Help with Fender Bandmaster Please

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 1 Sep 2001 12:01 pm

I have a 1964 Bandmaster that my dad bought new.The tubes have been taken out and no one knows where they are.The problem, I can't make out the tube chart.The 1st one calls for a 6L6,does anyone know what the second one should be.I just want to be sure before I power it up.Thanks in advance-------bb

Ron Whitworth · Post by **Ron Whitworth** » 1 Sep 2001 2:39 pm

Hello Bobby;
Since no one else has answered you yet;i will give it a shot..I am NO expert by no means but some one will correct this if i am wrong.My book shows the '64 Bandmaster to be the AB763 Schematic so the tube layout is as follows from left to right(looking from the rear of the amp)
#1. 6L6GC Power tube
#2. 6L6GC Power tube
#3. 12AT7 Phase Inverter
#4. 12AX7 Vibrato Pedal
#5. 7025 Normal Channel
#6. 7025 Treble Channel

I hope this helps you out!!By the way; is your amp the white tolex covering or the black tolex covering?? Also; yours should have the "bright" switches & NO presence control-is this correct?? Also; this amp is 40watt output w/a 4ohm speaker plugged into it..Later Ron [This message was edited by Ron Whitworth on 01 September 2001 at 03:40 PM.][This message was edited by Ron Whitworth on 01 September 2001 at 03:48 PM.]

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 2 Sep 2001 8:03 am

Thank's Ron for taking the time to help.Yes it has the white tolex.Also this was the first year they used the black knobs.

jerry wallace · Post by **jerry wallace** » 2 Sep 2001 9:54 am

Bobby,Ron has the tubes exalty right

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Jerry Wallace-2001 Zum: D-10,8+6, "98 Zum: D-10,8+8,Nashville 1000,Session 500 ,Session 400 head only amp,Tubefex,ProfexII, Artesia, New Mexico
http://communities.msn.com/jerrywallacemusic

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 2 Sep 2001 1:20 pm

Hey BB--you evr see this site?
http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/index.html

Great reference aid.

I've got a ton of tube amp links including some real active forums for hard-core tube heads if you want 'em.

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 4 Sep 2001 2:00 pm

Bobby,
The hot ticket wold be to take this amp to a tech when you get the new tubes and have him bias it for you. Also, a good tech may have lots of 6L6 types of tubes to choose from. Amps that haven't been used in a long while may want to have the filter caps re-formed. A good once-over could make this amp sound great and last a long time.

Bob

Tim Rowley · Post by **Tim Rowley** » 4 Sep 2001 8:25 pm

Bobby,

Ditto to what Bob Metzger said. MEGA-DITTO!!

For instance, if you intend to use the amp for lead work or in other words want a smooth overdrive at higher volume levels, you can use the mil-spec 5881 or 6L6WGB output tubes instead of the standard 6L6GC's. But whatever output tubes you use, get a well-matched pair and adjust that bias slug correctly. And like Bob said, you can bet that you will need new filter capacitors unless they have been changed recently. If you don't have experience around capacitors, have a qualified tech do this job as it could save your life! While the chassis is out, this would be a good time for the tech to carefully re-heat all the solder joints to make sure they're all 100% good and check other components as well.

Bandmasters are cool amplifiers and can be pretty loud into a 4 ohm load with an efficient pair of 12" speakers! I can personally attest to this from past experience.

Tim R.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 4 Sep 2001 9:10 pm

Thanks to all that replied here and through E-mail.This amp was only used a couple of years.It looks brand new all over.
Something I find interesting is this amp has voltage switch.You can set it to operate from 117 to 240 volts.Also it does not have a standard plug in.It came this way new,and was purchased here in the states.Anyone ever seen one like this??--------bb

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 5 Sep 2001 4:18 am

Bobby
It could be the amp was set up for
export. You really should have it
checked out by someone. I would recommend
David Allen. He builds his own boutique
style amp. He is the best blackface amp
tech I've known. You can find his web page
at www.allenamps.com

You have a real collectable amp.

Rick

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Rick Johnson

Bob Farlow · Post by **Bob Farlow** » 10 Sep 2001 3:15 am

The 6L6WGB is not recommended to sub for a 6L6GC.

Bobby Boggs · Post by **Bobby Boggs** » 10 Sep 2001 6:32 pm

Thanks to you guys and Ampwares I've learned a lot about my old Fenders.BTW they both sound GREAT!! My best to all.---bb