they ever put into the 2x12 Bassmans. The tone from a bassman w/Jensens, being played with a Les Paul or 335 is a great sound!

By the way, nice "New" Rig.

T2

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:09 pm
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Nice pick-up. I've heard similar sized cabs with Celestion Vintage 30's. Very nice, Bluesy BIG tone.

Maybe try repairing the Oxford cone and see want the tone is. Go from there?

Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:06 pm
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Thanks for the suggestions guys. I should be more specific about the speakers and sound, because I really want a solid, clean tone, articulate with good definition and balance of frequencies, also with great highs, not too bright, not too much mid-range, not too much bass but good low-end. I don't want distortion from the speakers, but want speakers that will reproduce the tube distortion from the amp (if that makes any sense). :? Maybe the C12Ns are what I need? I see that they have C12Ns at CES (AES), are these any good, or do you mean older vintage ones?

I only heard these Oxfords briefly, at low volume several years ago (the last time this amp was used), and I don't remember them being anything remarkable, so I don't know what they really sound like, or what they will sound like when driven at higher volume, or with amp distortion or with a distortion pedal. I don't know if the Oxford sound is desirable, or if they are valuable enough to get the one re-coned. I like the idea of keeping the original speakers, and I might go ahead and get the one re-coned later, but am more concerned about great sound.

The amp has 3 RCA 7025 preamp tubes, a Telefunken 12AT7 PI tube, one Sylvania 5881, and some weird "Realistic Lifetime - Made in Korea" labeled 6L6GC. Amp and cab, $600....good deal?

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2012 10:50 pm
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Congrats on the "new" amp!

Forget the Oxfords, pick up these quickly!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fender-Jensen-C12NA-C12N-Pair-Speakers-1967-Original-Cones-8-Excellent-/140889292979?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20cda800b3

:mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 10:27 am
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shimmilou wrote:
The amp has 3 RCA 7025 preamp tubes, a Telefunken 12AT7 PI tube, one Sylvania 5881, and some weird "Realistic Lifetime - Made in Korea" labeled 6L6GC. Amp and cab, $600....good deal?


I believe it's Realistic Liefting. I have one in my SSR but Japanese made. My amp tech says it's a reasonably good tube. I would think the Korean one is probably a bit lower grade. I understand that the one I have came out of a CB Radio. Yes, the early ones were tubers.


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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:37 pm
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cedarblues wrote:



+10K :!: Those are the ones :!: :!: :!: Sorry Shimmy I should have clearified, I meant Vintage C12N's!

T2

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 7:00 pm
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OK, looks like the C12Ns for me! Is $400+ the going rate, or could I find them for less?

Runnerman wrote:
...I believe it's Realistic Liefting...


Well......maybe this is a cheap knockoff?

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:35 pm
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Shimmy...PM me about some Vintage Jensen C12N's...


T2

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:58 pm
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" weird "Realistic Lifetime - Made in Korea" labeled 6L6GC. "

These are truly made-in- (South) Korea tubes. Vintage is late 1960-mid 1970. There are a few Made in Korea guitar amps, in the same era. The guts look a lot like same era Shuagang made 6L6GC. I assume (I know, about "assume") --- its tone, power, and biasing properties is similar to the Shuagang.

http://www.audioasylum.com/cgi/vt.mpl?f=tubes&m=248022


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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 9:42 pm
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Hmmm...

It does have markings similar to the one in your link with the three digit number under the type. The spacers and construction also look the same. This one has a "halo" getter. I would be surprised if it matches up to the Sylvania, but I'll test them and see.

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2012 6:32 am
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Well there ya go. Very interesting on that tube.
Learning something new again today!


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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:21 am
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OK, I finally got the amp fixed-up, new caps, new tubes, new speakers and it sounds pretty sweet, and very quiet, only a slight hiss when really cranked. I couldn't find another pair of C12Ns, so I went with the V30s. The C12Ns on the eBay auction ended, no buyers and the seller didn't re-list them. I looked for awhile and got tired of waiting and went with the V30s.

I replaced all of the electrolytics (six power supply caps, bias cap, five bypass caps), and the cap between the output tube Cathodes, all were out of spec, some were far out. Also replaced the SGRs, and heater pull-down resistors with flame-proof.

After a lot of tube rolling, I found the best sound for my taste. GT 6L6 GE output tubes, 7 rating. Tung Sol reissue in V1, V2, V3, and a GT 12AT7 for V4 (PI).

A new pair of Celestion Vintage 30s in the cab.

The amp sounds pretty sweet, using a HR '62 (best sounding guitar with this amp). The Bass channel stays fairly clean up to nearly 10, just some slight breakup, more noticeable at max volume, and has a nice, tight, solid low-end with very chimey highs. The Normal channel has more gain and breaks up really smoothly at about 6 to 7, and gets a bit more grind when cranked. Of course, using hum-buckers I get a lot of early tube breakup which sounds nice and smooth. :D

All-in-all, I'm very pleased with the sound, but can't help wonder if I should convert it from the AC568 to an AB165 to get better clean. Any thoughts?

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:25 am
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Some pics.

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Post subject: Re: '68 Bassman Piggyback - 2x12 speakers (Oxfords)
Posted: Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:26 am
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Shiimilou - Buddy Roger is still in business in Cincy. :lol:

https://www.buddyrogers.com


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