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Fender Bassman Amp
Early on the band was dependent (hopeful) on the venue providing a PA system with one microphone for vocals and one for Bill's bass. If not he was required to play as loud as possible. As the crowds grew larger (and louder) and with the addition of DJ on drums that was naturally not sufficient. Early in 1956, reputedly May 24, a Fender Bassman Amplifier was obtained by the O.K. Houck Piano Co in Memphis for Bill for $355.50. At some point he also got an Ampeg microphone to amplify his bass.
The narrow panel Fender Bassman amplifier was manufactured from 1955 to 1960. The 5E-6A model was made from 55-57 (most likely Bill's). For controls it had a Ground Switch, Fuse (3A), Power Switch, Standby Switch, Pilot Lamp, Presence, Bass, Treble, Volume, Volume, Normal In and Bright In. It was equipped with 4 x 10"/2 ohms (8 ohms each in parallel)" Jensen P10R or Jensen P10Q speakers, 2 x 12AY7 and ½ 12AX7 preamp, 2 x 6L6G power tubes, 2 x 5U4GA rectifier, a ½ 12AX7 (split-load) phase inverter and produced 40-50 Watts output watts in a narrow panel, closed back w/ 2 ports, 23" x 22½" x 10½" (58.4 x 57.2 x 26.7 cm) solid pine cabinet. It weighed 47 lbs. |
