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Average Price: $599

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$200

$801+

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Description

The Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head is a classic choice for bassists seeking that vintage warmth with modern reliability. Originally crafted in the 1970s, this amplifier head is revered for its distinctive all-tube tone, making it a staple for those who appreciate rich, full-bodied sound. The Silverface design is iconic, carrying the pedigree of Fender's legendary amplifier craftsmanship.

Perfect for both stage performances and studio sessions, the Bassman 70 delivers 70 watts of pure tube power, ensuring that your bass lines punch through the mix with clarity and warmth. Its straightforward control panel includes volume, treble, bass, and mid knobs, allowing for precise tonal shaping to suit any musical style. The inclusion of both Normal and Bright inputs offers versatility, accommodating a wide range of playing preferences and bass guitars.

Whether you're playing smooth jazz, gritty rock, or soulful blues, this amp head provides the adaptability and sonic quality that professional and amateur musicians alike crave. Its robust construction ensures durability, while the tube configuration delivers a sound that's both classic and timeless.

Key Features:

  • 70 watts of all-tube power
  • Iconic Silverface design
  • Simple yet effective control panel with volume, treble, bass, and mid controls
  • Normal and Bright inputs for versatile sound options
  • Renowned for its warm and distinctive Fender tone

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Bassman 70 2-Channel 70-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Silverface
Year 1977 - 1980
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
Direct Output No Direct Output
Electronics Tube
Impedance 4 ohms
Model Family Fender Bassman
Model Sub-Family Fender Bassman 70
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 4 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 70
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb None
Series Fender Vintage Silverface Amps

FAQs

What are the main tonal characteristics of the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head?

The Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head is known for its warm, clean tones with a rich low-end response, making it ideal for both bass and guitar. It delivers a classic Fender tube sound with a smooth overdrive when pushed hard.

Is the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head suitable for gigging with a drummer?

Yes, with its 70-watt output, the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head is powerful enough for live performances and can hold its own alongside a drummer in a band setting.

Does the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head work well with effects pedals?

The Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head takes pedals well, maintaining clarity and warmth when used with a variety of effects, making it versatile for different playing styles.

What is the configuration of inputs and channels on the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head?

The Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head features two channels with a total of four inputs, allowing for flexible connectivity options for different instruments or input sources.

What type of power tubes does the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head use?

The Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head utilizes 6L6 power tubes, contributing to its robust and dynamic sound profile.

Reel Tapes

Reel Tapes

Fender Bassman 70 Review

Video thumbnail for Fender Bassman 70 Review by Reel Tapes

Fender Bassman 70 Review

Reel Tapes

Reel Tapes

Video thumbnail for 4 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION PEDALS INTO FENDER BASSMAN 70 by StartToRockTV

4 OVERDRIVE/DISTORTION PEDALS INTO FENDER BASSMAN 70

StartToRockTV

StartToRockTV

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile amp suitable for various music genres

  • Ideal for both bassists and guitarists

  • Excellent clean headroom due to Ultra Linear transformers

  • Warm, clear tone perfect for jazz and blues

  • Can achieve great overdriven sound with OD/Distortion pedals

  • Simple yet flexible for crafting desired sound

  • Highly collectible, appealing to enthusiasts

CONS

  • May sound sterile to some, lacking in character

  • Requires servicing due to age

  • Not designed for bright tones, which might limit its use in certain genres

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head.

Setup and maintenance

  • Capacitors may need replacing every 10 years to prevent damage to the output transformer and maintain tone quality.

    Source
  • Caution advised when cleaning or working on the amp; capacitors can hold a charge for extended periods. Discharge them with a multimeter before handling internals.

    Source
  • Always ensure a speaker cable, not an instrument cable, connects the amp to the cabinet, and maintain a load to avoid damage.

    Source
  • Original capacitors can degrade if not regularly used; recapping is advisable.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Bassman 70 needs modding to achieve pre-amp crunch without excessive volume, unlike the 50-watt versions, which achieve output tube distortion naturally as volume increases.

    Source
  • The Bassman 70 is an ultra-linear version of the 50-watt Bassman; it's cleaner with less natural output tube distortion.

    Source
  • The Bassman 70 is noted as less efficient volume-wise compared to modern amps like the Rumble 500.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Bassman 70's master volume requires a booster for crunch at low volumes, unlike a Marshall where the master volume directly influences gain.

    Source
  • The amp is favored for blues and rock & roll due to its tonal characteristics and ability to take pedals well.

    Source
  • The Bassman 70 is appreciated for studio use but considered too heavy for gigs.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Changing the V2 input cap to .0022uf maintains the high-pass filter while increasing gain for a crunchier sound.

    Source
  • Increasing V2 gain by doubling the grid leak to 940k and reducing the channel 2 mixer resistor to 220k enhances pre-amp tube crunch significantly.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A head and cab combo sold for $1000 after being recapped and retubed, with original covers and tags.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Jumping channels allows blending of both the bass and normal channels for a more complex sound profile.

    Source
  • Input #2 is attenuated by 6db unless both inputs on the same channel are used, which negates the attenuation.

    Source
  • The ultralinear amp design is disliked by guitarists for its stiff response and less smooth transition to overdrive.

    Source

Other

  • It's acknowledged that vintage Soviet tubes, though high quality, wouldn't be original to an American-built Fender from the 70s.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
johnmarvinscott

Amazing head for clean tones, takes pedals very well, and can give you a variety of tone.

This is my main head for my Jazz rig. This head takes 6L6 tubes, and is 70 watts. This amp has an amazing, warm tone. The head has always given me a clear, crisp tone. But remember that this head is old, and will not give you a bright tone. I find this amp is made especially for jazz players, or even blues players. I used to pedal all my overdrives through it to play Pop/Punk, but later found out that this amp sounds the best when just played straight. I use this for my cleans in my studio, because this amp hits my ideal tone right on the money. I recommend this amp to anyone looking for a straight, warm clean amplifier. The only thing I would get done to this amp is get it serviced, It's had some miles put on it.

S

I have one.What cab do you have?

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Paul McCartney uses Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via YouTube

As you can see in this video Paul is using a Fender Bassman silverface

See how Johny Chow uses Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head

Johny Chow

Bassist

Cavalera Conspiracy

...
Verified via YouTube

at 4:35, he talks about this amp

T

Turko Marinelli

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Turko Marinelli is shown using the Fender Bassman 70 Silverface Head in the YouTube video "Cuarentenota con El Turko y Serafín" by Doble Bobina.

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 Bassman 70 Silverface Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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