Fender Silverface Bassman (Super, 100, 135)

March 11, 2011 in Amplifiers
Fender Bassman 100
Schematic(s) bassman_135.pdf
Brand:
Era:
Line:
Configuration:
Production: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Model/Circuit Number: (69-71) Super Bassman ; (72-76) Bassman 100 ; (77-83) Bassman 135 
Years of Production: 1969 – 1983
Era: Silverface
Configuration: Piggyback
Controls: Silver forward facing w/ blue labels
Knobs: Black skirted w/ chrome center, numbered 1 – 10
Faceplate

 

  • Front: Bass: In, In, Deep Sw, Vol, Treb, Bass – Normal: In, In, Bright Sw, Vol, Treb, Mid, Bass – Master Volume (72-83) – Pilot Lamp
  • Rear: Ground Sw, Fuse (?A), Power Sw, Standby Sw, Speaker Jack 1, Speaker Jack 2

Cabinet

  • Dimensions: Head: (Super Bassman) 13¼ x 26 x 9½, (Bassman 100): 8 3/4 x 26 1/8 x 9 1/2, Cabinet: (Super Bassman): 45½ x 30 x 11½, (Bassman 100): 40¼ x 30¼ x 17
  • Hardware:
  • Handle: 3 Black Strap Handles
  • Feet: Casters
  • Corners: Corner Protectors

 

Covering Material

  • Tolex/Tweed: Black Tolex
  • Grill Cloth: (69) Blue Sparkle with aluminum frame ; (70-80) Blue Sparkle without aluminum frame

Logo: (69-72) Grill mounted, raised, chrome and black script
Weight: Super Bassman I: 155 lbs ; Super Bassman II: 225 lbs ; Bassman 100: 172 lbs
Speaker

Effects:
~Watts: 100 or 135 watts
Tubes

  • Pre amp: 2 x 7025 ; 12AT7
  • Power: 4 x 6L6

Bias: Fixed; Bias balance pot
Rectifier: Solid State

Comments: The Super Bassman I and Super Bassman II name referred to the number of cabs purchased.

 

  • guest

    Hi! Cool website, you got here.
    I’m repairing Bassman 135 export version (with voltage selector) these days, so I’m able give a little update:
    It uses 5A slow fuse(s). The speaker jacks are >4R each.
    Greetings from Berlin

  • Bassmith

    I used one of these as my primary amp for many years, driving 2 15s in separate cabs.  Matching GrooveTubes installed, it sounded best when loud, and then it had tremendous punch.  Never could equal an SVT though, but I owned the Fender and couldn’t afford the SVT! 

  • Lala

    Good work!

    Could you add a bassman 100 schematic? The Bassman 135 is translinear, while the 100 isn’t according to the bassman 100 schematic (wasn’t allowed to attache it unfortunatly).

    Also, could you check the weights listed above, they seem to be too heavy for the heads.

  • FlipsterB

    I own a mint ’78 Bassman 135, and this is by far the best vintage all-tube bass amp Fender has ever made.  It rocks for bass precisely for the same reason that it sucks for guitar – it is deep, clean power that doesn’t break up or distort.  You’ll try a lot a pedal combos to get what this head delivers with every tone control set in the middle, plus you have the option to jumper the second jack on the bass input channel over into the first jack on the normal channel for even more power and more tone options.  Another unique feature is that you can run either one or two 4-ohm cabs using the speaker and extension speaker jacks in the back, or just one 8-ohm cab from the extension speaker jack alone.  It even has a line out for recording.  I have played Hartke, SWR, Genz Benz, Behringer, and a ’66 Blackface Bassman head, and this 135 is my final choice.  It’s a little-known gem!

    • John

      The Bassman 100 and 135 were long-time favorites of punk-rock bands such as Sex Pistols and The Ramones. Glen Matlock purchased his Bassman 100 for £99 in the mid-70s.

  • Domkevl

    Hello, sorry but I don’t know much about any of this, my husband owns what is called a Bassman 100 silverface Fender amp, he has had it since before we got married, it is all original parts, and has a bunch of tubes in back it is still in wonderful working order, I do know this because he plays it every other night it seems. I was trying to determine how much it is worth as we are insuring our household items and I am trying to make a list of all valuables to put in a fireproof lock box in case anything ever happens. Does any one here have any idea of what something like this is valued at?