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Fender Bandmaster: Difference between revisions

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===AB763===
===AB763===
The AB763 (designed in July, 1963) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. Amps retrofitted to this circuitry are described as having been "blackfaced," a reference to the black faceplate used on these amps during much of this era.
The AB763 (designed in July, 1963) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. The complex brownface "harmonic vibrato", however, was replaced by a simpler electro-optic oscillator. Amps retrofitted to this circuitry are described as having been "blackfaced," a reference to the black faceplate used on these amps during much of this era.


===AA568===
===AA568===

Revision as of 18:47, 7 September 2015

The Fender Bandmaster was a musical instrument amplifier made by Fender. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974.[1]

Timeline

Timeline gleaned from[1]

Year Inputs Output Form Speakers Controls Circuit/Model Price
1953 2 instr, 1 mic Combo (Wide Panel)
Tweed
(1) 15" + ext jack
Jensen P15N
Volume, Treble, Bass 5C7 $229.50
1954 2 instr, 1 mic Combo (Wide Panel)
Tweed
(1) 15" + ext jack Volume, Treble, Bass 5D7
1955 2 instr, 1 mic 26 watts Combo (Narrow Panel)
Tweed
(3) 10" + ext jack Volume, Treble, Bass, Presence 5E7
April 1960 2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

40 watts Combo
(w/Modern Fender style)
brown Tolex
each channel: Treble, Bass, Volume

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
master Presence

6G7
End 1960 2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

40 watts Combo
brown Tolex
each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
master Presence

6G7-A
Feb 1961-

June 1963

2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

40 Watts Piggyback ("head")
cream Tolex
(2) 12" + ext. jack

Oxford 12M6-10, Jensen C12N

each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
master Presence

6G7-A
July 1963 2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

40 watts Piggyback ("head")
black Tolex
None each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
Presence removed, "Bright" added

AB763
1968 2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

Piggyback ("head") None each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
Bright

AA568
1969 2 channels, each with

high & low sensitivity
input jacks

Piggyback ("head") None each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass

Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity
Bright

AA1069
1974 Discontinued . . . . .

Cosmetics

Circuit notes

5C7

The first Bandmaster was in all respects almost identical to the the Fender Pro, a dual-6L6 26-watt amp with a 1x15 speaker, with one difference: separate treble and bass controls, where the Pro like all other Fender amps to that time only had a single Tone knob.

6G7-A

The 6G(n)-A circuit was used in several Fender amplifiers, including the Bandmaster.[2] It produces 40 watts into 4 ohms. The circuit was used from 1961 until July 1963 when the "AB763" circuit was introduced. "Blonde" aficionados feel this circuit has superior tonal characteristics when overdriven, to the AB763 circuit. The 6G7-A circuit also included a vibrato that is heralded as Fender's best by many enthusiasts.[3]

AB763

The AB763 (designed in July, 1963) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. The complex brownface "harmonic vibrato", however, was replaced by a simpler electro-optic oscillator. Amps retrofitted to this circuitry are described as having been "blackfaced," a reference to the black faceplate used on these amps during much of this era.

AA568

The AA568 version (introduced May, 1968) was met with popular dislike by Fender's customers. It is referred to at times as the "silverface" circuit, referring to the brushed aluminum control plate used from 1968 to 1974. The circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time; some 1967 and early 1968 Bandmasters still possessed the AB763 circuitry.

Unfortunately, the tube chart inside the amp head cannot be reliably used to differentiate the AB763 from the later circuits, as Fender continued using the older tube charts for a while after changing the circuit configuration.

AA1069

Some of the changes from the AA568 were reverted in October, 1969, yielding the AA1069 circuit, but many of the changes remained in place.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years
  2. ^ 6G4-A (Super), 6G5-A (Pro), 6G7-A (Bandmaster), 6G12-A (Concert) and 6G13-A (Vibrasonic), together with a four output-tube variant 6G8-A (Twin) and 6G14-A (Showman)
  3. ^ schema electrique pour un fender ban master 1961