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Post subject: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:14 pm
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I saw this old Silverface Band Master on Craigslist the other day. Scooped it up for $50!!! Looks like it's been through a war, and someone along the way replaced the grills on both the head and the cab. The head still has the 2-prong cord, so I am hoping the innards are un-molested! I have an appointment to drop it off with a reputable amp tech in my city (Denver, CO) to have it gone over, almost certainly have it re-capped, 3-prong cord installed, and whatever repairs it may need. Hoping all goes well, and it doesn't break the bank to get her back in excellent working order, I'll get some period-correct grill cloth and do it up proper!

The other thing is the cabinet. It's missing the baffle between the 2 speakers that I have seen on pictures of almost every other Band Master cabinet I've seen, but all of those pieces of insulation were in there when I opened it up. There's one original Jensen C12NA in there, and some other CTS speaker. The jack on the cabinet is gone, and there's just the speaker wires hanging out of it. That should be simple enough to fix. I am hoping to replace the CTS speaker with something closer to the C12NA so it's as close to original as possible, since it seems like these speakers are well-liked in these and other Fender amps.

Other than the grill cloths, I don't think I'll plan on doing any other major cosmetic mods like having the tolex replaced, at least at this point. And if the guts really are an AB763 circuit, it should be a great sounding amp, and I'm more interested in it being a great player's amp instead of a showpiece.

My guess is, from what I have seen so far without pulling the chassis and what not, is that the head is most likely a 1968, given the drip edge trim, the circuit stamp on the tube chart (but knowing that this isn't a definite way to confirm the circuit) and the stamp on the outside of the chassis (A 31073) and knowing that 1968 was a transitional year for these amps and there were many Silverface Band Masters that were Blackface circuits in the inside.

I am almost certain the cabinet is a 1967, because all of the 1967 cabinets I have seen pictures of were oriented horizontally like mine, and 1968 seems to have been vertically oriented, the top has a carry handle, the thumb screw receptacles to attach the head (the head also has the mounting brackets attached) and the sides have the holes where the tilt-back legs used to be. I have no idea why someone at some point appeared to install the feet (chrome guides) on the top of the cabinet. Can figure that one out.

So are my assumptions correct or close? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

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Last edited by sbpark on Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:15 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:16 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:16 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:17 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 8:21 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 9:41 pm
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The serial pegs the amp as a '68 model -- you'll need to open it up to ascertain whether it was built early enough in the model year to be the AB763 revision. Look for a date code stamped inside the chassis, adjacent to the power tranny and the tag board for the rectifier diodes.

The cabinet appears too little to be a small-box Bandmaster (or Bassman) enclosure. Check the exterior dimensions to confirm; an authentic cab will measure 32" x 21" x 11.5" (W/H/D). Big-box cabs for both of these amps appeared in early 1967, at the tail-end of the blackface era.

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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 4:37 am
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Yep, those are the cabinets dimensions. So does that mean it's an older cabinet?


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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 7:50 am
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great find and for the price, can't go wrong!

I would suggest not using Armor all to clean; I've found a weak solution of simple green and water on a damp towel will clean most of the scuz/dirt off the tolex. be prepared to use a lot of towels as the amount of dirt & grime that has been on mine necessitated 8 towels (car washing kind) but well worth it.

Opening it up and sending pics will allow the fine folks here to let you know what may need to be done; good news is that even if there is work to be done, you're already well ahead of the game given your cost.

Good luck!

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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 8:43 am
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sbpark wrote:
Yep, those are the cabinets dimensions. So does that mean it's an older cabinet?


Yes, probably made in 1966 or earlier. You may find a date somewhere inside, near the bottom rear cleat -- either ink-stamped or penciled. The Jensen speaker may or may not be original to the cabinet so I wouldn't necessarily rely on its date code to determine the age of the enclosure.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:31 pm
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Pulled the chassis, here are some pics:

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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:32 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:32 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 9:33 pm
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Post subject: Re: Picked up an old Band Master...info. appreciated!
Posted: Fri Sep 27, 2013 10:13 pm
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Early 1968 production (January), with iron from '67. Definitely the AB763 configuration, with the beloved Blue Molded tone caps in place. You've got a nice one!

Arjay

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