The Fender ’59 Bassman Tweed is a recreation of one of the most influential valve amplifier designs ever produced, combining a powerful 4x10 speaker arrangement with the beautifully simple two-channel, four-input architecture of the celebrated late-1950s Bassman.

Originally designed as a bass amplifier, the 5F6-A Bassman circuit became legendary among guitarists for its broad frequency response, huge dynamic range and natural transition from open cleans into rich, harmonically complex valve overdrive.

Its Normal and Bright channels can be used independently or linked together, allowing the player to blend their different characters for a surprisingly broad tonal palette.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition and comes with an amp cover.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Fender
Model	’59 Bassman Reissue
Finish	Tweed
Type	All-Valve Guitar Amplifier Combo
Speaker Configuration	4 x 10"
Speakers	Alnico
Output	Approx. 45–50W Depending on Reissue Generation
Channels	Normal & Bright
Inputs	4
Controls	Presence, Middle, Bass, Treble, Bright Volume, Normal Volume
Power Valves	2 x 6L6 / 5881 Family
Preamp	3-Valve 12AX7 / 7025-Type Layout
Rectification	Vintage-Style Rectifier Arrangement
Output Impedance	2Ω Internal Speaker Load
Condition	Very Good
Included	Amp Cover

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Fender ’59 Bassman Tweed is presented in Very Good Condition.

It shows some cosmetic signs consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully operational.

On a tweed-covered amplifier, normal signs of use can include:

• Light marks to the tweed

• Minor edge or corner wear

• Small surface marks

• Hardware ageing

• General handling wear

These are reflected in the Very Good condition grade.

Please refer to the product photographs for the individual cosmetic condition of this amplifier.

What's Included?

✔ Fender ’59 Bassman Tweed 4x10 Valve Combo
✔ Amp Cover

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned amplifier has been checked for general operation.

Assessment includes:

• Normal channel

• Bright channel

• All four inputs

• Normal volume

• Bright volume

• Treble control

• Middle control

• Bass control

• Presence control

• Speaker operation

• Valve-amplifier operation

• Switches

• General hardware

• Cabinet condition

• Overall functional performance

What Makes The Fender ’59 Bassman Special?

The late-1950s Bassman circuit became hugely influential because of its combination of simplicity, power and responsiveness.

Rather than relying on multiple gain stages, channel switching or built-in effects, the amplifier allows the guitar, player and valves to do the work.

At more moderate settings it produces broad, articulate cleans with plenty of headroom. Increase the channel volumes and the amp moves progressively into the compressed, harmonically rich drive that helped define classic tweed Fender tone.

Classic 4x10 Configuration

The Bassman uses:

4 x 10" speakers

Four smaller speakers provide a different response from a conventional 1x12 or 2x12 combo.

Characteristics include:

• Fast transient response

• Wide sound dispersion

• Strong midrange projection

• Tight bass

• Excellent articulation

• Large overall sound without excessive low-end softness

Alnico Speakers

The ’59 Bassman Reissue family uses Alnico 10" speakers.

Speaker specification varies by generation.

Earlier ’59 Bassman Reissues are associated with Fender/Eminence blue-frame Alnico speakers, while the later LTD specification uses Jensen P10R Alnico speakers.

The exact speaker generation of this individual amplifier should therefore be identified from the speakers themselves rather than inferred from the model name alone.

Two Channels

The amplifier provides two independent channels:

Bright Channel

The Bright channel offers:

• Greater treble presence

• Sharper attack

• More cut

• Classic Fender sparkle

Normal Channel

The Normal channel offers:

• Fuller body

• Smoother high frequencies

• Rounder clean sounds

• Warmer overdrive

Four Inputs

Each channel provides two inputs, giving a total of:

4 x 1/4" inputs

The different input sensitivities allow the amplifier to respond differently to guitars and pickup outputs.

Channel Jumping

One of the classic Bassman techniques is to link or jump the two channels using a short patch cable.

This allows the Bright and Normal volume controls to be blended together.

The player can therefore combine:

• Bright-channel clarity and bite

• Normal-channel warmth and body

to create a wider range of sounds than either channel provides alone.

Traditional Tone Controls

The tone section consists of:

• Treble

• Middle

• Bass

• Presence

The controls are interactive, meaning adjustment of one can influence the response of the others.

