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1962 Fender Bandmaster Blonde Piggyback Vintage Brownface Tube Amp Oxford 12M6
Estimated price for orientation: 2 699 $
Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:
Description Brand: Fender MPN: Does Not Apply Model: Bandmaster Country/Region of Manufacture: United States Exact Year: 1962 UPC: Does not apply
Up for sale, a 1962 Fender Bandmaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This early "Piggyback" version of the Bandmaster is decked out in original rough blonde tolex with oxblood grillcloth as well as a pair of Oxford 12M6 speakers! The Brownface circuit drives two 6L6 power tubes for roughly 40 powerful watts of pure tube goodness. Like the Tweed amps that preceded it, the Brownface circuits are very dynamic and respond well to picking dynamics with Fender's hi-fi glassy clean tones. The EQ controls have a huge range and after around 5 on the volume dial, the amp cascades into very rich tube overdrive that compresses a bit and feels slightly loose and gritty in just the right way without losing too much clarity. It's the kind of natural tube overdrive that only comes from pushing a well designed Fender circuit to its limit! The Harmonic Vibrato circuit is also a complex design only found on the top-tier Brownface models, utilizing three tubes and creating a lush pitch shifting effect that has more in common with a Leslie or Chorus than a traditional tremolo!The preamp is extremely original, and all of the famed blue Ajax tone caps are intact, with stock Stackpole pots, carbon comp resistors and cloth wire. While the power transformer and choke are both original and date to '62, the output transformer has been swapped in favor of a vintage Bassman transformer. This Bassman tranny was manufactured by Schumacher (who also made the original power transformer and choke) and is a fairly common upgrade, adding more power and low end fullness to the tone. The output transformer dates to 1969. The amp is stocked with all new tubes including a pair of matched Sovtek 5881s (6L6s). The power amp has been professionally recapped, and the original gray two-prong power cable is intact, although we'd be happy to upgrade to a modern three-prong free of charge. Inside the head cabinet, the tube chart is very clean and fully intact, with an LJ date code that translates to October of 1962.
The speaker cab is loaded with a pair of early Oxford 12M6 ceramic speakers with fresh recones, ready to handle another fifty years of use. These Oxford 12" drivers date to early 1963, and while they are not original to the cab, they are factory spec for Fender Bassmans from this era and are the perfect match for handling the increased punch and power of the Bassman output transformer. Very rare in any condition, this matched Oxford pair sounds fantastic, will clear top end, great midrange detail and a smooth, rich breakup at high volumes.Cosmetically, this is an excellent and well kept example of one of Fender's early Blonde designs, with clean and original rough blonde tolex. There are a couple light stains on the head from where the sap in the pine enclosures has tinted the tolex and these markings perfectly match the knots in the pine. The oxblood grillcloth is original on both the head and cab as well. The plastic "dogbone" handle on the head is original, and the cabinet handle is a modern genuine Fender reissue. The flat "Fender" logos, chrome tilt-back legs and piggyback clip bars are also original.This 1962 Fender Bandmaster has been well maintained with new tubes, newly reconed Oxford speakers, and a checkup of the circuit to ensure years of reliable Fender Brownface tube tone!Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $145, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Description
| Brand: | Fender | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| Model: | Bandmaster | Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States |
| Exact Year: | 1962 | UPC: | Does not apply |
Up for sale, a 1962 Fender Bandmaster in excellent condition and in perfect working order. This early "Piggyback" version of the Bandmaster is decked out in original rough blonde tolex with oxblood grillcloth as well as a pair of Oxford 12M6 speakers! The Brownface circuit drives two 6L6 power tubes for roughly 40 powerful watts of pure tube goodness. Like the Tweed amps that preceded it, the Brownface circuits are very dynamic and respond well to picking dynamics with Fender's hi-fi glassy clean tones. The EQ controls have a huge range and after around 5 on the volume dial, the amp cascades into very rich tube overdrive that compresses a bit and feels slightly loose and gritty in just the right way without losing too much clarity. It's the kind of natural tube overdrive that only comes from pushing a well designed Fender circuit to its limit! The Harmonic Vibrato circuit is also a complex design only found on the top-tier Brownface models, utilizing three tubes and creating a lush pitch shifting effect that has more in common with a Leslie or Chorus than a traditional tremolo!The preamp is extremely original, and all of the famed blue Ajax tone caps are intact, with stock Stackpole pots, carbon comp resistors and cloth wire. While the power transformer and choke are both original and date to '62, the output transformer has been swapped in favor of a vintage Bassman transformer. This Bassman tranny was manufactured by Schumacher (who also made the original power transformer and choke) and is a fairly common upgrade, adding more power and low end fullness to the tone. The output transformer dates to 1969. The amp is stocked with all new tubes including a pair of matched Sovtek 5881s (6L6s). The power amp has been professionally recapped, and the original gray two-prong power cable is intact, although we'd be happy to upgrade to a modern three-prong free of charge. Inside the head cabinet, the tube chart is very clean and fully intact, with an LJ date code that translates to October of 1962.
