• Registered: 2010-02-09
  • Posts: 19

Topic: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

Hey guys a buddy of mine is looking into getting 1967 bassman, we were just wondering on how versatile the are. We play a lot of Allman Brothers, Clapton, And Peter Green. He has a 4x12 cab loaded with scumback M75 speakers. Do they except overdrive pedals well, fulltone fulldrive 2. He's also looking to get that tea for one tone but I don't think that thats possible with out a marshall. If you guys have ever had any experience with these just tell me what you think of them. Thanks

Guitars- Gibson 1960 V.O.S Les Paul, Fender Eric Johnson Strat, Martin SWOMGT.
Amp- 1967 fender vibrolux reverb
Effects- Ibanez TS-808, BBE Two Timer, BBE Soul Vibe, Vox V847, Dunlop Hendrix Fuzz Face, Tonebender MKII, BK Butler Tube Driver.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

I have a 68 Silverface bassman that is in desprate need of a retube, but sounds preaty good, they take pedals well and you can jump the bass and normal channel and put a reverb or something in there and have a neat little loop going. They sound great into a 4x12. Got to crank it up a bit to get it to break up at least mine you do and its a LOUD SOB. Its louder than my Marshall Jubilee by a long mile! Over all there great amps and with the right pedals you should be able to get some great classic rock tones out of them.

I think Stratpaulguy has a modded one I am sure he can tell you more about the mods, mine is all stock.

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

If I'm not mistaken, Fender Bassmans have the reverse tone stack... bass middle treble instead of Fenders typical treble middle bass. The bassman is the original brown sound from what I might have heard... I'm just not certain. Anyone can chime in and set us straight on this.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

There is no Mid knob on a 65-70 bassman I believe.

  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

Here you go dude, you couldn't have asked any better!  cool  I did this a while ago with my '65 Bassman, '58 Les Paul RI, and Fulldrive 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdKa44ipeyw

This amp was modded many years ago to include a presence knob of sorts.   Really pretty stock except for some EQ mods.  The amp also had a vintage 12AU7 in V1 which lowered the gain capabilities (if you can believe that!).  If you need UNHOLY amounts of gain put a nice NOS 12AX7 in V1 (the furthest tube from the power tubes).  It turns the amp into a genuine firebreather!  I picked mine up for around $300 which is one of my proudest gear aquisitions.

As far as the "Tea for One" tone goes (Joe's version), try a Fulltone Mini Dejavibe into it and/or the Boss RT20 Leslie simulator.  Also use a Tubescreamer (or Fulldrive) to boost the mids and gain.  Lastly a little reverb and delay couldn't hurt.  The Boss DD-3 is an old standby in these parts.  Between the univibe and leslie +delay you get this very sea sick tone that sounds EPIC just like the version Joe did on "You and Me".  Cheers!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • Registered: 2008-10-02
  • Posts: 373

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

Everytime I watch that video I think I need to retube my bassman!

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

Correct me if I'm wrong but the old JTM45 amps and the Bassman's are the same circuit.  Only differences are Marshall uses closed back 4x12's and fender used simi open 4x10's, and the use of KT-66 output tubes on marshalls instead of 6V6.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Andover, MA
  • Registered: 2010-03-23
  • Posts: 35

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

The tweed bassman was the same circuit but the blackface and silverface bassmen deviated from the 5f6a circuit of the tweed or the JTM45. 

Still a great amp though!

Amps: Hand Made JTM-45, 18 Watt TMB, AB763 Pro, Route 66 Clone.
Guitars: 2007 R8 Les Paul Iced Tea Burst, Refinished 83 Les Paul Studio, , Homemade 50's S style guitar.
Effects: Micro Vibe, CryBaby, Fulldrive II, OCD, Fat Boost V1
  • Registered: 2009-10-10
  • Posts: 438

Re: Blackface Bassman versatility ?

The old blackface Fender heads are hard to beat for the working musician. They have boutique tone at a reasonable price.  They are hand wired and very easy for techs to work on.  I have a Bassman and a Bandmaster and I prefer the Bandmaster but they are both great.  I had them both modded by David Allen at Allen Amps. Check him out. He is a master with these old amps.  He gave me a plexi feel in the bass channel on the Bassman and a plexi feel on the normal channel on the Bandmaster.  The other channels were left stock for the big round Fender tone.  I switch back and forth a lot but sometimes combine the channels.  I prefer Marshall 4x10 cabs with them but a good 2x12 will also work well.  They love pedals, overdrive and modulation.  I am currently running a TS808 Reissue, Barber Small Fry, Analogman Chorus, and a Keeley DD-3 delay.  This rig works very well for me.  I keep a cab at home and one at our practice facility and just pack one of the Fender heads back and forth.