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Post subject: Late 60's Bandmasters "breakup" Was it the 15 inch speakers?
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 7:50 am
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I played a late 60's silverface bandmaster with a 2x15 cab at GC. It did the clean cleans beautifully, and at moderate volumes and pick attack broke up really pleasingly. I tried to buy it on the spot but it was already taken and GC peeps hadn't rolled it out back yet.

So I bought same year head on Ebay, but it had mods (pre CBS blackface specs, ohm mod to accept 8 and 16 ohm speakers and a power cable added).

I am DELIGHTED with the amp...The only difference being is I can't get it to break up like the one in the store even at loud volumes. The headroom is insane.

So I'm thinking it's one of two things:

1: The mod made the difference
2: The 15 inch speakers caused the breakup

I'm using it with a 2x12 with a blackback and a celestion gold. Is that a known characteristic with the 15's? Are they pretty syrupy compared to the average 12 incher? (sic)

I'm really happy with it, and it's a keeper, but now I'm thinking do I need a 2x15 in my life? haha. And if so, what are the desirable specific speakers that breakup?


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Post subject: Re: Late 60's Bandmasters "breakup" Was it the 15 inch speak
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 10:48 am
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
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Break up is many things;

Tubes ( all )
Output tubes Bias
Speaker specs, not only size


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Post subject: Re: Late 60's Bandmasters "breakup" Was it the 15 inch speak
Posted: Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:28 am
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So true, output tubes can be purchased for earlier break up, bias can be adjusted hotter for earlier breakup, and you could try pulling V1 which will help with earlier break up as well. Do you remember what type of guitar you were using at GC? Maybe it was loaded with hot pickups which contributed to earlier breakup. As well the speaker may have been rated for earlier breakup/lower wattage, etc.
I too have a bandmaster, '68, and it remains super clean up to about 6 or 7 on the volume dial. But when I pull v1 and adjust the bias hotter I can get it to break up sooner. Dialing in your amp to accommodate your taste is simple and fun when you have a good grasp of what needs to be done and what can be done. You can also try swapping v2 for a higher gain preamp tube which will help as well.
Congrats on your amp and enjoy the journey.

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Post subject: Re: Late 60's Bandmasters "breakup" Was it the 15 inch speak
Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2014 2:51 am
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socal323 wrote:
So true, output tubes can be purchased for earlier break up, bias can be adjusted hotter for earlier breakup, and you could try pulling V1 which will help with earlier break up as well. Do you remember what type of guitar you were using at GC? Maybe it was loaded with hot pickups which contributed to earlier breakup. As well the speaker may have been rated for earlier breakup/lower wattage, etc.
I too have a bandmaster, '68, and it remains super clean up to about 6 or 7 on the volume dial. But when I pull v1 and adjust the bias hotter I can get it to break up sooner. Dialing in your amp to accommodate your taste is simple and fun when you have a good grasp of what needs to be done and what can be done. You can also try swapping v2 for a higher gain preamp tube which will help as well.
Congrats on your amp and enjoy the journey.


Agree on all points, especially pulling V1 for earlier breakup in the normal channel. I would add that channel jumping can give some great breakup too. My '68 Bassman stays clean to at least 7 also, unless I pull V1 or channel jump, and/or use hum-buckers. I selected the output tubes for clean headroom, high rated GT GEs.

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