Fender Studio Bass

Features: 10
I had a Studio Bass for several years.
I loved it and wish I never had to sell it.
I made a deal with my friend who bought it that if he ever sold it, I had first option to buy it. Now he loves it and even though he has moved to (just) vocals, he doesn't want to sell it back to me.

Sound Quality: 10
I used it with the crappy basses I started with and the Schecter I ended up with. I played punk and loved(love) the punchy overdrive sound you could get out of it.
One US band used it once and compared the overdriven sound to that of Lemmy from Motorhead.

I must add that the speaker I used was a JBL, and I ended up putting it in a separate box and made a case for the head. Sounded great though.

Reliability: 10
The best amp I ever had, although all the others were cheap crap amps.
It never let me down. Did heaps of gigs and practising. Changed the power valves once. We played support to the Hard Ons and we were heaps louder than they were!!!!

Customer Support: 8
Repairs were okay - the local repair fella could handle it.
Had no dealings with Fender. Was bought about 5th hand.

Overall Rating: 10
I want it back, even though Im not playin any more

Submitted by Anonymous at 01/14/2004 06:37

Features: 9
The Fender Studio Bass is a rare beast, made for a few short years, 1977-1981 I believe. I'm not sure when mine was manufactured, as I bought it well used from a pawn shop. It is a 200-watt, all-tube combo with a single Electro-Voice 15. It uses three 12AX7's, a 12AU7, and a 12AT7 preamp tubes, and six 6L6GC output tubes (it is important to note the -GC suffix, as other 6L6 variants cannot handle the power output that the studio bass is capable of). Has volume, treble, middle, bass, presence, and output (master volume) controls, and a five band equalizer. The back panel includes a ground switch, equalizer pedal jack, output tube matching and hum balance controls. The output stage in the Studio Bass is a push-pull design, meaning there are three 6L6's on either side. The output tube matching control is in reality nothing more than a "balance" control between the two sides of the output stage. This amp does not have a bias control, and is in fact the only thing I wish this amp had. But this is a fairly easy modification that I performed on my own, and is fairly inexpensive to install by a technician for those who don't work on their own equipment. Between the tone controls and five-band equalizer, there is more than enough tone-shaping tools available.

Sound Quality: 10
I like Fender basses, and that is indeed all I own. I've got a fretless Jazz Bass (made in Japan...superior to many made in US instruments IMHO) and a California Precision Bass Special (made in US). I play a variety of styles, inluding jazz, funk, and rock. Between my two basses with vintage style electronics and the Fender Studio Bass, I am able to attain any tone that I'm looking for. From deep, driving AC/DC lines to tight, punchy Jaco style, this rig can cut it. Very clean, piano like tones when run moderately, but when cranked, a very powerful, LOUD, present amp that breaks up very nicely as you pluck harder. However, since it is a vintage amp with no high frequency driver, this amp is not well suited for more modern slap styles and metal. I've also used a US Deluxe Precision with the Studio Bass. While I wasn't able to get the type of crisp, transparent highs that I can get with my SWR and the deluxe P, it certainly sounded great if your looking for a vintage tone. It sounded especially good with the bridge humbucker soloed.

Reliability: 8
When I bought my beast from the pawn shop, it was VERY well used. It worked, but needed some work. The pots were scratchy, there were two tears on the speaker, the grill was broken, and my test equipment confirmed that the power tubes were not well matched. It took some work, but I managed to get this monster fixed up (note that my reviews of this amp's sound took place after these repairs). I replaced all of the tubes, using NOS Phillips JAN spec preamp tubes and new Svetlana output tubes (note that the installation of these tubes REQUIRED the installation of a bias pot...these new tubes simply ran way to hot without it). I also sprayed some WD-40 into the pots, which cleared up the scratchy-ness real quick, and replaced the original damaged Electro-Voice with a new Eminence legend B-15 (a great 300-watt driver!). After my repair work, this amp has been fairly solid. Certainly not as tough as my Peavey, but obviously higher maintainence because it is a tube amp.

