• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: vintage fender amps

On the sleeve of TBOJH Joe said he used a fender Tremolux. Anyone know anything about these amps. Between these and the vintage bassmans they are so cheap (as far as vintage gear goes!) that i just might have to pick one or both of them up.
Thanks for the info.

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: vintage fender amps

I like vintage amps, but I don't believe they are road worthy... especially Fender amps. I think Joe himself had some Line6 amps setup for smaller gigs back in the early 2000's to replace the sound of a Twin Reverb because the Twins were not dependable.

I think Kenny Wayne Shepherd has old Fenders too... here's what he said: "I’m playing two of the 1964 blackface Vibroverb re-issues. I’ve always loved the old ones. I think I have three of the originals but I use them in the studio and I never take them out on the road. The minute they reissued these I was like, “I gotta have them."

Others might have a different opinion. The best vintage Fender amp I ever played was a 1970 Fender Twin Reverb that looked new and never left the house. HUGE clean sound.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: vintage fender amps

I have a '65 Blackface Bassman and it's got the original RCA tubes in it...I DO NOT let it leave home.  It's been a very fussy girl but well worth it because there was something magical they were putting in the water at Leo's factory in the early-mid 60's.  I cannot figure out why all the Bassman, Tremolux, Showman, Bandmaster amps from that era are so affordable.  I do get very nervous every time I crank that puppy up past halfway...Oh and be careful a lot of them still have the old 2 prong cords with NO GROUND.  I almost fell to the ground after getting zapped by my Bassman!  It's almost like playing Russian Roulette when I turn it on.  Will I die today or will the amp die?  JK it's pretty reliable but they do need more TLC than a newer amp.  I say buy as many as you can before people wake up and realize they are great sounding amps!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: Illinois
  • Registered: 2008-06-15
  • Posts: 52

Re: vintage fender amps

the re-issue vibroverbs are a phenominal amp in my opinion.  until i get my new ceriatone 2061x marshall clone amp,  i'm running in mono through the fender.  words cant describe how great it sounds.  maybe one of these days i'll record a song or 2 at a show and try to post it somewhere so you can hear it.  really has that bluesy sound. i like it anyway.....  just a comment, lol!