1964 Vintage Fender Bassman Tube guitar amp Restoration Project Was ugly now a shining Star

A great project! Initially I thought Oh boy, what did I get myself into. Well in the end it turned out to be the Best Bassman's that has came thru the shop. All original, stored untouched by the original owners. Yes, took some time and effort to bring her back around, but now this one can hold its own against the competition. My player, loves it. He wants it! I would have to say, the Bassman is my favorite of the Fenders to work on. So straight forward, no bells & whistles to cause problems. At the end of this video is a special treat. I have decided to make some custom phasing tremolo boxes. These are tube type. Designed to be used in a studio. Stand alone unit. No foot switches! It is called the REFLEX. More info to follow.

[@russellesimonetta3835]

Very nice. Love the old style trem.

[@johnshelhorse]

Fun video. Nice work! Handsome Telecaster for the test.

[@michaelstone7514]

Glorious tone!!!

[@johnmac9002]

Sounds great!

[@bradbeasley7669]

smooth !

[@mrGoesto11]

It might be fun to make a video of how to make your Tremolo!

[@neurosentience5150]

Beautiful! One my all time favorite amps. I wish I never sold my bassman.

[@benjohnson4810]

My other amp i use for gigs primarily is a Traynor Reverb Mate 40 (from early 2000s). It is surprisingly good if you set it right. 2x8 combo, 40 watts solid state. I set the amp exactly like the Bassman except there is a presence and gain knob. Presence-8, Mids-3 matches the Bassman, and Gain-5, Volume-5 to match the volume of the Bassman. Apparantly, a solid state amp of the same wattage as a tube amp will be approximately 1.5 quieter on the volume knob by comparison.

[@daveogarf]

Tony is THEEE MAN! And that Tele sounds SO Sweet!

[@johnsimms3957]

Good job Terry! I think the customer is going to be very happy.

[@randallsparks8050]

I already am :)

[@Finom1]

Another fantastic amp repair. Beautiful tone. Great educational video.

[@glenndavis6793]

That camera is really cool you can see every little detail of that board

[@chipcrooks557]

Nice !

[@TheFrozenDesert]

Standing by for Reflex details.

[@geemac7267]

Nice work! Thanks for the great videos, Terry.

[@DerisedEgami]

Sweet. Nice job. I just dropped by '65 bandmaster off to the repair tech, near me. You look like you could be his brother. I'm trusting he'll handle it with the same skill that you have! The amp belonged to my Grandpa, and saw many hours of service. I've enjoyed it, for the past 10 years, or so.

[@rciancia]

Well done Terry, you've made her new again. Vegas has lots of professional musicians and I am sure you cannot say who it belonged to, but.. I am sure whoever it was you made his son happy !!! Nice work man

[@superhet7281]

Born on the Bayou! Nice job, Terry!

[@Dazzy84]

Love the non american power lead, felt right at home seeing those wire colours blue, brown and green & yellow. 🤣 The kind we use in the UK. Great upload terry, could watch these repairs all night!! 👍

[@kbkman7742]

Those are aussie mains colours too

[@jimraimondi410]

that amp sounds incredible!

[@benjohnson4810]

Love that amp. My dad has a '66 Bassman, all original. I play through a 1x15 Peavey cab, black widow speaker @ 4 Ohms. Sounds great. This guy's amp setting is close to how i do it. Mine would be: Volume-3, Treble-6, Bass-3, normal 1, (bright switch off). I play an '08 Epiphone Les Paul with some low output humbuckers. Just got a Joyo Tremolo and love it. It is such a classic sound.

[@preiter20]

Great new tool Terry! Really highlights cracked solder joints.

[@johntmcguirejr8526]

Great job Terry on the video. The camera that you have presented has to be a valuable asset to your shop. Great find. It has to improve your ability to repair all the problems amps that you get.

[@elwrongo]

NIce work, love the Trem too. Blackface Bassman was my secret weapon for years, nobody really knew about them, could pick them up for $300 any weekend. Only thing was sometimes you wished for more clean headroom. They tend to break up pretty early, around 3-4.

[@Bigjoedo66]

Another great Video Terry!!

[@FuzzFace]

What speakers are in the cab that Tony is playing through?

[@hestheMaster]

That Dino- lite is impressive ! I bet Terry will be using it a lot for repair work. Great job on another Fender amp!🍷🍷🍷

[@kayciecarryl3366]

Hi Terry, nice videos. When you showed that cracked connection, it reminded me of a video I saw 20 years ago. The repair guy said when looking at old Fender amplifiers, he pointed out that only a few resistors are mounted in an east/west configuration and the resistor you pointed out was above a warped section of the circuit board and that the resistor there almost always came loose. So, I looked at a '65 Bandmaster I just got, and I went right to that resistor, picked up my pointy probe, stuck it into one end, pulled up, and the resistor popped out! How about that! Also, how about tuning your guitar to an E chord. Then you could play real good! (maybe)

[@karst41]

Meguires leather cleaner and conditioner will clean up and rejuvenate the Tolex to a factory new satin sheen. Buy it at Walmart or auto parts store about $8. Cheers

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Thanks for the tip! I will have to try it.

