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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Fender Blackface Showman 65, 4 or 8 ohm's

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Hi, i hope you can understand my poor english.
I found a Blackface Showman that i think i'm gonna buy.
The Serial says that it's a 1965, and the seller says that it's a 2x12 cab.
He think it's a 4 ohm amp, but not 100% sure.

Could you buy a 2x12 Showman 1965 without "DUAL" on the faceplate?
How should i know if it is a 4 or 8 ohm amp?
Should i look after a 15" cab instead or go with this showman with 2x12 to play Surf and 60's rock'n'roll/rockabilly?

A 230 to 110V converter goes with the amp so it works here in Sweden.
2 pic's of the amp:

http://i62.tinypic.com/2mydkaq.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/6prbip.jpg

/// Johnny

I believe there were some 4 ohm amps without DUAL written on them. Also, people switch out the transformers occasionally so it may not be stock. You can buy the amp, and either adjust the speaker load or change the transformer yourself if you feel the necessity.

However, Fender built these amps robust enough to handle impedance one step greater or lesser than the printed spec. So, for an amp built to 4 ohm spec, it can handle 2 ohms or 8 ohms. There is slight tonal difference to the way the speaker reacts, but it's subtle.

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

Thanks Danny Very Happy
Fender Blackface is new to me so i cant choose which amp i want or need, but i think it will be this Showman.
What about rock'n'roll and rockabilly on a Showman then?
Brown or blackface Showman to surf, rock'n'roll and rockabilly?
12 or 15" ?

/// Johnny

The Showman is 8 ohms. The Dual Showman is 4 ohms.

A black face Showman is a great sounding amp. It is good for surf, rockabilly and rock.

I think my Showman through a 1x15 cab. But the 12 inch speakers sound fine with it.

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-blackface-showman/

Later,
Norm

Johnny, here's some info that might be helpful:

Showman OT (output transformer) - 125A29A
Dual Showman OT - 125A30A

The block letters DUAL on the Dual Showman amps didn't appear until late 1966

The blackface Showmans were either 1x15 or 2x15 unless the amp was a rare special order unit. Original speakers were JBL D-130F

Cabinet dimensions: Showman/Dual Showman 36"w x 24" h x 11.5" d

Bandmaster and Bassman 2x12 cabinets were 32"W x 20" h x 11.5" d
(A lot of used Showmans seem to have Bassman or Bandmaster cabinets now...)

Sound-wise, the blackface Showmans came with higher plate voltages than the brownface ones and arguably are "louder". But I believe that is because the blackface volume control is less linear that it was on the brownface amps. The blackface Fenders tend to sound more aggressive than the brownface ones, but IMO the brownface versions have nicer, rounder, sweeter tone. On stage, either version will rock your (and the audience's) world. Wink

If you buy this amp, it would be advisable to have it checked out by a good amp technician to make sure the filter caps and tubes are in good shape.

Hope this helps!

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005), 2025
The Hula Hounds (1996-2000)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money
(1978-1990)

Last edited: Jul 28, 2014 15:49:40

It's entirely possible also that the seller's cab is a couple of 16-ohm 12's, no? Worth asking about specifics of what's in the cabinet.

Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel

DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.

normj wrote:

The Showman is 8 ohms. The Dual Showman is 4 ohms.

A black face Showman is a great sounding amp. It is good for surf, rockabilly and rock.

I think my Showman through a 1x15 cab. But the 12 inch speakers sound fine with it.

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-blackface-showman/

Later,
Norm

True in general, yes, but with exceptions.
For what I remember Fender started doing 4ohms Showman before inserting the text "dual" for a short period of time. This could be one of those. But may be not...

You have to bring it to a technician and he will tell you quickly what is the exact impedance. Anyway, like Danny said those amps take different loads, but it would be good to know anyway.

The 2x12 should be a 8 ohm cabinet anyway.
Why not good for surf?? Actually most of 60s surf bands started using 12's except Dick Dale. Smaller, still punchy, a bit less bottom end but more energy in the Reverb.

Good luck and have fun with that beast!!!!!

Lorenzo "Surfer Joe" Valdambrini
(www.surfmusic.net)

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