Re: [Harp-L] 59 Bassman

["Gordon Graham" <ggraham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Mike,

I just traded in a bunch of equip for the new RI at Guitar Center...The
sound blew me away...If I had the $$ I would have gone for Sonny's which is
of unquestionable quality (hopefully next year)..But I needed it now..my 1st
gig with it will probably be Sat..I will let you know what I think, but so
far I love it!  You can go to Fender's website..but I think Bob nails it
below

Gordon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Maglinte" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Michael Fugazzi" <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>; <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 4:20 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] 59 Bassman


>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael Fugazzi" <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 3:41 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] 59 Bassman
>
>
> > Are there any differences between the current 59 Bassman Reissue, and a
> > reissue from ten years ago?  Are they the same quality?  Can a put a
tube
> > recitfier in either?  Any reason I should buy a newer one instead of an
> > older one??
> >
> > Mike
> >
> >
> > Mike Fugazzi
> > "Nite Rail"
> > Harmonica/Vocals
>
> H Mike,
> The new reissue uses a finger jointed pine cabinet like the real '59
> Bassmans did (and the original RI did not and went the cheap way out with
a
> plywood cabinet that was a lot heavier in weight, but when pushed volume
> wise, was notorious for rattling like crazy and sometimes causing some
weird
> feedback problems from it, and that gave the amp a harder sound and
doesn't
> resonate like pine does), lacquered the tweed (the first reissue cut
corners
> and this was one of the problems to make it cheaper), uses better tubes
(tho
> some are still questionable in terms of quality), and comes stock with a
> 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier tube, wheras the first reissue came with a solid state
> rectifier, and comes with a bias adjustment pot so that you can do that
> yourself (or have it professionally done) and use either different
> rectifiers and/or power tubes. You can put a tube rectifier in the first
> one, but before you even think of putting one in, the first reissue would
> absolutely HAVE to have the amp properly rebiased because the plate
voltages
> that were used in the first reissue are mated for a solid state rectifier,
> which uses considerably higher plate voltages and if not done, can wind up
> harming the amp electronically and tho it's cheaper for them to make
printed
> circuit boards (which both uses), the repairs on the printed circuits tend
> to be a lot more expensive than having an amp point to point hand wired
like
> a real Bassman has, and you have to be aware of the possiblility of the PC
> board falling out and getting fried like Col. Sander's chicken. The newer
> one is a lot closer (but still not quite close enough without some further
> tweaking) to the sound of a real '59 Bassman than the first reissue was by
a
> mile.
>
> Sincerely,
> Barbeque Bob Maglinte
> Boston, MA
> http://www.barbequebob.com
> MP3's: http://music.mp3lizard.com/barbequebob/
>
>
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