Musicman69 Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Hi Folks, This is my old Bassman head, I bought it in 1980 for 50 punts (with cab) Just thought Id put up pics and maybe someone here might know its age. Looks very '60s to me. Any info appreciated.. thanks. John [attachment=43321:Bassman1.gif] [attachment=43324:Bassman2.gif] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Fitzmaurice Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 [quote name='Musicman69' post='754115' date='Feb 22 2010, 12:46 PM']Hi Folks, This is my old Bassman head, I bought it in 1980 for 50 punts (with cab) Just thought Id put up pics and maybe someone here might know its age. Looks very '60s to me. Any info appreciated.. thanks. John [attachment=43321:Bassman1.gif] [attachment=43324:Bassman2.gif][/quote] Take a look here: [url="http://www.ampwares.com/"]http://www.ampwares.com/[/url] It appears to be a 61-62, and it might be worth about 100 times what you paid for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pkomor Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 [quote]It appears to be a 61-62, and it might be worth about 100 times what you paid for it.[/quote] Niiice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) Assuming the logo and handle haven't been replaced with later variants, that looks like a 1964 6G6-A / B. Very desirable. If you're using it, make sure the ground lift switch has been isolated. And if you've got a matching cab, you're sitting on a little gold mine. Not that money's everything - that's just a lovely old amp. Swoon. :wub: Edited February 22, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 As a fellow bassman head owner I have to say, you did well there. Looks great, bet it sounds good too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 Thanks for the comments. I didnt think it was very valuable but wouldnt sell it anyway. I gave away the cab years ago as I didnt like the sound.. bad move! Havent used the amp for years but yes it sounds great, lovely warm tones.. sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Ground Lift Switch = Death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='754272' date='Feb 22 2010, 07:37 PM']Ground Lift Switch = Death.[/quote] Dont think Ive ever touched that switch as I dont know what it does! Why is it there.. Different power sources maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Musicman69' post='754280' date='Feb 22 2010, 07:42 PM']Dont think Ive ever touched that switch as I dont know what it does! Why is it there.. Different power sources maybe?[/quote] A ground lift disengages the amps electrical earth. Sounds dangerous. It is. Why do it? [quote]if you have two pieces of equipment in a sound system connected to earth through their respective mains cables, it can cause an 'earth loop', sometimes called a 'ground loop' or 'hum loop'. This in turn causes a 50 Hz or 60 Hz hum[/quote] So, if you're running two connected mains items, you disconnect one item's - (which in this case would be your amp) - electrical earth and it stops the hum. Basically, it's what they did in the US years ago to make it convenient. Total no-no these days in the UK. See, it's fine if the [i]other[/i] mains-powered item is earthed. But if you haven't got that other earthed item, your amp may eventually earth through you, rendering you dead as arseholes. Taking the ground-lift switch out of the circuit will enhance your safety no end. And it's a 2 minute job for an amp tech. Had it done on a number of occasions. Now it may be the case that someone already had this ground lift switch sorted before you bought the amp. But it's worth getting it checked before you fire the amp up again. Edited February 22, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 (edited) Oh right! I hear you loud and clear... Never had any hum problems with it thankfully. I had some work done on it a few years ago so the switch might have been by-passed but I cant be certain. Ill get it checked out. Many thanks for that info Skankdelvar Edited February 22, 2010 by Musicman69 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Fitzmaurice Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='754343' date='Feb 22 2010, 03:39 PM']A ground lift disengages the amps electrical earth.[/quote] Not quite. Amps of that era had no direct chassis connection to ground, as they used a two-wire connection to the mains. To provide noise filtering they connected the chassis to the ground wire via a capacitor. The problem lay in knowing which of the two wires was connected to hot and which was ground, as the plugs and outlets were not polarized. The ground switch toggled the connection through the cap from one wire to the other. When you powered the amp up you listened for noise and switched the ground switch to the quieter position. Of course when in the wrong position the chassis was connected to the hot wire, but since it was via a cap in the .1uF range it didn't get a full 60 Hz signal, just the higher harmonics. If you touched the chassis or anything connected to it, like your bass, and something that was grounded, like a mic, you'd get a benign but unmistakable reminder of why one should not play an