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Fuchs Audio Technology

FBS Solid-State Bass Instrument Amp

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Due to their handmade status, amps may be subject to delays of up to 4 weeks depending on availability from the manufacturer
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  • Fuchs FBS-300 Amplifier Head - with basses
  • Fuchs FBS-300 Amplifier Head - angle
  • Fuchs FBS-300 Amplifier Head - rear panel
Our Low Price: $924.00

Price shown may adjust with options selected below (if applicable)

  • Protec Equipment Case - main view

Description

At Gollihur Music, when it comes to amplifying our upright basses, we've always preferred amps that have a transparent, hi-fi sound. We carry a lineup of amps in a few different price ranges, because our customer base varies in what they can (or want to) afford. Having lost a few of our "top dog" brands recently, we've been looking for a new manufacturer to fill the void left behind.

What perfect timing - Fuchs Audio decided that now was the time to break into the bass amplification game. Fuchs is VERY well known among tube guitar amp fanatics; their highly regarded tube guitar amps build upon the designs of famous, well-loved amps from history.

This solid-state amp is a similar venture - building on the design and legacy of a very popular amp that has been used by upright bassists for decades, this new, fully solid-state amp head provides clarity, transparency, and clean power. A highly useful 3-band EQ uses a semi-parametric midrange control to really tailor the midrange to your needs. An excellent amp for the "MBOL" (My Bass, Only Louder) crowd, this amp can very effectively take the place of the fantastic amps from Acoustic Image that we carried for decades (but are unfortunately no longer made.)

These amps are solid - with smooth, chassis-mounted pots, and very nice jacks and switches, the construction should hold up very well in a professional gigging situation. These amps are built in the USA with top-shelf components and careful design.

Here's what Fuchs themselves have to say about these amps:

Much like our original ODS amps were initially inspired by the legendary Dumble amps, the new Fuchs FBS-1 bass amps have found their inspiration from the iconic Walter Woods © bass amps, but with Andy’s own enhancements.

Andy tapped his years of experience as a working musician, as well as servicing and tweaking guitar and bass amps for many famous clients as diverse as Carlos Santana through jammers like Jimmy Herring, including jazz legends like Dave Stryker for over 40 years as inspiration for our new bass amps. Fuchs’ 20-year list of reviews and endorsers is truly impressive to say the least.

Not unlike the iconic Walter Woods © amps the FBS-300 and FBS-700 amps are designed for maximum power at minimal size and weight. For years, the rare and coveted Woods amps have built a following amongst industry professionals. They were literally the first switch mode class-D style lightweight bass amps ever. Due to Walter being reclusive and now retired, these amps found their way to Andy’s shop to be repaired. While servicing them Andy was able to reverse engineer the preamp and power supply. Mated to a modern lightweight ICE power digital power module we have produced an amp that Woods owners agree, is equal (if not better) than their predecessors.

The FBS-1 bass amps (and our FBT tube bass amps) share identical panels and chassis and are available in 300 and 700 watt models, they feature a solid state preamp inspired by the infamous Walter Woods © amps, but with improvements like a steep-slope subsonic filter and a DI output using high speed audiophile op amps and a regulated power supply. The DI output is electrically balanced pre/post switch, ground lift, DI Phase, and a global mute switch.

Small and light, (downright diminutive) at less than 5-lbs and 12 x 3 x 9, they are loud and clean. Want some dirt ? Raise the input gain and lower the master volume. Want total clean, lower the input gain and raise the master. They are super easy to operate, and the FBS-1 amps will easily fit in a gig bag, run ice-cold, and feature a well thought out, simple configuration for the working musician. A Fuchs gig bag designed for all models is coming soon.

These amps feature an input gain control allowing both passive and active bass use, Baxandall high and low controls, a parametric rotary midrange control with level and frequency control and an output master volume. With the midrange pot in the ‘0’ position the circuit is flat. In this mode the bass and treble pots emulate the classic Woods and B-15 style amps we know and love. Use the mid circuit for boost and cut of up to 20 db at a fully adjustable frequency.

All models use the industry-standard Ice power modules, which are known for their rock-solid reliability and excellent cool-running, audio performance. These amps feature a buffered patch loop between the preamp and power amp. All amps offer worldwide automatic line voltage selection. Wherever you are, they automatically set their own line voltage. All amps are CE and RoHs compliant.

Weight/Size: 6 lbs 12 x 3 x 9 chassis.

Input Impedance: 1 MegOhm (works well with piezo pickups)

FBS-300: 300W at 1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 260W at 0.1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 380W at 10% THD+N, 4Ohm • 450W at 1% THD+N, 2.7Ohm (Approximately ½ half this value at 8-ohms).

 

 

NOTE: speaker output jacks are on 1/4" phono plugs. We offer a 1/4" to Speakon speaker cable as an add-on item for your convenience.

7-Day Trial Period

Your purchase of this item is covered by the exclusive Gollihur Music 7-day Trial Period, under the following terms:

You may contact us to return this item, for any reason (or no reason), within the first seven days of ownership. The timer starts on the day that you receive the item, not the order date.

Returns are subject to deductions as follows:

  1. Any shipping costs you paid are not refunded, and if the item shipped free, the costs we incurred to ship the item to you will be deducted from your refund or credit.
  2. All shipping costs you incur to return the item are your responsibility.
  3. A small fee is deducted from your refund to cover credit card/PayPal fees which are not refunded to us even if we refund your charge. Note that if you choose to accept a store credit instead of a refund, this deduction does not apply.

Items must be returned in 100% "as new" condition, with all original packaging, shipping materials, and accessories/manuals/bonus items. Deductions are assessed for missing or damaged items.

IMPORTANT: You must contact us for authorization BEFORE shipping the item back.

 

 

Product Manual

Need to figure out some of the more in-depth features of this product? Here's a copy of the manual, in PDF format, here.

You may wish to visit the manufacturer's website to see if a more recent version is available.

 

 

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1 Review

  • 5

    My bass only louder......really loud if needed!!

    Posted by Jeffrey Carswell on Feb 12th 2024

    I was questioning whether I needed another amp but since Euphonic Audio went out of business and those were the amps I've been using (bought them from Mark...Thanks!), I felt I needed to have a backup. I was a Walter Woods user from approx. 1976 to right before I bought the EA's. The idea of getting back that sound intrigued me so after noting that Will Lee was using one on a youtube video and hearing from him that he really dug it, I bit the bullet and got the 700w solid state version. The amp has a really clear sound with the full range of the bass projecting from the speaker, this is on my electric bass, I've played my string bass through it and it just makes the bass louder with virtually the same sound as playing it acoustically. Very light & compact, fits in a computer bag and overall, very happy with my purchase. Thanks Mark!!

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