Hi gang,

 

A while ago, someone wrote:

 

>I modified my Bassman RI and my Bassman blackface to run in class
A. 
>That cuts the output power by about a half.  

 

I dunno who wrote it, but it got me curious.

 

How is this done?  It sounds like something altogether different from
changing out 12AX7's to lower value tubes.  But, I have no clue what
"Class A" means, so someone please clue me in?

 

 

My Bassman RI is simply too loud.  It really sounds nice when jacked
up loud, but I play mostly in small clubs, and I'm whomping the hell out of the
rest of the band when we play hard.  I need to get that tone at lower
volumes.

 

I'm considering the following mods/additions to my rig:

 

-- making the amp's input jack 5meg, like my mic's volume pot. 

 I dunno how it works, but someone mentioned it a while back.

 

-- trying a power brake (like the THD hotplate).

 

-- trying those Black Jack tube converters

 

-- having the Hoffman board kit put in with the "gain channel"
mod.

 

-- having the Kinder "Rod Mod" done.

 

-- slaving the amp with a Fender champ (still gotta build the slave box,
though)

 

-- changing the power tubes (is this possible or advisable?)

 

-- what is "sag"??? 

 

--Is there a way to install a master volume and is it a decent idea or pure
folly?

 

Do any of you have experience with more than one of these mods and can
speak from comparison experience?  Can you suggest which of these mods to
start with, and which can be used together?  Which are easily reversible
and which are permanent?

 

I guess the tone I'm looking for could best be described as a combination
of Kim Wilson's "Tiger Man" tone with Magic Dick's "Full Court
Press" tone.  Anyone who has the Harp-L IV: The H Files CD set can
hear my playing through my current rig on "One Fine Thing" and on
"Six Hours Ago". (so you'll know where I'm coming from)

 

 My acoustic tone has been complimented by the harp players I've
known; so I'm not too worried about that end.  But that "Tiger
Man" sound has this metallic ring to it on top of the fat juicy amp'ed
tone.  That's what really cuts me up.  How is that produced???  I
don't even know how to describe it.  Does anyone else hear this
"ring", or am I simply losing my mind?

 

Also, anyone know where I could get the tweed lacquered like in the old
days?

 

 

Thanks as always,

 

Bill