question about serial numbers on Fender amps

hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 01:33 PM

Since I've never owned a Fender amp and hopefully very soon,
I'm trying to help somebody locate the serial number on a Fender Twin
Reverb and I have a feeling they're telling me the wrong year.
Where is the serial # located?

Also, is there a particular website that tells which serial # is the proper year for Fender Twin Reverb?

Thanks for the help, HL

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JakeDobner

Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
5 News Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 01:51 PM

Is it an RI or vintage? Blackface? Silverface?

I don't think you can date the vintage amps by serial number, there was a coded date stamp on the tube chart, and there is a week and year of assembly on the chassis.

Also, if you have a picture, I can look at it and most likely tell if the seller if telling you the wrong year.

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:25 PM

Try this: http://www.superchamp.dk/papers/dating_fender_tube_amps.htm

It's an artical by Greg Gagliano on dating Fender amps by serial number. You can also look in Teagle & Sprungs "Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years". If the amp has the original speakers, I use the speaker date code.

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Doctor_Morbius

Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Posts: 608
This Planet Earth
1 Download Pin

Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:26 PM

Try here...

http://www.300guitars.com/articles/fender-amplifier-date-codes/

—

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

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hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:46 PM

Jake, here's the link with pictures, which is on ebay.
According to the charts, the serial the person gave might be a 1976.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180442863937&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:00 PM

Probably is a '76.

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Doctor_Morbius

Joined: Oct 26, 2008
Posts: 608
This Planet Earth
1 Download Pin

Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:08 PM

From auction...
"The following numbers can be found on the amp...speakers 005379 Model USA 047944 A604966 Pat 2817708 DES 192859"

Is that a legit speaker code? If so does anyone know what they are? My Utah's have a similar code on them but they also have 328503, which tells me the manufacturer and date.

—

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:34 PM

Doctor_Morbius
From auction...
"The following numbers can be found on the amp...speakers 005379 Model USA 047944 A604966 Pat 2817708 DES 192859"

Is that a legit speaker code? If so does anyone know what they are? My Utah's have a similar code on them but they also have 328503, which tells me the manufacturer and date.

005379 is not a date code.
According to Teagle & Sprung, in late '77, Fender upped the power in the TR to 135 watts, so if it's a 100 watter, it's probably a '76. The 135 watt, Master Volumn TR's have a bad rep, but are HAND-WIRED FENDER TUBE AMPS. A decent tech can iron out the bugs and make them a great Surf amp.
Lots o' headroom.

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tonetti

Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California

Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:57 PM

I have one of these, (exactly the same) and it is an excellent amp, great surf tone, plenty of headroom, a bit grittier that my bassman, think Man or Astroman? I can nail the MOAM sound with this amp. Just keep in mind that this amp may be overkill for your needs, if you will be playing at high volumes this is a great amp, but for home use you will rarely set it past 3 or 4. Just keep in mind that this amp is loud as hell, as well as heavy!

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hlieboff59

Joined: Jun 27, 2008
Posts: 576
Marlboro, New Jersey
5 Download Pins

Posted on Dec 10 2009 09:32 PM

thanks for the feedback and replies.

Tonetti, how would it be overkill? Just curious about your comment.

Basically I'll be either playing in basements, outside in our backyards or maybe a bar somewhere down the line...hopefully.

Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made
from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models?

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tonetti

Joined: Aug 20, 2008
Posts: 654
California

Posted on Dec 11 2009 11:29 AM

hlieboff59
thanks for the feedback and replies.

Tonetti, how would it be overkill? Just curious about your comment.

Basically I'll be either playing in basements, outside in our backyards or maybe a bar somewhere down the line...hopefully.

Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made
from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models?

I just mean that this amp has to be pretty cranked to hit the sweet spot where the amp really starts opening up tonally. I think that a Bassman or a Bandmaster would better better suited for someone who doesnt really need ear peircing volume. And when I say ear peircing I mean it, my amp is loud.

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elreydlp

Joined: Sep 04, 2009
Posts: 1800
Temecula, CA
11 Calendar Pins

Posted on Dec 11 2009 03:37 PM

hlieboff59
Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made
from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models?

Silver FaceTwin Reverbs fall into 3 categories:
Non-Master volume (68-74)
Master Volume-100 watts (75-77)
Master Volume-135 watts (after 77)
Regardless of year, amps within each of three categories will be similar. There may be minor differences-even within a given year.

