Old Amp Mods

[64Firebird]

I was thinking it might be cool to add a master volume and effects loop to my 64 Fender Bassman. I'm not worried about killing the resale value because I would get rid if it for anything other than a 59 Bassman. Can that sort of thing be done?

 

[foo]

Yes it can.

But why? Go buy a new Fender ... whatever and leave the Bassman original for it 's next owner.

We are only the guardians of this stuff - and it is up to us to make sure that the guys who will appreciate real equipment in the 2050's get the real deal.



. . . or to put it into perspective - what if you found your near mint '59 Bassman, but some #*%^^$ had put an fx loop and a master volume in it?



Don't do it, man!

foo

 

[M.Brane]

Have to agree with foo, dude.

By the time you spend the time & bucks to have your Bassman modded properly by a good tech you might as well buy a used Boogie head or somethin.

While I can see wanting an effects loop, the master volume would probably degrade the sound of the amp. If you need more gain, get something to drive the front-end harder. I've got a small pre-amp box that I use in front of my Super and JCM to give 'em a little kick in the face. It works wonders.

The other option would be to use an attenuator/speaker simulator on the output although I've done that with my Super and it chews through power tubes pretty fast. It sounds great though.

 

[MONTE]

I agree with the others. Don't bastardize the amp. But, if you must do it, at least don't drill any new holes in the faceplate like some I've seen. If you need to install another pot or something, try to use the existing holes like the external speaker jack or whatever so that you can at least put it back to original if you ever want to. Anyway, I'd just get some stomp boxes before I'd start rewiring. It'll probably cheaper, work better, and cause you less grief in the long run.

 

[toorglick]

Another voice in the crowd saying "DON'T DO IT!!!!"

Sell it and get something that suits you better.

 

[64Firebird]

Okay, I'll get a tube screamer and see how that works out.

 

[Even]

He's gonna do it..... I can feel it. Maybe not today, maybe never admit it, but the itch will fester into a frenzy. If nothing else, us home recording guys will do ANYthing if it ......
A: saves a buck
B: Gives us something Nobody has ever had
C:Gets free beer at a bar

You guys can argue or deny if you want, but I will use photos and quotes from the "studio building" forum as a defense.

 

[64Firebird]

LMFAO!!!

 

[64Firebird]

YOu guys were right! I bought a TS-9 today and it gives me all the extra gain I wanted without changing my tone. And it does it at low levels so I won't go deaf.