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Post subject: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:58 pm
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I seem to be the champion of lost causes, since I tend to go after the lesser known, overlooked amps and guitars, so the Bandmaster VM fits right in.
I picked up a BM VM to use as a gig rig, and although it's not a "vintage" Bandmaster (I had one back in the day), it really works for what I'm doing. 40 watts and closed-back 2-12 cab give me some nice, punchy Fender cleans and lots of clean headroom. It's not a "real" spring reverb but the digital 'verb is good in the band mix. I'm not a huge effects person, so the on-board delay and chorus are more than adequate. The Drive channel needs to be dialed in sparingly but together with a tube screamer type (my only pedal), I can get a good selection of driven tones to cover the bases. If I were a blues monster or tone freak it probably wouldn't do (I'd go for my modded CVR), but for playing 60's RnR and RnB, mostly clean leads and rhythms with my Tele and Strat, it sounds great!
My only regret is that it stays at the band practice space and I hardly ever get to tinker with it at home.


Last edited by swampyankee on Wed Jan 20, 2016 4:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:52 pm
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Tweed Bandmaster Clone

They're out there and they don't cost as much as a good used pickup, the way an authentic vintage piece in prime condition would.

Just sayin'.

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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 6:57 am
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I guess my post was more a statement than a question. I'm just singing the praises of this Bandmaster, and the overlooked VM series.
I've owned a 5E3 Deluxe clone and had fun with the tweed sound, although it was a bit of a one trick pony for me. I'm more of a blackface style player.


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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 9:38 am
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swampyankee wrote:
I'm more of a blackface style player.


Then why didn't you buy a real blackface?

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 10:01 am
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What constitutes a "real" blackface anyway? An AA763 circuit? Fender amps made between 1963 and '67? If so, are the modern reissue amps not blackface? Or is it the classic glassy sound with scooped mids? I need a reliable working rig, not a vintage piece, and for that it's all about the tone, not the vintage or how many tubes it has.


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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 10:22 am
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The VM series amps aren't re-issues of anything. And had they captured any significant market share, FMIC wouldn't have discontinued production after less than two years. Fender lost their proverbial shirt on those models, just as they did with the Machete, the Cyber-whatever's, the tweed TV-front pseudo-Bassman's, the Sunn re-issues, and on and on and on.

Those are the undisputable facts.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 11:41 am
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I picked up a used Bandmaster VM head at a great price a few years back and it has been a great amp for me. It's by no means a black face sounding amp, but it has a lot of features and sounds good.


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Post subject: Re: a "modern" Bandmaster
Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2015 1:16 pm
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Retro, i dont think I ever suggested the BMVM was a vintage reissue, hence my topic title, "modern" Bandmaster.
The VM series may not have been a success for Fender (did I mention I'm a champion of lost causes?), but it functions well for me for what it is. As far as it being much of a blackface, my old blackface Bandmaster and the Twin that replaced it were two very different animals. The BM was much more full and punchy, as is this VM compared to my DRRI. But the VM still provides a nice Fender contrast to my band mates Marshall. Besides, I'm not sure I claimed it was true blackface, only that I'm more of a fan of blackface style as opposed to the tweed Bandmaster someone referenced.


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