Fender Iron comparison questions

[tomrasdf]

The solder has hardly dried on my first non-kit amp (18 watt liverpool) and I'm already planning the next. I'm looking to use an old fender as a doner for a d-clone (either a bassman or something else else along those lines). I'm still in college and new iron is a bit out of my range for the time being so I'll be unsing the stock iron.

Here's my question: Will I be setting myself up for an inferior amp by using silverface transformers? I know HAD used fender iron, but I have no idea what era it was from. Would it be worth saving up for a custom chassis and new transformers or will I be alright with the ebay special of the week.


-TR

[BobW]

It depends on the donor amp. If it's a musicmaster or bantam bass, then the answer is no.

I am using the stock transformers in my silverface bassman clone and have no tone issues. I believe Normster also used the stock transformers in his Bassman too.

What fender model were you referring to as the donor?

[tubetek]

Howdy Tom-
As for the Power Tranny, the only real concern is that it meets your voltage and current demands without overheating (filament current, too)
HAD generally seemed to use Fender Twin Reverb power Trannys for the 4 powertube (6L6) models. You'll be fine using one (or a Bassman PT for 2x6L6) they've been proven for decades.
The Output tranny is another thing altogether... While the TwinReverb OT has plenty o' iron it is limited (IMO) by the single output impedance of 4 ohms.
I really like to have the choice of 4-8-16 ohms so I can use any common speaker cabinet. Imagine how the tubes must feel, much less the sound penalty if you wanted to run your ODS at 4 ohms into a typical Marshall style 4x12 cab; normally wired at 16 ohm. Fortunately, aftermarket OTs are available with multiple impedance taps and a primary that matches the Fender spec (about 2000 ohms for 4x6L6 and about 4000 ohms for 2x6L6)
I believe the OT is the single most important component and the last place I'd scrimp. Hope this helps, tubetek

[tomrasdf]

The specific amp I saw on ebay a few weeks ago that got me interested was a bassman 10. I'm looking at 50 watt, so the PT should be alright.

I remember reading in another thread here that the secondaries on bassman PTs were a little high (375, I think, as opposed to 350? can't recall). I've read of ways to lower that (something, who's name escapes me, goes between the secondary center-tap and ground). Easy fix?

As far as the OT goes, I just double-checked the schematic and saw that most bassmans have only an 8 ohm. This is bad news for me as my cabinet is an Orange 2x12 with a 4/16 switch. Thanks for suggesting that I look at that. I probably never would have thought about it until the thing arrived at my door.

Are there any models that have multuple OT taps for impedance switching?

[philmanatee]

All the black and silverface 50 watt bassman heads I know of use 4 ohm as the stock output impedance. Phil

[Sven]

Of course.

[groovtubin]

The specific amp I saw on ebay a few weeks ago that got me interested was a bassman 10. I'm looking at 50 watt, so the PT should be alright.

I remember reading in another thread here that the secondaries on bassman PTs were a little high (375, I think, as opposed to 350? can't recall). I've read of ways to lower that (something, who's name escapes me, goes between the secondary center-tap and ground). Easy fix?

As far as the OT goes, I just double-checked the schematic and saw that most bassmans have only an 8 ohm. This is bad news for me as my cabinet is an Orange 2x12 with a 4/16 switch. Thanks for suggesting that I look at that. I probably never would have thought about it until the thing arrived at my door.

Are there any models that have multuple OT taps for impedance switching?

FWIW, my 50 watt 68 bassman( 4 ohm OPT) w/HRM sounds BETTER thru a 4X12 Marshall at (16) ohms than (4) It also sounds better than the 8 ohm speaker i run in the combo. Has ALOT ta do w/speaker damping and HOW you run the feedback.. It is KNOWN info HAD ran 4 ohm tranny`s into (8 ohm speakers), it softens up the sound,makes amp compress more, IF you like that!! Mine NAILS EVH brown sound into the Mashall. You REALLY need to let your ears do the listening though! .

[heisthl]

You could also use a 50watt Fender Prosonic Transformer - it has 16,8 and 4ohm taps.

[philmanatee]

I loved the sound of my 65 bassman through my marshall 4 12 at 16 ohms. I also think that the years of playing it at the incorrect impedance is what led to it's demise. Phil

[groovtubin]

I loved the sound of my 65 bassman through my marshall 4 12 at 16 ohms. I also think that the years of playing it at the incorrect impedance is what led to it's demise. Phil

Thats why Mercury Magnetics was developed , having BUILT AMPS for the INFAMOUS DIAZAMPIFICATION, i can ASSURE you that Cesar was a MASTER of IMPEDANCE MISMATCHING!