fender head

nepalnt21

nepalnt21

HamerTimeologist
:usa1: ok so i really need a nice new fender amp. what i want is basically a twin reverb, (ive only played silverface, never came across a bf one) but in head form. is there anything like that available that wont cost 8 million dollars???

ive seen bandmasters, bassmen, and lots of other fender heads, but what would come close to a twin reverb??? boutique? scott_f or other ampmakers?

????????? :usa1:
 
Re: fender head

nepalnt21 said:
thanks. do you know if they made any less than 100 watt versions?
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no, i think the BF showman was 85 watts, but no reverb. the showman basically IS a twin reverb in a head format, i believe. there are silverface showmans without reverb, and then there is the silverface Dual Showman Reverb that obviously has reverb.
 
Re: fender head

theres also a fender Bandmaster reverb head, which is around 40 watts i think. Ive never played one though
 
Re: fender head

The amp to get is a Showman Reverb. This amp was made from 1968 thru 1976. Depending on the year it would have an output of 100W or 135W. These are the ultimate in clean loud amps. They also came with a cab that had 2 15" Jensen D130 speakers (I think). This is a very hard amp to use. It is very loud and very clean. The head alone probably weighs about 50lbs. In total over 150lbs. If you can find an original bottom and the head it would be a good find. The years 1968 thru 1972 would be the better years. I have made a bunch of other posts about SF Fenders.... They are very underated amps in the sense that everybody feels you must have a "Blackface". The early silvers (1967 thru 1972) are essentially the same circuit. The ones I would avoid and this apllies to most Fenders of this era are master volume silvers. If you have an oppurtunity to play a non master silver right next to a master volume silver you will immediately hear a huge difference in tone. The master volume among other circuit changes IMO changed the sound of these amps in the wrong way. Non Master silvers are great.
 
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Re: fender head

The way you can tell a regular Showman head from the reverb version is the non-reverb is the same size as a Bassman or Tonemaster. The reverb version is as tall as a Marshall head.....maybe an inch taller even.

If you want a new Fender head, the new Super Sonic looks like a great amp to own. You'll pay more, but it's far more versatile, and all the components are brand new w/5 year warrantee. I love vintage amps too, but I've owned a Showman head, and I know I'd rather have that new Super Sonic!

You can also find great deals on Prosonics and Tonemasters.
 
Re: fender head

nepalnt21 said:
can you find the head without the cab?
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Yes............ its more likely the way you will find it. A showman head from the late 60's early 70's are pretty reasonable. Most people don't really want them. They were made to play arenas. Eric Clapton used these with Derek and the Dominos Live Tour and of course Hendrix always had a few on stage as well, but I believe he used them more as a backup than as part of his regular Rig. He was pretty much Marshall all the way.

They range in price anywhere from $150. to abot $500 depending on condition, the Reverb models will usually command a Higher price. I'm not a big fan of Harmony Central reviews but you should check over there. Bottom line is this is a Twin in a head, and I think you can get some really great tones due to the fact you can mix and match different speaker arrangements with them.
 
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Re: fender head

right on about these being loud and clean. I think Twin reverbs have great clean tones even without running at high volume, so i still love my twin despite how loud it can get. I suggested the Dual Showman Reverb because you said you wanted a twin in head form, and that IS a twin in head form, couldnt get any closer to it than that! plus, you can find these for relatively cheap prices, and you'll have one of the best clean tones out there
 
Re: fender head

Bludave said:
They range in price anywhere from $150. to abot $500 depending on condition
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wow well if i can find one for less than 300 im definately jumping on it.

Gearjoneser said:
If you want a new Fender head, the new Super Sonic looks like a great amp to own. You'll pay more, but it's far more versatile, and all the components are brand new w/5 year warrantee. I love vintage amps too, but I've owned a Showman head, and I know I'd rather have that new Super Sonic!

You can also find great deals on Prosonics and Tonemasters.
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i looked at the supersonic, but im not sure how interested i am in it. i never really use hi gain, and versatility isnt important. thanks for the suggestion, though i will still look into it and others before i make any purchases.
 
Re: fender head

As everyone has pointed out you are looking for a Dual showman Reverb...the Super Soinc was pretty un impressive IMO and does not have reverb.

Here is one that needs a little work...it's a 74 or later but could still be a good amp
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Dual-Sho...ryZ38074QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here is an earlier one that is much cleaner...this one is a 68, and is more than likely a killer sounding amp as is!
http://cgi.ebay.com/fender-showman-...goryZ308QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Remember...if you buy an old amp like this it will need some work, even if it appears to be fine...it will need a cab job at the bare minumum, maybe new tubes and one or 2 other things.
 
Re: fender head

That can't be 260 watts
it has 4 power tubes which are 6L6 from what I can see in the diagram

NO WAY!

Even Boogie tapped out at 180 with 6 6L6's
 
Re: fender head

Its power CONSUMPTION is 260 watts - it draws 260 watts from the wall, and puts out 100 watts to the speakers.

This is a classic mistake that you see all the time on eBay, which tells buyers everywhere that the seller doesn't know $hit about guitar amps.

That blacked-out one is going cheap, and it's in Houston. Hmmmmm.

But what would I use it for? I can't even find a place to crank my 13 Watter.
 
Re: fender head

Rich_S said:
But what would I use it for? I can't even find a place to crank my 13 Watter.
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ive been thinking about that, too. i really dont play ever for more than like 100 people, maybe like 500 sometime in the future.

but on the other hand, i would only use it for clean anyway. and i could always get an attenuator later on????
 
Re: fender head

ok so fill me in... whats the difference between a showman and a dual showman??? is it true that a showman is an overall better amp?
 
Re: fender head

If my memory serves me correctly the difference between the Showman and the Dual Showman is the Showman cam with a 1 12" speaker cab @ 8oms an the DS came with 2 15" speakers. I don't think the Showman was ever offered with Reverb, but the DS was. You can find all the specs here.

http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/
 
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