question about a 1965 Bassman head ($900?)

IronMaiden

Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 564
Virginia Beach

Posted on Feb 14 2007 03:54 PM

Somebody offered me one in 'excellent' condition for 900 bucks. Is this a good price?

Top

dp

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
United States

Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:20 PM

It depends, of course, on condition.

some inquiries I would make:

Capacitors, wiring, tube sockets, transformers: original? replacement?

Cosmetics: good shape? re-done?

Does it come with a speaker cabinet?

How does it sound?

Top

WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 969
United States

Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:52 PM

eh, sounds a bit on the high end if you ask me. I think depending on condition 600 is a good price. They are not that rare.

Top

IronMaiden

Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 564
Virginia Beach

Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:59 PM

dp
It depends, of course, on condition.

some inquiries I would make:

Capacitors, wiring, tube sockets, transformers: original? replacement?

Cosmetics: good shape? re-done?

Does it come with a speaker cabinet?

How does it sound?

Thanks...I just emailed him all those questions, I dont know crap about amps. He offered me a 65 twin for 2700 and after i said ebay has them for 1,000 he dropped his price to 1200. I bet if I had 600 hundy cash hed might take it for the bassman. He says its, "the best sounding one out of 9 hes owned, blah blah blah..."

Top

SurfBandBill

Joined: Mar 15, 2006
Posts: 1487
San Francisco
1 News Pin

Posted on Feb 14 2007 05:11 PM

Especailly after that latest anecdote, I say six hundy, take it or leave it. I don't know that I've ever seen an amp head that justifies $900... hell, I got my '67 Dual Showman for something like $550 or so.

~B~

Top

dp

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
United States

Posted on Feb 14 2007 05:56 PM

I agree with the others above: about $500-$700 sounds about right for a 1965 Bassman 50 head in decent condition.

Top

surfneptune

Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
3 News Pins

Posted on Feb 14 2007 06:12 PM

Sounds like a dealer price. If it came with a cab, I could see it. I think you could find a showman for that. Also you can run out of headroom real fast with a loud drummer using the bassman. Of course someday it could be well worth that and more if you are willing to hang onto it. Ya never know...

First and foremost give it a listen. Try both channels. If it has the original brown paper caps under the cover, it might need some work soon.

Keep us posted!

—

THe NEpTuNeS

Top

TomK

Joined: Feb 11, 2007
Posts: 87
Pittsburgh

Posted on Feb 14 2007 07:00 PM

Yep, that sounds a bit too high. There is a nice looking blackface Tremolux head on the FDP right now for $500 shipped. Okay, it's not the same amp, but it seems somewhat comparable in value.

Top

IronMaiden

Joined: Nov 02, 2006
Posts: 564
Virginia Beach

Posted on Feb 14 2007 07:59 PM

OK heres how it went down:
Seller: 900 bucks
Me: 600 bucks
Seller: 900 FIRM
Me: 450 bucks
Seller: (no reply)

So much for negotiating...

Top

RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2384
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Feb 14 2007 08:03 PM

I recently picked up a '65 Bassman in great shape,
with original transformers for $595 from a dealer.
(Awesome amp!!!) I recently saw a '65 Bandmaster
in comparable shape at the same place also for $595.
I think $900 is waaaay high.

Bob

—

Bob

Top

surfneptune

Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
3 News Pins

Posted on Feb 14 2007 08:34 PM

IronMaiden
OK heres how it went down:
Seller: 900 bucks
Me: 600 bucks
Seller: 900 FIRM
Me: 450 bucks
Seller: (no reply)

So much for negotiating...

Heâll still have it next year.

—

THe NEpTuNeS

Top

PolloGuitar

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5100
San Francisco
United States

Posted on Feb 14 2007 09:30 PM

IronMaiden
So much for negotiating...

You did the right thing. I got a Bassman w/cab for $600. They are out there.
--fd

—

Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp
Frankie and the Pool Boys website
Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
Pollo Del Mar website
My Blog- Euro Tour Blog
Pool Boys on Spotify
INSTAGRAM
Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook
Pollo Del Mar on Facebook
DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio

Top

JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Feb 14 2007 11:45 PM

Ferenc, how do you like the Bassman? Like it more than the Bandmaster?

Top

Fripperton

Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
3 POTD Pins

Posted on Feb 15 2007 03:18 PM

I got one a month ago for $500 with a cab. $900 for just a head is a guy on a fishing expedition

—

There is Surf east of Sepulveda.

Top

PolloGuitar

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 5100
San Francisco
United States

Posted on Feb 15 2007 03:25 PM

JakeDobner
Ferenc, how do you like the Bassman? Like it more than the Bandmaster?

Jake-
I love 'em both like they were fraternal twins. Different, but equally talented. The Bassman hits overdrive a little easier, the Bandmaster is a little brighter and snappier. If you are in the market for a Bassman, no reason not to look at the Bandmaster.
--ferenc

—

Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp
Frankie and the Pool Boys website
Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp
Pollo Del Mar website
My Blog- Euro Tour Blog
Pool Boys on Spotify
INSTAGRAM
Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook
Pollo Del Mar on Facebook
DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio

Top

surfneptune

Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
3 News Pins

Posted on Feb 15 2007 04:41 PM

PolloGuitar
I love 'em both like they were fraternal twins. Different, but equally talented. The Bassman hits overdrive a little easier, the Bandmaster is a little brighter and snappier. If you are in the market for a Bassman, no reason not to look at the Bandmaster.
--ferenc

And tough, I can't believe those amps made it through your second battle of the bands!!!!

