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Date: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 12:53:51 -0700
From: Ray Beltran
Subject: Re: '59 Bassman, Victoria, RI Bassman....Concert?


> ------------------------------
>
> Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 14:26:15 EDT
> From: EnternetRecor~ol.com
> Subject: '59 Bassman, Victoria, RI Bassman
>
> I saw a post talking about the differences between these amps. I have owned,
> at one time or the other, each amp. The '59 Bassman I had was certainly the
> best of the three. The tone, the breakup, and the overall "feel" of the amp
> is undeniable. They cost a bunch because they sound great. Also, almost any
> '59 Bassman can be made to sound awesome with the right work done to it. On
> to the Victoria...Great amp! Different from the real amp, but in some ways
> just as impressive. Nice tone and great breakup, however it does not respond
> quite as well to the player. Still a fine choice. On to the RI Bassman. Not
> close guys...It, again, is it's own animal. Sounds all right but does not
> interact or feel very good at all. Sounds BAD for guitar and O.K. for harp.
> Anyone who has really owned a "59 Bassman will never compare the two. The RI
> has it's own thing and that's about it. I would never waste money trying to
> make a RI sound like the real amp, because I would be chasing a losing
> proposition. If you like the RI, then it's for you. If you can afford a
> Victoria, then that's the way to go...AND if by chance you stumble onto a '59
> Bassman at a yard sale and buy it...you will never be the same and you will
> never compare your newfound tone monster to any other....
> Cliff
>
> ------------------------------


Number of good points here.

In purchasing and modding my RI Bassman with a point-to-point board, my
intent was to do away with the cheap and fragile PCB board, making the amp
more robust and easy to repair/modify. I had no illusions that I would EVER
get close to the original. I know guys that have gone all the way, trannys,
cabs, etc, spending a ton of money and not even getting close.

I wanted an amp that was roadworthy, had good projection and volume, was
"flexible" to a certain degree, and had reasonably good tone. The PTP board
and cap kit from Ultratone www.ultratoneamps.com and TungSol 5881's, both
installed by Ron Holmes www.holmeseng.com opened up the sound, to my ears.
Now, it could be that a proper biasing in this scenario took place, and
that's what I hear. Whatever it is, I'm happier and have peace of mind. I
don't have to think about my amp and it's condition when I get to a gig. (Or
not as much, anyway). All I have to think about is my approach and execution
towards and of music.

I'd like to hear comments on RI Bassman's versus Concerts. I'd like to add a
Concert to my collection one day. From what I hear, they have more "punch"
than a Bassman, and can handle using AX's and harp.

Any Concert users out there? Dennis? Care to comment?

Ray.
r~atdaddyblues.com
www.fatdadyblues.com