'59 Bassman LTD Reissue 45-Watt 4x10" Guitar Combo with Upgrades - Lacquered Tweed

(Read this whole thing before you decide to buy any Bassman)

Without a doubt the Fender Bassman is one of the most incredible amps ever made. In my opinion, it’s the best. Play one in a full band setting and you immediately hear, and feel, the way it sits in the mix. 4x10’s have a voice like nothing else. I used this amp for mostly outdoor, festival style gigs and it had no problem filling any space. I also used it for studio sessions where I could crank it in an ISO room. Sound engineers frequently said it was the best tone they ever recorded from an amp. That is because this amp has special mojo upgrades that all the other listings on Reverb or a stock amp lack (read below).

Local pickup in Napa, CA or I will hand deliver free within a 50 mile radius of Napa (that would include Sacramento, East Bay, SF proper, and North Bay areas)

What makes this amp special?

First of all the reissue Jensens just didn’t have the smooth voice of the originals but they were punchy. This amp was upgraded with two Alessandro GA10 SC69 Alnico speakers ($320) in place of two of the Jensens. These are perfect for the Bassman circuit, smoothing out any harsh highs while retaining all the punch. 

Next, the current Bassman LTD isn’t tubed like the original. Instead of a 12AX7, the original used a 12AY7 in the V1 slot on the amp lowering the initial gain and sweetening the tone. This is achieved in this amp with an NOS GE 6072A 5 star, triple mica tube ($195), the finest 12AY7 equivalent in the world. This makes the amp worlds better, especially with humbuckers, while giving you a more usable range to the volume controls. 

The V3 phase inverter was changed from a 12AX7 to an NOS Mullard CV4004 ($150) to lower the drive to the output tubes and not make the amp quite so loud for smaller venues. Really makes it more versatile.

The output tubes are exactly what they used in 1959, NOS TungSol 5881’s ($300) These are magical. They are slightly lower wattage than the stock 6L6GC’s Fender installs these days, but OMG the tone! Tons of harmonics and warmth, and that soft squishy feel under the fingers that is the trademark of a great vintage Bassman.

Finally there’s a new stock EH 5U4GB to slightly lower the operating voltage just like the original amps had when the line voltage was lower. This can be further enhanced using a variable volatage (variac) device.

The result is an amp that will hands down wipe the floor with any hand-wired boutique amp at a fraction of the price. This is my favorite amp that I’ve ever owned (and I have owned, and still own alot). I am only recording and not gigging—except for small venues occasionally. I'm also getting on in years, so I am starting to pass on some cherished items that are low use for me, but may be great for you. I just can't stand seeing the sad look on this amps face every time I walk past it to the 15 watt Fender tweed instead of to it.

Comes with the stock Vinyl cover. I also throw in a Weber Bassman speaker harness and a great sounding Stami 2 ohm attenuator that make this amp usable at home for practice and recording direct, or tames it slightly more for smaller venues (see pictures).