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Post subject: 1957 Fender Bassman 5E6-A Amp Restoration
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 3:49 pm
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Joined: Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:16 am
Posts: 54
Location: UK
I thought that I would share this.

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How the amp shown above became the one shown below.

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Briefly :-

As found, the amp had already been recovered (very, very badly) with the covering finished in what looked like some kind of varnish. The two back panels (found to be made out of marked packing case plywood) were the wrong shapes. The front speaker baffle was covered (again, very badly) with some incorrect material. The electrics had been messed about with, & a number of the smaller components used were incorrect (& badly / wrongly fitted as well) A 240v/110v transformer has been screwed to the inside base of the cabinet & was actually touching one of the speakers. The speakers had been rewired incorrectly & with plastic covered wire.

On the plus side, the actual wooden cabinet was a genuine Fender 57 Fender manufacture (& reusable) & the original valve chart was still attached (but a little damaged) All the four speakers were the correct Jensen type, albeit not original to the amp, with 58 &59 manufacturing dates. The larger amp electrical components were all correct Fender items, & the amp serial number confirmed that the chassis was a correct 1957 5E6-A type, as also did the pot dates. A correct Fender replacement leather lifting strap was fitted & the front badge appeared to be original.

The result, ............ a poorly presented / looking amp that didn’t sound at all like an old Bassman should, but it did work!

After dismantling the amp & speakers (the plywood baffle was found to be rotten & had to be completely remade) all the covering was stripped off, & the cabinet was sanded externally. Two new (correct shape / size) rear panels were made up. Everything was recovered with correct Fender material as per the original. All the incorrect electrical components were removed & replaced with nos correct items, & the speakers were rewired with correct type wire to the jack plug - as original. Everything was reassembled, & an external 300VA 240v/110v transformer purchased (from Maplins) to run the amp from the UK power supply.

The end result? A fully restored, fine / original looking amp, that sounds just like an old Bassman should i.e. wonderful!

A pictorial summary can be seen by clicking on the following link :-

http://s1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee5 ... storation/


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Post subject: Re: 1957 Fender Bassman 5E6-A Amp Restoration
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 5:11 pm
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Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Nice looking , congratulation


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Post subject: Re: 1957 Fender Bassman 5E6-A Amp Restoration
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 10:42 pm
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Joined: Mon Apr 05, 2010 2:37 pm
Posts: 8708
Location: Natural Bridge, Virginia
Very nice. :D

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Bill

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Post subject: Re: 1957 Fender Bassman 5E6-A Amp Restoration
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 6:22 am
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Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 11:38 am
Posts: 4333
Location: Tennessee
Beautiful! good for another 50/60 years. :D


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