[Harp-L] Amp project and general bassman comments

[John Kally <jkally3@xxxxxxx>]

Hi guys,
Since amp talk seems to be flaring up again, here's my latest toy.  A 
while back I had harp-l's Don DiStefano modify my 1964 Fender Concert 
amp for harp, and it sounded great, but the speakers I got for it were 
a bit bright for the way I wanted it to sound.  Anyway, a buddy gave me 
an empty single 15" cabinet that had been made for a Showman head (same 
size as the concert) and I decided to call Ted Weber at Weber VST and 
he made me a 15", 50 watt 2 ohm "ferromax"  speaker with his "h cap" 
for dispersion.  Not sure if there is another speaker company ANYWHERE 
that would custom-make a speaker to a non-standard ohms (so I didn't 
have to switch out the  output transformer) , altered for harp and do 
all that for $100 and shipping.  Anyway, put this mongrel together and 
the sound is wonderful, lots more bottom  without being flabby and the 
highs are still coming through.    Chromatic especially shines with 
this rig. Not just my opinion, AZ harp great Bullit Bill Tarsha gave it 
his approval when he heard me play through it on Sunday.   Of course 
it's a mutt, non-collectible (although I have the original cabinet 
tucked away)  but just another example of the variety of amps you can 
use to get a good sound other than the common ones.
Incidentally, I had two original  1959 Bassmans here at the house  the 
other day ( traded my current one  off to get back one I used to own, 
long story there) and the difference in sound between the two was 
remarkable.  They might have left Fender sounding identical but years, 
assorted replaced and aged parts sure have had their effect over time.  
 Interesting that the one I got back sounded pretty bad when I let it 
go, but next owner got it serviced correctly and it came back  to life; 
someone before me had changed a bunch of caps and made the amp real 
muddy sounding, but not anymore.  All the comments you see on here 
about having amps serviced are absolutely right on, IMO, as long as the 
tech (or you) know what you're doing and use the right stuff.