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Post subject: 1964 Fender Bandmaster with 4 6L6 tubes ?
Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:12 pm
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I have a AB763 Bandmaster with 4 6L6 tubes. I suspect that the amp has been rebuilt to 80-100 watts. Or was they ever produced with 4 power tubes?
When i look up in to the amp it seems like it has been re-built. Also the transformer is a bitt big. This is a pre CBS amp, and i am thinking about building it back to original. Or perhaps i should just leave it?

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Only two tubes are fitted, but there are space for four. Also i think the transformer looks over sized:

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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 4:54 pm
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Hi JSA and welcome to the forum. Yeah, that amp has been modified(rebuilt). Restoration would be quite a job, from what little I can see. It seems to need a grounded power cord installed at the very least, and actually before I'd play the amp. By the looks of the wiring techniques, the work was not done on a professional level. Be careful with this amp !!! Art

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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 12:16 pm
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Bandmasters and other Fenders shared a common chassis that had holes punched for extra tubes for Dual Showmans, etc. I'd say the transformer hanging precariously is not stock as well.

Date coding may be interesting to see what the other transformers, chassis stamp and tube chart reveal - from just looking at the front panel, this is a late '65 or '66 since the front says "Fender Musical Instruments."

I went through similar cleanup on a '65 Bandmaster; it was possibly worse for wear but had it brought back to spec for around $450, including new Mercury PT and OT.

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:56 pm
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nedorama wrote:

Date coding may be interesting to see what the other transformers, chassis stamp and tube chart reveal - from just looking at the front panel, this is a late '65 or '66 since the front says "Fender Musical Instruments."


according to the serial number this is a 1964, pre cbs. Which was a surprise to me since most of this are later than 65. It would be nice to get it back to the original, i hope that a non original transformer does not degrade the value.

That showmaster looks like it's in mint condition, i have never seen a showmaster with 2x12" is that original?


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Posted: Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:15 pm
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If your gonna bite the bullet and restore it I would get a replacement transformer for it so it looks right. Be different if you were just making an amp from odd parts I have done that with a couple of tweed repo amps but that does not always work right either I am going to get a replacement power transformer for my 5f4 build this winter and do it right.


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Posted: Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:21 pm
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On the dating, your amp is only as old as its newest component; the chassis serial number may decode to 1964, but you also need to look at the amp chart code, transformer codes, even pot codes if you want to get real particular. As you've seen, this was a common chassis for many amps, so they may have punched hundreds of these out for bandmasters, showmans, etc. in 1964 and used it in 1965. If they could help it, Fender didn't throw anything away.

The "Fender Musical Instruments" on the front panel wasn't in use until late 1965/66; before that, it said "Fender Electric Instrument Co." which is another clue for dating your amp.

As you've seen, this was a common chassis for many amps, so they may have punched hundreds of these out for bandmasters, showmans, etc. in 1964 and used it in 1965.


Nothing wrong with a '65 vs. a 64 - I love my '65 and it sounds great. Since you've got a lot of work to do on this amp, you can get it exactly the way you want it. On going back to stock, it depends on if you want a gigging amp or a museum piece. I went with Mercury Magnetics transformers - not stock, but they sound great.

Quote:
That showmaster looks like it's in mint condition, i have never seen a showmaster with 2x12" is that original?


My '65 Bandmaster started off life as a head; when I bought it it was in sad shape. Decided to buy a combo cab from newellamps.com and have it be an all in one. Great for shows, and with the Weber California 12's in there, I've got Fender clean for days. It's fun when people look at it and scratch their heads, but then nod when they hear it...

Pictures of amp as I bought it and the work done at :

http://gallery.me.com/nedorama/100188

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Posted: Sun Jul 11, 2010 11:15 pm
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Pretty righteous job on the restoration, Nedo!

Drop me an e-mail if you get a chance -- I have a question for you.

<phantoms4ever(at)cox(dot)net>

Arjay

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Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2010 12:24 am
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Well.....I guess the first question to ask is, how does it sound?

If.....you plan to use the amp as an amp and it sounds great, leave it be.

If...you bought this as an investment as a collectors Item, then restore it.


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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 5:19 pm
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JSA, my first impression and reply sound kind of negative, concerning your Band Master. The wiring, lack of ground connection, and askew output transformer bother me. But it's nothing that can't be fixed. Just considering a restoration, all of the necessary parts are available. Even the mid sixty transformers(pulls from the older amps) can be found from vintage amp part sellers. I guess it would come down to whether or not the rest of the amp is original. If you need the services of a tech, then the restoration could easily exceed the market value of this amp. My opinion is based on the US market, so it may not be valid for your situation. Jeff makes a good point, if it sounds good, play the heck out it. But I will recommend a ground line hook up for the power cable. Good Pickin' ! Art

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Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 6:59 pm
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methinks I've seen this post at surfguitar101 as well - cool - just put 2 and 2 together.

What have you decided to do?

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'59? Bogen Challenger CHA-33, '65 Bandmaster, '65 Tremolux, 65 Showman;
'74 SF Princeton; '77 SF Princeton Reverb; Dr. Z Mini Z

Our band: http://www.facebook.com/thetoysband


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