Fender 59-Bassman Operation Manual
THE SOUND THAT CREATES LEGENDS
‘59 Bassman
Owner,s Manual
P/N 036655
INTRODUCTION
Your “new” ‘59 Bassman amplifier is living proof of the
quality and longevity of Fender amplifier designs.
The original Bassman amplifier of the 1950’s is possibly the
most legendary amplifier ever built by any company. Not
only was the original Bassman at the cornerstone of the
Fender amplifier line, but it proved to be the inspiration for
numerous other manufacturers both in the United States
and England.
In 1954 Fender began production of the first version of the
Bassman, which was, as you guessed, a bass amp. At that
period in musical history, players were just beginning to
convert from upright bass to this crazy new invention called
the bass guitar. Fender not only pioneered the creation of
the bass guitar, but was equally innovative in the development of bass amplifiers.
It wasn’t until years later that guitar players discovered the
“magical” tone quality and sound of those early Bassman
amplifiers. Blues, R&B, Rock, Country and Jazz players
around the world may disagree on the perfect guitar, but
most will agree the Bassman is close to being the perfect
guitar amplifier.
Several versions of the “tweed” Bassman with four 10”
Jensen speakers were manufactured by Fender from 1954
to 1960. The consensus of players and vintage amp collectors was the 1959 bassman with four (4) inputs was the
best Bassman of all.
Fender’s ‘59 Bassman re-issue amplifier is based on the
original cosmetics, sound and circuit. Every effort was
made to be true to the original design.
Several changes were made for safety and reliability reasons. A printed circuit board is used rather than the phenolic “parts panel” of the fifties. A 3-prong line cord is
required for safety reasons. No modifications to the circuit
took place; we resisted the temptation to “improve” the
amp with features found on later models (master volume,
effects loops, gain switching). In order to improve the reliability and slightly increase the output power, a solid state
rectifier has been used. For those who want their amp
“stock”, this solid state rectifier can easily be removed (it fits
into a conventional tube socket) and a 5AR4 or 5U4 GB
tube substituted. This would return the amp to its original
configuration.
The speakers used in the original units had alnico magnets,
a substance not used in speaker magnet production for
years. Through the hard work of Fender’s R&D Department
and our speaker supplier, Eminence, an exact copy of
those original alnico magnet speakers are used in the ‘59
Bassman. In fact, Eminence found the supplier who manufactured the cones for these speakers back in the fifties.
The power and output transformers used in the ‘59
Bassman are built to the original specifications which were
still in the R&D engineering file at the Fender office. Some
of the components used in the ‘59 Bassman are much different in size from the original, but the component values
are identical.
It is suggested that you read this manual thoroughly to
understand all the features and functions of this amplifier.
The purchase of a Fender amplifier will provide years of
musical enjoyment and the ‘59 Bassman helps keep the
Fender legend going strong.
WARNING: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR
SHOCK HAZARD, DO NOT EXPOSE AMPLIFIER TO
RAIN OR MOISTURE!
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