Nice, excellent work as always. I've owned a 1958 Bassman since the mid 70's (I still gig with it). After watching your videos I went through it and it's working/sounding great now, but I see a few more things I should do after watching this series on this one. I use a voltage bucker/reducer at minus 6 volts. I did the bias at an average of 114 wall volts. I measured the heater voltage at -6 wall voltage and it was much closer to the 6.3 recommended voltage, the wall voltage here is usually averaging around 120-122. I also think (but don't know) that the lower voltage is taking it easy on the old transformers. I also put in a new Train Wreck type 2 MV. I copied what you did in a few videos back (that helps a lot, it's had an MV since the 80's, the old one was okay but the new one is better). I've used 12AX7 in V1, but I like the 12AY7 better. Mine has it's original P12R speakers (re-coned years ago). While you can set the tone controls anywhere and always get a good sound from a Bassman I have a recommendation for Bassman Amp settings. This is the old school way to use one of these girls. Presence and midrange all the way up, bass all the way down or no more than on 2, treble all the way up or down around 20% (it depends on the guitar and room). Volume all the way up or backed off a bit to taste and depending on guitar and how much snarl you want. I generally use the bright channel, but I like a jumper to blend in the normal channel in for more warmth. I use Stratocasters mostly and sometimes a Tele, Gibson guitars will be different but need very little variation from these settings. You'll see why a type 2 master is needed right away, these old gals are LOUD. In the 70's and early 80's when the clubs were bigger the master volume wasn't needed, but as the rooms got smaller I found a master volume was required to get the Bassman sound without driving everybody out of the room. This is if you don't use overdrive pedals etc., that's a whole different setting. I use a 1963 Fender Reverb unit in front, no pedals. You don't need pedals with an old Bassman. This is if you play the blues, blues rock, old school rock etc. not for clean twangy country. Try my settings, but use a long cable so you can get away from it, and don't do it a night, the neighbors will come for you with guns drawn. 😸✌
Absolutely love the mids presence on full or about 90%. Bass maybe on 1 and treble maybe about two usually not more. I use humbuckers in the bright channel, single coils in the normal channel. Always on full volume and using my guitar volume
Lyle, you're a doctor and an engineer with tube amps. I love learning the hows and whys you do things the way you do. Excellent job on this vintage beauty 🎸🎸
Great video , thank you. A little maintenance on the leather handles would help keep it new and look great for a long time. Get some MINK OIL once a year and apply it and let it dry . You will have less worry it breaking on you will transporting the amp or any other cases with leather on it . Good luck everyone.
Saddle soap is another good way to clean and rejuvenate leather. I have tried neat's foot oil in the past but it soaks into the leather and darkens it too much as well as making it kind of soft and wet. I don't recall ever seeing mink oil.... And since we're talking about things that are probably also used to clean and waterproof leather winter boots I recommend some stuff called Snow Pruf which is a beeswax paste .
Hi Lyle I got a review request from you tube about this Video and ofcourse I gave it 5 stars and answered all multible choice of why I rate as a 5 star video and I was truthful ofcouse ,excellent work on this awesome vintage amp !!!1
nice work ... Its always a shame when so much on some of these old amps need replacing, unfortunately it the nature of the beast if its too be used .. im just about to build one myself ..
Even thou i couldn't tell the diff between a resistor vs a Coney dog.. I like watching these vids... I do know what I like to hear.. and can't wait for the final videos on this one.
Interesting on the voltage... My 5F6A running 5881'S is the the same 5AR4 / GZ34 . I need to run it w/ brown box 111-114V w/ bias around 60% diss to keep PV @ 450-460V.
I refurbished one of these that actually came from Mexico, so I guess you could say it came an even longer way! The inside of it was caked with something that looked almost like adobe brick dust! I managed to clean it all out and make it look good and I was even able to save all the tube sockets but I did have to replace a seized potentiometer and of course all the electrolytic caps were bad.
Lyle, another great video. a serious question not questioning you. I have heard you have to be careful using 5U4GB do they need heavier gauge heater wire? Thanks Joe
Well the heater wires for a 5AR4 or 5U4GB rectifier tube are the 5V secondaries on the power transformer. The issue is the 5U4GB draws more heater current than the 5AR4/GZ34, so you need to know the transformer can handle that current demand. This transformer can.
