John95683
45 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:09 PM
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What do you think of this amp for harp? Looking for a gig amp with good tone. Thanks.
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Rick Davis
1244 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:26 PM
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Very good amp. Pro harp players use the Fender Bassman reissue more than any other amp.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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John95683
46 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:31 PM
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As a recognized expert on amps, Rick, does this amp need any mods for harp?
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Rick Davis
1245 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:36 PM
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I am not an expert, just a guy with opinions and a blog.
I know some players who use the Bassman RI as-is and swear by it. But I think most players modify it a bit. You can find lots of info about my project Bassman at the Blues Harp Amps blog. There is great info elsewhere too, in particular at the Green Bullet Mics website. Click on the "Getting Good Tone" tab when you get there.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by on Jan 30, 2013 5:45 PM
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SuperBee
868 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:51 PM
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Wish I'd bought one when I had the chance. I found a brand new LTD at a great price, At the time i thought it was overkill. I'd never use an amp that loud. I know better now, but when I came to that realisation do you think I could find a bassman at a reasonable price?
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Rick Davis
1246 posts
Jan 30, 2013
5:47 PM
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Here are the tubes I use for the preamp lineup:
5751 - 5814a - 5751
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by on Jan 30, 2013 5:49 PM
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Bigtone
79 posts
Jan 30, 2013
9:36 PM
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@john
I have a super nice Tweed Bassman reissue lacquer for sale if you want one.
bigtone1@yahoo.com
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arnenym
106 posts
Jan 30, 2013
11:36 PM
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It's a great amp.
There is many things you can do for yourself to make it better.
1:st of all.
Change the preamp tube closest to the cab to a 12AY7.
Change he rectifier tube closest the other side of the cab to a 5U4
2:nd
Speaker swap - If it have Jensen RI Speakers.
The best is change all 4 to Weber or Eminence 102 Alnico.
You could change 1 or 2 speakers for a better bass and less shrill. I recommend Eminenca Alpha 10, Warehouse Veteran, or Jensen Jet Tornado.
If you have knowledge about soldering in amps you could go further with a lot of small mods taking the amp to incredible harp-heaven sound. Google for MarkB Bassman mods.
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John95683
47 posts
Jan 31, 2013
10:48 AM
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How much does a good used Bassman cost? I'm in California, if that makes a difference.
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Rick Davis
1257 posts
Jan 31, 2013
1:58 PM
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Here is an example on eBay
If you take your time and search Craigslist you may be able to find one around $500. (That's how much I paid for mine.) $750 would be a good price on an early 90s reissue, especially if you are not worried about a little wear and grime in the tweed.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Jehosaphat
430 posts
Jan 31, 2013
5:21 PM
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There's one on our local auction site(NZ) at a buy now of $2100 (about $1600 US)
You guys have it good compared to the rest of us in other countries.Don't even mention cars^
Last Edited by on Jan 31, 2013 5:21 PM
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SuperBee
871 posts
Jan 31, 2013
6:04 PM
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In Aus, best (cheapest) I could find was around $1200, but scarce at that price. A few more at 13, then it was up around $1900. The new RRP is $2799. But you regularly see them "discounted" to about $2300.
Hence I have a HR DeVille, which seem to be best value 410 locally available.
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bonedog569
805 posts
Jan 31, 2013
9:51 PM
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Two basic flavors of the BMri.
the Limited gives you a bias pot and pine, not ply cab - with laquered tweed. all nice to have, the bias pot being the most important for dialing in the amp to your taste.
Earlier pre-limited's (or most of them) have blue frame Eminence Alnico speakers (check for those) By all accounts - MUCH better than the Jensen's in the Lmtd. The trade offs are no laquer , ply not pine, and no bias pot. All of these can be altered, /modded, upgraded.
Changing one or two of the Jensens in the Lmtd will get you way better sound - and would be a very good way to go. Installing a bias pot on the non lmtd will get you a great harp amp if it already has the blue frames. You can then laquer or not as you choose.
There are other mod's you can do and there is a ton on this forum and elsewhere about this amp. Check out the search feature on the forum sidebar.
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Kingley
2275 posts
Jan 31, 2013
9:52 PM
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The Bassman LTD is a great amp for harp. Just change the first preamp valve (V1 farthest right looking at back of amp) for a 12AY7 and your good to go.
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SuperBee
872 posts
Jan 31, 2013
10:07 PM
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I thought the 'LTD' stood for 'lacquered tweed'
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bonedog569
806 posts
Jan 31, 2013
10:39 PM
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mia culpa
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SuperBee
873 posts
Jan 31, 2013
11:09 PM
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Not to be confused with the Ford Galaxy Lacquered Tweed
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HawkeyeKane
1432 posts
Feb 01, 2013
10:25 AM
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My buddy Bill has one of the earliest production specimens of the LTD. He made a couple tube swaps and a jump...couldn't tell you what exactly though...and replaced his bottom two Jensens with Eminence Lil' Buddies. He likes it a lot better now.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Rick Davis
1263 posts
Feb 01, 2013
2:09 PM
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Amen on the Lil Buddies in the bottom of a Bassman. Big bump and grind when you want it.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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HawkeyeKane
1434 posts
Feb 01, 2013
2:17 PM
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I've toyed with the idea of a Lil' Buddy in my 'Zoo. Never have taken the plunge though.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Rick Davis
1264 posts
Feb 01, 2013
2:25 PM
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Tim, it worked very well in the VHT Special 6, but I've never heard one in a Kalamazoo amp. I bet it would sound good.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by on Feb 01, 2013 2:26 PM
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HawkeyeKane
1435 posts
Feb 01, 2013
4:24 PM
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I bet it would too. It's a pretty bulletproof speaker. Thing is I love the sound of it's original CTS alnico and I'm half-scared to try the swap in case I don't like it.
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Hawkeye Kane
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KingBiscuit
221 posts
Feb 01, 2013
4:38 PM
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"Wish I'd bought one when I had the chance. I found a brand new LTD at a great price, At the time i thought it was overkill. I'd never use an amp that loud. I know better now, but when I came to that realisation do you think I could find a bassman at a reasonable price?"
@SuperBee..The story of my life! We must be living in a parallel universe! LOL
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dougharps
328 posts
Feb 01, 2013
5:07 PM
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@HawkeyeKane
If I can ever work it out to come to Springfield and hear you with Hipbone I will bring a Lil Buddy in a cab, and you can try plugging your 'Zoo into it. I like it better than my CRex.
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Doug S.
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HawkeyeKane
1436 posts
Feb 02, 2013
11:06 AM
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That'd be cool Doug. Just lemme know ahead of time that you're coming so I'm sure to bring the 'Zoo with me. I don't use it at gigs much anymore now that I have my Alamo.
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Hawkeye Kane
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