Customer Support: N/A
Never dealt with Fender, and I don't believe that they even remember this piece anyway. Obviously there's no warranty either.

Overall Rating: 9
I've been playing for about 8 years now, and have used Fender, Warwick, Alembic, G&L, Warmoth and Peavey basses. I've also used Fender, SWR, Hartke, Ampeg, Trace Elliot, Oliver and Peavey amps. The Fender Studio Bass simply has the best vintage sound of any bass amp I've ever played. Like an SVT, but with its own character, and not so much in-your-face raw power...a more tame and portable SVT perhaps. If somebody stole this amp, I would probably have a mental breakdown. I've spent to much time and money getting this amp fixed up and set up to my liking that I can never let it go now. Hearing 200-watts of all tube power cranked to the max is a thing of beauty. These are not cheap amps, not too well known either. Those in the know will most likely be prepared to spend some bucks to buy one in good, clean condition.

Submitted by Anonymous at 02/21/2003 01:24

Features: 8
Read the other bios for the specs. 200Watts 2 inputs. I use it for home use. I use Hartke on the road. Easier to move. I love the sound for original rock and blues. Works great for regge.

Sound Quality: 6
Not much variety in tones. Works better with a second cabinet.

Reliability: 8
It's a tank. I use it as a back up to my other rig.

Customer Support: 1
What, Where, When. Does Fender know that they made this Amp.

Overall Rating: 7
Been playing for over 30 years and I love the sound of it but not enough punch on it's own. A little sloppy, but I like the punch of 10" speakers.

Submitted by David DiNapoli at 02/01/2003 17:08

Features: 8
1979 fender studio bass combo
200 watts rms (6 x 6L6 tubes)
15" speaker

mainly used as an "at home" rehearsal amp and for random jamming with friends (much more portable than my mesa/boogie full stack). plenty of power for the basement. only "loudness" problems that i've had were when competing with multiple half-stack guitar rigs. used this amp in the studio as well, incorporating both the recording out and miking the speaker (both sounded wonderful.)

Sound Quality: 9
the tone of this amp is rich. using a fender p or j bass will result in a nice piano-y sound with plenty of warmth and "roundness." eq section is fairly elaborate and gives the amp some bit of versatility, although it generally sounds great no matter how it is set up. i use it for rock/punk/indie and it has always recieved glowing reviews from bandmates.

Reliability: 10
i purchased it in early 1997 and the thing is a tank. i took it in for service when i bought it and my amp guy said it was a champ (only cleaned the pots and replaced pre-amp tubes). it still has the original sylvania power tubes.

Customer Support: N/A
it's basically a vintage amp, so you take it to your local vintage amp repair guy to get it serviced properly. my guy dove right in and was intrigued by it. i brought in the schematics for him (it took some research to find them.) it's not like the amp requires astophysics to work one, it's layout is actually very simple.

Overall Rating: 9
execellent amp for a person who's looking for an amp like this. if you gig out in a rock band, this is not for you. if you need an incredible amp for practice and recording sessions, search one of these out and you won't be unhappy. you will have trouble finding one for sure, but rest assured that it's because the few people that have them are keeping them.

