Fender Bassbreaker 45 Head & 18/30 Combo Demo

[@jonathandavis7748]

I work at GC and I here people play this all day. I play all fender guitars and mostly vintage fender amps including 50s clone deluxe, bassman and princeton. I still think it has a cool unique tone. You just can't even begin to think of it how they describe it. It is not a bassman or a blues breaker. But if you just take it as a new sound I think its interesting and a number of people have got a sick blues tone out of it when playing leads. It does not tend to lend itself to this style he's playing in the video as we all expect that kind of riff to sound a certain way that this amp does not do. I'd say if this amp interested you at all, play one for yourself and try the two combos. Might surprise you.

[@MiguelLumberto]

Oh that blue Strat is lovely!!!

[@Ram44]

+MiguelLumberto Yeah, just imagine how gorgeous it would look if it wasn't relic'd. But of course, people have to be cool and have a beat up looking guitar on purpose. So stupid.

[@shreivox]

I played the head just recently through a marshall 412 and I can say that this review does it justice. It's the same sound and feel I didn't like at all. I also had to roll a lot of treble and precense down because the highs were biting, especially with a strat..

[@motoganove]

dark grey tweed, why so conservative FENDER? and the panel looks so cheap. I like the air out-takes though cause my deluxes mainboard is toast from all the tube heat

[@mattgilbert7347]

Best used as a pedal platform, set to break up just a little. I do worry whenever amp makers compromise on tone and try to fit too many tonal characteristics into one amp. It *does* sound a little too "fizzy" for my taste. Blues Jnr or Hot Rod are better.

[@Cordova4444]

I put brand new NOS Mullards in my 45 right after I bought it. Huge difference.

[@gaztaylor9682]

Nice concept and some great useable tones from these cool sounding new Fenders. I think the addition of an FX loop would have been welcome to expand the overall usabilty. Thanks to Neville for the excellent demo here :)

[@nevillemarten1697]

Interestingly, check out my Fender Relic demo from the latest issue (Limited Edition Strat and regular Relic Tele Custom. I used this same amp - the reviews were done on the same day - and the amp sounds pretty amazing!

[@peachmelba1000]

What this review doesn't really illustrate is just how _absurdly_ loud the 18/30 is. I have one, and I use the 30 watt channel with a pedal board. I get all kinds of great tones from that set up, but using the 18 watt side for any kind of real grit or snarl requires the amp to be at ear splitting volumes. It would only be useful in a large club, unmic'ed, or on a theatre or festival stage, where such volume is needed. I may get an attenuator to see if I can safely use the 18 watt channel at rehearsal.

[@Snowcountry556]

I think it sounds great, not sure why people don't like it! Think I'm going to trade in my AC15 and get the 15 watt one...

[@tricko2286]

Best demo of this amp yet - I was going to write this amp off but maybe just maybe....

[@tricko2286]

I was complaining about this amp after watching many videos (it just sounded bad on KZbin) BUT videos don't do it justice - just tried the 7w and the 45w at length at my local store - WOW is all I can say!!! The tone out of the 7w with 12" extension can is amazingly cool for blues or even Rolling Stones type vibe. I didn't think the cleans were all that good but I didn't use them much. Basically the 7w has master, the 45w combo (while it sounded incredible) was still pretty loud (even at 1watt) with normal and bright volumes @ 12 o clock to get some grit. So I think the 45w is not a home amp. Cleans were not twin or Bassman cleans so if you like a Clapton or Stones tone - this is the amp for you. Gonna wait to try the 18/30 combo because it has master volume. VERY impressed with the tone of these amps. You have to try them in person.. This demo is the best one I have see as far as the true tone of these amps.

[@jst601]

Around 5:34 he plugs into the NORMAL input with output maxed (45watts) & tone controls at noon. Listen to the horrible buzz/fizz sound? It can't be dialed out. What tubes do these come with, stock? JJ's?

[@savanaviolenta]

EL84

[@mattgilbert7347]

Even with JJs it shouldn't fizz to that extent. Could be the configuration or something to do with the transformer. Tubes are tubes, bro.

[@kyonashaMeccanica]

Helloe. Does You have a noise supresor? I hace a new 45 head but have yo much humm when use high Output. Do You have tonluch noise with the head ?

[@tonykoziol9052]

Paul Kossof would have liked this amp,and also Peter Green.

[@MartinAdrianoFlores]

How do the higher watt models take pedals?