instrument whilst bathing. The ground lift switch on modern gear lifts the ground from the signal direct out, not the chassis to mains ground. [quote]I had some work done on it a few years ago so the switch might have been by-passed but I cant be certain. Ill get it checked out[/quote]. If converted to UK power it should have a 3 wire connection, grounding the chassis and eliminating the ground switch. Unfortunately that would lop a few hundred quid off its value to a collector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='754382' date='Feb 22 2010, 09:08 PM']Not quite. Amps of that era had no direct chassis connection to ground, as they used a two-wire connection to the mains. To provide noise filtering they connected the chassis to the ground wire via a capacitor. The problem lay in knowing which of the two wires was connected to hot and which was ground, as the plugs and outlets were not polarized. The ground switch toggled the connection through the cap from one wire to the other. When you powered the amp up you listened for noise and switched the ground switch to the quieter position. Of course when in the wrong position the chassis was connected to the hot wire, but since it was via a cap in the .1uF range it didn't get a full 60 Hz signal, just the higher harmonics. If you touched the chassis or anything connected to it, like your bass, and something that was grounded, like a mic, you'd get a benign but unmistakable reminder of why one should not play an instrument whilst bathing. The ground lift switch on modern gear lifts the ground from the signal direct out, not the chassis to mains ground. If converted to UK power it should have a 3 wire connection, grounding the chassis and eliminating the ground switch. Unfortunately that would lop a few hundred quid off its value to a collector.[/quote] I assume you would nevertheless agree that having it checked is a prudent course of action. Edited February 23, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Well I had a look today, theres an earth wire so it must have been converted. The label inside says. 6G6-B production 66E (the 66E is handwritten) its stamped NC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 (edited) Useful info here, if you haven't already found it: [url="http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=26"]http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=26[/url] From the specs, sounds like a 1964. The year after JFK died, the year of Beatlemania in the US and five years before Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. If you show it to guitarists of a certain age, make sure they've got a change of strides to hand, cos they'll poop themselves. Google '6G6B bassman' and you'll find loads of info. Really glad you've got such a nice amp to hand - almost as good as finding it in an attic . Now all you've got to do is get yourself a matching 2x12 chambered cab and you're laughing. Edited February 24, 2010 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='755340' date='Feb 23 2010, 07:18 PM']Useful info here, if you haven't already found it: [url="http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=26"]http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=26[/url] From the specs, sounds like a 1964. The year after JFK died, the year of Beatlemania in the US and five years before Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. If you show it to guitarists of a certain age, make sure they've got a change of strides to hand, cos they'll poop themselves. Google '6G6B' bassman and you'll find loads of info. Really glad you've got such a nice amp to hand - almost as good as finding it in an attic . Now all you've got to do is get yourself a matching 2x12 chambered cab and you're laughing.[/quote] Yeah I had a look at Ampwares.com, seems like its a '64 alright. I wasnt even born then. Tried to track down the cab, a mate bought it from me way back then. Called him up but he's no idea where it is, probably got dumped somewhere. Ouch! So.. it has laxative powers also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 [quote name='Musicman69' post='755465' date='Feb 23 2010, 08:45 PM']So.. it has laxative powers also? [/quote] You mean you never saw the old Fender ad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman69 Posted February 24, 2010 Author Share Posted February 24, 2010 Ah yea.. looks like theyre getting the good vibes. Low B wasnt invented then was it? Found this ad online [attachment=43425:precision53S_1_.jpg] The fact that the bass has frets is a selling point.. very true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Funk Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 [quote name='Bill Fitzmaurice' post='754382' date='Feb 22 2010, 09:08 PM']Unfortunately that would lop a few hundred quid off its value to a collector.[/quote] You're hanging around us too much. You're starting to sound like an Englishman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 [quote name='Musicman69' post='755714' date='Feb 24 2010, 01:03 AM']Found this ad online[/quote] I'd kill for that rig. No, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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