Submitted by mike mcnelis at 03/10/2002 06:41

Features: 10
MY GIRL WAS BORN IN 1979. IN REGARD TO VERSATALITY....SHE WAS BUILT TO
USE AS A RECORDING STUDIO BASS AMP AND DOUBLE AS AN AMP TO PLAY OUT FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM VENUES....ALTHOUGH IF SHE IS MIKED THROUGH THE SOUND SYSTEM.....THERE IS AMPLE POWER WITH PLENTY OF DEEP, RICH BOTTOMS AND ACCEPTABLE MIDS AND HIGHS TO ACOMMODATE MEDIUM LARGE VENUES WITH ALL BUT THE LOUDEST OF DRUMMERS. SHE BOASTS ELABORATE TONE CONTROLS, PRESENCE CONTROL,FIVE EQUALIZATION AND HARMONIC BALANCE CONTROLS AND A VERY USEFUL OUTPUT CONTROL, TWO INPUT JACKS FOR BASS GUITAR OR SPECIAL EFFECTS. A SUPER GREAT DEGREE OF DISTORTION CAN EASILY BE ACHIEVED BY ADJUSTING THE MIXTURE OF THE OUTPUT CONTROL IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL. THE REAR PANEL AFFORDS YOU WITH AN EXTENTION JACK ( MINIMUM LOAD OF 8 OHMS AT 200 WATTS RMS ) THIS IS A BALLSY 200 WATT BASS AMP THAT IS POWERED BY SIX 6L6GC`s (HIGH VOLTAGE, 5OOV FROM A SOLID STATE RECTIFIER)..TWO 7025`s IN THE PREAMP SECTION WITH ONE 12AU7 DRIVING THE EQUALIZER SECTION. A SECOND PAIR OF 7025`s ARE USED FOR LOW IMPEDANCE TWIN CATHODE FOLLOWERS. ALTHOUGH I UTILIZE MATCHED SETS Of NOS RCA 6L6`s..THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO MATCH YOUR POWER TUBES AS THIS FIXED BIAS AMP EMPLOYS COMES WITH AN OUTPUT TUBE MATCHING, MANUAL TWEAKING CONTROL! ALSO, THERE IS A LINE RECORDING OUTPUT JACK WHICH FACILITATES DIRECT CONNECTION TO RECORDERS, P.A. SYSTEMS OR OTHER AMPLIFIRERS WITH INPUT IMPEDANCES OF 200 OHMS OR GREATER! TO ROUND THINGS OUT.....SHE EMPLOYS A HUM BALANCE SWITCH, A 120 VOLT, AC, 60 HZ ACCESSORY OUTLET, A 6 1/4 AMP , 125 VOLT FUSE AND A MULTY GROUND SWITCH. THIS AMP HAS SERVED ME WELL FOR OVER 20 YEARS AS A BAR BAND BASS AMP PERFORMING EVERYTHING FROM SONIC ROCK `N` ROLL, COUNTRY AND BLUES....WITH PLENTY OF POWER AND STAMINA TO BOOT! JUST RECENTLY, AT THE REQUEST OF OUR SOUND TECH, I REPLACED THE STOCK DRIVER WITH AN EMINENCE, I5", 300 WATT DELTA-PRO. LORDY, LORDY.....THE VINTAGE AMPEG
SVT RIGS CAN NOW BE RETIRED......FOREVER! JUST BEAR IN MIND..FENDER`s
STUDIO BASS AMP WAS MOST UNFORTUNATELY MANUFACTURED FOR A MEAR 4 YEARS
1977 TO 1980.....AND NOT MANY WERE MADE, AT THAT! NOWADAYS, THEY ARE RARELY OFFERED,,,,,IF YOU CAN OBTAIN ONE.....EXPEXT TO SHELL OUT ANYWHERE FROM $400.00 TO $700.00 DEPENDING UPON CONDITION!!!! YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!!!!

Sound Quality: 10
ALTHOUGH, I HAVE SEVERAL BASS GUITS, WITHIN MY ARSENAL.....I USE AN ORIGINAL 1960 PRECISION BASS AS WELL AS A 1947 GIBSON LAP STEEL THROUGH MY FENDER STUDIO BASS AMP. I AM THROUGHLY HAPPY WITH THE SONICS I GET WITH THE AMP.....AND THEN SOME! MUSIC PLAYED IS VINTAGE ROCK AND BLUES. SHE IS A LITTLE BIT NOISY WITH THE LAP STEEL AND MODERATELY QUIET WITH THE P-BASS. OTHER THAN THAT.....THIS AMP KICKS MAJOR BOOTY!

