Do you know your Fenders?

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Joeytpg

Joeytpg

Active member
so, with the VH4 up for sale, I have enough cash to get the Ibanez AF105 Hollow Body I want ($700) and a nice Fender head. I already have a Princeton Reverb RI combo, so I don't want another combo.

I want something that sounds VINTAGE and jaw dropping. I like the bouncy warm fender cleans, not the sharp ice picky fender cleans.....

my budget for such head will be around between $800-$1,200 what do you recommendo?
 
I have an Egnater Renegade and the clean channel is based of the Bassman....... I know it's not the same, but I want something different.

There are two Showman for sale at The Gear Page........... any comment on those guys?
 
I am a big Fender amp fan, no expert but a fan.

I assume you are aware of this info, but I thought I would share in case you are not. This is a great resource: http://www.ampwares.com/fender.asp

Fender had 4 main eras. Tweed, Brown/Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface. Fender is typically known for their combos and no their heads, kind of like in the same way, Marshall is more known for their heads than their combos. Most Fender heads do not have reverb. Since you already have a BF Princeton reverb, I would probably go for a Blonde era Fender head. I don't know of any Tweed era Fender heads.

For the Blonde Fender heads, there is the Blonde bassman, Blonde Bandmaster, and Blonde Showman. The Blonde Bassman is the most 'rock' oriented amp. The Showman is basically a more powerful Bandmaster.

When you are finding amps, post the specifics and in more detail what you are looking for and I would be happy to help you choose a Fender amp. I have a '60 Fender Brown Super and a '69 Fender Bandmaster Reverb. I used to own a '66 champ, and a '67 Bassman.
 
Mudder":179qw3jc said:
If I were going to buy just one Fender that isn't a deluxe reverb, it would be a Vibro King.
Click to expand...

I have heard really good things on the VibroKing. The problem is even used its well over $1200 and its a combo, not a head. Just curious though, what you really like about the Vibroking?
 
I'm easy to please I guess because my favorite Fender that I've played on was a Hot Rod Deville 4x10 combo.
 
blackba":3etnvi8g said:
Mudder":3etnvi8g said:
If I were going to buy just one Fender that isn't a deluxe reverb, it would be a Vibro King.
Click to expand...

I have heard really good things on the VibroKing. The problem is even used its well over $1200 and its a combo, not a head. Just curious though, what you really like about the Vibroking?
Click to expand...
It's hard for me to explain what makes it different from other vintage Fenders, but the ones I've heard have a sort of juiciness to them, they're thick without being too much, creamy but with killer clarity. They sound like a muscular deluxe.
 
blackba":305lx117 said:
I am a big Fender amp fan, no expert but a fan.

I assume you are aware of this info, but I thought I would share in case you are not. This is a great resource: http://www.ampwares.com/fender.asp

Fender had 4 main eras. Tweed, Brown/Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface. Fender is typically known for their combos and no their heads, kind of like in the same way, Marshall is more known for their heads than their combos. Most Fender heads do not have reverb. Since you already have a BF Princeton reverb, I would probably go for a Blonde era Fender head. I don't know of any Tweed era Fender heads.

For the Blonde Fender heads, there is the Blonde bassman, Blonde Bandmaster, and Blonde Showman. The Blonde Bassman is the most 'rock' oriented amp. The Showman is basically a more powerful Bandmaster.

When you are finding amps, post the specifics and in more detail what you are looking for and I would be happy to help you choose a Fender amp. I have a '60 Fender Brown Super and a '69 Fender Bandmaster Reverb. I used to own a '66 champ, and a '67 Bassman.
Click to expand...


hey dude, thanks for the info! greatly appreciated

Like you all must be tired to read lol I'm into pop bluesy rock..... think John Mayer/Bonamassa/Clapton/Coldplay/etc...

I'm building a pedalboard so use with the amp so I'm not interested in a dirty channel. I just want the best warm bouncy rounded cleans I can get in a head format. I already have a small Princeton Reverb combo that'll serve me for small gigs and stuff. so what do you recommend?
 
no combos man....TOO freaking heavy. I'll get an egnater 4x10 later on for the head.
 
