Fender Bassman
Encyclopedia
The Fender Bassman was a bass
amplifier
introduced by Fender in 1952. Although it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was frequently used for normal electric guitar
in rock and roll, blues, and country bands.
. It was introduced in 1952 and discontinued in 1983. Up to 1954, the Bassman amps had only one speaker (circuit 5B6), but it was the four 10" speaker combination that came to be one of the greatest and most sought after amplifiers in history.
The first 4x10 Bassman amplifiers started with a batch of prototypes in November and December 1954, model 5D6. No schematic for the 5D6 circuit have ever been found, and only 6 of these early examples have been found to have survived.
The 5D6-A (1955) was the first official release of the Fender 4x10 Bassman, followed by the 5E6 (1955), 5E6-A (1955-1957), 5F6 (1957) and 5F6-A (1958-1960) circuits. The 60's brought an end to the Tweed era for the Bassman, and eventually was offered in black Tolex which started an entirely new trend that many others would follow.
Interestingly, the 53-54 5B6 model with the 15" Jensen, was called "possibly the greatest guitar amp we ever made" by Leo Fender's partner, George Fullerton. (From "The Soul of Tone" pages 164-168.) However, by the time guitarists had discovered the bassman was a great guitar amp (in the late 50's), that amp had been discontinued in early '54, so only the 4X10 5E6 and 5F6 amps were available. While the 57-59 models are highly revered, the few guitarists who have found and played the earlier model often describe it the most responsive and complex sound of any Fender amp, verifying Fullerton's assertion.
The evolution of the Bassman amplifier followed that of the Fender amplification line. The Bassman amps of the 1950s were covered in tweed and had a more raw sound than later models. The combo Tweeds were followed by the Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface "piggyback head" (except the Bassman 10 and 20, which were also combo amplifiers) versions of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s with cleaner sound and more headroom.
A unique aspect of the Tweed Bassman circuit is the use of a cathode follower, which provides a slight compression of the sound while also allowing an increase in current, and thus more signal is sent to the power amp. It also had the secondary consequence of increasing the amp's dynamic.
Despite the fact that it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was more famous for its use with normal electric guitar and thus, when Fender recently reissued the 59 (5F6A) edition, it was categorized under guitar amplification instead.
from Pink Floyd
used a pair of the 1959 reissue to achieve his sound in the studio.
In 2009, Fender introduced the latest reincarnation of the original late '50s Tweed Bassman amp, the Bassman TV series, which includes four sub-models such as the TV 10, TV Duo 10, TV 12 and TV 15. Each of these four amplifiers came with 10", 2 x 10", 12" or 15" speakers, 150 or 350W RMS (depending on the model). Other features include an XLR
output, Master Volume, Gain
and a three-band EQ
with Treble
, Middle, Bass, as well as "deep" and "bright" switches which boost the low and high frequencies.
Many famous amplifier manufacturers, including Marshall
and Traynor
, based their first batch of amplifiers upon the 5F6A Bassman, in examples such as Marshall's JTM45 (a clone of Bassman, using British-equivalent parts), and Traynor's YBA-1 (head form of Bassman).
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
amplifier
Bass instrument amplification
Bass instrument amplification, used for the bass guitar, double bass and similar instruments, is distinct from other types of amplification systems due to the particular challenges associated with low-frequency sound reproduction. This distinction affects the design of the loudspeakers, the speaker...
introduced by Fender in 1952. Although it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was frequently used for normal electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
in rock and roll, blues, and country bands.
History
The Bassman was designed for the first mass-production electric bass, the Fender Precision BassFender Precision Bass
The Fender Precision Bass is an electric bass.Designed by Leo Fender as a prototype in 1950 and brought to market in 1951, the Precision was the first electric bass to earn widespread attention and use. A revolutionary instrument for the time, the Precision Bass has made an immeasurable impact on...
. It was introduced in 1952 and discontinued in 1983. Up to 1954, the Bassman amps had only one speaker (circuit 5B6), but it was the four 10" speaker combination that came to be one of the greatest and most sought after amplifiers in history.
The first 4x10 Bassman amplifiers started with a batch of prototypes in November and December 1954, model 5D6. No schematic for the 5D6 circuit have ever been found, and only 6 of these early examples have been found to have survived.
The 5D6-A (1955) was the first official release of the Fender 4x10 Bassman, followed by the 5E6 (1955), 5E6-A (1955-1957), 5F6 (1957) and 5F6-A (1958-1960) circuits. The 60's brought an end to the Tweed era for the Bassman, and eventually was offered in black Tolex which started an entirely new trend that many others would follow.
