If you’re wondering if Fender 59 Bassman LTD is a good tube combo or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular high-end model. It’s a pretty expensive tube amp, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Fender 59 Bassman LTD is an absolutely special tweed tube combo. It’s a perfect amp for any lover of vintage gear – it has everything you need! Although it’s not a cheap amplifier, it’s definitely worth the money.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the 59 Bassman so good and so popular among the players all around the world. Firstly, we’ll have a look at the detailed specifications of that combo. Additionally, we’ll investigate the biggest pros and cons of that model. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well!
Specs & Pricing
Fender 59 Bassman LTD is a high quality tweed combo suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. This tube amp has everything that you need from a vintage amp – it exceeds all the expectations!
What makes it so special? Well, the amp features 45 Watts of power, 4×10″ speaker (Jensen P-10R), two separate channels (normal and bright) and a 3-band EQ.
There are also three high quality preamp tubes (12AX7) and three high quality power tubes (2 x 6L6, 1 x 5AR4). As you can imagine, that stuff guarantees a truly exceptional tone.
The sound of 59 Bassman LTD can be described as oldschool, punchy and clear. It has absolutely amazing dynamics, clarity and touch sensitivity. Surely, all lovers of vintage gear will immediately fall in love with it.
It is also worth mentioning that this amp looks spectacular from the outside too. It’s made with a thorough precision and attention to detail, so you it’s very unlikely that you’ll experience any factory flaws related to the finish and quality control.
When it comes to pricing, let’s be honest – this is not a cheap amp. However, considering how unique it is, it’s definitely one of the best sounding tweed amps manufactured by Fender. That being said, if you’re searching for the best gear on the market, you’ll agree that it’s definitely worth the money!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Fender ’59 Bassman LTD is suitable for both amateur and more professional guitar players. It doesn’t really matter whether you’re a very experienced guitarist or not – you will definitely notice the high quality of that tube amp.
However, since it’s a pretty expensive tube amplifier, it’s mainly used by more intermediate guitar players who know what they’re searching for.
This is a really cool, vintage-sounding amp, so it’s perfect for quite a lot of styles of music. While it may not be the best choice for playing jazz, it’s definitely a fantastic choice for oldschool rock and blues music. It sounds amazing and it’s very touch-sensitive, especially at high volumes.
The unique vintage tone make this amp a perfect choice for any musician who’s looking for a high-end combo suitable for live gigs and studio sessions. You can be sure that it will sound awesome on any record.!
Additionally, since it’s an expensive amp, it’s not recommended for guitarists who are searching for cheap gear. This is a tube amp from the higher shelf, so you have to be aware that it’s not budget-friendly.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy using the Fender 59 Bassman combo. It exceeds all of the expectations in every aspect. What a great amp!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons of Fender 59 Bassman
Although Fender 59 Bassman is an excellent tube combo, just like any other amp available on the market – it has its own pros and cons. Don’t worry though – it seems that there are a lot more advantages than disadvantages in that case!
Pros
- Great Tone
- Vintage Style
- Beautiful Finish
- Perfect For Gigs
- Ideal For Any Studio
- Works Amazing With Pedals
Cons
- High Price
- No Reverb
Undoubtedly, it will be really difficult to find a better vintage-sounding amp made by Fender. The 59 Bassman exceeds all the expectations and it looks and sounds absolutely amazing. The undeniably high quality of that amp is the biggest advantage that makes it stand out from other amps of this type made by other brands.
However, the main disadvantage of this tube combo is the high price. Not everyone will be able to get it straight away – it requires quite a lot of saving up. Additionally, the amp is pretty basic itself, so if you’re looking for any features like a built-in reverb, you won’t find it here.
Still, I’m positive that the advantages of that model outweigh its disadvantages. Considering how unique this amp is, it’s worth every cent!
Fender ’59 Bassman vs ’65 Super Reverb
A lot of guitarists who are searching for a high-end tube combo often can’t decide whether they should choose the ’59 Bassman or ’65 Super Reverb combo.
To be honest, it’s very difficult to chose a clear winner of that battle. Both of these combos offer an exceptional quality, so it’s all up to you and your own personal preferences.
Personally, I’d stick to the ’59 Bassman. It has a bit more vintage sound for me, but perhaps it’s just me. I’m sure that a lot of you will fall in love with the ’65 Super Reverb too!
Here’s a great video that highlights the differences between these amps – feel free to check it out below if you’re interested!
Final Thoughts
I had the pleasure to use the Fender 59 Bassman LTD on several occasions and I can totally admit that in my opinion, this is one of the best tube amps in the world.
I’d be more than happy to use that combo for live gigs with my band. It would also be a perfect fit for my home studio.
If you’re thinking about getting it for yourself, I highly encourage you to consider adding it to your own collection. It’s not an easy decision to make, especially considering the high price of that model. But trust me, it’s worth it. If you can afford it – go for it!
Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the sound of Fender 59 Bassman LTD or you have a feeling that this amp won’t be a good fit for you, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic amps out there that also deserve a lot of recognition.
Of course, it all depends on your own personal preferences and most importantly, on the size of your budget.
Here’s a few more cheaper alternatives for those who are searching for something more affordable!
Firstly, I highly encourage you to check out the Peavey Classic 30. This is a really underrated tweed amp suitable for the most demanding guitarists out there. It’s very versatile and it can be used for pretty much everything – home practice, rehearsals, live gigs and studio sessions. Considering the fact that it’s way cheaper than Fender 59 Bassman LTD, it’s definitely worth checking out.
Alternatively, you can also have a look at Bugera V55 Infinium Combo. This is an another really cool and great sounding tube combo designed for guitar players of all levels. Just like Peavey Classic 30, it’s way more affordable than the 59 Bassman amp. It may not have that unique vintage vibe, but it’s still a fantastic combo nonetheless.
If you really enjoy playing with overdrive and distortion, you can also check out my article about 10 Best Amps For Distortion & Overdrive. There’s a really high chance that your next dream amp is somewhere on that list. What’s more, quite a lot of these combos are actually really inexpensive!
FAQ
Where is Fender 59 Bassman LTD manufactured?
Fender 59 Bassman LTD is manufactured in the United States.
Who uses Fender 59 Bassman?
Fender 59 Bassman is used or was used in the past by a lot of of famous guitarists such as: John Mayer, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Joe Bonamassa and many more!
Where can I find the manual to that amp?
The manual to the 59 Bassman model can be found here.
Where can I find out more about Fender amps?
If you want to find out more about Fender amps, check out their official website.
Summary
As you can see, Fender 59 Bassman LTD is an absolutely exceptional tube combo. If you’re a lover of vintage amps, you should definitely consider adding this model to your own gear collection. There’s a really high chance that you will immediately fall in love with it!
What do you think of that amp? Do you agree that it’s great or do you think that it’s overrated? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful and you enjoyed this article. If you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
