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Keep, restore or custom?
Keep as is. 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Restore as possible to like new. 100%  100%  [ 4 ]
Customize with a new cab 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Total votes : 4
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Post subject: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 2:10 pm
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So what would you do?

I was lucky enough to get a Fender Dual Showman Reverb in OK working order. A friend of mine thinks I should keep it as is and just replace the broken parts, tubes, power caps and cord. I'm thinking about how nice it would look with all new tolex, hardware, black faceplate and new grill cloth. The other thing I would consider is making a custom cabinet with a pair of 12s. Any input is always welcome.

Thanks

Arc

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 3:03 pm
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I just finished "restoring" a 67 bassman head and a bit later 2x15 cab

I kept it as original as possible, that ment cleaning the grill cloth and regluing a bunch of tolex seams.

I thought long and hard about getting new coverings, but I like the rough 45 years of hard living look.

whats important to me is quality of tone ! believe me its got some tone !!

You can follow it here just below on my blackface Bassman thread.

The fine fellas here got me through it, they will no doubt do the same for you.

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 5:46 pm
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I just finished refurbing a Bantam Bass Amp (minus that crappy yamaha speaker) and I tried to keep it as original as possible, not because it is all that collectable, but felt that the amp deserved it. Below is the link to it.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=66295

Along the way I found some good tips on cleaning tolex, grill cloth, rust removal, etc. Most of it is in the forum link, but if not shoot me a PM and I will help as much as I can. If not just post it here and someone will probably have a good answer fairly quickly. Monster amp by the way.

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:09 pm
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Arc, if it was my amp, I'd refurbish the chassis to be the best it can be. After all that effort, I'd probably want it to look good. What I mean is that, after bringing it up to a primo level of operation, I figure it kind of deserves a decent home. JMHO Art

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:13 pm
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Restore it. Make it sound and look like new.

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:18 pm
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Can you pull the chassis and give us a peek at the gut? If it all stone stock, you are better off than if a bunch of mods were done to it. Could be the turning point as to whether to restored it or not. As cab work, tolex, grille, and knob are pretty readily avaiiable.


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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 6:51 pm
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Here's what I did with my '68......

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Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:38 pm
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Nice Job Arjay.

Arc

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...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob


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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:48 pm
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Some pictures of the gutz as requested.

Arc

This side looks to be all original
Image

This side looks like a big cap on the right was changed as well as the reverb pot.
Image

The 6L6 tubes... all different.
Image

Full back view.
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...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob


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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 10:08 pm
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Arc-n-spark wrote:
Nice Job Arjay.


Thanks!

This '65 Showman cab came to me as a cosmetic trainwreck as well. Here's how that turned out (shown mated with the amp head)......

Image

They look as fresh as the day they shipped from Fullerton nearly five decades ago. And yes, the amp sees semi-regular stage duties whenever the venue size permits.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:10 pm
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Arc-n-spark wrote:
The 6L6 tubes... all different.
Image


That photo is incredible. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:04 am
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Yeah, the power tubes are of different origins, but I wonder how they match up to each other. I've seen older amps with RCA and GE power tubes that were right on. Hard to say if that combination is right or wrong. From here, it's a guessing judgement. And yeah, stone stock chassis components. JMHO Art

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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 3:50 am
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I have a pair of coin base like that, the only thing on them is a fender logo and the 6L6GC designation.

hard to believe four different 6L6 makes and they match.

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Keepn' the Blues Alive

2004 50th Ann. Limited edition AMSE Stratocaster
2017 50's Baja Telecaster BSB

1968 Bandmaster with 2X12 cab C-rex speakers
VHT Special 6 Ultra combo

Visual Sound Route 66
Cmatmods Signa Drive


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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:02 am
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blues bondsman wrote:
hard to believe four different 6L6 makes and they match.


I don't know that they match.

Arc

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...I for one, sure would appreciate the return of intelligent conversation, spirit of assistance and the simple yet effective ignoring of those who can't seem to hang with that...
Best regards,
rob


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Post subject: Re: Keep as is, restore or mod it up and build a cab?
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 2:50 pm
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example of a 65 Fender Bandmaster that was modded before I got it and restored; I decided to put it in a Newell Amps 2x12 combo.

http://gallery.me.com/nedorama#100514&b ... &view=grid

Example of a 65 Fender Showman that was almost destroyed before I got it; I restored it back to original.

http://gallery.me.com/nedorama#100506&b ... &view=grid
username=timmy, password=timmy

to each his own; I like both amps for different things and like the difference between open and closed back cabs.

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