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is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:26 am
by madmax1012
all original 1972 fender bassman 10.
http://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/msg/2172840742.htmllooks sweet and i've been looking for a new amp, but is it a decent amp?
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:31 am
by unownunown
i'd say do it!
bassmen (bassmans? lol) are my favorite sounding amps. i'd jump at the opportunity to buy one.
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:36 am
by tuffteef
new caps is a plus
its cheap too
friend of mine plays one of these with a vintage big muff and block jag
some serious rock and or roll
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:44 am
by madmax1012
dude sent me some gut shots. all stock circuit and Ruby tubes just put in. don't know if those are any good, but i'd probably replace them for whatever the wonderful people of ILF recommend

Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 8:48 am
by Caesar
There's one on ebay gong for less right now:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Bassman-Ten- ... 500wt_1156Of course by the end of the auction it'll be up there. That cab probably really shakes. My next amp will be a vintage Bassman, but I'm definitely going for the head/cab as opposed to the combo.
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 4:04 pm
by Jero
Is it open back?
I'd prob get it, $450 is good, I wouldn't pay more than that
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 4:05 pm
by madmax1012
nope it's a closed back cab. i can post some pics that he sent me if it would help influence my decision on the purchase?
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:44 pm
by Gone Fission
If all in good shape, not a bad price at all. Question is whether it's what you want. It'll be heavy and a bear to haul at around 75 lbs, I'm pretty sure worse than a Super because of the cab construction. There's probably a much bigger resale market for the Bassman heads, in no small part because of the hassle. Hell, people often dump Twins and Ampeg VT combos for stupid cheap money because they're a pain to haul and too damn loud.
Most Bassman heads also have a fourth dual triode 12a*7 type tube, as opposed to the three in the 10. So the circuit is different and mod options might be limited unless you want to install an extra tube. (There should be enough extra filament current on the stock power transformer.) Given that it's different, try before you buy rather than just assuming a Bassman is a Bassman is a Bassman. (Then again, there are so many schematics that they're all different.)
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:18 am
by pothole
Put your money into a Bassman head from 1965/66/67-ish era...run it with whatever cab you have now..or plug it into a combo you may have....then save up and get the matching vintage small box 212 Bassman/Bandmaster cab in 6 months from now.
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:13 am
by madmax1012
here's the most recent email from the seller....
"Well, The very first year for the Bassman Ten was 1972. This amp is a 1972. The serial numbers for these amps started at 00100.
A 00100 being the very first one built. This amp has a very low serial number A 00850. Making this amp the 750th one built. It is completely original, and the circuitry is unmolested, and un modded. With the exception of the new factory spec power caps, and new tubes. The grill cloth is the factory original sparkle blue, and is perfect. No tears, or holes. This amp idles quiet as a mouse, no hum, no funny noises. And sounds terrific. It is a very fine example of a first year production Bassman Ten, and in my opinion, a rare & desireable collectors item, as well as a great old amp. "
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:16 am
by tuffteef
all in all if u can go play it try it
and if u like it buy it
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:57 pm
by madmax1012
passed on the amp. went and played it. incredible amp in incredible shape. couldn't find anything wrong with it EXCEPT how god damn big it was. i dont think i wanna haul that thing upstairs and i doubt it would fit easily in my car.
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:16 am
by Toonster
I only saw big Bassmans untill now, are there smaller combo's?
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 8:20 am
by madmax1012
no clue. it sounded unreal tho. i just can't justify moving into a dorm with something that size. i'll probably end up going for a head or something 2x12
Re: is this worth it?
Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 11:01 am
by unownunown
Toonster wrote:I only saw big Bassmans untill now, are there smaller combo's?
some of the TV bassmen are smaller but still not that small. and they're good looking!
whats a reasonable college dorm amp size anyway?