The speaker cab is loaded with a pair of early Oxford 12M6 ceramic speakers with fresh recones, ready to handle another fifty years of use. These Oxford 12" drivers date to early 1963, and while they are not original to the cab, they are factory spec for Fender Bassmans from this era and are the perfect match for handling the increased punch and power of the Bassman output transformer. Very rare in any condition, this matched Oxford pair sounds fantastic, will clear top end, great midrange detail and a smooth, rich breakup at high volumes.Cosmetically, this is an excellent and well kept example of one of Fender's early Blonde designs, with clean and original rough blonde tolex. There are a couple light stains on the head from where the sap in the pine enclosures has tinted the tolex and these markings perfectly match the knots in the pine. The oxblood grillcloth is original on both the head and cab as well. The plastic "dogbone" handle on the head is original, and the cabinet handle is a modern genuine Fender reissue. The flat "Fender" logos, chrome tilt-back legs and piggyback clip bars are also original.This 1962 Fender Bandmaster has been well maintained with new tubes, newly reconed Oxford speakers, and a checkup of the circuit to ensure years of reliable Fender Brownface tube tone!
The speaker cab is loaded with a pair of early Oxford 12M6 ceramic speakers with fresh recones, ready to handle another fifty years of use. These Oxford 12" drivers date to early 1963, and while they are not original to the cab, they are factory spec for Fender Bassmans from this era and are the perfect match for handling the increased punch and power of the Bassman output transformer. Very rare in any condition, this matched Oxford pair sounds fantastic, will clear top end, great midrange detail and a smooth, rich breakup at high volumes.Cosmetically, this is an excellent and well kept example of one of Fender's early Blonde designs, with clean and original rough blonde tolex. There are a couple light stains on the head from where the sap in the pine enclosures has tinted the tolex and these markings perfectly match the knots in the pine. The oxblood grillcloth is original on both the head and cab as well. The plastic "dogbone" handle on the head is original, and the cabinet handle is a modern genuine Fender reissue. The flat "Fender" logos, chrome tilt-back legs and piggyback clip bars are also original.This 1962 Fender Bandmaster has been well maintained with new tubes, newly reconed Oxford speakers, and a checkup of the circuit to ensure years of reliable Fender Brownface tube tone!
Please check out our shop "Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar" on the web, and feel free to call us directly with any questions at 206.399.8518.
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $145, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!
Shipping in the continental USA will be by FedEx Ground and will be $145, fully insured. We use double thick boxes, 1" foam and industrial 1/2" bubble wrap to assure that your amp arrives safely. We will happily ship WORLDWIDE, but please contact us for an accurate international shipping quote before bidding or buying, as cost varies by buyer location.International orders will be declared as “merchandise,” and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. No exceptions! The customer is responsible for all taxes and duty, which may be collected upon delivery.We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please contact us with any questions or concerns prior to bidding or buying. We require payment within 48 hours of auction end. In the unlikely event of a return, buyer pays all shipping costs. Your positive feedback and five star ratings are very important to us, and we appreciate your communication in resolving any issues!