SESSIONETTE 100 BASS AMP

[Jb1]

Anyone got, played or have an opinion on the SESSIONETTE 100 BASS AMP
The guitar amps were always good little amps, and I was wondering how these compared to the modern small combo amps.

[casapete]

Had a 4x10 combo once - okay,but not v.loud or tonally wonderful either!
They diid a 1x15 combo too,both using Celestion speakers with an 11 band graphic I think.
They seem to fetch around £90 these days, and are not particularly sought after.
Hope this helps, cheers.

[Jb1]

I only want a home amp. I don't need to fill a hall. It was the tone and sound quality I wanted to know about.
Thanks for the help so far, more please...

[JTUK]

I remember those..they were quite good in that they were very portable at a time when there wasn't a lot of choice.

As long as it is in decent condition, I'd think it would be useful as a practice amp at home...
At low volumes it has enough tone to be useable..

[geoffbyrne]

I had the 4x10 too, and as a bass amp, it made a bloody good guitar amp!

G.

[MoonBassAlpha]

I gave mine a good service before I sold it, and in trying everything out, found the line out and infact the whole preamp stage was very low noise.
They use a decent toroidal transformer. This was the 4x10, and it did struggle at the highest volume settings in a 6 piece band, but was just about loud enough. The tone at lower volumes was punchy rather than deep. I think I sold mine for £75 ish.
Theres a couple of things to look out for in the power stage.
You can pm me for the details as I wouldn't want to bore this board (unless y'all WANT me to..), but they're no big deal and easily sorted.
If it's cheap I'd really recommend it.
Cheers
Jules

[AoLStudios]

I have one we occasionally use at our studio. Actually used it for a live keyboard amp last week with very good results. 

Once you get the hang of them they're an excellent little amp. Built like a tank. 

Can't compete with a loud drummer but have taken it out on a few quiet gigs & it's handled with ease

[bertbass]

They used ILP electronics power amp modules in their combos.  Quite good actually.

[Stealth]

Decent amps for small venues reliable to. Session are still around and having a bit of a resergence

 

http://www.award-session.com/bluesbaby-complete.php

 

[Stealth]

Now OBBM has retired There cables are the nuts I have gigged mine for 20 years l!

[Dan Dare]

Session will still repair/refurbish their amps. They're still going strong.

[cybertect]

On 20/02/2020 at 13:58, AoLStudios said:

I have one we occasionally use at our studio. Actually used it for a live keyboard amp last week with very good results. 

Once you get the hang of them they're an excellent little amp. Built like a tank. 

Can't compete with a loud drummer but have taken it out on a few quiet gigs & it's handled with ease

I used to abuse a 1 x 15 Sessionette 100 very badly in the late 1980s - extended bass feedback with my Horner Verithin at close quarters produced something gorgeous noises that were probably not very healthy for the speaker cone.

I’m constantly amazed it carried on working and somehow it kept up with a loud drummer and two Peavey Backstages cranked up full.

[Steve Browning]

Yes, Stewart Ward is going strong and I have been a user of his cables for many years.

I also had a Session 1x15 combo but it was horribly underpowered. Stewart is quite open about this. Great eq but no9t much good in the real world.

[Steve Browning]

One thing. If you talk to him, don't mention valves!!! 🙂

[Stealth]

Ot Jim Marshall lol

[Defo]

The guitar combos were much sought after by pros back in the 80s but the bass amps never got the same cachet, interesting that they are having a resurgence

[songofthewind]

I had a Sessionette guitar amp. It was a sturdy wee brute, and sounded good.

It was a bit beamy, due to the small cabinet.

[itu]

I had a Session 100 / 15" in the late 80's or so. It was a reliable workhorse with a small band. The sound was not very loud, but the size was small, too. I tried the amp a few times with a Marshall 4 x 12" and the amp was singing! Very convincing sound at that time. That is probably the reason I use a 2 x 12" today.

[NicoMcJ]

I picked up a 4x10" combo a couple of weeks ago for £30.  I was staggered by how nice it sounds!  I'm actually going to use it at tomorrow night's gig.  I'm expecting to have to mic it up, but that's not big deal.  I will report back!

[NicoMcJ]

Well, it didn't go well.  It started cutting volume about 30 minutes into the first set.  I ended up having plug my board straight into the PA.  It might just need a damn good clean out and service.  It sounded great with loads of punch while it was working though!!

[songofthewind]

Does it have an FX loop? Jumpering that, or cleaning the contacts in the sockets may improve matters. 

[stu_g]

I had one of these as my first proper bass amp and I had the same thing happen to mine it started cutting out at a band practise, I never managed to get it fixed properly and sadly ditched it,was a great amp while it worked.

[brayn]

i want  to  see the inside of the compact  100. Who  can help me/ What  are the measures?

[Owen]

I gigged a 4x10" with a JBL 15" scoop bin under it in the last millenium. I really enjoyed it.

Not as much as the SWR SM400 biamped into an early Turbosound 2x15 and 2x10 that came after it though. I should never have sold that one. 

[Steve Browning]

On 12/03/2020 at 01:32, brayn said:

i want  to  see the inside of the compact  100. Who  can help me/ What  are the measures?

You can try Stewart himself at Award-Session - https://award-session.com/index.php