Original new old stock 7581 tubes are rarer than hen's teeth and very expensive (it was the stock tube in a much desired Harmon Kardon Citation amplifier if I remember correctly and therefore all the hifi guys have snagged them up and driven up the price). If there is a modern version it's probably just made with 6L6 parts and it's unlikely to be much different.
*Riotous Applause from the anonymous industrial electrician crowd.* Lyle, you couldn't have impressed these guys more unless you were Bryan May explaining his amplifier signal chain and the importance of elemental Germanium to the existential electron flow of Stone Cold Crazy.
Oh my, why do you need Netflix, when you have THIS
Nice, excellent work as always. I've owned a 1958 Bassman since the mid 70's (I still gig with it). After watching your videos I went through it and it's working/sounding great now, but I see a few more things I should do after watching this series on this one. I use a voltage bucker/reducer at minus 6 volts. I did the bias at an average of 114 wall volts. I measured the heater voltage at -6 wall voltage and it was much closer to the 6.3 recommended voltage, the wall voltage here is usually averaging around 120-122. I also think (but don't know) that the lower voltage is taking it easy on the old transformers. I also put in a new Train Wreck type 2 MV. I copied what you did in a few videos back (that helps a lot, it's had an MV since the 80's, the old one was okay but the new one is better). I've used 12AX7 in V1, but I like the 12AY7 better. Mine has it's original P12R speakers (re-coned years ago). While you can set the tone controls anywhere and always get a good sound from a Bassman I have a recommendation for Bassman Amp settings. This is the old school way to use one of these girls. Presence and midrange all the way up, bass all the way down or no more than on 2, treble all the way up or down around 20% (it depends on the guitar and room). Volume all the way up or backed off a bit to taste and depending on guitar and how much snarl you want. I generally use the bright channel, but I like a jumper to blend in the normal channel in for more warmth. I use Stratocasters mostly and sometimes a Tele, Gibson guitars will be different but need very little variation from these settings. You'll see why a type 2 master is needed right away, these old gals are LOUD. In the 70's and early 80's when the clubs were bigger the master volume wasn't needed, but as the rooms got smaller I found a master volume was required to get the Bassman sound without driving everybody out of the room. This is if you don't use overdrive pedals etc., that's a whole different setting. I use a 1963 Fender Reverb unit in front, no pedals. You don't need pedals with an old Bassman. This is if you play the blues, blues rock, old school rock etc. not for clean twangy country. Try my settings, but use a long cable so you can get away from it, and don't do it a night, the neighbors will come for you with guns drawn. 😸✌
Awesome info!
Absolutely love the mids presence on full or about 90%. Bass maybe on 1 and treble maybe about two usually not more. I use humbuckers in the bright channel, single coils in the normal channel. Always on full volume and using my guitar volume
Best amp tech on UA-cam period Also makes good videos
I always look for my "Psionic Audio FIX " every day . . . if nothing there I almost go into "withdrawals" 😎 👍 👍 . . . another great job Lyle . . .
Lyle, you're a doctor and an engineer with tube amps. I love learning the hows and whys you do things the way you do. Excellent job on this vintage beauty 🎸🎸
the bassman is the one amp i don't mind playing without reverb. pretty.
I got a good laugh out of one of your comments. A friend of mine used to say, " no fuss no muss just get on the bus." His last name is Musselman.
Man that thing is gorgeous. The domino caps were so cool looking. It sucks we don't make things like that anymore
Lyle, you would make Leo proud. Kudos for a job very well done.
Mmmm...sounds terrific... and just look at that shine!
Those were the days. SNL was actually funny, not just a political platform.
After all that work it definitely deserves that new leather handle you mentioned. Looking forward to hearing it soon. Thanks for posting.
Beautiful workmanship Lyle.
beautiful and thoughtful work, Lyle! I hope the new owner loves it with as much care as you showed fixing it up ^,..,^
Beautiful work! What you do is truly a work of art. Not only does it look great inside, but it also sounds amazing!
Great video , thank you. A little maintenance on the leather handles would help keep it new and look great for a long time. Get some MINK OIL once a year and apply it and let it dry . You will have less worry it breaking on you will transporting the amp or any other cases with leather on it . Good luck everyone.