—

THe NEpTuNeS

Top

IronMaiden Joined: Nov 02, 2006 Posts: 564 Virginia Beach	Posted on Feb 14 2007 03:54 PM Somebody offered me one in 'excellent' condition for 900 bucks. Is this a good price? Top
dp Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california	Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:20 PM It depends, of course, on condition. some inquiries I would make: Capacitors, wiring, tube sockets, transformers: original? replacement? Cosmetics: good shape? re-done? Does it come with a speaker cabinet? How does it sound? Top
WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 969	Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:52 PM eh, sounds a bit on the high end if you ask me. I think depending on condition 600 is a good price. They are not that rare. Top
IronMaiden Joined: Nov 02, 2006 Posts: 564 Virginia Beach	Posted on Feb 14 2007 04:59 PM dp It depends, of course, on condition. some inquiries I would make: Capacitors, wiring, tube sockets, transformers: original? replacement? Cosmetics: good shape? re-done? Does it come with a speaker cabinet? How does it sound? Thanks...I just emailed him all those questions, I dont know crap about amps. He offered me a 65 twin for 2700 and after i said ebay has them for 1,000 he dropped his price to 1200. I bet if I had 600 hundy cash hed might take it for the bassman. He says its, "the best sounding one out of 9 hes owned, blah blah blah..." Top
SurfBandBill Joined: Mar 15, 2006 Posts: 1487 San Francisco	Posted on Feb 14 2007 05:11 PM Especailly after that latest anecdote, I say six hundy, take it or leave it. I don't know that I've ever seen an amp head that justifies $900... hell, I got my '67 Dual Showman for something like $550 or so. ~B~ Top
dp Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 3546 mojave desert, california	Posted on Feb 14 2007 05:56 PM I agree with the others above: about $500-$700 sounds about right for a 1965 Bassman 50 head in decent condition. Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Feb 14 2007 06:12 PM Sounds like a dealer price. If it came with a cab, I could see it. I think you could find a showman for that. Also you can run out of headroom real fast with a loud drummer using the bassman. Of course someday it could be well worth that and more if you are willing to hang onto it. Ya never know... First and foremost give it a listen. Try both channels. If it has the original brown paper caps under the cover, it might need some work soon. Keep us posted! — THe NEpTuNeS Top
TomK Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 87 Pittsburgh	Posted on Feb 14 2007 07:00 PM Yep, that sounds a bit too high. There is a nice looking blackface Tremolux head on the FDP right now for $500 shipped. Okay, it's not the same amp, but it seems somewhat comparable in value. Top
IronMaiden Joined: Nov 02, 2006 Posts: 564 Virginia Beach	Posted on Feb 14 2007 07:59 PM OK heres how it went down: Seller: 900 bucks Me: 600 bucks Seller: 900 FIRM Me: 450 bucks Seller: (no reply) So much for negotiating... Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2384 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Feb 14 2007 08:03 PM I recently picked up a '65 Bassman in great shape, with original transformers for $595 from a dealer. (Awesome amp!!!) I recently saw a '65 Bandmaster in comparable shape at the same place also for $595. I think $900 is waaaay high. Bob — Bob Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Feb 14 2007 08:34 PM IronMaiden OK heres how it went down: Seller: 900 bucks Me: 600 bucks Seller: 900 FIRM Me: 450 bucks Seller: (no reply) So much for negotiating... Heâll still have it next year. — THe NEpTuNeS Top
PolloGuitar Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 5100 San Francisco	Posted on Feb 14 2007 09:30 PM IronMaiden So much for negotiating... You did the right thing. I got a Bassman w/cab for $600. They are out there. --fd — Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp Frankie and the Pool Boys website Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp Pollo Del Mar website My Blog- Euro Tour Blog Pool Boys on Spotify INSTAGRAM Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook Pollo Del Mar on Facebook DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Feb 14 2007 11:45 PM Ferenc, how do you like the Bassman? Like it more than the Bandmaster? Top
Fripperton Joined: Aug 14, 2006 Posts: 270	Posted on Feb 15 2007 03:18 PM I got one a month ago for $500 with a cab. $900 for just a head is a guy on a fishing expedition — There is Surf east of Sepulveda. Top
PolloGuitar Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 5100 San Francisco	Posted on Feb 15 2007 03:25 PM JakeDobner Ferenc, how do you like the Bassman? Like it more than the Bandmaster? Jake- I love 'em both like they were fraternal twins. Different, but equally talented. The Bassman hits overdrive a little easier, the Bandmaster is a little brighter and snappier. If you are in the market for a Bassman, no reason not to look at the Bandmaster. --ferenc — Buy Endless Drummer @ Bandcamp Frankie and the Pool Boys website Buy Speed of Dark @ Bandcamp Pollo Del Mar website My Blog- Euro Tour Blog Pool Boys on Spotify INSTAGRAM Frankie & The Pool Boys on Facebook Pollo Del Mar on Facebook DJ Frankie Pool Boy on North Sea Surf Radio Top
surfneptune Joined: Mar 16, 2006 Posts: 923	Posted on Feb 15 2007 04:41 PM PolloGuitar I love 'em both like they were fraternal twins. Different, but equally talented. The Bassman hits overdrive a little easier, the Bandmaster is a little brighter and snappier. If you are in the market for a Bassman, no reason not to look at the Bandmaster. --ferenc And tough, I can't believe those amps made it through your second battle of the bands!!!! — THe NEpTuNeS Top

SurfGuitar101 Forums » For Sale / Trade »

question about a 1965 Bassman head ($900?)