Fender '59 Bassman Reissue

Its a straight up (bass) guitar amp with the simplest of controls. Everyone should know what this amp has. A 50 year old design that works so well. I think its a 1993 but not sure.

In a word ... BEAUTIFUL ! I did put EH 6L6s in it. I will put fresh pre-amp tubes and try out some different values but I do really like it just as it is. The solid state rectifier is staying. It seems to give the amp a quick and tight sound to it (maybe a little old Marshal/British sounding), just my opinion. I love the way you can feel this amp when you play it. I got this amp used from GC in San Jose. The previous owner laquered it. Maybe a little dark, but gives it a unique look and should last forever. I had to chase some cabinet buzzing but thats all straightened out now. I can honestly say that in 30+ years of playing electric guitar and going through more amps than I can remember this is my favorite. Stripped down to the basics, this amp is what rock guitar playing is all about. I dont plan to get rid of any of my other amps that I have now, I like of all of them, But the Bassman rules the roost.

Bought it used, lets see what happen.

Never had much luck with Leo's namesake outfit. I quit dealing with their customer support long ago. I just figure thats the price of doing buisness with them.

Been playing 30 years or so and still love playing and listening to guitar as much as ever. I can't belive it took me so long to get one of these amps. I will always have one! As with any product especially amps and guitar there is always variation among the production run but I think I got a good one and could not be happier.

absolutly no features which is OK!!! because reisues arent supposed to be like that. i do like how you can jumper channels to get a rich distorition

Now this is it ok i had a master vollume put in so for me i play this amp at like 5-7 which is when it sounds best it sounds nice everywhere else but right there it just starts to sreaam ur guitar leads like others said it works great with pedals. Also unlike line 6 sorta amps this there is no hiding behind distortion or reverb or anything this amp is a monster and whatever you give it'll through it in the audience face so this amp is bad for beginners basically

very reliable this amp had never broken down you should always have spare tubes because every once in a whill it start to hum more then normaml but still sounds great.

idk

i have been playing for a long time and i think this amp is like the standard amp this is that classic tone the only thing i wish it had would be a reverb but this is the classic fender sound

People have to understand that the more you put in the signal flow of an amp the more distant you get from the guitars fullest tone. So if you want a crazy gain channels and EQs this isn't for you. But if you want that botique quality that less is more, you'll fall head over heals with this amp.

I've been playing for 14 years, and have played many an amp. I play 2 american strats one 94 40th anniversery with EMG SAs (awsome clean bell like tones), and a 92 deluxe custum with lace red white and blues (more of a wound sounding sensor), and they both sound rediculously pretty even with no verb.

The first day I had this amp I let the tubes warm up for 20 minutes plugged in and played for about 10 minutes and then there was static and a pop and the sound cut out. Come to find out and about an hour of research, I found out I had a cathode short in my PI tube (the 3rd preamp tube). I switched all 3 out with groove tubes 12AX7 Rs and now it's better than before, they really boost the highs and highmids and have a great natural compression.

didn't bother with them

everything I imagined especially with a Robert Keeley compressor, Keeley modded TS-808, big muff, and a fulltone clyde wah, what more could you ask for, or just plug right in (I mainly use the normal channel) and listen to the sweet sound of pure un-adulterated tone.

The is the '59 reissue Bassman. It is a relatively simple tube amp. I play country, blues and rock and this amp is perfect. It's funny how they still built 'em with the knobs in back and numbers facing the other way. I heard that in the old days amps would be placed in front of the player so this configuration worked. The amp has expanded my abilities as now i can read upside down

This amp has the clear, full tone needed for country, blues, early rock. I play a nashville tele - this is a great combo. For dirt a Tube Screamer goes in line. I also play a les paul, which surprising is also a good combo. For dirt/tone here i use an old Butler Tube Driver like EJohnson/DGilmour et al. For reverb a EH Holy Grail is the way to go. I also have an Electric Mistress that sounds very nice through the 4 10s. I imagine this amp is pretty friendly to any guitar that is not particulary pointy.

The amp was re-tubed etc for a blues harp player. I like the sound the way it is, but it is getting on in years and I have neglected a tune up etc. Some odd sounds here and there - again this is the player's responsibility to chck no a shortcoming. Otherwise it seems pretty bullet proof.

I have not dealt with Fender.

