karim8697 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 (edited) For Sale My beloved Vintage 1980 Fender Bassman 135 bass/guitar amplifier with matching fender 2x15 cab. Bad points: -Main power switch has been replaced with a plastic toggle switch rather than a metal one (fully functional, and metal replacements are available for around £10 if you fancy a more original look and are handy with a soldering iron) -Corner of one of the handles on the speaker cabinet is broken (the handle is still fully functional, I haven't looked into buying a replacement as it's totally cosmetic, but I'm sure a savvy craftsman could make one up if they are not readily available) -A few very minor scuffs and scrapes, as to be expected from a vintage, 33 year old piece of kit. (In a lot better condition than the few I have seen advertised elsewhere at the same price.) Good points: -Vintage tube sound, there is no faking the warmth of a vintage valve amplifier. Ideal for bass guitar or guitar wanting a clean, warm, variable sound. (I have run a 'holy grail reverb' pedal through it for guitar... beautiful!) -Looks great, it's a big unit with a shiney silver face and grill and fender badges. Definitely an eye catcher on stage. -Loud! 135 watts RMS, no worries about keeping up with the drummer, great for gigging. -Reliable, 33 years old and still going strong. This was made back when stuff was built to last, it's not computerised or digitised so maintainance is easy and therefore inexpensive. -Collectable, look after it well and the value will only increase. I'm selling it because I no longer play in any professional bands (toying with the idea of busking instead), also I'm planning a big move soon and could really use the money for that. Viewing and testing are encouraged I'm based in Tiverton, Devon. I Would prefer buyer to collect but could be coaxed into arranging delivery at the buyers expense. [s]£700[/s] Head now reserved, cabinet available at reduced price of £250 [attachment=127256:DSC00163.jpg][attachment=127258:DSC00165.jpg][attachment=127259:DSC00166.jpg][attachment=127262:DSC00169.jpg][attachment=127263:DSC00171.jpg][attachment=127264:DSC00173.jpg][attachment=127261:DSC00168.jpg] Edited March 18, 2013 by karim8697 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Sorry to contradict you but there are no '[i]Bad Points[/i]' to a Bassman 135 and matching 215... Good luck, fabulous vintage tone at a fantastic price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Hey thanks maybe I should have said 'unique characteristics' instead of 'bad points' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Have another bump on me - I have the exact same rig and it is 'da bomb'! Nothing compares and it can outstrip any other bass rig IMO for big bottom and beautiful warm clarity. They get nice and gnarly if you jump the channels with a patch lead too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghost Rider Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great Rig there - You may regret selling it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 Thanks Bassnut, yes a guitarist I used to play with mentioned the channel jumping thing before, is that what they call 'hot rodding'? i'm not electrically savvy/brave enough to have tried it with 'Borington' (long story) but always got great bass tone from him regardless. Ghost Rider. Don't say that ffs! it's taken me long enough to make the decision to advertise him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I think hotrodding is a bit more internal trickery. Channel jumping is fine, just start with gain down a bit on both channels and raise them til it squeals, just before that point is v sweet with a bit more grind. You wont do any damage if youre careful. Cant believe this rig hasnt sold already. Whats wrong with you peops?! This is a rig to sell a limb for.... Have a bump on me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidlovellbass Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 I use almost the same setup when i get the chance. Using guitar channel for normal playing then a bit of grind from the bass channel as it's got more gain via an a/b switch, also great with a Ric via stereo output. I got mine blackfaced, sends more gain to the poweramp and makes it sound more pre cbs 60's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 13, 2013 Author Share Posted February 13, 2013 Hey thanks for the bumping! Yeah I had a look at those blackface kits they're not too expensive are they, I probably would get one if I was going to keep it. Don't worry Bassnut, not in any particular hurry to sell and the right new owner will stumble on this eventually (seems like the right place to advertise him) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
korerok Posted February 13, 2013 Share Posted February 13, 2013 O man wish I cud have this I would love it would take me ages to save up for it tho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzonaut Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Fantastic piece of gear! Great price! Too bad you're not around the corner, otherwise I'd be on your doorstep right away, having a look .... Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 15, 2013 Author Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hey thanks yes you are more than a stones throw away huh? And I guess you don't have any close friends in my small town of Tiverton who can come and check it out for you either Shame, I'm sure you wouldn't be dissapointed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzonaut Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Tiverton? Had to look that up, I admit - it's shamelessly far away. Then, I was asking myself, if that amp could take 2 cabs with 4 Ohms each - it could, right? cheerio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Hmm I really have no Idea about that kind of thing, I just stick the cable in where the guy who sold it to me told me to. I'm sure someone on here will be able to answer your question. I don't think i would be willing to split the rig up though, unless I have simultaneous buyers for both bits (and even then it would be a shame) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 As far as I know, the Bassman 135 can run 4ohms or 8ohms of impedance load from speakers. I think two 4ohm cabs would amount to 2ohms, which I reckon would result in a fried Bassman head. However you may be able to do something clever that I don't understand, like run the two 4ohm cabs in parallel instead of series or vice versa and create an acceptable load for the amp......NB. I have no idea how you would do this or if it is correct! Meanwhile karim...have another bump on me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bremen Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Two 4 ohm cabs in series is an 8 ohm load. Great amp, far better than the Bassman 100. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vindi Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 2 x 4 ohms cabs in parallel = 2 ohms = fried bassman 2 x 4 ohms cabs in series = 16 ohms = very little power 2 x 8 ohms cabs in parallel = 4 ohms = most efficient Good luck with the sale. Wish I had the spare cash. Vindi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassnut62 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='vindi' timestamp='1361212981' post='1982933'] 2 x 4 ohms cabs in parallel = 2 ohms = fried bassman 2 x 4 ohms cabs in series = 16 ohms = very little power 2 x 8 ohms cabs in parallel = 4 ohms = most efficient [/quote] That's v informative - thanks Mr Vindi I have both a 1x15 8ohm cab and a 2x15 (2 x 8ohm spkrs) cab which I know gives me 4ohm load. The Bassman 2x15 cab (exactly like one being sold here) is awesome and v efficient indeed; especially since I reinforced all seams of cab and braced baffle to back board of cab. The 1x15 cab (which is actually an old MusicMan ported cab) is less loud, but gives more grind. Both send me to bass heaven with that 135 head, which is definitely way better than the Bassman 100. Incidentally I now play guitar more than bass and for big gigs I will put guitar through the Normal channel of the Bassman 135 and the 1x15 cab. This is actually the original Bassman configuration for guitar, of course. Apparently Leo Fender's favourite cab for guitar was a 1x15. He was right too in my personal experience. I reckon this rig is just as awesome for guitar as for bass. Bumparoo for you, Karim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzonaut Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='vindi' timestamp='1361212981' post='1982933'] 2 x 4 ohms cabs in parallel = 2 ohms = fried bassman 2 x 4 ohms cabs in series = 16 ohms = very little power 2 x 8 ohms cabs in parallel = 4 ohms = most efficient Good luck with the sale. Wish I had the spare cash. Vindi [/quote] Thanks. This Ohm-Stuff is always confusing me - and actually still is, because I somehow thought 2 x 4 Ohm cabs in parallel would be 8 Ohms ... as stated by Bremen (and as hopefully would be the case with a MusicMan HD 130 I want to try). But then again, I'm way off topic here, so excuse me and bump on me ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 20, 2013 Author Share Posted February 20, 2013 Hey thanks for all of the info and bumps folks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytoad Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I might be interested in the cab if you have a buyer for the head. How much would it go for? Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 21, 2013 Author Share Posted February 21, 2013 Hi Andrew, I don't have a buyer for just the head at the moment but a previous commenter named fuzzonaut did express a minor interest. (not sure how to tag them in this post.) Umm about the price I don't know what it would be, obviously looking for £700 for the lot so if it all adds up I don't mind how you and a potential other buyer divvy it up. (I'm guessing the head would be worth a bit more than the cab so I guess maybe a £450/£250 or £400/£300 split? Opinions welcome!) The main concern I have about splitting it is if one buyer pulls out and I get left with half a peice of kit that i'm unable to demonstrate working to a future buyer, which could cause complications in selling it. Would you consider buying the whole lot and then selling the head on again? (just looked on e-bay and there is a bassman 135 head for sale ending in 3 days, if you follow that maybe the final bid will give you an idea of what the head alone would fetch/how much my cab would cost you, should you choose to do it this way.) Karim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andytoad Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 I wish i could afford the lot! I will hold off for now, if anyone presents themselves in the meantime for the head. I will keep an eye on stinkbay too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRTeaPIe Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [indent=1]Can I present myself as being interested in the head?[/indent] [indent=1]I live down in Plymouth so fairly local for picking it up; just need the weekend to convince the missus into lending me a little bit of money. Will report back on Monday...[/indent] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karim8697 Posted February 22, 2013 Author Share Posted February 22, 2013 Ok if you both agree, here's a suggestion of how we could do this. I will call it £425 for the head and £275 for the cab so you don't need to haggle each other over it. Then either you can both arrange to come down at the same time and both see it all working, or the first person to collect their bit can see it all working and confirm on here that the other bit works too. How does that sound to you guys? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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