Fender Review: Bassman 100

History:

Purchase: Bought used in new condition for $350 including tax. I had decided this was the model I wanted, and the first place I called was 5 minutes from home and had this unit. (Also found my Hamer Cruise bass. See my other review.) I guess I was having a good day!

What I Like About This Fender Bassman 100: Great tone and low end. Hard to get a bad sound out of it. Not super loud, tho. A loud drummer and a cranked fender twin would overpower it.

What I Do NOT Like About The Fender Bassman 100: Sounds a little odd at the woofer/horn crossover. Horn volume control would be nice. Overdrive tone is silly, but I like clean bass, and I have a Tech21 Bass Driver (recommended) if I want some grind. Heavy, I'm always saying I'm gonna put wheels on it. (but not heavy enough that i actually do it, heh heh)

Fender Bassman 100 Quality Rating: Made in Mexico 100W transistor combo amp. 1X15 with a horn tweeter. Knobs: Gain/Master Volume, 3 band EQ with semi-parametric midrange, compressor level. Switches: Input is switchable for high/low gain, Enhance contour for slap tone, Mute switch kills all but the tuner out, Limiter, which I have engaged at all times so I don't fry my speaker. I saw another review which said it had little effect--the one I have works fine. LED's: Preamp level, Preamp clip ( I set the Gain so this just flickers when i really wail a note), Mute On (flashes, which i like), Power Back: XLR line out w/ level knob and pre/post EQ switch, Tuner out, Effects Send and Return, ground lift Quality: Solidly constructed, electronics work well, reliable so far.

Review Summary: Great as a practice or rehearsal amp, or small gigs. I use it at church without going thru the PA. (approx 7500 sq ft room)

Rating of this Fender product: 4

This Fender Bassman 100 Bass Guitar Amplifiers Review Submitted By: Buzz

Review Date: 2004-05-23