[@unklefester1980]

@@edwardmonsariste4050 For the initial scrub I use something an old towel and a tooth brush to get down into the crevices of the tolex and be careful not to let your cleaning solution drip. When all is cleaned and totally dry, I then apply a liberal amount of the Meguires and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then the final wipe down with a clean and dry towel.

[@billyrey9679]

good job buddy!

[@jdmccorful]

Nice job.

[@MusicMike939]

Love the sound of the bassman. I used to have on just like that. Never had it redone though. It was super loud. Could not turn up past 2.5. I wish I could find an amp that sounded like that but was not so large.

[@bobbyv5143]

The new electroinc scope is sweet! Nice addition to the shop!

[@d-labelectronics]

I love it!

[@stevetaylor4521]

I have used the Dino Lite and it works great for inspection and documenting with pictures but not good for close work like soldering SMT components on to a circuit board. Full bench mounted microscopes for fine soldering are too expensive for most home shops. Still for inspection they are great! Thanks for the tech tips Terry.

[@jackmeyers2911]

Nice work as always . Love your videos but I've never ran across a leaky ajax cap and I've rebuilt many black and silverface amps. The brown and blue dipped yes but ajax just don't go bad. There are people that won't even buy a blackface if the ajax have been removed. Just my opinion and experience. I've seen a lot of amps robbed of them. The 600v .1uf cost ya $35 to $50 each used for a reason. Just my opinion. Keep up the good work.

[@Lu_Woods]

That's the sound!!

[@Rhythmicons]

I have a '64 6G6B that needs a three-prong plug.

[@edwardmonsariste4050]

Thanks for the video! Now I’m jealous, I want one. That microscope is sweet. Maybe you could use it on those new lunch box tube amps with SMT components that only an ant can see.

[@tyshred9251]

I'll take that guitar and amp as a donation. Thanks! :)

[@ConspiratorElec]

Hey Terry! Cool tremolo! I built a dual 6v6 amp in what looks like the same model vhf booster. Pretty cool to see yours!

[@renegade44040]

That sounded so thick and creamy with a nice and clear high sparkling bell tone just like it should. Oh! Fancy microscope. Look at that crack.

[@randallsparks8050]

Hi Terry, I wanted to say to everyone that I really appreciate your great work! I got my 64' Bassman amp back from you last week, and I love it! My Dad is excited to see it back, better than new! I would upload a picture of the amp sitting on the speaker cab, but I don't know how to do that in the comments section here. Anyhow, I wanted everyone to know that you are the man when it comes to fixing up old Fender amps! Also, I have a question for anyone that can help.....I am missing a speaker in the cabinet. The cabinet came originally with 12" Utah speakers. I want to replace them with the vintage reissue Jensen C12's. I cannot seem to get them right now.....out of stock everywhere it seems. So, I would like to know what you all think for what speakers I should use. Please advise! Also, Terry recommended 8 ohm speakers, is that in series, or just the ohms per speaker? Any helpful advice would be great. Thanks Terry and everyone, Randy Sparks in Las Vegas, NV

[@neurosentience5150]

Celestion greenbacks or creambacks are unreal with this amp!

[@brianhanson9367]

Had a bad connection like that in my 65 deluxe, on the other side of the eyelet board. Took years to find. Looked perfectly fine, the lead could rotate in the joint. Years.

[@DeathCapAmplification]

Hey Terry, great job. You mentioned sending the cabinet off and getting it professionally cleaned. Just curious where you send it for this service? I restore my own and have learned a lot of tricks over the years. But it’s always a ton of work to do a good job.

[@brich2929]

in for a REFLEX

[@theguitaramptech]

Another great result, Terry. That tremolo sounds so lush. It sounds like a Brownface Concert! Do you move the amp under a stationary microscope or the other way round?

[@andrewcurtis8343]

Was replacing the front panel purely cosmetic. to each their own but I kind a like the old busted up one.

[@putzengiler]

The previous owner must have been awfully angry with that amp to be able to break the control panel, never saw that before...scary..

[@markjanosik7274]

Hey Terry great video. Thank you! If you don’t mind I have a question. What is the cabinet and speaker combination you are using for a shop speaker? Thanks!

[@terencekaye9948]

Very nice Ter,,, Just wondering if you would recommend installing a Master volume in something as low powered as a Push pull 6v6 Princeton amp and also,,, I love the sound of the Tremolo that you built and was wondering if you have a schematic that you could share,,, sounds awe some!,, Thank you :)

[@antonix_81]

Great restoration👍🏻 is the master volume post phase inverter? Cheers

[@jackmatthews2840]

Great work Terry. Tell Tony to keep up the great playing. What kind of radio chassis is that in the REFLEX video?

[@robertregalado5662]

if you don't mind can I ask you how much would that cost me if I had something like that to be repaired.

