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Post subject: 59 Bassman Reissue model year????
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 11:59 am
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I'm new to tube amps, am looking to re-tube a bassman I got real cheap. A friend of mine picked it up from an estate sale for $200 bucks and sold it to me for the same price. It is in great shape but I have no idea how old the tubes are. They are all factory spec tubes, but who knows... So, a few questions....

1) The back plate reads "59 Bassman", small lettering, unlike some of the LTD amps where the lettering is quite large. On the circuit board it reads, "1990 Fender Corporation Inc...." I find no mention of the LTD logo. Also, I was told on the circuit board there would be an obvious blue pot with a screw in the middle, an adjustable bias. I do not see this. Speaking to a guy at a tube company, he said its an original reissue, self-biasing. My only worry with this is the amp has Jenson speakers and not the Blue eminence speakers. I thought the original reissues only had the eminence speakers? I guess the speakers could of been swapped, but everything in this amp looks pristine, and un-touched. Also, the handle is NOT the leather handle I hear about on most original reissues. Ideas?

2) Weird problem. Seems like when I play the amp sometimes my tone changes. When I turn it on and let it warm up, all is fine. Great full-tone, warm, beautiful. Then place the amp in standby, come back within ten minutes and the amp becomes real bright. Like the warmth is gone and the bass/treble needs to be adjusted. No level change, just overall tone. Place in standby again, come back in ten minutes, sound is muddy. The tube company I spoke to said that doesn't sound like a tube problem, but he said he could be wrong. Any ideas?

I ask because I bought new tubes. If it is self-biasing I can plug-n-play, if not, I want to get it done right! Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: 59 Bassman Reissue model year????
Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 2:32 pm
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Yes, the amp is an original Reissue made in the 90s.

No, it does not have a bias adjustment pot.

No, it is not "self biasing" (that term is usually applied to cathode biased amps). It is fixed bias. If you bought the same grade tubes from the same manufacturer that are in it, you should be OK.

The handle should be a plastic dog bone I believe.

It may need to have the power supply filter caps replaced.

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Post subject: Re: 59 Bassman Reissue model year????
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 12:32 pm
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Thank you Bill, I appreciate the info.

I actually meant "fixed bias" not "self-biasing", sorry about that. The tubes in it are 5AR4, 2 - GT6L6S, and 3- 12AX7. After directly speaking with someone I was told I could just "plug-n-play" since it was an original Bassman RI. The tubes going in are a GZ34, 2 - JJ6L6, and 3 - EC833s. Being it is "fixed-bias" will I be ok? I know the JJ6L6 have a lower output, I just don't want to damage the amp.

Thanks again....

Chris


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Post subject: Re: 59 Bassman Reissue model year????
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:21 pm
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csharve wrote:
Thank you Bill, I appreciate the info.

I actually meant "fixed bias" not "self-biasing", sorry about that. The tubes in it are 5AR4, 2 - GT6L6S, and 3- 12AX7. After directly speaking with someone I was told I could just "plug-n-play" since it was an original Bassman RI. The tubes going in are a GZ34, 2 - JJ6L6, and 3 - EC833s. Being it is "fixed-bias" will I be ok? I know the JJ6L6 have a lower output, I just don't want to damage the amp.

Thanks again....

Chris


The JJs are 6L6GCs. They are 30 watt tubes. They are not lower output. Groove tube 6L6Ss could be anything. Depending on where you bought them, the seller should have asked you what the JJ 6L6GCs are going into and if you told them a non-adjustible fixed bias 59 Bassman Reissue, they should have given you the correct tubes for you amp. But there is enough tolerance and adjustment range in the bias setting that you should be fine, if not optimum. I have my Weber 5F6A clone biased right at 70% max plate dissipation and love the sound. My Blues Deluxe Reissue is biased at about 55% max plate dissipation and sounds great. Both use JJ 6L6GCs and JJ ECC83S in the voltage amp and PI. I also use a NOS JAN 12AY7 in the first preamp position in both amps. Put one in your amp and you will get real close to nailing the old Bassman tone.

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