Reliability: 10
I DEPEND UPON THIS RIG FOUR NIGHTS PER WEEK ALL YEAR LONG.....ALTHOUGH
IT`s NO BIG SECRET.....A TUBED AMP DEMANDS MORE MAINTENENCE THAN A SOLID STATE AFFAIR. I HAVE ANOTHER TWO STUDIO BASS AMPS.....BUT AS OF THIS DATE......THEY SET AROUND COLLECTING DUST....`NUFF SAID'

Customer Support: 1
NEVER HAD TO USE `EM.....AND WHY SHOULD I.....FENDER IS SEEMINGLY ONLY INTERESTED WITHIN SERVICING THEIR CURRENT PRODUCT LINE AND I WOULD BET YOU THAT THEY DON`T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS PIECE EXISTS!!!!!

Overall Rating: 10
HAVE BEEN PLAYING/GIGING FOR OVER 30 SOME ODD YEARS. AS FAR AS OWNING OTHER GEAR.....YEAH SURE I DO.....IN 30 YEARS, ONE TENDS TO ACUMMULATE
A LOT OF GEAR.....FAR TO MUCH TO LIST HERE.....SORRY! IF THE STUDIO BASS AMP WERE EVER STOLEN AND/OR LOST.....AND OF COURSE, IF DIDN`T ALREADY OWN TWO MORE OF THESE OLD GIRLS......YEAH, WOULD SEARCH HIGH AND LOW FOR ANOTHER ONE! HEY.....READ MY REVIEW......SHE`S MY SECOND WIFE AND SHE MAKES ME MONEY......END OF CONVERSATION! I USED AMPEG IN MY EARLIER DAYS ( WHAT BASSIST WORTH THEIR SALT DIDN`T!) FENDER NEVER DID OFFER A WORTHY BASS AMP, BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS, AND WHEN THEY FINALY CAME OUT WITH THE 400 PS AND THEN THE 300 PS, THEY BEGAN MAKING SOME HEADWAY....BUT THESE UNITS WERE SOMEWHAT CUMBERSOME....BUT THEY REALLY HIT THE MARK WITH THE COMPACT AND EFFICIENT STUDIO BASS MODEL. THE RUMBLE BASS AMP WAS/IS A KILLER BASSISTS TOOL, BUT ONCE AGAIN....VERY CUMBERSOME AND FAR TO EXPENSIVE
FOR THE SEMI-PRO PLAYER!

Submitted by `DOC' at 03/09/2002 03:16

Features: 10
1970's
two channels
200 watts all tube combo
with 18" mesa boogie speaker.
four volume controls 9 high, mids and low
plus separate four band equalizer
presence and gain and mater output control

Sound Quality: 10
If you like warm punchy tones
think stacks volt, motown, Carol Kaye, Revolver era McCArtney
then this is the amp for you.

warm round tones with 200 watts and a 18" speaker to really push the sound through.

I also plug my rhodes piano into it and it sounds amazing
shear volume!

Reliability: 8
So far so good

a tube amp so it has a very simpl design

Customer Support: 2
Very little
Most dealers don't know what this amp is.
They will even go as far as to tell you that it does not exist.
but let me assure you that they do.
they are hard to come by
Not alot were made and people that do have them don't want to sell them.
but hang in there I looked for 5 years before I found mine.

usually this amp goes for about $850 but i got mine from a guy That didn't know what he had. I even talked him down to $350.

Overall Rating: 10
i've been playing it for almost a year.
If it were stolen or lost i would be heart broken.
ten times better than the ampeg portaflex and three times as loud

Submitted by Brad Robertson at 02/27/2001 13:19

Features: 9
1978 Fender Studio Bass
Output 200 watts Rms
!5 inch speaker(Electrovoice)
2 inputs
Active Equalizer and volume and tone controls
Tube Amp
Black with black grille covering Large "Fender"crome logo

Sound Quality: 9
Play a Hamer guitar and a Takamine Acoustic with Dean Markley pickup
through this Amp.I play rock,Blues and Country.A very versitle amp
With a Boss ME-30 Distortion and other effects areProfessional sounding

Reliability: 10
The amp was very
dirty when purchaced and also had a loose power tube.After cleaning
and reseating the tubes this amp performs flawlessley.

Customer Support: N/A
never had to use any support

Overall Rating: 10

Submitted by don spencer at 11/17/2000 19:50