Joeytpg":2sjgt7cd said:
so, with the VH4 up for sale, I have enough cash to get the Ibanez AF105 Hollow Body I want ($700) and a nice Fender head. I already have a Princeton Reverb RI combo, so I don't want another combo.

I want something that sounds VINTAGE and jaw dropping. I like the bouncy warm fender cleans, not the sharp ice picky fender cleans.....

my budget for such head will be around between $800-$1,200 what do you recommendo?
Click to expand...


are you 100% staying with getting a fender head? I no a amp head that does "bouncy warm fender cleans" and better . Port City Pearl.

check it!
 
yeah I want a Fender.... I love Fender cleans, it's always a plus to own one, they tend to work amazingly well with pedals, and if you decide to sell, they'll go like hot caked.
 
Joeytpg":1i09jh95 said:
blackba":1i09jh95 said:
I am a big Fender amp fan, no expert but a fan.

I assume you are aware of this info, but I thought I would share in case you are not. This is a great resource: http://www.ampwares.com/fender.asp

Fender had 4 main eras. Tweed, Brown/Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface. Fender is typically known for their combos and no their heads, kind of like in the same way, Marshall is more known for their heads than their combos. Most Fender heads do not have reverb. Since you already have a BF Princeton reverb, I would probably go for a Blonde era Fender head. I don't know of any Tweed era Fender heads.

For the Blonde Fender heads, there is the Blonde bassman, Blonde Bandmaster, and Blonde Showman. The Blonde Bassman is the most 'rock' oriented amp. The Showman is basically a more powerful Bandmaster.

When you are finding amps, post the specifics and in more detail what you are looking for and I would be happy to help you choose a Fender amp. I have a '60 Fender Brown Super and a '69 Fender Bandmaster Reverb. I used to own a '66 champ, and a '67 Bassman.
Click to expand...


hey dude, thanks for the info! greatly appreciated

Like you all must be tired to read lol I'm into pop bluesy rock..... think John Mayer/Bonamassa/Clapton/Coldplay/etc...

I'm building a pedalboard so use with the amp so I'm not interested in a dirty channel. I just want the best warm bouncy rounded cleans I can get in a head format. I already have a small Princeton Reverb combo that'll serve me for small gigs and stuff. so what do you recommend?
Click to expand...

I would go with a Blonde Bassman head, I think that will do what you want very nicely. You should be able to get one in your price range, though it might be a bit of a stretch....
 
thank you man. again I have an egnater renegade which has a "Bassman inspired" clean channel. it even has the driven Bassman tone when you turn up the gain........I want something different.

I'm looking at a Bandmaster and a couple of Showman at thegearpage
 
blackba":2intgnpq said:
Joeytpg":2intgnpq said:
blackba":2intgnpq said:
I am a big Fender amp fan, no expert but a fan.

I assume you are aware of this info, but I thought I would share in case you are not. This is a great resource: http://www.ampwares.com/fender.asp

Fender had 4 main eras. Tweed, Brown/Blonde, Blackface, and Silverface. Fender is typically known for their combos and no their heads, kind of like in the same way, Marshall is more known for their heads than their combos. Most Fender heads do not have reverb. Since you already have a BF Princeton reverb, I would probably go for a Blonde era Fender head. I don't know of any Tweed era Fender heads.

For the Blonde Fender heads, there is the Blonde bassman, Blonde Bandmaster, and Blonde Showman. The Blonde Bassman is the most 'rock' oriented amp. The Showman is basically a more powerful Bandmaster.

When you are finding amps, post the specifics and in more detail what you are looking for and I would be happy to help you choose a Fender amp. I have a '60 Fender Brown Super and a '69 Fender Bandmaster Reverb. I used to own a '66 champ, and a '67 Bassman.
Click to expand...


hey dude, thanks for the info! greatly appreciated

Like you all must be tired to read lol I'm into pop bluesy rock..... think John Mayer/Bonamassa/Clapton/Coldplay/etc...

I'm building a pedalboard so use with the amp so I'm not interested in a dirty channel. I just want the best warm bouncy rounded cleans I can get in a head format. I already have a small Princeton Reverb combo that'll serve me for small gigs and stuff. so what do you recommend?
Click to expand...