[@howardrose8481]

Tell me more about the Trem/Phaser please.

[@audiotechlabs4650]

Professionally cleaned? $5 at the car wash! Ha Ha! Just kidding! I have taken empty cabs and flushed them at a car wash! I guess a power washer would work also. You have to remember to be gentle and dry it out immediately after the wash! Now days I guess there are "Professional Amp Cleaners". Where did you get the new faceplate? I need one for a '65 Blackface Princeton. It needs to say Princeton Reverb Amp. Another great repair and the new microscope is so great!!! When you get my age, a devise like it can really make a difference in troubleshooting and repair! Congrats on the new scope! Tony sounds great! Love from NW Colorado. Thanxz

[@sussudioscott9383]

where did you order that Bassman Faceplate with the logo?

[@d-labelectronics]

www.ebay.com/itm/Direct-Replacement-Face-Plate-For-A-BLACK-FACE-Fender-BASSMAN-Amp/303615918653?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@brich2929]

same thing I was going to ask

[@MotownVideo]

Which model/magnification microscope did you get? I really need to get one of those, my vision has really gone downhill!

[@d-labelectronics]

The Premier Dino-light is variable, see their website for details

[@cmesoar]

Amazing sound, gotta love the Fenders. Would you please tell us your source for the replacement front panel?

[@d-labelectronics]

You can find them on ebay

[@LitesLAB]

Sounds like a beauty fellas! Wonder what a sweet Les Paul would sound like through her? ;)

[@infectionsman]

Why not simply reflow all the solder joints? Should be fairly quick and a good way to avoid future problems with such an old amp.

[@aliveandfilming2]

I'm about to spend some dough on an older mesa boogie satelitte 60, and I'd prefer spending my money @ your shop... do you strictly build on orders or have any 12" combos for sale ? I already own a stereo set up( 2 x 4x10") marshall cabs , powered by a plain peavey classic 60/60 ,pre amped by BK butler real tube 2.... I'm seeking a great sounding 12" combo to run a dry/wet rig,,,, you're probably overworked and don't have time to respond to all of us ,,and I understand. I would just love a unique point to point combo ... from a reputable shop like yours

[@aliveandfilming2]

Or maybe a tweaked up old relic in order to use simply as a preamp

[@2ToneInstallations]

I tried reaching out to you on reverb and via email regarding some work I was wondering about. What is the best way to speak to you about it?

[@d-labelectronics]

What kind of work?

[@2ToneInstallations]

I own a blues junior cabinet, speaker and chassis and was wondering how much would it be to get a custom hardwired set up for it. I had a really bad string of luck with some of my recent amps and I want to finally get something good. Thanks for your time P.S i have a power transformer and output transformer from the blues junior aa well Johm

[@brocktechnology]

I wonder why yo prefer the visual inspection of the joints, seems to me you could reflow all of them in less time?

[@d-labelectronics]

Would you take your amp to a shop that simply resolders everything without an inspection of the cause?

[@brocktechnology]

@@d-labelectronics Well thinking about it, yes actually. It's very easy to miss a cold joint by visual inspection, the older we get the easier it is. If you reflow a joint (and it thereafter looks right) you can say with high confidence that it is a solid connection. All the other inspecting for corrosion, leaking electrolyte, loose pins, and the like can be done during the soldering process. Your usual practice is to repair most everything you find in the inspection before first power up(for solid reasons) so I can't see that any information is lost by doing a systematic reflow and leaving the cold joints out of the inspection. As a bonus the systematic visiting of every joint should work against the natural human tendency to skip over things.

[@cBroadbo]

Nicely done. Where'd you buy the replacement faceplate?

[@hestheMaster]

I think Mojotone.com.

[@d-labelectronics]

www.ebay.com/itm/Direct-Replacement-Face-Plate-For-A-BLACK-FACE-Fender-BASSMAN-Amp/303615918653?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[@cBroadbo]

@@d-labelectronics Thanks Terry!

[@cBroadbo]

@@hestheMaster Yes, but the Mojotone ones don't have the logo on them.

[@waskele.wabbit717]

Sounds great but if you want to get some hair out of that thing put your ear plugs in and crank it up. Or a power attenuator or just cheat and use a pedal.

[@richysradioroom]

I thought I Heard a little Stevie Ray Vaughn there.

[@johnjohnson3221]

Nice amp ...but a blue jewel light ??

[@d-labelectronics]

Green

[@glenndavis6793]

I'm sure that cost you a couple bottles of 🍷 😂

[@d-labelectronics]

600 big ones

[@glenndavis6793]

D-lab Electronics 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ThePianoforever]

Your new microscope is amazing but I think the REFLEX tremolo box won the day! I can't get over how good it sounds!

[@d-labelectronics]

Thank you my friend, I would love to have a REFLEX at your studio

[@ThePianoforever]

@@d-labelectronics We would love to do an additional review of it here in the studio.

[@flintdavis2]

I felt like that was rushed, would have liked to see more repair and less playing. Thanks anyways.