This makes the Bassman deceptively flexible despite its simple front panel.

Presence Control

The Presence control works within the amplifier's power-stage feedback circuit.

Increasing Presence adds more immediacy and upper-frequency bite, helping the guitar cut through a full band mix.

6L6-Style Power Section

The Bassman uses a pair of 6L6/5881-family output valves.

This power section contributes to:

• Strong clean headroom

• Broad low end

• Clear high frequencies

• Dynamic response

• Rich compression when pushed

Natural Valve Overdrive

There is no conventional preamp Gain/Master Volume arrangement.

To drive the amplifier naturally, the channel volume is increased and the circuit itself begins to compress and distort.

This produces the familiar progression from:

Clean → Edge of Breakup → Crunch → Saturated Tweed Drive

The exact volume required to reach those sounds can be substantial.

Touch Sensitivity

One of the defining characteristics of the Bassman design is its response to playing dynamics.

With the amplifier near breakup, the player can move between cleaner and more driven sounds using:

• Pick attack

• Guitar volume

• Pickup selection

• Playing intensity

This makes it particularly expressive for blues and classic rock.

Excellent Pedal Platform

The Bassman's broad frequency response also makes it an excellent platform for effects.

It works particularly well with:

• Overdrive

• Boost

• Fuzz

• Wah

• Delay

• Reverb

• Modulation

The four-input circuit also allows different channel combinations to be explored when using pedals.

Tweed Styling

The amplifier uses classic Fender Tweed styling, one of the most recognisable amplifier aesthetics ever produced.

Depending on reissue generation, the cabinet and treatment of the tweed differ slightly, but the visual reference remains firmly rooted in the late 1950s.

Reissue Generation Note

Fender has produced two principal modern valve reissue versions of the ’59 Bassman.

Earlier ’59 Bassman Reissue

Introduced around 1990.

Typical features include:

• Four Fender/Eminence Alnico 10" speakers

• Earlier cabinet construction

• Tweed covering

• Four-input layout

• Approximately 50W rated output

’59 Bassman LTD

Introduced in 2004.

Typical features include:

• Four Jensen P10R Alnico 10" speakers

• Finger-jointed solid pine cabinet

• Lacquered tweed covering

• Four-input layout

• 45W rated output

• 5AR4 rectifier

• Internal bias adjustment

Until the individual amplifier's production version is established, those generation-specific details should not be treated as interchangeable.

Who Is It For?

Blues players – Superb touch sensitivity and natural edge-of-breakup response.

Classic-rock guitarists – Cranked Bassman tones provide rich, dynamic overdrive.

Pedal users – Broad clean response makes an excellent effects platform.

Roots and Americana players – Open cleans and natural compression suit vintage-inspired styles.

Studio guitarists – Four speakers and two channels provide plenty of tonal possibilities.

Vintage Fender enthusiasts – One of Fender's most historically important amplifier circuits.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Blues

• Blues rock

• Classic rock

• Rock

• Americana

• Country

• Roots

• Rockabilly

• Soul

• Indie

• Alternative

• Studio recording

• Live performance

• Pedal-based guitar rigs

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Valve Guitar Amplifier Combo
Brand	Fender
Model	’59 Bassman Reissue
Finish	Tweed
Circuit Inspiration	Fender 5F6-A Bassman
Amplifier Type	All-Valve
Output	Approx. 45–50W Depending on Reissue Generation
Channels	2
Channel Types	Normal & Bright
Inputs	4 x 1/4"
Controls	Presence, Middle, Bass, Treble, Bright Volume, Normal Volume
Power Valves	2 x 6L6 / 5881 Family
Preamp Layout	3-Valve 12AX7 / 7025-Type
Speaker Configuration	4 x 10"
Speaker Type	Alnico
Internal Speaker Impedance	2Ω
Approx. Dimensions	59.7 x 56.8 x 26.7cm
Approx. Manufacturer Weight	53 lbs
Included	Amp Cover
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Speaker Specification Note

The exact speaker make depends on which generation of ’59 Bassman Reissue this amplifier belongs to.

Fender used:

• Fender/Eminence Alnico speakers on earlier reissues

• Jensen P10R Alnico speakers on the later LTD

No unsupported speaker brand is assigned to this individual amplifier without direct identification.

