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From: "Don D."
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 13:46:47 -0700
Subject: RE: Modded RI Bassman vs Victoria

On the Vicky, it is designed and built from the ground up to be as
close as possible to a real vintage Bassman, while the Fender RI is more
of a cosmetic reproduction. A Hoffman board is a step in the right
direction. Swapping out the speakers for Jensen RI's or Webers would
be another step to make. Also you'll want to eventually switch the
output transformer to an interleaved type and I think the RI runs at
higher voltages than the original or the Victoria, so you'll probably
want to replace the power transformer too, to one that runs at voltages
closer to a vintage amp, though I think you can remedy that situation
with a diode modification that will lower the operating voltages. The
Hoffman board may already do this. Then again, the Vicky (and original
Bassman) also uses a solid yellow pine cabinent as opposed to the
particle/plywood cab on the RI. This will effect the tone also. Every
swap or mod you'll do with the RI will improve the the tone slightly, it
is the sum of all these improvements, that really makes a difference.
Considering the work and money you'll lay out, the Vicky is a bargain,
but if you don't have the cash on hand, you can piece-meal your Fender
RI, little by little into a similar quality amp. I know two guitarists
that have Hoffman modded RI's, and they are great souding amps. I've
used one of them on and off over the past couple of years and I can say
it's a real killer sounding amp, better than any stock Fender RI
Bassmans I've played through.
As for your question about rectifier swaps on Vicky's or Hoffman RI's,
yes you can swap out rectifiers on these amps. You should re-bias when
you change the type of rectifier you're using and on both of these amps
it is real easy to do. Both of them feature bias level pots and biasing
resistors that makes biasing a fairly simple affair, though you'll need
a digital multimeter and someone to show how to do it properly so you
don't electrocute yourself.
Good luck on whatever your decision is,
Don D.