Bassman Questions
Hi Skip, I was hoping that you could answer a few questions for me. I just purchased a new 1991 Bassman that had maybe 5 hours playing on it, it looks as though it just came off the assembly line. My questions are do I have to be concerned that any of the components need to be replaced because it's been siting in a box for 22 years unused, like caps drying up and such. Also should I change the inputs and pots to better quality ones like switchcraft. And should I rewire the speakers with heavier gauge wire and solder them on the speakers and eliminate them RCA looking jacks that the speaker wires run into now. Last question is from the bassman chronicles, I made the 100k and 82k resistor change up to the 1watt and added a bias pot, but the bias pot had 3 terminals on it, but there are only 2 wires, is the terminal not being used for a ground, or is it just there for another purpose. I used all the same parts as Mark suggested in the chronicles. I just want to be sure its as dependable as possible, and that nothing will fail from it siting, and that the sound is the best it can be. Thanks Skip
Thanks Skip, I think I will heed your advice and just leave it alone unless a problem develops. So you think all the caps and resistors will be find also, so there will be no need to have it checked out, I mean it sounds really good, but wasn't sure what happens to them from just sitting and not being used. I also need to tighten the pin receptitcals for the power tubes as they are very loose, but I am a little nervous about doing that. Is there any pointers you can shoot my may about that, I would appreciate it also. Thanks
Bluez- It is very unlikely that any of the caps or resistors need changing. As far as the power tube and rectifier tube sockets, take a closer look...... You will see that the tube pins fit into little metal sleeves which are "floating" in the plastic socket. The important thing is that the sleeves grip the pins tightly. Even when everything is tight, the tubes will move around in their sockets quite a bit. I doubt very much that you need to re-tension the sleeves on such a mint amp.
Hello Bluez- Thanks for writing. First, you might as well face it. You really want a good excuse to do some soldering! I hear you; I love working on stuff myself. It would be a better idea for you to get an inexpensive amp to "upgrade" rather than messing with an ultra-clean RI Bassman. The only mods I usually suggest are some tube or speaker subs, but those 1-watt resistors are a good idea.
The bias pot uses only two of the three terminals.
Don't even think about changing the pots and don't convert the input jacks until they go bad.
Re-wiring the speakers would be good soldering practice (you'll need a gun, not an iron) but will have no effect on the sound.
I would have fired the amp up slowly (with a variac) when turning it on for the first time, but it's too late for that.
Working on amps is great, I should know! However, quit messing with this Bassman. Get something cheaper and have a great time modding and upgrading it. The Bassman is great as-is, and I feel that a mint early RI model has a certain collectability going for it that could be considered as well.......