In this post, we are going to be looking at the best bass breakers from Fender. Fender is an industry leader for guitars and amps, but what are the best Fender bass breakers out there? This Guitar Space feature will look into the options and explore our top five Fender bass breakers in detail.
We will also examine some popular questions and queries surrounding Fender bass breakers before concluding our final thoughts on which Fender bass breaker is the most suitable for you. We have tried to include a bass breaker for every budget for fairness.
Before we go into details of our top choices, let’s first look at a brief overview of the Fender base breakers we will be investigating for this post.
Five of the Best Fender Bassbreakers – Overview
| Model | Color | Features | Price Range |
| Fender Bassbreaker 70W 1×12 | Black | Budget-friendly, lightweight & portable | $ |
| Fender Bassbreaker 140W 2×12 | Black | Pro-level performance for Rock music | $$ |
| Fender Bassbreaker 007 1×10 7W | Black | 7 watts of big tone | $$$ |
| Fender Bassbreaker 15W 1×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp | Black | With a plethora of flexible features, this is a top-notch performer for stage or studio. | $$$$ |
| Fender Bassbreaker 45W 2×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp | Black | ‘’The Grandfather of all Amps’’ | $$$$$ |
What is a Bassbreaker?
Fender Bass breakers work with guitar amps and are designed primarily for the Rock and Blues genres owing to their versatile tonal response. The Fender bass breakers, in particular, have more of an aggressive mid-range, increased gain, and provides more of a British tone – side note, British band The Beatles famously used Fender amps above all others.
Why do I need a Bassbreaker?
If you want to explore guitar playing and broadcast your skill, then a bass breaker will help you to do so. It projects and optimizes the sounds of your bass guitar. You can use regular amps for bass guitars, but without a specific bass breaker amp, the volume (especially low-frequencies) can be compromised.
If you’re a bass player, a bass breaker extension is your best option. We’ve previously written a guideto help you find the best bass guitars for this year.
Protecting Your Bassbreaker
Whether you’ve opted for a 4-string or 5-string bass guitar, it is an investment, and you’ve likely put measures in place to protect it – maybe with a bass case or a gig bag. It makes sense to protect your bass breaker, too, to ensure you have years of play.
A bass breaker isn’t a low-cost piece of kit, and the most expensive on our list is just short of a thousand dollars, so it is wise to protect it as best you can. In the beginning, purchasing from a responsible retailer will mean that the bass breaker will come with a manufacturer’s warranty – to cover
There will also likely be a more advanced protection plan through Guitar Center. This is called ‘Pro Coverage’ and includes repair costs for up to 5 years, coverage for commercial use, and replacements for accidental damage.
Bassbreaker Maintenance
To make sure that your bass breaker is protected from damages within the home or during travel, there are some steps you can take. These are:
Bassbreaker Storage
With a bass breaker it is predominantly the innards; electrical wires and components, that are the most fragile from things like heat, sunlight, and high or low temperatures. Ideally, the bass breaker should be positioned in a well-ventilated room, away from any heat source and out of direct sunlight.
You can also purchase amp covers for additional protection in the home, or on the road.
Standby – First and Last
You should avoid switching both switches straight away and set the bass breaker to standby before you fully fire it up. This gives the inner tubes time to gradually warm, which leads to a better sound here and now and better longevity for the future.
Before you shut the amp down, use the standby feature again, as this will allow the valve time to cool, reducing unnecessary wear and tear.
Our Top Five Fender Bassbreakers
Below we look in more detail at our favorite Fender Bassbreakers for all budgets, skill levels, and uses. We will examine the bass breakers in-depth, look at their features, specifications, and pros and cons. Further on, we will answer the regular queries we have found related to Fender bass breakers, and bass breakers in general, before finishing with our conclusion.
Fender Bassbreaker 70W 1×12 – Our Most Affordable Pick
The budget-friendly and most affordable Fender bass breaker on our list is the ‘Fender Bassbreaker 70W 1×12 Guitar Speaker Cabinet’, which also comes with free shipping from Guitar Center and the ability to add on their Pro Coverage care plan.
This bass breaker has a pure tube sound, iconic in the 60’s music scene and still so today. It has the traditional Bassman design with new features, such as a lacquered tweed covering in dark gray and refined pointer knobs.
This a low-cost bass breaker ideal for learners who don’t want to invest much in the beginning. It is also an excellent choice for today’s Rock players as it offers a pro-level performance, low-end thump, and rich, resonant voicing. We personally think this is a steal.
From the six verified reviews on Guitar Center, there isn’t a single con listed. We found the same for thoughts on Reverb. We did manage to find one negative review online at Sweetwater, with one buyer criticizing the construction of the bass breaker – however, this genuinely is the only poor review we found.
