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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:10 am
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I have some honest comments/questions, not meaning to be rude or snarky at all. This is the first I've heard from an actual owner of one of these Bassbreakers. I understand this is a recently purchased new amp from Musician's Friend and it is also new to the Fender lineup. I haven't heard much about these other than the advertisements and this thread. Unless this amp is faulty, could it be that the very nature of this amp is what you described here (trebly, fizzy etc). What is it supposed to sound like? Why should any fix be necessary on a brand new amp? If it is what it is and you don't like it, why not send it back for a refund while there's still the opportunity? Also, if it's faulty, send it back for an exchange. That's a hassle I know, but it seems better than spending more money trying to "fix" it, still not sounding right after fixes and possibly voiding the warranty. I wish you the best.


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 11:36 am
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LawFlow wrote:
Why should any fix be necessary on a brand new amp?


The $64,000 question.

FMIC has the answer but I doubt they're willing to disclose it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 12:39 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
I have some honest comments/questions, not meaning to be rude or snarky at all. This is the first I've heard from an actual owner of one of these Bassbreakers. I understand this is a recently purchased new amp from Musician's Friend and it is also new to the Fender lineup. I haven't heard much about these other than the advertisements and this thread. Unless this amp is faulty, could it be that the very nature of this amp is what you described here (trebly, fizzy etc). What is it supposed to sound like? Why should any fix be necessary on a brand new amp? If it is what it is and you don't like it, why not send it back for a refund while there's still the opportunity? Also, if it's faulty, send it back for an exchange. That's a hassle I know, but it seems better than spending more money trying to "fix" it, still not sounding right after fixes and possibly voiding the warranty. I wish you the best.


I'm entertaining the thought that something could have happened in transit that could have damaged the amp. I took a chance buying a new amp that had zero reviews. So rather than just returning it I'm exploring he possibility that something isn't functioning properly, as I have never played an amp that has responded this poorly to overdrive pedals and my main guitar. It could be that the amp is not a good fit for my needs. I was hoping someone else in a Fender forum would have purchased the same amp and could offer some insight, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Edit: I don't want to give up on this amp too prematurely either. On paper it sounds like a good fit. 2x12", 30 watts, no reverb, not super heavy. I am just finding it unusual to play with the treble on 0.


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 1:55 pm
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SmallPlanes wrote:
[ On paper it sounds like a good fit. 2x12", 30 watts, no reverb, not super heavy. I am just finding it unusual to play with the treble on 0.



But it look it is not the sound you like :(

If you can return amp back and you are not a amp tech , don't loose you money and time , return amp for a refund .

An next time try the amp before ........


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:24 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
An next time try the amp before ........


+1

A pig in a poke seldom pans out.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:51 pm
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SmallPlanes,

Any other comments or review of the amp?
How is the Bass response? Good low end Bass,,,, chug chug
How does the two-spk semi-open back cabinet sound?

Did you consider the EL34 45 watt model?
Maybe that amp would sound different, - more power, different tubes, different controls.
(Not much more money at this point).


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 1:26 am
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The more I read the more these seem like a Marshall amp with a Fender badge. And I think it is that which is causing the aural confusion.

If you wanted a Marshall amp I assume you would have bought one. From your comments you really want a Fender amp, which this isn't (badge on the front aside).

Best bet is return the amp while you still can as I don't think it is going to get you to where you want to be.

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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 8:24 am
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John Sims wrote:
The more I read the more these seem like a Marshall amp with a Fender badge. And I think it is that which is causing the aural confusion.

If you wanted a Marshall amp I assume you would have bought one. From your comments you really want a Fender amp, which this isn't (badge on the front aside).

Best bet is return the amp while you still can as I don't think it is going to get you to where you want to be.


Confused, too. I don't think any of the original/vintage British amp makers have delved into the world of Fender tones. At least, not using 6L6GC tubes. It would be interesting to see the schematic of the 18/30 Bassbreaker. My bet is the topology is similar to the Vox AC30.


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:28 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
It would be interesting to see the schematic of the 18/30 Bassbreaker. My bet is the topology is similar to the Vox AC30.



I e- mail to Fender support few days ago and ask them to send me schematic . I will report


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 6:46 pm
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There's a review by Sweetwater for this amp (18/30) as well as the others in the Bassbreaker series. It's dated 12/10/16. I viewed it and the dude opens with the clean channel and a strat. Very twangy sound. His settings (I assume) were bass 1:00 o'clock, mid 10:00, and treb 9:00 or the 1st setting (no numbers and that would be low treble). He ends with an awful (to my ears) "fuzz" sound. It didn't show the settings for that. Check it out. It sure seems to back up your description. This is no Deluxe as the pitchman proclaimed nor is it the classic fender "clean" as he also proclaimed. I wouldn't want it. But then, I have a Twin Reverb RI ($400 more and worth it, after you change out half the tubes). However, view it and it should at least give you a comparison to see if your amp is faulty.

In addition - I just noticed Guitar Center has reviews as well (YouTube). I just listened a little and it's a better review with better sound on the 18/30. Hard to say. The opening of the 45W review showed some possibilities and it's just $150 more. I think it's only 1 channel, but I really don't know because I just listened to intro. Good luck.


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Sat Dec 19, 2015 9:32 pm
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Commercial youtube videos are worth precisely DICK.

Those who produce them have only one objective, and that is to convince you to buy something (whether you need it or not). Hence they'll be processed and massaged so that the product they're hawking will be demonstrated in the best possible light. The reality is often significantly different. If an honest assessment is needed, the only way to get it is to personally demo the product.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 1:22 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Commercial youtube videos are worth precisely DICK.

Those who produce them have only one objective, and that is to convince you to buy something (whether you need it or not). Hence they'll be processed and massaged so that the product they're hawking will be demonstrated in the best possible light...
Arjay


Very true. They can be informative with regard to the configuration of controls, features etc. but they never say "BUT"

"....is very nice but an xxxxx is better..."

or

"...for the money you could also get an XXXXX which has a better......."

or

".....while it offers exception head room, if you try to push it to break up it sounds like crap...."

or

"....we tried 12 different guitars with this amp before we found this one which makes it sound half good..."

or

"...the sound you are hearing from your pathetic lap top speakers has been digitised, manipulated, compressed and cut around so extensively that it bears next to no relation to that of the steaming piece of junk we have sitting in the corner..."

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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2015 2:10 am
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John Sims wrote:
"...the sound you are hearing from your pathetic lap top speakers has been digitised, manipulated, compressed and cut around so extensively that it bears next to no relation to that of the steaming piece of junk we have sitting in the corner..."


Precisely, John.

Informationally, they are useful (as you cite). But they're worthless when it comes to judging sonic performance, just as with videos that feature comparisons of speakers, pickups, stompboxes, or any other audio product.

Arjay

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"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


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Post subject: Re: Bassbreaker 18/30 question
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:06 am
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That ad is incorrect about the basics. It says 4 EL84s. Fender specs 6 EL84s.
The Vox chimey tone does not come from bias. It comes from extremely high frequency response, >35KHz. Yes, that channel will be bright.
The ad promotes class A performance, Fenders ad doesn't mention it. Just more BS from a copywriter trying to sell an amp. Why do they think they have to lie like that?

Most EL84 amps don't have adjustable bias. Its a touchy adjustment to get enough, but not too much bias. The factories set them up with a hot bias and select the right gain tubes to get an agressive tone out of the power stage.
I hate to recommend GT, but from a musician's view, its the safest bet to just get the same range as you took out. Other brands probably need to spec low gain power tubes. Used NOS tubes are likely to be much too hot to bias safely.


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