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Not surprised. I honestly consider any amp that costs less than $1,000 basically disposable. They're designed to be built as quickly and inexpensively as possible and have "reasonable" service life, like a laptop computer.
But do you realistically think they will still be working after 30 years? 40 years? Lots of guys around here regularly play through amps built in the '60s and '70s with no issues. I don't personally expect to see any Bassbreakers making it that long.
Pretty much a done deal once they quit making the boards. Unless someone repops them in the aftermarket like Granger did for the 2203/2204. Of course that is a much simpler design than any of these new circuit board amps.
But do you realistically think they will still be working after 30 years? 40 years? Lots of guys around here regularly play through amps built in the '60s and '70s with no issues. I don't personally expect to see any Bassbreakers making it that long.
I WILL not be WORKING IN 40 years................... nor will ANY of us on this forum ----so why do I care?
if the amp works NOW and sounds good now ...... awesome ......if it craps out I bin it -- or pawn/trade it for parts-- and move on
Im not marrying it -- its not a LIFELONG commitment ..... its a diversion -- like internet porn, cheezits and sit coms.....
the bassbreaker I have I traded a PEavey patriot for that I had 150.00 "in" on its a 450.00 amp ...... I think Im "good"
Im not second mortgaging the house to buy some 60's era fender .....but ya'll have fun with that
or......Maybe........................... (like the FREIDMAN BASHING FELLOW we all loved to hate ) the tech in the opening video just doesnt know what he is doing?
With the way the Bassbreaker (WTF sort of a name, IMO) has those three PCBs sandwiched in there, you'd be forced to do a PCB replacement repair almost. Certainly would not be a winner to open it up, spend a half-day extracting the boards, do some work, another half-day to reassemble, then find...
www.thegearpage.net
Lots of good intention but poorly informed statements here.
1) that amp Tech is lazy but more important, NOT an Authorized Fender Tech, period, or he wouldn´t say that.
In fact he would be forbidden to say that on penalty of being kicked out of Fender Service network.
2) that 3 perpendicular board layout is a mess but sadly the result of "fitting 4 liters liquid inside a 1 liter bottle".
There is simply NO inner space to do it otherwise.
3) clearly he´s inexperienced if he has never found it before, it is (sadly) quite common.
ONE example (out of many) is what´s found in similar concept "Tweed Bassman lookalikes" such as Peavey Classic, Delta Blues, etc. , which pioneered the use of interconnected U or C shaped sub-PCB assemblies.
Which are MUCH worse because they are joined edge to edge by *solid wire* jumpers.
Like all solid wire assemblies, they are safe if left unmolested but as soon as you start flexing them, (as in ... um .... "servicing" ... you invite cracks at least in one or two, enough to render your life miserable.
IF he had any experience he would already have found *this*, many times, which is very common:
Peavey Classicor Delta Blues or.....
notice the endless rows of edge joining solid wire jumpers, which are of course *soldered*
To replace a cracked one you require access to the blocked inside solder pads, a nice and fun way to spend time.
Fender Bass Breaker at least uses a ton of connectors, so you can fully separate boards from each other and is meant to be serviced (of course). .
Although clumsy because of too many features in a limited space (who ever saw a real Tweed Bassman which is the source for all of these designs with Reverb,Channel Switching, or Effects loop?)
It is SO meant to be serviced that there is a 22 page SERVICE MANUAL available to techs, go figure.
Which he has never even heard about.
Just copypasting instructions to separate ONE of those boards for servicing, there´s more applying to others and in fact any part of that amp:
First, addressing the "disposable" or "unrepairable" or "lack of Fender interest" MYTH
Service manual starts with:
SERVICE MANUAL
The Bassbreaker 15 Amplifier is considered to be field serviceable at component level.
BASSBREAKER™ 15
(This is the model name for warranty claims)
Fender Musical Instruments Corp. / 17600 North Perimeter Drive, Suite 100 / Scottsdale, AZ 85255-5440
Issued June, 2016
Any Fender Authorized Service Center in need of a warranty replacement PCB Assembly for this unit should contact FMIC Tech Support and you will be instructed on how to proceed.
Click to expand...
CHASSIS REMOVAL is accomplished by first removing the five (5) screws from rear upper screen panel which secure the rear lower panel to cabinet. cure the rear lower panel to cabinet. On the Combo Version Only disconnect the Speaker at the Speaker. Remove the two (2) side chassis screws 4 total) on the left and right side of the cabinet. Now supporting chassis and remove the two (2) top chassis screws and remove the chassis from cab. Access to the inside can then be accomplished by removing (7) screws which secure the rear chassis
Yea, I know, 18 screws just to have full access inside.
Next time appreciate your Tech job better , he deserves it.
Removing 1 board (out of 3):
TOP PANEL INPUT PCB ASSEMBLY REMOVAL is accomplished by marking and unplugging the four (4) multi -pin connectors P30 -P33 on the Input PCB Assembly. Remove the PCB Assembly. Remove the Gain Knob, Control Knob, Control Nut and Washer. You can now remove Front Panel input jack.
* the amp is repairable, in fact it´s REQUIRED to, by any AWSC (Authorized Warranty Service Center), the keyword being "Authorized", in this case by Fender.
Which EXCLUDES "fly by night", "kitchen table", and similar "Techs".
* Price.
That is a constant rift between AWSC and Manufacturers.
They typically pay fixed $50 or $60 for most any "troubleshooting" situation,period.
Why does anybody sign up then?
Various reasons:
*you get listed as THE area Official tech, that alone is worth it because it brings in a lot of work, from that and other brands.
Kust the Factory banner on shop window is worth it.
* you get full technical support, such as these detailed Service Manuals.
* you get unobtanium parts straight from Factory and for a very reasonable price.
Well, that´s it, just telling it from the other side of the counter.
PS: "Techs at 2 cents a piece?"
Well, not the REAL kind.
Let me tell you that Manufacturers are quite fussy about issuing AWSC status, they require proven previous experience Servicing, a well established shop (or attached to a significant sales one), passing a Tech questions exam, on some complex products (say, Wireless mikes, Keyboards, large PA mixers or power amps, reconing JBL and such) even a 4 or 5 day trip to Fctory forntraining, etc.
And you must repair anything they make. "I only work with Tubes" or "I do not touch PCBs" techs don´t need to apply
Nor, it appears, these kinds of mass-produced guitar amps.
They're cheap and you get what you pay for, so you just have to adjust expectations for the price is all. I'm not knocking it either since a lot of people can't realistically go out and drop 2 or 3 grand on an amp.
I don't need a two or three thousand dollar amp, My Orange 35RT gives me all i need and more, heck up at the trailer i have been cranking up my Blackstar Fly 3 and just luvin it!! The sounds that come out of that little box is amazing and puts out some high decibals, in fact i like it sooo much , i am seriously going to buy another one for a spare , just in case they decide to stop making them for some unknown reason. i would have a tough time livin without this gem..
www.americanmusical.com
the use of interconnected U or C shaped sub-PCB assemblies.
, he deserves it.
