Premier Rock Forum

hey boys-

i recently bought a 1959 bassman reissue used. i was wondering if anybody had any experience with these, specifically regarding the rectifier...

on the spec it says : Solid State Rectifier, (This Solid State Rectifier May be Replaced with Either a 5AR4 or a 5U4GB Rectifier Tube)

has anybody done this? can you just slip the tube in? or do you need to have the amp rebiased?

if anybody has any info, i would appreciate the help...

much love,
andyk

Arrrr. . . Reissue gear.
Well, from my experience with my original bassman, the interchangability of tubes just leads to different textures in EQ in either the highs or mids. The problem is that reissue gear is often built completely different.
Arrrr. . . I wish I could help you out. We're all geeks here, I'm sure someone could help you.

has anybody done this? can you just slip the tube in? or do you need to have the amp rebiased?

if anybody has any info, i would appreciate the help...

much love,
andyk

A rectifier is part of the power supply, you don't have to rebias. Just pull the solid-state rectifier out of the octal (eight-hole) socket and plug the tube in.

Before you go doing this, however, I highly recommend reading Steve Melkisethian's comments on 5U4 and GZ34/5AR4 tubes at his web site, http://www.angela.com

Incidentally, he also has an excellent variety of those tubes, and his prices are as good as you'll find.

No, I'm not a shill.