This amp brings it. Many other reviewers have posted on getting the tones, agree with around 4-5 your in holy land. I've cranked it up outdoors and our drummer asked me to place a baffle behind it. I play a Fender Blues Jr - no comparison. i have a Marshall JCM600, no comparison. I imagine you would have to get to boutique world to exceed this tone combination.

Bought it new in 2007, 2 channels that you can combine with a short 1/4" cable (a neat trick!) , Rarely use the mid control, but I guess a lot of players appreciate it being there. I use it in a rehearsal studio, and it's plenty of power. Kinda wish there was tremolo or reverb, which is what fender was trying to do with the Hot Rods, making a "modern interpretation" of the classic amps, but those don't compare in fidelity to this amp. Just wish there was a Bassman 2, same electronics as this one, but with the effects.

The main reason I'm writing this review is to tell the truth that it's not a "clean" amp, like so many people are reviewing it as. It has an excellent clean sound at low volume, but the beauty of this amp is how it breaks up with the volume at only at about 4, giving a really sweet blues tone. Then when you get up to 7 or higher, look out, it's Jack White territory! No wonder this amp failed as a bass amp. If you want a tube amp that has a lot of clean headroom, consider a Deluxe or a Twin. Not much else to say that hasn't been said already; it's versatile, powerful and great-looking. A definite keeper.

No problems so far. I've heard of the fuses going once in a while. Damn, it's a 2 ohm amp! Mine has had no problems at all.

Never had to deal with them in regards to this amp, but I've called them before about other things and they're kinda so-so about addressing problems and getting back to you. But Korg or their other competitors are no better.

Been playing for over twenty years. If it were lost or stolen, I'd probably get another one, can't afford a custom shop version. I own a 410 Deville, Peavey Classic 50 and other Fenders and Marshalls, and nothing compares to this amp as far as tone and playability is concerned. I think the magic really starts in its preamp stage.

'59 Bassman Reissue
If you're reading this you probably know the stats, However the fact that input 2 has 6db of less gain is amazing for me as my Casino is LOUD.

Year is 1993 bought mine in February '08 mine was modified by the original owner. He added an adjustable bias, a tube rectifier, and about five layers of poly over the tweed.

This amp is amazing. I bought a new twin in 2005 for only $700 because it had been sitting for about two years for the first six months I loved it then I had many problems with it, after sending it in twice they replaced it, got it back and was happy for almost a year then I couldn't turn it up to 3 without it rattling to death. I called the store and got a full refund(VERY surprised). I found this amp on craigslist and it is everything everyone says it is and more. I play a variety of music: funk, jazz, rock, ambient, electronic(via a EHX micro synth) The amp handles everything extremely well.

I miss the vibrato and reverb of the twin, however I use my #1 Echo as reverb when I need it,

I play a stock Epiphone Casino usually going straight in, however I often use a Electro-Harmonix LBP-1 boost pedal to get a little more grit when necessary. My old twin had to be too loud to overdrive and this amp is perfect for me. Going into input 2 with my guitar's volume around 7-8 and the amp between 3 and 4 is perfect for me. If i play softly it sounds fender clean but when I really rock out (for lack of a better phrase) it gets the perfect amount of overdrive. I usually keep the treble at 12, Bass 3-4, Mid 6-7, and presence 5. When you crank the amp above 7 the bass gets a little muddy so I just turn it down a bit. There is so much variety with this amp it's incredible. The amp can be fender clean, and with my boost pedal set pretty low and the amp set above 6-7 it can get down and dirty. I hear the original Mesa/Boogie Mark1 was a modified bassman circuit and it makes total sense. Mine is a little noisy but I know it's just the power tubes and I just quit my job so that can wait. other than that. Absolutely amazing is all I can say. Also I NEVER liked the sound of my bridge pickup of my casino through my twin and I tried everything, and this amp makes it sound amazing.

Oh, It also handles pedals very well, I have a EHX boost, #1 Echo, and Micro Synth.

I've only had it for a few weeks now and have drove it around town to friends houses'. I don't gig but if I did I don't have another $700 for a backup. Like all tube amps it needs to be serviced, however with the selectable bias I can replace tubes myself.

Since I've had the amp for such a short time I'll have to say No Opinion on reliability at this time.

I hated dealing with my twin that was a piece and died. However this amp is so nice it makes up for all the unpleasantness I experienced. It's a '93 so it's well out of warranty and its modified. I live in Oregon and there are many good amp technicians in the city.