I would go with a Blonde Bassman head, I think that will do what you want very nicely. You should be able to get one in your price range, though it might be a bit of a stretch....
Click to expand...


I am also no Fender expert but rather a huge fan. I found myself in the same prediciment about 2 years ago. I am a head and cab guy. Not really into the combos (except the 4x10 59 bassman). The best Fender head to me is my blackface 1967 Fender Dual Showman. Basically a twin circuit with no reverb. I had the 1st channel modded so it breaks up ever so nicely. totally nuts when dimed but you roll the volume back on the guitar, and that "pushed" sound is present depending on the pick attack. Awesome feature to be able to have. and the 2nd channel is clear, and crisp, and with the vibrato ever so slightly engaged it sounds so heavenly. Not to mention, it takes pedals like none other. I have never heard a pedal sound bad through that amp. Its got more than enough power to thump a 4x12 with no problem. The Blonde/Brown era you were mentioning earlier is cool cause it has a presence control. The Blackface era has the bright switch. IMO I prefer the bright switch. Also the tube biasing is different between the two. In case you didn't know (which i'm sure you do) the Fender corp changed hands in 1968 and a few of the silverface amps (with the silver drip edge around the speaker grill cloth) actually used the remaining blackface parts they had stock so essentially that's a blackface circuit that looks like silverface and is significantly cheaper in price. I found my Fender head in functional condition but in need of work. So I got a sweet deal on the amp. All in all after it was said and done, I had about $600 in the head between purchase and repair. Totally worth every penny. I'll never sell that amp. You can visit my website (http://www.eepedals.com) and check the videos section for a sound demo of the Showman (its in the shootout and sound demo 3). Hope this helps you in your quest for that sweet, vintage Fender tone.
:2thumbsup:
Paul
Echelon Engineering
http://www.eepedals.com
 
EchelonEngineering":23g03dah said:
I am also no Fender expert but rather a huge fan. I found myself in the same prediciment about 2 years ago. I am a head and cab guy. Not really into the combos (except the 4x10 59 bassman). The best Fender head to me is my blackface 1967 Fender Dual Showman. Basically a twin circuit with no reverb. I had the 1st channel modded so it breaks up ever so nicely. totally nuts when dimed but you roll the volume back on the guitar, and that "pushed" sound is present depending on the pick attack. Awesome feature to be able to have. and the 2nd channel is clear, and crisp, and with the vibrato ever so slightly engaged it sounds so heavenly. Not to mention, it takes pedals like none other. I have never heard a pedal sound bad through that amp. Its got more than enough power to thump a 4x12 with no problem. The Blonde/Brown era you were mentioning earlier is cool cause it has a presence control. The Blackface era has the bright switch. IMO I prefer the bright switch. Also the tube biasing is different between the two. In case you didn't know (which i'm sure you do) the Fender corp changed hands in 1968 and a few of the silverface amps (with the silver drip edge around the speaker grill cloth) actually used the remaining blackface parts they had stock so essentially that's a blackface circuit that looks like silverface and is significantly cheaper in price. I found my Fender head in functional condition but in need of work. So I got a sweet deal on the amp. All in all after it was said and done, I had about $600 in the head between purchase and repair. Totally worth every penny. I'll never sell that amp. You can visit my website (http://www.eepedals.com) and check the videos section for a sound demo of the Showman (its in the shootout and sound demo 3). Hope this helps you in your quest for that sweet, vintage Fender tone.
:2thumbsup:
Paul
Echelon Engineering
http://www.eepedals.com
Click to expand...

A BF dual showman is a very cool amp, not surprised you love it. Just thought I would mention a few things. Fender was bought out by CBS in 1965. They changed to Silverface in late '67, early '68. Drip edge Silverface amps are from late '67 to sometime in '69, love the drip edge :)

As far as Brown versus BF or SF. I really like both. My Brown Super has a mod for a bias pot (very common mod for Brown/blonde Fenders). I prefer the presence control myself to the bright cap. I find that with bright caps they are okay for clean, but are not good when running gain pedals through the amp. On my Bandmaster reverb, I leave the bright cap off most of the time.
 
so I should avoid any silverface that's older than '68? is there really a big tonal difference to the BF and Blondes?
 
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