I am looking at getting a vintage amp. Bandmasters seem very affordable as compared to Showman amps. I like the idea of a closed-back cabinet and a head, and don't think I need the Showman power. Can some of you please weigh in on this amp? Also, any of the 1960s era head/cabinet Fender amps (excluding the Showman and Dual Showman, as we all know those are the bomb when it comes to surf sound).

Thanks!

Gavin

I've been thinking about getting a Bandmaster, too.
Besides the solid state rectifier, what, if any, are the
differences between the Blackface Bandmaster's
circuit, and a that of a BF Super, or for that matter
a BF Vibrolux, or a BF Bassman? Since I play a lot
of styles in addition to surf, I'm partial to a 40 watt
amplifiers. I don't need all the clean headroom
of a Showman/Dual Showman.

Bob S.

Bob

Last edited: May 08, 2006 23:53:19

check out Silverface Bandmaster Reverb or Silverface Showman Reverb heads and combine with the cab of your choice. Showman Reverb heads should be going for less bread than black or brown face Showmans.

you might like a 1 x12" JBL cab - I gig with this speaker all the time (running with an 80 watt Dual Professional) and it sounds awesome, loud and clean - I don't worry about the impedance mismatch but you could always change the output tranny...I always though a cool cab would be an older Bandmaster or Bassman cab with a replaced baffle with a 1 X12 JBL with a tone ring - instant "Showman 12" and it's got tilt back legs.

I recorded our last album mostly with an original '57 Bandmaster.
It's definitely one of my favorite all time amps I've ever played through.
Something about that 3 speaker impedance mismatch really makes this amp scream. Unfortunately it wasn't mine, but it's become a holy grail for me.
on 3 it sounded like my Pro Reverb amp on 10!

This is it at the sessions miked with an SM57 and a EV RE15:

https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger
http://coffindaggers.com/
http://thecoffindaggers.bandcamp.com

Well, I don't know why we are discussing tweed BMs when the OP was about BF and possibly SF models so I'll confine my coments to the Heads, BF and SF only.

I've owned several BM heads and cabs over the years. They have good clean power and will growl nicely when really pushed hard. The BF BM is basically the same circuit as the other BF amps mentioned however without reverb and the extra gain stage in the vibrato channel. IMO this channel is a bit dry and lacking in the gain department. The trem is a tone suck. I always prefered the normal channel on the BM. It has a bit more gain and sounds better for guitar IMO. I used outboard reverb and trem with these amps. The circuit in the BM is the same as the Showman. Add bigger iron and two more power tubes in the Showman.

The SF models are not that much different than the BF models as Fender didn't mess with them a much as the reverb equipped amps. You will get more clean headroom out of a non-reverb BM than a Bandmaster Reverb. I've owned those too, most converted to Super Reverb BF circuits.

The beauty of the head is that you can run configuration of speaker cab you wish. I personally prefer the 2-12 with a couple of EV-SRO 12L in there. Oh baby, but thats a load to lug around. A single 15, either a JBL D130 4 ohm or a Weber Neo 15 are very nice choices too.

Having a BF Super and Pro Reverb I would highly recommend either of those as well. Neither will be quite as clean. The SR will sound a bit louder. A 2-12 Pro Reverb is just a great all around 40 watt Fender. Fantastic, as is the Super, with a Strat or Tele and the burners lit.

When buying a vintage Fender amp plan on spending a few more $$ to have it serviced. If you plan to gig with it a bit more than just filter caps should be done. Filters, bias cap, grid resistors, bypass caps, tubes and possibly a trem bug would be my recommendtion if not recently replaced. there are some caps in the trem section that should be looked at as well.

Keep it Drippy Brothers and Sisters!

Can't beat a BF Super Reverb with the CTS alnico's in it (IMO of course). A great all around amp, you can get most of the classic rock and blues sounds, as well as surf. They seem to be very responsive an sensitive to your playing technique if you know what I mean.

Last edited: Mar 15, 2013 17:14:45

How do the heads measure up for bass? I'd love to get two good tones out of one amp.

IMO.

Hammond101 wrote: The circuit in the BM is the same as the Showman. Add bigger iron and two more power tubes in the Showman.

The black face Bandmaster uses the AA763 circuit. That is the same basic circuit as the Showman, Twin, and Deluxe.

I had a 65 Bandmaster for years. I really liked it. Wish I still had it. Great clean tone. Did not break up too early.

Later,
Norm

JakeDobner wrote:

Tremolux, I am a fan. The problem with the tremolux is that they just dont' come with cabs that you can use live.

Jake, what makes you say this?

The Mystery Men?
El Capitan and The Reluctant Sadists
SSS Agent #31

So, would anyone want a new '57 Bandmaster RI like was reviewed in the link?

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.