I've been playing guitar for about 5 years, I've owed a fender mexican strat and telecaster, a blues jr.(avoid them like the plague),a new fender twin(ugh!), I currently play a Casino through the Bassman and I think they were made for each-other. I love the tone, I miss the vibrato and I also dislike the fact that there is no external speaker jack because I would love to try out my friend's vibratone through it. Compared to other amps around a grand I don't think there is any comparison.

Amp has two channels, but no switching between channels. One channel is normal (for lack of better description) and the other is bright. Each channel has 2 inputs.

There are basic tone controls: treble, mid, bass and presense.
Thats it. What else do you need? Nothing. I don't miss the reverb. On a gig you'll either get reverb from the room or it will be added at the PA (or both).

This amp to my ears brings out the truest sound of me and my guitar (a custom telecaster copy). The tube tone does what it should: bring out the sweet overtones. The voicing isn't heavy (like a Mesa I played thru), or honky midrange (like most Peaveys and my Polytone) or artificial sounding (like my reissue Super Reverb c.1992). If you want unadulterated pure clean tube tone, this is the amp.

I've played thru lots of amps as both a musician and former music store employee. Far and away the Bassman reissue is the best combo I've played in the < $1000 price range. Not suprisingly, last time I was in Paradise Studios in Sacramento, CA, they had replaced their Mesa with a Bassman reissue. I recorded with the Bassman and it sounded awesome.

The amp sings from volume settings from about 4-7. You'll find yourself rolling back on the bass setting as you increase volume.

If I need overdrive I use a pedal in front.

I cannot comment on the amps reliability as I just acquired it (used). My previous reissue Fender from about the same era lasted from 1994-2007 in real-world gig use. The gig doesn't do the damage, its the travel that wears out your amp. Being shoved and dropped and rattled.

No comment. Never needed any.

I've played since 1984 or so, professionally since about 1994. All my guitars are custom built these days (Warmoth, Fender custom shop).

I like the amps purity of tone. I don't know much that could be done to improve upon it.

The only other amp I'd consider would be something by Custom Audio Electronics. I have the SE 3+ preamp by CAE, and it kills. But I'd rather haul a combo to a gig these days than a rack of gear. Although, I must say I did obtain a very special "mean" clean tone with my SE 3+, a VHT 2150 and a 4x12 cabinet that the Bassman cannot duplicate. It was mean, but not harsh, and way too loud for any of the gigs I'm doing!

I compared the amp to other Fenders (Hot Rod series) and a Mesa 1x12 combo (dual caliber?) both of which sucked compared to the Bassman when it comes to pure clean tone.

Mine was built on 5-25-1998. Rectifier has been replaced with a GZ34 tube, and the power tubes are upgraded.

The Re-issue has the same features as the original. Normal and bright high / low impedance inputs, tone stack, and volume controls. I use pedals a lot so the most important feature for me is clean tone, and this amp delivers in spades.

I use this amp for small club gigs playing primarily blues and rock. With the channels jumped this amp has a lot of tonal control and can go from smoky blues to mid-range rock very easily.

I don't need anything else from this amp for my purposes, but if you don't use or like pedals you probably want to look at the 65 Super Reverb instead.

I bought this amp looking for primarily clean tones, and it really delivers. While some other users like to put hotter tubes in these and overdrive them, I'm actually going for a 12AY7 in V1 for lower gain and lots of clean headroom.

I use it solely for tone and have found that this amp can easily go from smokey blues to twangy country and over to mid-range classic rock (60's style, NOT 80's).

It also takes pedals extremely well. In fact, pedals that sounded bad with other amps sound amazing with this one. It really lets the entire circuit breath and gives you plenty of headroom. For me it's like every other amp I've played had a blanket over it.

It's important to point out that this amp was never meant to be a swiss army knife, or a Marshall stack (wasn't even meant to be a guitar amp). It does what it does better than any other amp, and does nothing else. If versatility is more important to you than tone, or if what you really want is a Marshall, you need to look at something else. Take YOUR guitar to the store and play the amp for a while before deciding; you'll be happy you did.

There's not much here to break. If something goes wrong it's most likely a $20 tube or a $4 potentiometer. Historically speaking, this is considered the most reliable amp you can buy.

Fender is very responsive to me. YMMV.

I've been playing for 28 years now and this amp completely nails the tone that I hear in my head when I'm thinking about new riffs or songs.