Interestingly, the 53-54 5B6 model with the 15" Jensen, was called "possibly the greatest guitar amp we ever made" by Leo Fender's partner, George Fullerton. (From "The Soul of Tone" pages 164-168.) However, by the time guitarists had discovered the bassman was a great guitar amp (in the late 50's), that amp had been discontinued in early '54, so only the 4X10 5E6 and 5F6 amps were available. While the 57-59 models are highly revered, the few guitarists who have found and played the earlier model often describe it the most responsive and complex sound of any Fender amp, verifying Fullerton's assertion.
The evolution of the Bassman amplifier followed that of the Fender amplification line. The Bassman amps of the 1950s were covered in tweed and had a more raw sound than later models. The combo Tweeds were followed by the Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface "piggyback head" (except the Bassman 10 and 20, which were also combo amplifiers) versions of the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s with cleaner sound and more headroom.
A unique aspect of the Tweed Bassman circuit is the use of a cathode follower, which provides a slight compression of the sound while also allowing an increase in current, and thus more signal is sent to the power amp. It also had the secondary consequence of increasing the amp's dynamic.
Despite the fact that it was originally designed for bass guitars, it was more famous for its use with normal electric guitar and thus, when Fender recently reissued the 59 (5F6A) edition, it was categorized under guitar amplification instead.
Reissues
In 1990 Fender began producing a reissue of the 1959 Bassman model 5F6A, known as the '59 Bassman. The newest version of this reissue is the '59 Bassman LTD. The LTD version has a lacquered tweed covering and 4x10 inch Jensen speakers instead of the Eminence speakers used in the earlier '59 Bassman reissue series. David GilmourDavid Gilmour
David Jon Gilmour, CBE, D.M. is an English rock musician and multi-instrumentalist who is best known as the guitarist, one of the lead singers and main songwriters in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. In addition to his work with Pink Floyd, Gilmour has worked as a producer for a variety of...
from Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
used a pair of the 1959 reissue to achieve his sound in the studio.
In 2009, Fender introduced the latest reincarnation of the original late '50s Tweed Bassman amp, the Bassman TV series, which includes four sub-models such as the TV 10, TV Duo 10, TV 12 and TV 15. Each of these four amplifiers came with 10", 2 x 10", 12" or 15" speakers, 150 or 350W RMS (depending on the model). Other features include an XLR
XLR connector
The XLR connector is a style of electrical connector, primarily found on professional audio, video, and stage lighting equipment. The connectors are circular in design and have between 3 and 7 pins...
output, Master Volume, Gain
Gain
In electronics, gain is a measure of the ability of a circuit to increase the power or amplitude of a signal from the input to the output. It is usually defined as the mean ratio of the signal output of a system to the signal input of the same system. It may also be defined on a logarithmic scale,...
and a three-band EQ
Equalization (audio)
Equalization is the process commonly used in sound recording and reproduction to alter the frequency response of an audio system using linear filters. Most hi-fi equipment uses relatively simple filters to make bass and treble adjustments. Graphic and parametric equalizers have much more...
with Treble
Treble (sound)
Treble refers to tones of high frequency or range. In music this corresponds to high notes, and for this reason the treble clef is often used for instruments with higher pitch. Examples of treble sounds are guitar tones, female voice , young boy voice, etc. They have frequencies above 9 KHz. Treble...
, Middle, Bass, as well as "deep" and "bright" switches which boost the low and high frequencies.
Many famous amplifier manufacturers, including Marshall
Marshall Amplification
Marshall Amplification is a British company, founded by drummer Jim Marshall, that designs and manufactures music amplifiers, brands personal headphones/earphones , and, after acquiring Natal Drums, drums and bongos. Marshall amplifiers, and specifically their guitar amplifiers, are among the most...
and Traynor
Traynor
-Surname:* Ann Traynor, news editor for the Hemel Hempstead Gazette* Bradley Traynor , known as Wanda Wisdom, podcasting drag queen* Charles "Chuck" E...
, based their first batch of amplifiers upon the 5F6A Bassman, in examples such as Marshall's JTM45 (a clone of Bassman, using British-equivalent parts), and Traynor's YBA-1 (head form of Bassman).
Other models
- Super Bassman (1969-1971) - one speaker cabinet
- Super Bassman II (1969-1972) - two speaker cabinets
- Bassman 10 (1972-1982) - Silverface combo - four 10" speakers, 50 Watts/RMS (models produced after 1977 came with a three-band EQ on the Bass channel and 75 Watts/RMS with ultra-linear output section).
- Bassman 50 (1972-1977) - Silverface piggyback head - two 15" speakers, 50 Watts/RMS - Same specs as the original silverface Bassman heads produced between 1968 and 1972, except for the addition of a tailless amp decal and an AC568 circuit.
- Bassman 100 (1972-1977) - Silverface piggyback head - four 12" speakers, 100 Watts/RMS, became the Bassman 135 in 1978.
- Bassman 70 (1977-1983) - Silverface piggyback head - Same as the Bassman 50, with 70 Watts/RMS and a master volume control.
- Bassman 20 (1982-1983) - Blackface combo - one 15" speaker