Specifications
- Semi-closed back – for rich, low tones
- V-type speaker – Ohm Celestion, 12inch
- Impedance 8 Ohms
- Works well with Bassbreaker 15 combo and Bassbreaker 007 head
- Power handling: 70W
- Weight: 21lbs
- Dimensions: 9 x 16.88 x 19.5 inches
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Lightweight
- Rich, low tones
- Excellent reviews from previous buyers
- Pro-level performance
Cons
- Case construction noted as weak by one reviewer
Fender Bassbreaker 140W 2×12 – Pro Level, Ideal for Rock
Our second cheapest is the Fender Bassbreaker 140W 2×12, designed and engineered to enhance and match Bassbreaker heads and combos such as; BassBreaker 45 Combo, BassBreaker 18/30 Comb, and BassBreaker 45 Head.
This bass breaker offers a pro-level performance, with advanced speakers and a solid cab. As well as being compatible with other Fender amps, it also works well with Marshalls. Buyers praise the price, weight, and vintage tones, as well as solid craftsmanship and reliability.
Its design is modern and sleek, with the same gray tweed, treated finish as the Fender Bassbreaker 70W 1×12. The dual 12” V-type Celestion speakers optimize the focused British tones, with the semi-closed back design offering midrange balance and the open back to accentuate the thump.
Specifications
- Semi-closed back
- Gray tweed finish
- Two V-type, Celestion 12 inch speakers
- 12 Ohms impedance
- 140W power handling
- Input: ¼ inch
- Weight: 36 lbs
- Dimensions: 10.63 x 22.13 x 26.25 inch
Pros
- Killer-sound
- Perfect for Rock and Heavy Metal
- Affordable
- Works well with Fender & Marshall amps
Cons
- Fairly heavy (36lbs)
- Bulky
Fender Bassbreaker 007 1×10 7W – Big Tone for Small/Medium Venues
The Fender Bassbreaker 007 has a price tag that puts it out of the beginners league but not quite in the professional musician sector. It’s a large model that can easily handle live performances.
However, it isn’t as high-powered as others on our list. Experts claim that this bass breaker is the perfect tube amplifier for practice and small gigs – it won’t fill an arena.
This amp will deliver great tones for small-to-medium venues, and its tube amp is its biggest selling point – guaranteeing richness. It’s a middle range with a 7-watt power, delivering decent quality that isn’t going to shatter your glassware.
Fender has marketed this as an amp for guitarists who crave the traditional cleans, notorious to the brand, with a hint of dirtiness. It’s a solid choice for those who want to experiment with a mid-high range amp without parting with a small fortune.
Specifications
- 7-watt power (tube)
- Single-channel
- 10 inch Celestion speaker
- Built-in treble boost
- 8-ohm external output
- Weight: 22.5lbs
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 14.7 x 15.8 inch
Pros
- Good value
- Decent power (for its size)
- Tube amp
- Traditional clean tones with a hint of dirt
Cons
- For its compact size, it’s a heavy amp
- Not rated for larger gigs/venues
Fender Bassbreaker 15W 1×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp – Top Notch Performer for Studio or Stage
Suppose you want a Bassbreaker that comes with flexibility, a plethora of features, and that can perform as well in the studio as it can on stage. In that case, our recommendation is the Fender Bassbreaker 15W Tube Combo Amp.
With boutique voices, ranging from mild to wild, being the result of a magical trio of preamp tubes, this is a reliable, pro-performance amp fit for any studio or venue.
It even looks great, too, due to its distinctive Fender Logo perfectly positioned against the dark gray lacquered tweed finish. This is an excellent choice for skilled guitarists who need a bass breaker for rehearsals, recording, or gigging.
The clean tones are iconic to the Fender brand, with a sound result compared by guitarists to a more expensive Marshall bass breaker.
Tube amps have a lot going for them, but they aren’t always the best suited to everyone. At Guitar Space, we have previously written about the advantages and disadvantages of tube amps, which may help you read when selecting a bass breaker.
Specifications
- Built-in reverb
- Tubes: three 12AX7; two EL84
- Single input
- Single-channel
- 15-Watt tube power
- X1 Celestion 12 inch speaker
- Controls: gain structure, gain, reverb, bright, 3-band EQ
- Power-amp mute
- Speaker-emulated XLR output and ground lift
- Weight: 40lbs
- Dimensions: 10.5 x 17.5 x 19.5 inch
Pros
- Great for recording artists
- Great for performing artists
- Sounds better than its price tag
Cons
- Heavy
- Noted design flaw results in humming noise during effects
- Reviews mention electrical malfunctions
Fender Bassbreaker 45W 2×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp – The Grandfather of all Amps
Our list priciest is the late 50’s tweed-covered Fender Bassbreaker 45W Tube Combo – known also as the ‘Grandfather of all amps.’ It’s versatile, simple, has a warm tube overdrive, rugged roadworthiness, a dynamic range, and stage-filling power – though not quite Marshall’s price point, it’s also incredibly expensive, so certainly not for the newcomer or
This is an extremely sturdy and well-made bass breaker with a chassis and cabinet that are brick-solid. The speakers are phenomenally powerful at 70-watt Celestion G12s. Weighing in at 55lbs, it’s not the easiest to transport – there is, however, a head-only version available at a slightly lower cost.
It excels with sound, which is of a convincingly 60s-style, despite its modern deviations and constructions from vintage-spec parts. The tones are clean, deep, and loud with dynamic distortion accumulating as the gain is advanced – one to probably avoid for lounge or bedroom practice!
Specifications
- Touch sensitivity ‘59 Bassman circuit, pedal-friendly response
- Dual EL34 output – excellent for rock distortion
- 45-watt power (tube)
- Output level control down to 1W
- Two inputs
- Two channels
- Speakers: Celestion G12V-70 12inch x 2
- Switchable impedance: 4, 6, 16
- Tubes: 12AX7, El84
- Controls: presence, 3-band EQ, volume
- Weight: 55lbs
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 22 x 26.22 inch
Pros
- Stage-filling power
- Dynamic range
- Sturdy, solid build
- Incredible range/volume
Cons
- Heavy (the heaviest on our list, at 55lbs)
- Not suitable for home use – even at attenuated levels
Frequently Asked Questions about Fender Bassbreakers
Here we look at the commonly asked questions and queries about Fender bass breakers.
Question: What type of guitar works with a Fender Bassbreaker?
Answer: Fender Bassbreakers are ideal for bass guitars, but they can also be used as a power amp for electric guitars too.
Question: Where can I find great prices for Fender Bassbreakers?
Answer: You can always bag a bargain with a used bass breaker, it may have cosmetic damages and not be brand spanking new, but it’ll be a fraction of its original selling price. If you purchase through a specialized online retailer you’ll gain protection due to the warranty.
At Guitar Space, we often inform people of the latest deals and sales as we find them, so keep an eye there too!
Question: Why choose Fender, over Marshall or Peavey?
Answer: The top three manufactures of guitars and amps in the world; Fender, Marshall, and Peavey. They all have such unique advantage points that it comes down to personal preference.
In general, we would suggest that Fender is the ideal choice for musicians of blues, country, and classic rock, Marshall a top choice for rock music and Peavey is the favorite for extreme, hard-core metal music.
Budget is also a strong factor here when you consider the price of a Marshall Bassbreaker compared to even the highest-priced Fender Bassbreaker retailing at Guitar Center (which should be noted is in used condition) and Peavey, they really are in a different league financially.
Marshall bass breakers are for the rich, accomplished guitarist, or the die-hard enthusiast – who also happens to have a lot of money. You can enjoy playing with Fender or Peavey bass breakers, develop your skillset, and enjoy musical expression and growth at a fraction of the cost of Marshall’s bass breaker.
The Bottom Line – Which Should You Buy?
The bass breakers we have featured in this post all offer something different so what you should choose is down to; your budget, skill level, and what you want the bass breaker for.
For complete beginners or those with a more limited budget, our bargain-find the Fender Bassbreaker 70W 1×12 is a brilliant option. We love pretty much everything about this bass breaker, though nothing more than its highly affordable price tag!
With the Fender Bassbreaker 70w 1×12, you will get a real taste for what a bass breaker can do for your guitar playing before considering if it’s worth spending that little bit more. This is rated as a top seller online and highly favorable with previous buyers and we struggled to find negative reviews. Its lightweight design with great portability makes it ideal for gigging.
If you want to spend a little more for a little more oomph then the Fender Bassbreaker 140W 2×12 offers pro-level performance with great reliability. Buyers mention its solid craftsmanship and its design is incredibly sleek and modern. There are also several mentions of its bulky size and heavyweight.
The Fender Bassbreaker 007 1×10 7W is still in the affordable range but suitable to small-medium venues and more for the intimate gigger. It is good value for what you get, although it is one of the heaviest bass breakers on our list and you’d have to work out whether it was worth lugging around when it’s never going to fill an arena. There are much more lightweight and less-expensive bass breakers, with more advantages, to consider.
A great contender for those wanting great performance at all times – from the studio to the stage, is the Fender Bassbreaker 15W 1×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp. Its features offer great customization, it looks great, and very well-spoken about by guitarists and experts, who even at its substantial cost state that this is a steal.
If you need to fill an arena then you need to go with the Fender Bassbreaker 45W 2×12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp ticks every box for the professional, concert-playing guitarist. With a dynamic range, incredible versatility, warm tone overdrive, and undisputed stage-filling power, this is a bass breaker that won’t let you down.
Hopefully, after reading our guide, and taking the time to watch Fenders’ Youtube video about their Bassbreakers, you’ll now feel more informed about which one is right for you.
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