The BF AA864 bassman normal channel is AFAIK VERY similar to the 6l6 BF reverb amps in both design and sound (probably closest to a super reverb minus the 'verb and the tube recto). The SF AB165 bassman has a different design that actually has more preamp gain than the AA864. Mine breaks up at around 4 but at this point its LOUD!!!. I just played an out door party and never put the amp past 3. Running through my 4x10 the SF bassman is SUPER PUNCHY with a great clean tone (pop, funk, country all day long). However my Deluxe reverb has it beat for "lushness" and edge of breakup tones (mmm... 6V6'sAm I right in assuming that these and the early silverface ones sound pretty much like most other blackface style Fenders, just without reverb and tremolo? Thinking of picking one up as a backup head, or should I hold out for a bandmaster?
I agree. BF Bassmans are cool, but there's nothing like a Blonde Bassman. Great cleans and breakup on either channel, just different flavors, your choice. Push it with a boost at lower volume or crank it and use an attenuator.Originally posted by Laroosco!
I'm with Swarty.
Give me a Blonde or Tweed any day.
Blackface Bassmans sound damn great, I just prefer the other 2
Yo! I must have gotten lucky. Email me at rcd41@aol.com to discuss the amp and the store.Originally posted by bluesbreaker59
After playing two 6G6 Bassmans, and many BF Bassmans, I can honestly say that I'd take the BF Bassman ANY day of the week. I just wished they could have the same looks as the blondes with the oxblood and creme knobs.
I owned a 6G6 for almost a year, and hated it everyday I owned it, some days I just wanted to take it out back and shoot it. It was bright, brash and nasally on the "famous" bass channel, a tone akin to Willie Nelson's voice combined with Albert Collins SUPER TREBLE!!! The normal channel was just "eh", pretty blah sounding amp all around. And yes it was recapped by a very competent tech, retubed with NOS JAN Phillips, I also tried my Tung Sol 5881's, NOS preamps, everything I could think of and that amp NEVER sounded good. I sold it at a $800 loss, and have been kicking myself for that ever since. Never again will I trust a certain well known vintage shop in St. Paul, MN.
did you get a golden ticket at wonka's?I owned a 6G6 for almost a year, and hated it everyday I owned it, some days I just wanted to take it out back and shoot it. It was bright, brash and nasally on the "famous" bass channel, a tone akin to Willie Nelson's voice combined with Albert Collins SUPER TREBLE!!! The normal channel was just "eh", pretty blah sounding amp all around. And yes it was recapped by a very competent tech, retubed with NOS JAN Phillips, I also tried my Tung Sol 5881's, NOS preamps, everything I could think of and that amp NEVER sounded good. I sold it at a $800 loss, and have been kicking myself for that ever since. Never again will I trust a certain well known vintage shop in St. Paul, MN.