77 Fender Bassman 70

My good friend and fellow radio amateur Jeff C. brought this venerable old girl to be the first official amp repair here at Fraunkensteen. This amp had been in service since the day it was tossed out the door of a burning building that was once the local music store. She had sat idle for a very long time after a performance where the fires of the red plate gods silenced her voice. 

There was much to sort out but at the end, most of the components were in spec. I maintain factory parts when at all possible and this amp was no exception. The tone and mojo if you will, depends on it.  Of course, 40 + year old electrolytic caps must go along with the other bits that are leaky, noisy, extremely out of tolerance or critical to tube life. The Fender branded tubes were all tired or outright dead. A pair of Sovtek 6L6's along with a couple of strong vintage Silvertone black plates in the preamp truly gave this amp a voice.  Although I don't typically do cabinet work, I gave this one the ol' college try. Gluing the Tolex back in place helped very much in sliding the chassis back in the cabinet.

This amp fell in battle but has been healed with proper fit and fettle, proudly wearing the scars that proves it's metal as a strong and proud warrior. Ready to serve once again on the back line and provide some fiery tone, this proper Fender amp is back in service.

The Bassman is one of my favorite amplifiers and are worthy subjects for restoration and/or carefully devised modification.