Front Panel - Fender Bassman 500 Owner's Manual

Thank you for choosing the Fender® Bassman 500/800 watt hybrid
(tube preamp + class-D power amp) bass head. This amplifier was
designed to provide the ultimate bass playing experience, with two
channels (Vintage/Overdrive), classic good looks and modern technol-
ogy designed to maximize classic technology.
The Vintage channel offers a classic Fender passive tone stack. This
"cut-only" interactive circuit provides a distinctly old-school caramel-
like thickness to the notes. The Overdrive channel has an active tone
stack, very quick and responsive, with the ability to get incredibly
A. INPUTS:
Plug your bass into the input that sounds the
best to you. input 2 is a lower sensitivity input (-6db) and provides
cleaner response with high-output or active instruments. if both
inputs are used simultaneously, their input sensitivities become
identical, both -6db.
B. VOLUME: Adjusts the volume level of the Vintage channel.
C. BASS/MID/TREBLE: Classic, cut-only (passive) tone stack. Pull the
BASS knob out for emphasis in the low-frequency range (DEEP).
Pull the TREBLE knob out for an increase in the high-frequency
range (BRIGHT).
D. CHANNEL SELECT: Selects the active channel as indicated by
the green and red LEDs. When the VINTAGE channel is selected
(switch in the down position, green LED), the knobs on the left
(B-C) are active. When the OVERDRIVE channel is selected (switch
in the up position, red LED), the knobs on the right (E-J) are active.

The included footswitch can also be used to select channels. See
FOOTSWITCH (R) on next page.
E. GAIN: Adjusts the amount of preamp tube distortion in the
overdrive channel.
F. BLEND: Controls the amount of distorted signal (set by GAIN)
to be blended with the clean bass signal. Lower settings can
maintain a cleaner tone, with some added grit. Higher settings will
produce more distorted tones and add sustain. Set to 1 for clean
tube bass signal only.
G. VOLUME: Adjusts the volume level of the Overdrive channel. Use
together with the GAIN knob (E) to set the overall loudness of the
Overdrive channel.
H. BASS: Adjusts the amount of low-frequency boost or cut
(±15dB) of the Overdrive channel. Set this knob to the center
detent position for flat bass response. Pull this knob out for low-
frequency emphasis (DEEP).
NOTE: The TUNER OUT (S), POWER AMP IN and PRE AMP OUT (T) jacks are balanced TRS (tip/ring/sleeve) type jacks,
with tip=positive (+), ring=negative (-) and sleeve=ground (GND). While standard shielded TS (tip/sleeve) "mono"
guitar cables can certainly be used, the use of "stereo" TRS cables may improve signal-to-noise ratio and reduce hum
due to line noise.
BASSMAN® 500/800
aggressive. Foot switch between these on stage for an instant tone
make-over.
Silent recording is easy. Simply disconnect any connected speaker cabi-
net and capture the Preamp tone out of the XLR output.
The Bassman 500/800 will provide a lifetime of thick, natural, balanced
tone that sits fat in your live or studio mix.
Register your Bassman 500/800 online at start.fender.com.

FRONT PANEL

I. MID FREQ/MID LEVEL: Use the FREQ knob to set the frequency
at which the LEVEL knob adjusts the middle-frequency boost or
cut (±18dB) of the Overdrive channel. Set the LEVEL knob to the
center detent position for flat mid response.

It is easiest to adjust MID when the LEVEL control is at its maxi-
mum or minimum, so that the effect of the FREQ knob is more
easily heard. Once the proper FREQ setting is found, adjust the
LEVEL knob to the desired setting.
J. TREBLE: Adjusts the amount of high-frequency boost or cut
(±15dB) of the Overdrive channel. Set this knob to the center
detent position for flat treble response. Pull this knob out for a
high-frequency boost (BRIGHT).
K. MASTER: Adjusts the overall volume of the amplifier. Pull this
knob out to mute all outputs from the amp except the TUNER
output, useful for silent instrument tuning.

Bassman amps are equipped with Fender's Delta-Comp™ limiter.
Setting the MASTER level higher or playing more aggressively will
result in more compression and sustain.
L. PEAK: This LED illuminates when the amplifier is producing
maximum peak power (reaching the limiter threshold). To avoid
overheating the class-D power amplifier, reduce the output level
to where the PEAK LED is flashing during playing rather than
being on continuously for extended periods.
M. PROTECT: This LED illuminates when the class-D amplifier
has gone into protect mode due to exceeding safe operating
temperature or maximum current limit (i.e., operating at 2 ohms).
This LED also illuminates briefly during power on. The speaker
output will be muted when this led is on.
N. POWER INDICATOR: Illuminates when power to the unit is
switched on.
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