Bassman Amplifier Line
Gets Some New AdditionsHead & Extension Cabinets Are Among The Complements  July 22, 2000As a follow up to the overwhelming response received from the January, 2000 introduction of the Bassman Series bass amplifiers, Fender will round out the line this summer with a new medium-powered combo and high-output head with a variety of extension cabinets. Four additions in all will complement the most innovative line of bass amplifiers available, and all will be introduced at this summer’s NAMM show in Nashville.
"The Fender name has always stood for great amps, and the Bassman amps are no exception," says Richard McDonald, product manager of Fender amplifiers. "We’re totally dedicated to making this line the best bass amps money can buy, and these introductions are the next step in our ongoing commitment to bass players."
Filling in the gap between the recently introduced 100 Watt and 350 Watt models, the new Bassman 200 is a medium-powered combo amplifier with professional features and great tone. The Bassman 200 is rugged and road worthy with its metal grill and black Tolex covering, and with an MSRP of only $899.99 it’s an exceptional value for working musicians and weekend enthusiasts alike.
The new Bassman 200 features 200 Watts (at 4 Ohms) of solid-state clarity that pound through one 15 inch 4 Ohm Fender Special Design Eminence speaker and Foster high frequency driver. It comes equipped with a built-in compressor-limiter and a Room Balance feature to quickly adjust your overall tone for the architecture of any room. There’s also an "Enhance" circuit that adjusts the EQ to a particular playing style, for example, quickly switching from finger-style to slapping or a more funky timbre.
Additional on-board features for the modern bassist include: an effects loop; active/passive input pad selector; tuner out jack with mute and flashing indicator; XLR line-out with ground lift; line out with level control and pre/post EQ switch; power amp clip indicator (dual LED yellow/red); preamp clip indicator; and Master Volume, Gain, Bass, Treble and Parametric Mid (mid level & frequency) controls. Weight: 65 lbs.
For progressive thinking, professional bassists, Fender will introduce the Bassman 400 Head. Similar in its sound and style to the Bassman 400 combo, this was designed specifically for contemporary bassists who simply prefer a head and cabinet configuration.
The Bassman 400 Head is a solid-state 350 Watt (at 4 Ohms) head with up-to-date features that pros expect on their gear, such as its effects loop, active/passive input pad selector, tuner out jack and balanced line out with level control. A compressor, "Enhance" circuit and the Room Balance feature are all standard, as is the 3-band semi-parametric EQ. There’s also space for a single rack-mount effect unit!
Controls on the Bassman 400 Head include Master Volume, Gain, Bass and Treble. In addition, there are indicators for the pre amp clip, power amp clip, EQ active, tuner mute and signal present. Covered in black Tolex, the Bassman 400 Head weighs 49 lbs. and comes with a one-button footswitch for the EQ. MSRP is $749.99.
To go along with the Bassman 400 Head, Fender will introduce the Bassman 410H Extension Cabinet. Powerful 4x10" Fender Special Design Eminence drivers and Bullet horn perform at 300 Watts (8 Ohm) to deliver the low-end needed in just about any situation. Weight 68 lbs., MSRP is $579.99.
For those who prefer a 1x15" extension cabinet set-up, the new Fender Bassman 115H Extension Cabinet is an ideal alternative to the Bassman 410H. Equipped with its 15" Fender Special Design Eminence driver, the Bassman 115H performs at 150 Watts (8 Ohm) and weighs only 57 lbs. MSRP is $339.99.
All of the new additions to the Bassman Series bass amplifiers will be produced at Fender’s own state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. The Bassman 400 Head will be available in stores as of August 2000, and the Bassman 200 will be available as of October 2000. Both the Bassman 410H and 115H extension cabinets are available as of March 2000. For more information, visit their web site at www.fender.com. | 
