Having recently acquired a smaller combo amp, I've decided to sell my '64 Bandmaster. Rather than take up space on the SG101 server, here's a link to the Raleigh, NC craigslist ad for photos and details:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/msg/5820811361.html

Shipping would probably be expensive but I can likely drive 2-3 hours to help an SG101 member out with transport. Thanks.

-murph

http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy

"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball

Last edited: Nov 26, 2016 10:32:32

Awesome amp and a great deal!

https://kingpelican.bandcamp.com/

Okay, so maybe a little Bandmaster selfie will entice folks to check out the craigslist link for more details.

I've seen similar amps being listed for considerably more money. Is it the expense of shipping that is preventing folks from stepping up? Or maybe the whole blackface vs. brownface circuit? Thoughts?

-murph

http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy

"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball

Hey SurfBeat, thanks for the input! No worries about shooting the messenger. There seems to be a contingent of players out there who actually prefer the blackface circuitry (for surf and other genres) but I do acknowledge a bias for the brownface circuitry round these parts (and a price gap to match).

I did check ebay in early October for completed/sold listings but did not see any matching amps/cabinets like mine. Not that ebay is the gospel, but it is at least one data point. It would be nice if there was a similar feature on reverb.com, but if there is, I haven't found it yet. Thanks for the current range from the Vintage Guitar Price Guide.

At the time I purchased (mid-2012), I was advised it was priced at the high-end of the range. Several SG101 members had either seen the amp in the shop or had experience with the tech. It's excellent condition and the fact that it was shopped by a tech with a solid rep gave me the motivation to make the 6-hour road trip to Atlanta and plunk down my hard-earned cash. As you said "worth what someone is willing to pay for it".

I'll add that "asking price" is typically a starting point for negotiating the actual sale price for most items. If someone deems my asking price too high, I'm certainly willing to entertain reasonable offers. Thanks again!

-murph

http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy

"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball

Murph, read my whole story which may help you get rid of your amp for the price you desire.

My first amp was a 59 Vibrasonic which I still use; basically a 58 Twin with a 15" JBL. Two years later my folks bought me a 62 Showman. Because I was gigging a lot and wanted to be cool;, I bought another.

Move ahead to 1995, Pulp Fiction come out and surf is the rage. A buddy of mine since 1959 who many say created surf music persuaded me to start playing again after an absence since 1975.

I pulled out my two Showmens and they sounded terrible. I then heard Fender put out a brand new vintage line, specifically the Tonemaster, a piggy=back which was the exact size of your BM, but 100W.

That amp was loud and I thought it was so fantastic I took it over to Dick's to compare against his Showman. It kicked his butt.

Now comes the good part, the part you've been waiting for.

I took it out for my first gig in 20 years and played with a guy from England who was using a 64 BF, the same circuit as yours except for power output.

I begged that guy to sell it to me all night and since he did not like he he said, give me $325 and it is yours. The bank was a block away and I got the dough.

I still gig with that amp. In fact, on all my outdoor gigs it is my amp of choice. It has sooo much headroom and tone over my two other early 60's Showmens.

Many, many people bad mouth BF amps, as well as the SF's, however, anyone who listens with their ears rather than their eyes will often take a BF & SF over a BF.

If your amp is 100% original, looks almost like new, a collector will grab it for your high price. If you just want to unload it to the guys who play surf, you will probably have to come down a few hundred.

Remember this, the first offer is likely the best one you will get.

A few years I sold an old 61 Tremolux on ebay that I had since the ealy 60's, but rarely used it; it had two 10" JBL; now power and output trannys, and I re-covered it. I recall I got $2000 for it and the VGPG rated it at $1400 tops. So, you never know who may be on the prowl for your BM.

Good luck, Murph.

I should have proof read that note before I posted it.

The 64 BF amp I referred to at the gig which i bought for $325 was a Showman.

I still use my two other Showmans, the 61-62, though the 64 is my amp of choice.

I sold the Tremolux on CL, not Ebay as I stated. It was a Friday night, at 8:00 p.m., the wife was raising hell to get to the restaurant. Within two minutes the phone was lighting up with calls. I posted it for about $500 just to see if I would get any interest. I had a bidding war going on by 9:00. A dentist from my town begged me to buy it. I sold it for $2000.

At 9:45 we were dining on steak n lobster rather than beans n tacos.

The morale of my story is your 64 BF BM will sound better than any amp Fender has made since the end of the SF era, including the expensive professional plastic sounding amp made today. That Tonemaster I mentioned cost about $2500 in the day. My friend got it for me for $500 from Fender R&D in Scottsdale.

Vintage guitar has stated that the white Tolex contrasted against the BF faceplate made it the prettiest looking amp Fender ever made. It also has killer tone, something all of us are chasing.

Although the baloney vintage guitar hype is just that, hype, the same is not true for BF & SF amps. Fender sells the DD guitar, Eric Clapton guitar, vintage guitar and a myriad of others for a ton of money, but, most Strats made in MX will sound just as good with some minor adjustments.

Musicians want to get the tone from the past but they forget one important thing; for instance, when Dale recorded Miserlou in 1961, his Strat was only 2 years old, his Showman less than a year old.

Enough rambling. This old man got way off subject and I have clients who expect me to keep them out of jail.

That's a beautiful amp. And there is NOTHING wrong with Blackface amps. I am a big fan of the smooth blonde/gold grille. Best of luck to you! Free bump as well.

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

murph wrote:

I've seen similar amps being listed for considerably more money. Is it the expense of shipping that is preventing folks from stepping up? Or maybe the whole blackface vs. brownface circuit? Thoughts?

The biggest problem was SG101/Craigslist. You need to list nationally if you want to attract buyers.

Your other biggest problem is your pictures. You will get a premium if you take detailed photos in good lighting and if you have detailed photos of the inside of the amp.

Check this listing out, as an example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-Fender-Showman-Vintage-Blackface-Tube-Amp-w-Rare-1x12-Tone-Ring-JBL-D131F-/162168911234?hash=item25c2053582%3Ag%3A0HYAAOSw0UdXsD~z&nma=true&si=V85YtVNdB0URWFfvNbxPqAgS9Ig%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Matt, thanks for the comments!

Jake, I definitely appreciate your advice and (as usual) I think you are spot on with your recommendations. As I gear up to do the reverb.com listing, I'll definitely take better/more detailed photos (in much better light!). Thanks also for the reference link.

plexi69, the tolex and grill cloth appear to be original. I am definitely not an authority, so if there is a way to tell, please let me know and I will double-check. At the time of purchase, I was lead to believe it was original (which was part of the appeal for me). All aspects of the head and cabinet match and are uniform (slight patina on hardware, texture/color of tolex and cloth). When I first brought the amp home I contemplated "cleaning it up a little". But I thought better of that and haven't even taken a damp cloth to it. My amazing wife occasionally hits it with a feather duster, but that's it. It's in the same exact condition as when I brought it home.

http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy

"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball

Someone listed one on our local craigslist for $2k

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/msg/5831566084.html

Danny Snyder

"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo

I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'

Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta

Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party

Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF