The original tube chart is mostly intact inside the head, with an ML date stamp that translates to December of 1963. In addition to the Tung Sol power tubes, the amp features a pair of USA-made General Electric 12AX7 preamp tubes along with modern valves from the likes of Mullard and EH. A three-prong power cable has also been installed. The original CTS pots are all intact too, with visible date codes from the 40th week of 1963. All of the original blue molded Ajax capacitors are intact in the preamp and an essential part of the Blackface Fender tone, while the main filter caps have been upgraded to Sprague Atoms to ensure that the circuit is working optimally. The circuit is very clean and original, with the stock Schumacher transformers dating from late 1963-64. The tremolo has a nice strong pulse and a very dimensional sound with a wide range of speeds. Pushing the amp beyond 4 on the Volume dial on either channel yields natural grit and tube breakup, overdriving hard when you dime the controls. This Bandmaster delivers the incredible cleans which are a hallmark of the Blackface tone, with sparkle, clarity and definition unlike any amps before or since. The rare combination of cosmetics on this amp was only seen from the last months of 1963 through mid-64, and this amp sounds particularly good with a matched pair of brand new and freshly biased Tung Sol 5881 power tubes. This Pre-CBS Fender piggyback amp features original smooth blonde tolex and a AA763 circuit, typically only seen on the very first Blackface amps. Up for sale, a 1964 Fender Bandmaster head in excellent condition and in perfect working order.
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