Output Rating Note

Fender's earlier ’59 Bassman Reissue documentation specifies approximately 50W RMS, while the later ’59 Bassman LTD is marketed as 45W.

Both are powerful valve amplifiers capable of significant stage volume.

Volume Considerations

This is not a low-volume practice amplifier.

Obtaining strong natural power-stage overdrive generally requires substantial volume.

Players who want cranked Bassman sounds at reduced room levels may wish to use a suitable high-quality attenuator or reactive load rated appropriately for the amplifier.

Amp Cover

An amp cover is included.

This provides useful protection against:

• Dust

• Light storage marks

• Surface abrasion

when the amplifier is not in use.

Power Requirements

This is a mains-powered valve amplifier.

No external power supply is required.

Use only with the mains voltage specified on the amplifier itself.

Valve Amplifier Safety

Valve amplifiers contain potentially lethal voltages internally, even after being switched off.

Internal servicing should only be carried out by a suitably qualified amplifier technician.

Adequate ventilation should always be provided during operation.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Fender ’59 Bassman Tweed remains one of the great foundations of electric-guitar amplification.

Its combination of four 10" Alnico speakers, two bridgeable channels, four inputs, traditional Fender EQ and 6L6-family power valves produces a huge range of expressive sounds from open cleans through edge-of-breakup blues and into rich vintage crunch.

Its simplicity is a major part of the appeal. There is no channel switching, modelling or complicated menu system—just the guitar, valves, speakers and an exceptionally responsive circuit.

Presented in Very Good Condition and supplied with an amp cover, this is a superb choice for players looking for classic tweed Fender tone in one of the company's most historically important designs.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned amplifier at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its condition and included accessories are clearly represented.

This Fender is offered with:

• Very Good condition

• Classic 4x10 Bassman format

• All-valve construction

• Tweed finish

• Amp cover included

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987

• Birmingham's largest independent music store

• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews

• Expert musician-led advice

• Extensive experience with pre-owned valve amplification

• Pre-owned equipment individually assessed

• Clear condition grading

• Secure ordering

• Fast UK delivery

• Large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing amplifier, guitar or other equipment could help towards the cost of this Fender.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your existing gear could be worth towards this Fender ’59 Bassman.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Fender ’59 Bassman in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic signs consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully operational.

Does it come with a cover?

Yes. An amp cover is included.

Is this an all-valve amplifier?

Yes.

How many speakers does it have?

It uses four 10" speakers.

Are the speakers Alnico?

Yes. The ’59 Bassman Reissue family uses Alnico 10" speakers.

What brand are the speakers?

That depends on production generation. Earlier reissues used Fender/Eminence units, while later ’59 Bassman LTD amplifiers use Jensen P10R speakers.

How powerful is it?

Depending on reissue generation, Fender specifies approximately 45–50 watts.

How many channels does it have?

Two: Normal and Bright.

How many inputs does it have?

Four in total: two for each channel.

Can the channels be linked together?

Yes. Using a short patch cable allows the Normal and Bright channels to be blended.

Does it have a master volume?

No.

Does it have built-in reverb?

No.

Does it have an effects loop?

Traditional ’59 Bassman valve reissues do not use a modern effects-loop-based architecture.

What power valves does it use?

The design uses two 6L6/5881-family output valves.

Is it good for pedals?

Yes. The Bassman's broad clean response makes it an excellent pedal platform.

Is it suitable for home use?

It can be used at lower settings, but it is a powerful stage amplifier and natural valve overdrive occurs at considerable volume.

Can I use an attenuator with it?

A suitable correctly rated attenuator can be used, provided its impedance and power-handling requirements are matched correctly to the amplifier.

Is this the ’59 Bassman LTD?

The exact reissue generation has not been identified from the model information supplied. Earlier ’59 Bassman Reissues and later LTD models have some important construction and speaker differences.

What is the internal speaker impedance?

The Bassman 4x10 speaker system presents a 2Ω load.

Does it need an external speaker cabinet?

No. It is a complete 4x10 combo amplifier.

Does it require an external power supply?

No. It is mains powered.

Can I part-exchange another amplifier against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of amplifiers and musical equipment.