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Post subject: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2012 11:32 pm
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Hello All. I just picked up a 1965 Fender Showman for $600 which I think is pretty damned good because I've seen them go for much more than that. I just have a few questions. What would be a good cabinet for it if I wanted a real good clean tone? I'm looking at a used Avatar cabinet with Hellatone 30W(G12H30) and 60W(Vintage 30) speakers on craigslist, are those good clean speakers? Also, when you crank an amp and it starts distorting, is it the speakers that start distorting or the amp itself? And one more thing, what would be a good attenuator for the amp if I wanted to use the amp in my bedroom?


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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:45 am
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Congrats and welcome to the club.

$600 is a good price. Be sure to have the filter caps changed and a 3 prong cord on it pronto.

I'm sure the Avatar cabs are fine, but those speakers sound far too underrated for this amp. I used Guitar Warehouse G12Cs in my cabinet, and am very, very happy. If you can, get the tilt back legs from fender and install with the piggyback kit - opens the amp up.

If you search under my posts you should see multiple threads going through what I had to do with my amp head and cabinet; hope it helps.

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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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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:09 am
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Congrats on the amp, and a very good price too! But we gotta have pics or it didn't happen.

The Showman has some serious power, 85 watts so you will need speakers of 45/50 watts each (if you use two, less if you use more).

I would recommend a couple JBL D120 or D130 speakers for any cabinet you choose, these speakers will stay clean almost all the way to "10"!

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:01 am
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http://kitchener.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-se ... Z353332168

This is the ad, so you think that I should go with something with louder speakers then?


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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:06 am
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I'm not really sure how to go about getting custom speakers? Like my guess is I'm gonna have to do all of this online then considering my local music store only sells stock mainstream company cabinets. Am I going to have to find a cabinet and then put the speakers in myself? Please fill me in on this, you kind of bursted my bubble because I was going to go literally tomorrow to buy that cabinet and now after reading your post you made me second guess everything.


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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 12:14 am
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Yeah Jamie, I'd go for speakers with a little more wattage capacity. Say, 2X 50 watters at the least. JMO ! Got to say, I don't have access to digital cameras, but my life is real nonetheless. No offense, T2. Art

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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 4:36 pm
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Well I bought the cabinet and I gotta say that you guys were right the speakers start to break up even before half volume on the amp. Any recommendations? Also any good online stores I can get them from?


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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:48 pm
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For a closed back cab, I am really liking the Warehouse Speakers G12C's in my 2x12 cab with my Showman. Punchy, sweet, plenty of low end, but not at all harsh.

I also own a set of Weber Ceramic California 12's with aluminum dust caps, made before Ted passed away. these are the closest current speaker to a new JBL D120. I like them with my Bandmaster, but come tax refund time, I'll be swapping in a pair of the Warehouse Speakers G12C's.

Speakers and their sound are incredibly subjective; what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. Good luck; whomever you buy from; ask about the return policy upfront.

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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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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:08 pm
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thanks for your help you have a sick set-up


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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:35 am
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Thanks - I've been playing since '82, and collecting amps/pedals since then. It's only been in the last 12 years that I've gotten back into tube amps after going through a rack phase.

For me, the key was getting great amps that had been neglected or tormented, and working with good people to bring them back to life. A lot cheaper than buying something fully restored, and I'm very happy with the results. I've also gotten great advice from the people on this board who know a heck of a lot more about Fender amps than I do, which has made a huge difference.

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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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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:31 am
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You might try some Webers, specifically the California 12...these are close to JBLD120's and are rated at 80 watts each, come in 4,8, 16 ohms so you can match them ohm wise to your Showman, depending on your speaker configuration (2x12, 4x12).

Here is the link and good descriptions and sound clips...on the link they are under the "High Power Series" quick link on the left of the page...

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/

HTHs

T2

Art...no issues, no offense taken. :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Just Bought a '65 Showman
Posted: Mon Feb 20, 2012 12:27 pm
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The one thing I didn't mention about my Weber California 12's is why I'm getting rid of them -- they're very bright to the point of almost harsh, certainly in an open backed cab like in my signature below. I definitely prefer the Warehouse G12C's, but again, one man's harsh is another man's "cuts through."

It's also splitting hairs - I really love the sound of my Bandmaster with the Webers, but like the sound through the WH G12C's a little more...

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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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