ossyrocks

Andertons and Peach are both offering this at a cheaper price than Thomann. Another one to add to the "must try one of these" list! Rob

Hotcovers are the people who make the covers for Barefaced, and I think are probably the best of the bunch.

Thanks Tony, I know if I were closer I'd be beating a path to your door. Re volume, this is the crux of the matter, and without understanding it's capabilities first, it's a risk. My band has been making every attempt to play quieter in recent months. The band is relatively new, coming up 2 years since we first talked about this project, and only 18 month since our very first gig, and we set off very enthusiastically allowing and tolerating everyone doing their thing, including the drummer. Now, he's a lovely guy, we're all firm friends now, and we love him to bits, but he can get a little bit excited. He's brilliant though, one of the best drummers I've ever played with (he's played the Royal Albert Hall, twice!). Thankfully, we can talk openly about these things, and some recent gigs have been sublime in their understatement and power. We did do The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival last month, and I think because we were on a big stage with PA, monitors and engineers, he thought he could go for it a bit more. But it was in fact the opposite of what he should have done. The gig was still ok, but the drums on stage were too loud. The top and bottom of this dilemma is that if I can reign in the drummer I think I'll be ok, if not, then I think I'll need more oomph than the PF-50T can deliver. I do so wish I could take you up on your offer Tony! Rob

Having just spent a few days playing around with my vintage Fender Bassman 50, my interest in valve heads has increased, and I'm being drawn to the PF-50T specifically, as it just seems to tick all my boxes. But, I have never even seen one, let alone tried one! I'm listening to whatever I can find, and have spent too much time dreaming about vintage B15's, which may in fact turn out to be an expensive minefield. My Bassman is ok, but it's HEAVY. I expect it's actually heavier than the V-4B Reissue, and I can't envisage me actually gigging it regularly. My band isn't overly loud, not relative to my experience anyway, and at the moment a GK 400RB is doing a great job, whilst just barely ticking over. Having said that, we do seem to be in a constant negotiation with the drummer about acceptable levels regarding his drums. He does love to hit them when he thinks he can get away with it. I would be running it, if I got one, through a Barefaced Three10, with a P bass with flats, playing blues and more funky/greasy 70's blues too. Fire away! Cheers, Rob

I could get used to the feel Tony, in fact I had really, but I just couldn't get on with the tone. They just didn't sound like me. Anyway, they're sold already! Rob

Well, I've tried, but the honeymoon is over. They just aren't for me.

So, this topic has caused me to venture into the workshop and sift through my stash of valves. It's resulted in the Bassman getting a bit of TLC, and a few new valves. However, I have also realised that I have more valves than I will ever need in my lifetime (what remains of it), some of which I've hoarded for decades. I'm going to start selling some off, and have put a few on Reverb already. Mods - if the following link is not allowed, please let me know, and I'll remove it and try to create an ad here in the Accessories section. Discount available for Basschatters. Also feel free to ask if you're looking for anything in particular, I also have a lot of pre-amp valves which I'm wading through now. https://reverb.com/uk/shop/robs-house-3 Rob

To be fair, the scales are old and not to be relied upon. It does feel more like 26kg than 14.5kg. Plus, it has a bigger output transformer than was fitted as standard, so that will add to the weight too.

You made me curious, so I just weighed it on our ancient bathroom scale which only reads in stones and pounds. It's 2 stone four pounds, which is about 14.5kg

Ha ha, yes it is, and you carried it in! It is a bit of lump.

As they say up here in Lancashire....."It takes all sorts...." I think that's at least £12000 overpriced. I watched the videos from the first auction, and the provenance was fairly tenuous by their own admission wasn't it? I don't doubt someone will buy it eventually though!

This one is a little heavier than standard as it has a big upgraded output transformer, but yes, still manageable....just.

I'm going to start gigging this one soon. I haven't done yet, even though it's been around for a while, and there have been a few reasons for that, not least having a hernia! But I got that sorted in July and I feel sufficiently recovered to start carrying this around. I spent a few hours yesterday trying different pre-amp valves in it. Martin Garton had put a Mullard ECC81 in the V1 position when he built it, he said he did this to keep it clean. However, having spent some time swapping things around, I've settled on an RCA 7025 in V1 now, and the amp is much more immediate and responsive, as well as being louder. It hasn't really affected how soon it breaks up either. I also worked my way through the rest of the pre-amp, and I think I've settled on the best set of valves which are all good vintage RCA, Amperex, Mullard and Philips. The other key element I have added is an HPF. The one I'm using is a Rafferty clone of the Fdeck HPF. I'm rolling off everything below about 60hz I think (there are no markings on the knob!), which really tightens the whole thing up. Without it, the amp tends to be over bassy and flubby, and lacks the punch I would like. The HPF totally transforms the amp in a very good way. I now just have to overcome my aversion to amp head overhang, which is proving a little difficult. Rob

It looks great, and I'm sure it plays and sounds great too. Thanks for taking us on your journey with you, I have enjoyed it ! Rob