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FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman

  • Features:
  • Sound Quality:
  • Reliability/Durability:
  • Ease of Use:
  • Customer Support:
  • Overall Rating:
  • Brand:
    Boss
  • Model:
    FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman
Tags: brand#boss tax#aqb

Reviews

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FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman

Review By:
hiero
hiero on 6/17/09 1:00 AM
Reviewer Background:
Purchased From:
Andertons, Guildford, UK
Price:
GBP99.00 GBP
Features:
Sound Quality:
In my opinion, don't waste your time as there are a multitude of pedals that give that kind of low to mid frequency boost. A better example of a  warm 'tweed sound' pedal is the AMT Tweed - youtube link here along with a reasonable example of the FBM-1 Bassman pedal with a cheap tube amp - Harley Benton GA5 which is *the same amp* as the Epi VJr: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oBSyA0DWk4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMWshCqrPkg The FDR-1 on the other hand is a better pedal, but will never be as clean as a DR !!
Reliability/Durability:
Boss=10
Ease of Use:
Very, but no amount of knob twiddling matches a real tweed Bassman!
Customer Support:
Well, assuming you don't need to contact them (as to with all other BOSS gear), then must be another 10 !
Overall Rating:
I wanted to shortcut my way to some classic Fender vibes and was torn between this and the FDR-1. Sadly, it didn't get me close, so I took the plunge and got a real 59 Bassman LTD ultimately... worlds apart! And, as you can never emulate the CLEAN and DYNAMICS of either this or the FDR-1, you may as well concentrate on other pedals that give warm and characteristic tones. The FDR-1 has a reasonable Tremolo/Reverby vibe, but will be lost in a real-life band scenario - you really need TUBE DRIVEN Tremolo for live! I love Tweed tones, but you don't get them from this. If it was in a garish Purple box with luminous Green writing all over, you would probably unplug almost immediately you started dialing! However, it is The Power of 'Perception' that sells these!
0 Comments Tags: brand#boss tax#aqb

FBM-1 Fender '59 Bassman

Review By:
Doc Martin
Doc Martin on 3/3/09 1:00 AM
Reviewer Background:
Purchased From:
www.guitarmania.co.uk
Price:
$93.00 USD
Features:
Sound Quality:
As for the sound quality, It adds to any amp. Its fun cheap, light to carry, and it works. Is it as good as a real Bassman.  Probably not but then you are not shelling out ¿¿1000 for a reissue and hefting around 60lb of snarling tweed box which only comes into its own when it is on full earth shaking power.   You really do not want to live next door to Buddy Guy. And if you want a vintage one for that true tone then be prepared to carry around a box of parts and a soldering iron to every gig, remember that your pride and joy has been being humped nightly by musicians and roadies over the last thirty years. If you must have a  vintage one - hire it - they are not for everyday work. No, it is not as good but its a whole heap of fun and cheap as chips.  
Reliability/Durability:
Have you ever seen a Boss pedal that's worn out?  They are pretty much bullet proof.  Just remember to pack a spare battery.
Ease of Use:
Its better than you think, and by that I mean that at first its not easy to get the tone but a littel bit of fiddling and you get all sorts of useful bassman tones .  I even got a really nice T-Bone Walker sound with my PRS-DG model and it works with my Strat. If you go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=124brfVrXts&feature=PlayList&p=1F2FB124DFD827C5&playnext=1&index=12, then you will find a truly cheesey ad for the pedal in which Johnny De Marco (who, together with his brother are  apparently, "The greatest guitar players in the planet" - google him)  demonstrates the pedal and makes it go from rock to light Jazz.  So far, and I have not had it but a few days, I have not been able to replicate his tones but then I am not one of this planet's greatest players.  (It really is worth watching this- it is the kitchest ad,  it's a hoot and an object lesson in how marketing can ruin a good product.
Customer Support:
I have plenty of Boss and Roland products and I have only had to deal with them once when I sent a Ederol recorder back.  They mended it and then upgraded the firmware - how bad is that for service? 
Overall Rating:
I play blues and this is great for me.   So far its a better pedal than I am a guitarist and I have not reached the limits of its tone. 
0 Comments Tags: brand#boss tax#aqb

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