[@Kurtster600]

Is his name "High Nevil"?

[@andystephenson5407]

it's a tweed amp it does tweed overdrive breakup with a twist. it's awsome . if you buy it hoping for a Marshall you'll be disappointed. keep an open mind and remember it's not a super high gain marshall it's trying to emulate if anything a jtm 45. to me though it's a tweed amp always will be . sounds great

[@sylvainalain6637]

How good is the attenuator on the 45w model ?

[@andystephenson5407]

not so good. I mean it deffinitley works but 2x12 is still alot of speaker

[@Classix1969]

Why no fx loop on either !! I don't understand.

[@samroney6644]

They didn't add an effects loop because the intention was to stay true to the simplicity of the 5F6A, 6G3, and AB763 circuits used in these amps. Adding an effects loop in an all tube amp requires basically adding a gain stage, which would have altered tone and further complicated the Bassman 5F6A, Blackface Deluxe Reverb AB763, and Brown Deluxe 6G3 circuits used in them (5F6A in the 45, and the other two respectively in channels 1&2 of the 18/30). These are basically the same old classic amps, modified to substitute EL84's or EL34's for the traditional 6V6 or 6L6 power tubes Amps with loops are usually designed, from the ground up, to incorporate the extra gain stage of the loop into the tone of the amp, and usually include a master volume to drive the power section independently of the preamp. In this case, they were working from an existing circuit which was designed otherwise.If you try this or an old Bassman, you may find that you don't actually need a loop because the preamp doesn't compress as hard as most modern amps with more gain stages and effects loops, especially if you use a 12AT7 instead of the 12ax7 in the first gain stage as many have done in the old tweeds. With less compression from extra gain stages, timed and repeating effects work in front much they would in the loop of your modern amp, with slight adjustment to the effect level or wet/dry mix. Try, with classic design circuits, relying less on the volume knob for your full blown hard drive tone, but try pushing the front end instead with a drive pedal to get you over the top. As long as you put compressors and drives ahead of modulation and delay so that the delay trails aren't compressed, you'll get what you want. You just have to alter your paradigm a little and set things up differently.

[@Biffen1812]

You seem really knowledgable about electronics and stuff, so I just have a little question. I emailed Fender asking the same question this guy had, and he basically told me the same thing you did, that the distortion from the amp comes from the Power amp valves and not so much from the Pre amp valves. I'm looking into buying a Vox AC15, but it has no effects loop, so I was wondering if you know whether they work in the same way? I'm hoping I'll have no problem putting delays and reverbs into the front end of the amp. P.S I don't use any drive pedals, occasionally a Spark Booster at most

[@gabeandhasina]

Hmmm... I was looking forward to hearing this amp, but I'm a bit disappointed. Not sure I like the way it breaks up. The normal channel sounds better than the bright, but it all still sounds a bit "fizzy."

[@ahiddenoddity]

+Tricko Dude. You are one obnoxious Fender hater. "Don't know man...how can every demo be wrong....I think it sounds B.A.D. and I am a Fender lover.....Not sure what is going on with the amps or the demos but I am very surprised." Yeah, right bro.

[@tricko2286]

+ahiddenoddity good point, I have now played this amp in person and like it after all. BTW, I probably own more Fender than most (10 amps and 15 guitars)... HUGE Fender fan.. Hence my desire to see them succeed.. But if you think these demos do it justice - get your ears checked. I will say, this is an amp that demos well in person but not on camera.

[@savanaviolenta]

I love the clean channel but the tubes breakup sound like Boss ds1 on higher settings,meh.But for the clean channel I'll get 18/30 combo to praim it with my Carvin vl212 for ambient stereo amp setup

[@MGrose407]

I usually enjoy Guitarist reviews on amps, but I have to say this was pretty bad and it does not give these amps justice. If I were to base my view of these amps on this video I wouldn't have bought the 45. I tried it out in person and wow!! I know people's taste differ, but this is the best out of the bassbreakers and makes your axe sing even without a reverb! I have my own Boss RV6 for that (which is a very nice pedal). To each their own, but I love the sound of the 45 and I think it's underrated and will age well. Don't need and effects loop IMO. You won't find one on any vintage or reissue Fender. Get the 15 if just have to have it or any other amp. To me it's about the sound and this is similar to a Bassman, but has its own sound. Again your ears may differ, but mine says it's what I've been searching for or at least sets the bar.