Saddle soap is another good way to clean and rejuvenate leather. I have tried neat's foot oil in the past but it soaks into the leather and darkens it too much as well as making it kind of soft and wet. I don't recall ever seeing mink oil.... And since we're talking about things that are probably also used to clean and waterproof leather winter boots I recommend some stuff called Snow Pruf which is a beeswax paste .
Outstanding work Sir.
Impeccable work ! Can’t wait to hear some more sound check ! Please show more of the main filter supply work .. 😊
Beautiful work, Lyle! A job to be extremely proud of.
BRAVO
Hi Lyle I got a review request from you tube about this Video and ofcourse I gave it 5 stars and answered all multible choice of why I rate as a 5 star video and I was truthful ofcouse ,excellent work on this awesome vintage amp !!!1
Great video. Appreciated the excellent sound quality on the recording at the end.
Hamlet speech..........love it.
A floor wax and a desert topping, deep call back.
Wow! A classic Saturday Night Live reference
That Tele is sounding great through this thing Lyle
nice work ... Its always a shame when so much on some of these old amps need replacing, unfortunately it the nature of the beast if its too be used ..
im just about to build one myself ..
looks incredible!
Very VERY cool!
Beautiful work and sounds too!
I've loved watching this process.
Beautiful work!
Beautiful work--and the amp sounds great!
Wow that sounds so good!
Even thou i couldn't tell the diff between a resistor vs a Coney dog.. I like watching these vids... I do know what I like to hear.. and can't wait for the final videos on this one.
4X10s sound great at just about all volumes😁👍👍
Great job Lyle😎👍👍
Sounds a beaut, love those amps.
Always a pleasure Mr Caldwell
if I had a buck for every time I needed to break out a soliloquy from Hamlet at a gig...I'd still be poor. And mmmmm, great Shimmer!
Love the SNL reference!
very fitting that you used your Tele for the first test.......
I wonder what Leo would think about people saving the old caps and jacks 😂
I’m sure he would have an interesting speech to give 😊
@@honkytonkinson9787 If Leo were Moses, I think something along the lines of "idols and graven images" would cover it.
One of the best Amp repair serials yet. Should be nominated for a Grammy ❤
Original parts in a bag are important for when you’re selling the amp.
DAMN! That's one fine looking rebuild!
Another psionic tour de force!
Mahalo Lyle
Interesting on the voltage... My 5F6A running 5881'S is the the same 5AR4 / GZ34 . I need to run it w/ brown box 111-114V w/ bias around 60% diss to keep PV @ 450-460V.
Ah the rectifier comment. Nice work.
Somehow I thought thr 5f6a originally had the same rubber handle you see on new ones? Maybe I'm just used to seeing old amps with replacements
Do you think is best to use a 5U4GB even in a Reissue 59' Bassaman LTD? Or is just fine with the GZ34? Sonically will change anything?
5U4GB. Will need addressed in more depth on the next video on the 59 RI here.
That old thing came a long way.
I refurbished one of these that actually came from Mexico, so I guess you could say it came an even longer way! The inside of it was caked with something that looked almost like adobe brick dust! I managed to clean it all out and make it look good and I was even able to save all the tube sockets but I did have to replace a seized potentiometer and of course all the electrolytic caps were bad.
@goodun2974 I'd love to rebuild one
Lyle, another great video. a serious question not questioning you. I have heard you have to be careful using 5U4GB do they need heavier gauge heater wire? Thanks Joe
Well the heater wires for a 5AR4 or 5U4GB rectifier tube are the 5V secondaries on the power transformer.
The issue is the 5U4GB draws more heater current than the 5AR4/GZ34, so you need to know the transformer can handle that current demand.
This transformer can.
@@PsionicAudio Thank You Lyle!!
have you tried using 7581a tubes in a bassman?
Original new old stock 7581 tubes are rarer than hen's teeth and very expensive (it was the stock tube in a much desired Harmon Kardon Citation amplifier if I remember correctly and therefore all the hifi guys have snagged them up and driven up the price). If there is a modern version it's probably just made with 6L6 parts and it's unlikely to be much different.
*Riotous Applause from the anonymous industrial electrician crowd.* Lyle, you couldn't have impressed these guys more unless you were Bryan May explaining his amplifier signal chain and the importance of elemental Germanium to the existential electron flow of Stone Cold Crazy.
sweet .🎸🎸🎸
Wow! A classic Saturday Night Live reference