Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

[FretFire]

So I ran across an old blonde Bandmaster head locally. I'm not positive what year it is, and I know it's had a cap job and been modded to have an extra gain stage. I have their asking price, but wanted to see if anyone had a ballpark range for value? I'm going back to demo it tomorrow and might pick it up if I like what I hear.

EDIT: Just clarified, it's a '63.

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

Based on no real experience and 100% B.S. / reading the internet, I'd say $1000 - $1200.

[FretFire]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

Based on no real experience and 100% B.S. / reading the internet, I'd say $1000 - $1200.

I'll just say that they're asking substantially less than that. We'll see if it's worth a crap being modded.

[jeremy]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

the modding usually hurts the value pretty significantly. the cap job is fine as long as it was done right.

did they punch holes in the chassis or just mess with internals? i wouldnt give anywhere near $1000 for it

[FretFire]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

the modding usually hurts the value pretty significantly. the cap job is fine as long as it was done right.

did they punch holes in the chassis or just mess with internals? i wouldnt give anywhere near $1000 for it

Not sure, I spotted it on my way out of the shop and told them I'd be back tomorrow to look closer. They said a gain stage and tube have been added, which may not be too desirable. They want $500.

[Agileguy_101]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

BUY BUY BUY

[jeremy]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

$500 might not be a bad deal. the blonde/brown fenders are cool amps.

if the trannys and most of the guts are intact. most important thing is how it sounds. its not really collectable anymore.

[FretFire]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

$500 might not be a bad deal. the blonde/brown fenders are cool amps.

if the trannys and most of the guts are intact. most important thing is how it sounds. its not really collectable anymore.

Yeah I'm not worried about collectability, I just didn't want to pay more than it's worth if it winds up sounding good.

[glassman]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

Mods can be un-done.

I'm gonna go out on a limb here...I think the blonde circuit Bandmasters are possibly the best of the best, tone-wise. I "like" Fender amps but I "love" those blonde Bandmasters. Cleans are great and the overdriven tone just rocks. The vibrato is out of this world...it uses 3 12AX7s for the vibrato alone, 4 if you count the vibrato preamp.

$500 is a good price for an amp from an era that lasted 2 years.

[Quencho092]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

If it has creme knobs you have a blonde circuit. If it has a black face inside of a blonde head with the top hat style knobs and wheat grille it's a 63 transitional. Mine was spectacular when it worked, shimmering cleans and a bright top end that didn't 'ice pick' despite all the treble in there.

I bought my 63 transitional for 600 bucks about 7 years ago. Great all around amp, always awesome tones and great response to pedals. It sounds a little different from the reverb models in a good way, mine has the old school style paper OT.

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

You can buy all original and very clean ones for less than a grand.

[Lazarus1140]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

To the OP: You might enjoy looking at the pricing info on the Ampwares site.

I love the Blonde Bandmasters and have never played or heard one. How's that for being convinced by reading and looking at specs and gut shots online?

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

That's a no brainer, buy it. I'd spend the bucks and put it back to stock, and you'd have just about the perfect club amp.

Bill

[IndySG]

Re: Vague value question: Vintage Fender Bandmaster

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14710393@N07/2971705226/

You can see my Bandmaster in the bottom right of this photo - taken around 1967.
It was a good sounding amp and looked great too!