[@Terbs-24]

Yes and we don’t get to hear how reactive the EQ is in this Demo as well as the atenuator, which make this amp very useful in a variety of settings.

[@YourAverageStrummer]

Finally a demo of these amps where they're played the way they supposed to be played: cranked up! Unfortunately the sound leaves much to be desired. Guess guys at Fender were tryin' a bit too hard to make something new... Just get a tweed Bassman reissue or a tweed Deluxe reissue instead of these - you'll be much happier with the results.

[@lars4738]

They cost 3x this

[@felipecaruci2677]

Wishing this to have a reverb bottom.. 🙁

[@bille77]

What a sire !

[@madsonsantos6627]

som muito maneiro!

[@Chilinoploppy]

The black tweed finish on these amps scuff so easily! It's annoying!!

[@nashdude2]

As someone who actually owns this amp, I have to say that all of the demo's of this amp are completely misleading. The both channel is totally where its at, and the individuals responsible for demoing this amp need to use their ears and dial it in accordingly. It has 2x12's! turn the bass down considerably or it will sound muddy and wooly, the bass needs to be two dials back counter clockwise, the Mid's and presence need to be dead center and the treble needs to be at 7. This setting will get you the classic JTM sounds that everyone is wanting from this. Also just like anything with EL-34's it prefers P-90's and Humbuckers considerably more than Strat and Tele style pickups.

[@tricko2286]

+Nash Smith Don't know man...how can every demo be wrong....I think it sounds B.A.D. and I am a Fender lover.....Not sure what is going on with the amps or the demos but I am very surprised.

[@japhmusic]

Have you any clue how to attenuate this amp with a load box

[@jakezimmermann6454]

Daaaa daa da da, da da da da da da da

[@MaduroMan]

Why do I feel like I just watched an episode of Masterpiece Theater? (or is that Theatre?) ;)

[@LazyCat010]

+Thom Grogan Because his voice only includes British tones.

[@MaduroMan]

David Ozab LOL. Good one.

[@marike1100]

More like Doctor Who when the Darleks used their voices to amplify guitars. Great amp, not a good demo.

[@PeterDad60]

He needs to crank the living shit out of the amps. Oh well, someone will do a real good review.

[@lars4738]

Les paul+normal channel+volume:10 treble:10 mid:10 bass:5 presence:10=clapton heaven

[@hpsauce531]

Where the fuck is a gain knob on this amp???!!!!

[@shfnderrock]

I reckon in real life this amp would sound messy and farty at volume

[@ahiddenoddity]

+shfnderrock Since when has a KZbin video ever sounded BETTER than real life? You Fender haters are obnoxious.

[@shfnderrock]

+ahiddenoddity well you got that wrong!! I love fender amps and have owned princetons, hot rods, bassmans, and still play a deluxe reverb and princeton. Doesn't mean I got to love every amp they make!!

[@dumbdickler670]

@@shfnderrock if you want a good demo of how this amp can actually sound just have a look at johan segeborn's video on it

[@cr4zym0de10]

Omg it's Walter White

[@Jmarshall-kj4hc]

Every demo I've heard sounds like pure crap.......so weird

[@tricko2286]

+Jmarshall7000 Dude, I cant believe it - totally agree ...how could fender have gotten it so wrong> Maybe you have to hear it in person but all the demos I have seen ...this thing sounds like a bad fuzz pedal..not sure how they came out with this.

[@jonathonfuqua6730]

Jmarshall7000 go play it in person bud, cheers

[@Chandler17447]

Neville seems sad

[@guitarman7597]

Because he's demoing a blues amp. He takes his job seriously in all fronts.

[@spacebarbus]

Flat and lifeless

[@dimitrischatzichristofas6819]

Buddy sorry but you didn't manage to put out the true quality of these amps i suggest you played something more melodic and diferent from tne poor demo you gave us

[@addictedtogear]

Yikes my ears are bleeding... If fender was out to make an amp that sounds like a bad Marshall and a bad fender they succeeded!

[@wadenkrangguttenberg3750]

ADDICTED TO GEAR ouch! I think you need to take a better look. I have the 007 head and its such a blast to play. no pedals and using the tone and volume knobs to get diff sounds is a skill all guitarists needto work on peace I am subbed to your channel so no rude stuff buddy! lol

[@addictedtogear]

Just voicing my opinion.