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hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Dec 10 2009 01:33 PM Since I've never owned a Fender amp and hopefully very soon, I'm trying to help somebody locate the serial number on a Fender Twin Reverb and I have a feeling they're telling me the wrong year. Where is the serial # located? Also, is there a particular website that tells which serial # is the proper year for Fender Twin Reverb? Thanks for the help, HL Top
JakeDobner Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle	Posted on Dec 10 2009 01:51 PM Is it an RI or vintage? Blackface? Silverface? I don't think you can date the vintage amps by serial number, there was a coded date stamp on the tube chart, and there is a week and year of assembly on the chassis. Also, if you have a picture, I can look at it and most likely tell if the seller if telling you the wrong year. Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:25 PM Try this: http://www.superchamp.dk/papers/dating_fender_tube_amps.htm It's an artical by Greg Gagliano on dating Fender amps by serial number. You can also look in Teagle & Sprungs "Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years". If the amp has the original speakers, I use the speaker date code. Top
Doctor_Morbius Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 608 This Planet Earth	Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:26 PM Try here... http://www.300guitars.com/articles/fender-amplifier-date-codes/ — Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast! Fenderus Collecticus Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE Top
hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Dec 10 2009 02:46 PM Jake, here's the link with pictures, which is on ebay. According to the charts, the serial the person gave might be a 1976. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180442863937&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:00 PM Probably is a '76. Top
Doctor_Morbius Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 608 This Planet Earth	Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:08 PM From auction... "The following numbers can be found on the amp...speakers 005379 Model USA 047944 A604966 Pat 2817708 DES 192859" Is that a legit speaker code? If so does anyone know what they are? My Utah's have a similar code on them but they also have 328503, which tells me the manufacturer and date. — Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast! Fenderus Collecticus Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:34 PM Doctor_Morbius From auction... "The following numbers can be found on the amp...speakers 005379 Model USA 047944 A604966 Pat 2817708 DES 192859" Is that a legit speaker code? If so does anyone know what they are? My Utah's have a similar code on them but they also have 328503, which tells me the manufacturer and date. 005379 is not a date code. According to Teagle & Sprung, in late '77, Fender upped the power in the TR to 135 watts, so if it's a 100 watter, it's probably a '76. The 135 watt, Master Volumn TR's have a bad rep, but are HAND-WIRED FENDER TUBE AMPS. A decent tech can iron out the bugs and make them a great Surf amp. Lots o' headroom. Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Dec 10 2009 03:57 PM I have one of these, (exactly the same) and it is an excellent amp, great surf tone, plenty of headroom, a bit grittier that my bassman, think Man or Astroman? I can nail the MOAM sound with this amp. Just keep in mind that this amp may be overkill for your needs, if you will be playing at high volumes this is a great amp, but for home use you will rarely set it past 3 or 4. Just keep in mind that this amp is loud as hell, as well as heavy! Top
hlieboff59 Joined: Jun 27, 2008 Posts: 576 Marlboro, New Jersey	Posted on Dec 10 2009 09:32 PM thanks for the feedback and replies. Tonetti, how would it be overkill? Just curious about your comment. Basically I'll be either playing in basements, outside in our backyards or maybe a bar somewhere down the line...hopefully. Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models? Top
tonetti Joined: Aug 20, 2008 Posts: 654 California	Posted on Dec 11 2009 11:29 AM hlieboff59 thanks for the feedback and replies. Tonetti, how would it be overkill? Just curious about your comment. Basically I'll be either playing in basements, outside in our backyards or maybe a bar somewhere down the line...hopefully. Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models? I just mean that this amp has to be pretty cranked to hit the sweet spot where the amp really starts opening up tonally. I think that a Bassman or a Bandmaster would better better suited for someone who doesnt really need ear peircing volume. And when I say ear peircing I mean it, my amp is loud. Top
elreydlp Joined: Sep 04, 2009 Posts: 1800 Temecula, CA	Posted on Dec 11 2009 03:37 PM hlieboff59 Now, is there a big difference between the TR's say the ones that are made from 1970 to 1974 vs. 1975 to 1979? Some people are saying go with the younger 1970's models? Silver FaceTwin Reverbs fall into 3 categories: Non-Master volume (68-74) Master Volume-100 watts (75-77) Master Volume-135 watts (after 77) Regardless of year, amps within each of three categories will be similar. There may be minor differences-even within a given year. Top

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question about serial numbers on Fender amps