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Average Price: $537

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$300

$801+

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Description

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head is a remarkable fusion of vintage charm and modern innovation, designed to cater to both purists and experimentalists. This amplifier head nods to the iconic '59 Bassman with a British-flavored twist, thanks to its EL34 power tubes and Class AB circuitry. This marriage of American and British tonalities offers a wide-ranging palette that will excite any guitarist seeking dynamic soundscapes.

The Bassbreaker 45 stands out with its unique variable wattage control, allowing you to effortlessly switch from a full 45 watts down to a mere 1 watt. This feature ensures you can achieve the perfect breakup or pristine headroom for any setting, whether you're jamming at home or rocking a live gig.

Adding to its versatility, the Bassbreaker 45 includes both normal and bright inputs, as well as a Both input option, which lets you blend the two channels for even more tonal variety. This feature empowers musicians to sculpt their sound with precision, offering identifiable tones or a harmonically complex blend.

The Bassbreaker 45 is more than just a nod to the past; it’s a tool for the modern musician eager to explore the sonic possibilities of crossing the Atlantic, all within a single, robust unit.

Key Features:

  • 45-watt tube guitar amp head with a British flavor
  • Inspired by the '59 Bassman preamp circuit
  • EL34 power section with Class AB configuration for rich tones
  • Variable wattage control from 45 watts to 1 watt
  • Normal, bright, and Both inputs for versatile tonal shaping

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Bassbreaker 45 2-Channel 45-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Gray Tweed
Year 2016 - 2018
Made In Mexico
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Grey
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Model Family Fender Bassbreaker 45
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 3 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 45
Power Tube Type EL34
Reverb None
Series Fender Bassbreaker

FAQs

What type of tubes does the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head use?

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head uses EL34 power tubes, which are known for delivering a classic British tone with a tight low end and a punchy midrange.

Does the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head have built-in reverb?

No, the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head does not feature built-in reverb. Users may need to use external reverb pedals or effects units for reverb sounds.

How many channels does the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head have?

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head features two channels, allowing for a range of tonal options from clean to overdriven sounds.

Is the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its 45 watts of power, the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head is suitable for live performances, offering enough volume to compete with a full band setup.

What are the impedance options on the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head?

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Amp Head offers multiple impedance options of 4 ohms, 8 ohms, and 16 ohms, providing flexibility for different speaker cabinet configurations.

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Fender Bassbreaker 45 Watt Tube Amp

Video thumbnail for Fender Bassbreaker 45 Watt Tube Amp by Guitar Center

Fender Bassbreaker 45 Watt Tube Amp

Guitar Center

Guitar Center

Video thumbnail for Fender Bassbreaker 45 Head & 18/30 Combo Demo by Guitarist

Fender Bassbreaker 45 Head & 18/30 Combo Demo

Guitarist

Guitarist

Video thumbnail for Fender BassBreaker 45 Tube Amp by Musician's Friend

Fender BassBreaker 45 Tube Amp

Musician's Friend

Musician's Friend

Video thumbnail for Fender Bassbreaker 45 | Playthrough Demo by ChoptonesOfficial

Fender Bassbreaker 45 | Playthrough Demo

ChoptonesOfficial

ChoptonesOfficial

Video thumbnail for Friedman Dirty Shirley 40w vs Fender Bassbreaker 45w by thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Friedman Dirty Shirley 40w vs Fender Bassbreaker 45w

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

thejay (Big Battle Bear)

Video thumbnail for Fender Bassbreaker 45W vs. Fender BassMan Export 40W   - Talk & Jam by Bibl Rocks - Guitars & Gear Show

Fender Bassbreaker 45W vs. Fender BassMan Export 40W - Talk & Jam

Bibl Rocks - Guitars & Gear Show

Bibl Rocks - Guitars & Gear Show

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers classic rock tones and warm, dynamic overdriven sound

  • Power scaling effectively maintains tone at reduced volumes

  • Two channels can be blended for versatile tonal options

  • Excellent pedal platform with substantial clean headroom

  • Uniquely punchy EL34 output tubes for a modern character

  • Onboard attenuator helpful for managing volume

  • Stylish and durable grey tweed design

  • Great value for a non-production model

CONS

  • Top-mounted controls may be inconvenient for some setups

  • Lacks an effects loop, limiting modulation and delay options

  • Even at 1 watt, the volume can be too loud for home use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head.

Features and functionality

  • It's noted that the power scaling feature acts as a master volume, allowing you to achieve power amp distortion without excessive volume.

    Source
  • Power scaling lowers voltage to tubes, reducing output and headroom, which can enhance distortion while maintaining manageable volume levels.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report that cranking the volume for distortion and then reducing power scaling increases distortion while reducing overall volume.

    Source
  • Owners who bought the amp second-hand report encountering unresolved issues, suggesting a need for careful inspection prior to purchase.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Achieving the desired power tube saturation can be challenging without making the amp loud, even with the power scaling feature.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Issues like volume reduction and loss of headroom may be linked to faulty tubes, fuses, transformers, filter caps, resistors, or speaker connections.

    Source
  • Opening the amp chassis without experience is risky; a 45W tube amp can pose serious electrical hazards.

    Source
  • Slow blow fuses nearing failure can cause intermittent volume issues, a less obvious but potential source of problems.

    Source
  • Attenuators can help manage volume levels, but underlying issues like those with tubes might still persist or worsen.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Fender Bassbreaker 45 Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Amp Head is a well-built, cost-effective nod to classic '60s tones, offering stellar sound and clever modern updates like a power attenuator. Its robust construction and dynamic distortion make it a fantastic platform for effects. However, its weight and potentially excessive volume, even at attenuated levels, could be drawbacks for some users. Despite production shortcuts, this amp delivers impressive vintage-style sounds at a reasonable price, making it a worthy investment for those seeking early Marshall tones without the vintage or boutique price tag.

positive

Fender Bassbreaker 45 Head review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head is a standout in its class, delivering a classic tweed-inspired sound with modern versatility. Musicians will appreciate its warm, dynamic overdrive and clever power-reduction circuit, making it adaptable for various settings. However, it's not without flaws; the absence of effects loops and the awkward top-facing controls can be a drawback, especially when mounted on a cabinet. Despite these minor inconveniences, the Bassbreaker 45's robust build and rich tonal palette make it a compelling choice for those seeking vintage tones with contemporary features.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Laurie Vincent uses Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Laurie Vincent

Singer, Guitarist

Slaves

...
Verified via YouTube

During their performance on "Later… with Jools Holland," Laurie Vincent is seen using two Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Heads instead of his usual Selmer amplifiers. The performance is featured in a BBC Music video on YouTube.

See how Eross Candra uses Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Eross Candra

Guitarist

Sheila on 7

...
Verified via Photo

Eross Candra uses the Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head, as shown in his Instagram post, where he expresses gratitude to Fender and Citra Intirama for the "supaawsome" amp.

See how Bryan Tulao uses Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head

Bryan Tulao

Guitarist

Black Math Horseman

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Video at 3.53 mnyou can see the Fender Bassbreaker 45W amplifier head.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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Community setups

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kuro9795

kuro9795

Gear IQ 79

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