If this amp walks off I'll have to buy another. I may buy a point to point wired one as a backup, or just to have.

I compared it to a lot of other blues style amps and it completely crushes everything for punch, headroom, tone, and responsiveness to the player.

Check out the Fender Website and you can see the features. Frankly not that much. No Reverb. No Crunch. Not even an effects loop. Just basic EQ and Presence with 2 channels, Bright and Normal.

I'm reviewing this because I am concerned some of the other reviews might make someone hesitate to buy this amp.

I think it is a matter of taste. If you are a heavy distortion metal head then this amp is not for you. It could do that but a Marshall JCM 2000 and a Guitar Workstation does it so much better.

For what it's worth I have a collections of Marshalls, Peaveys, and other Fender amps and a truckload of effects. I love them all.

I have been playing for 40+ years. I have found no amp or guitar does everything. I have about 20 guitars and 10 amps because I have found some mate better than others. For example when I really want the guitar to scream ala Jimmy Page I use a Les Paul Standard and a ValveKing100 but when I want "Hot Rod Lincoln" I use a Telecster and a Blues Deluxe with some delay and tremelo pedals.

If you are into cleanest possible telecaster type sounds and want to hear every note ring out while you are singing a Dylan tune to 100 to 500 people then this is it.

There is a niche market for blues purists and this amp fills that need. I give this amp a solid 10

Have not had the need

Have not had the need

Again-

I've been playing for 40+ years. I have enough equipment to start my own superstore. I've played every guitar and amp known to man. I count as one of my friends on of the 10 best guitarist in the world, whose name will remain confidential, and we have discussed equipment and tone.

A lot of tone is in the fingers. A really good musician can make the crappiest equipment sound great but a lousy player can't make great equipment sound good. I fear way too many musicians go for crunch and effects and volume as a means to disguise their shortcomings. And in the end they shortchange their own growth because they can't hear themselves.

If you like the sound of a wasp on steroids buzzing in a bottle in the back of the room go ahead and load up on a Line 6 with max crunch. If you want to hear your fingers pluck a string and hear it ring out then go with the Fender Tweed line.

I find the HotRod a little too harsh for small venues. Likewise the Twin and Deluxe are great but you really need a large auditorium to open them up to where you get the best from those amps. I could have bought any one of them. But for whatever reason I liked the warmer tone of a simple Fender Bassman. I play it at around 4-5 which gets it hot enough to where it opens up. I haven't played it at 8 or 9 so I can't comment on the complaints that it becomes narrow at that level. I'm wondering what stadiums their playing where they can get up to that level and how many thousand yards they're standing back to even know the difference. Anything over 5 is way too much I think.

I've been able to get great clean, blues, jazz, country and rock tones out of this amp. Every combination of settings I try, on the guitar or amp, sounds good. In that respect, by changing my playing style, and working the guitar's volume/tone controls I can access a bunch of different tones. The (4) 10's setup has such a big, wide sound and puts the guitar in a great place (mix-wise) onstage. By running channel 1 into channel 2 each volume control becomes a gain stage, more sonic possibilities. That's an amp with features in my book. The right features at least

This amp just makes my guitar sound good. Whichever pickup, playing style or pedal I throw into it I get back a big, warm, complex tone. I feel like I've rediscovered a few of my pedals after hearing them through the Bassman. It's really responsive as well, going from crystal clean to greasy to dirty depending on pick attack. The sound is almost 3-D and really fills up the room without being to woofy - well..at least with my strat the frequency response seems to match my guitar perfectly, bringing out my guitar's best qualities. I haven't tried it with humbuckers yet but I have a feeling I'll like that tone as well. I've never really been a gear fanatic but I am absolutley hooked on the Bassman. I now understand what all the hype is about.

I've read plenty of positive reviews as far as reliability is concerned so I get the sense that this is a well designed package. Only time will tell exactly how mine will age. I do wish the tweed was lacquered like the newer Bassman LTD reissue but oh well. I did buy a cover off of ebay since that raw tweed can get really dirty and stained.

I never really had to deal with Fender directly but I imagine they are a large company and customer service is inconsistent at best. Maybe I'm just being cynical.

I've been playing for 23 years, I've owned many guitars, amps, effects, etc. Currently I'm playing a Suhr Classic with Barden pickups.

If stolen I would replace it immediately.

I love the basic sound of this amp and I honestly don't even mind not having reverb.