Nice surprise from amp tech

[claydots]

I took my '68 bandmaster (with small bassman bottom) to get it recapped, retubed, bias set etc. When I went to get it he told me it was really a blackface '67. It's a transition model! All the transformers and other stuff all date to late '67 but was put in the '68 cab with the little trim around the grill cloth. I bought the amp used in 1970 for 75 bucks (that was a lot of money back then) and she always sounded really sweet. Now I know why, I only changed tubes in it over the years and never really had it serviced properly (it still had the 2 prong cord of death on it) Sometimes life does hand you a sweet surprise....:headbang:

Oh, the reason I finally broke down and had it serviced was that I turned it on one day and it sounded like a popcorn maker. It took 3 whole days for the overhaul, that's service!:9:

 

[jeremy]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

very cool and nice surprise

 

[Curly]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

congratulations on having a great amp

the drip edge is an easy way to identify what is usually a good deal, since they are the earliest silver face amps, and have blackface circuits

it's worth noting that the sale to CBS was earlier though (65?), but it took a while for circuit changes to take place

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

time to spend a few bucks on cosmetics and get a black faceplate and some blackface grill cloth and return that thing to the beauty it was meant to have!

Is it just me or do blackface Fender amps just *LOOK* better than Silverface amps?

 

[Curly]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

a blackface amp has a lot of mojo vintage appeal, but a good sounding SF amp says, "I'm a player, and I know what the he!! sounds good!!!"

seriously, I saw the Subdudes the last time they played here, and Tommy Malone was playing an SF Deluxe Reverb that was PERFECT for the venue, and everything he needed for a great tone.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

a blackface amp has a lot of mojo vintage appeal, but a good sounding SF amp says, "I'm a player, and I know what the he!! sounds good!!!"

seriously, I saw the Subdudes the last time they played here, and Tommy Malone was playing an SF Deluxe Reverb that was PERFECT for the venue, and everything he needed for a great tone.

Yeah I agree Curly, Those SF Fenders are great finds. IMHO some of them sound as good as any blackface. I have a 68' SF Super Reverb and a '67 Deleuxe Reverb, both are drip edge amps and both sound awesome!

 

[The Golden Boy]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

time to spend a few bucks on cosmetics and get a black faceplate and some blackface grill cloth and return that thing to the beauty it was meant to have!

I wouldn't. The amp is what it is- there's no need to dress it up like it's something that it's not.

 

[claydots]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

time to spend a few bucks on cosmetics and get a black faceplate and some blackface grill cloth and return that thing to the beauty it was meant to have!

Is it just me or do blackface Fender amps just *LOOK* better than Silverface amps?

I thought about that for about 5 seconds. Besides I like the drip rail and they only did it for 2 years ??? If I did that, wouldn't it devalue the amp? (not that I'm selling it... I still have a few more years of good rockin' in me)

 

[B Bent]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

Very cool Claydots!!! Also welcome to the forum!!!

I have a soft spot for drip edge SF Fenders. I think they look sooo sweet.

 

[Scott_F]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

AT that time, Fender was all over the place in regards to going to the silverface circuits. I bought a drip edge Pro Reverb a couple of years ago that had the black face circuit stamped on the label inside the cab, but it had the silver face guts inside. I blackfaced the circuit. So, at least it matches the label now. That amp was pretty messed up inside though. I had to change a lot of caps and some of the resistors were crumbling. This one has a very noticeable tear in the grill cloth. I've thought about changing it several times, but never seem to get around to it.

Congrats on your BR. Those are nice amps. (Lots like a Pro Reverb). And, I would leave the silverfaceplate on it. It is what it is.

 

[claydots]

Re: Nice surprise from amp tech

Here's a pic of it. Still in good shape for all the road it's seen. Still has the kickback legs and the brackets and thumbscrews.