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Post subject: Could you modify a '59 bassman to make it a bass amp???
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:27 am
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I've played through a '59 Bassman at a local store and found that it broke up to quickly. I dig the look of it and want to know if it could be modified to make it a bass amp.

What would happen if the speakers were switched for bass speakers instead of the guitar voicing?

What would happen if the back was closed up with a modified piece of wood and left a couple of ports on the back?

Here's another thought- what if a guy had two (2) '59 Bassman's and ran them side by side?

Anyone?

Brother Dave, your thoughts please!

Thanks,

Jim

Bass player for The Moonrays (search Facebook & join us!)[/i]


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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:26 pm
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Yes, you could simply replace the Jensens in a '59 Bassman with 8 ohm BASS speakers. I bet it would sound awesome. 2 together would be even more awesomer!


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Post subject: Re: Could you modify a '59 bassman to make it a bass amp???
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:43 pm
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jimbr wrote:
I've played through a '59 Bassman at a local store and found that it broke up to quickly. I dig the look of it and want to know if it could be modified to make it a bass amp.

What would happen if the speakers were switched for bass speakers instead of the guitar voicing?

What would happen if the back was closed up with a modified piece of wood and left a couple of ports on the back?

Brother Dave, your thoughts please!



Some people have posted on there that they actually do use a '59 Bassman Reissue as a bass amp. The one I tried was ok at Jazz trio volume, but as you pointed out starts to break up too soon beyond that.

The mods you suggest would maybe help some, but getting the back sealed tightly enough and cutting ports in the baffle is some pretty serious modding beyond what I personally would want to do. My woodworking skills stink.

Better speakers will not really get to the root of the problem, but I'm not going to say it would not help. The root problem is the low power, the open back and the fact that the 59 Bassman Reissue isn't exactly like a real 59 Bassman in the first place because it is voiced for guitar players to use, not bassists. The reissue amp sounds different from a real 59 Bassman even when you play a harmonica through them in a side by side comparison as in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQWY8cgCnB0

Instead of re-engineering the 59 Bassman Reissue I'd suggest looking at the Bassman TV series which has the nostalgic look you seem to be after but they also pack serious power and rich bass tone. The DUO TEN or FIFTEEN model TV Bass amps both have 350 watts. The DUO TEN will have more punch while the FIFTEEN will naturally have a fuller low end. They are expensive compared to other bass combos with a street price of about $1,000 in the USA, but not expensive when compared to a 59 Bassman RI or a real 59 Bassman. I've also heard reports that they are not as loud as their power rating would lead one to believe but that the tone is very rich and they are loud enough for medium sized indoor gigs unaided by the PA. The TV amps have an XLR DIRECT OUT which for me is a MUST. Another factor to consider is reliability, with only one tube the TV amps are going to require less service and be far less expensive to maintain in the long haul than a full tube amp.

OH WOW, DEJA VU! There is another thread about this same question HERE: http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40327&highlight=bassman+video


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