I have a '64, used it for quite a few years and loved it. Used it in bars and clubs almost every week, it's a great amp to run at about 4 on stage and then use a boost, overdrive or distortion pedal in front, sounds beautiful and full. Went to a '65 Bassman since then and now use a custom built amp, but I don't plan on selling the Bandmaster, it was a wonderful amp for gigs and recording. Has that great older Fender sound that the newer amps don't really nail.
@MrSandydillon. I believe I probably filmed the video on a wide angle setting. Then I produced it and spit out a normal format. That is why the amp looks out of proportion. It is a nice amp. I never get to turn it up past 2 or so otherwise it's overpowering the rest of the band in our rehearsal space.
It's pretty hard to describe how loud it is. It's way too loud for most applications unless you want lots of clean headroom. Bassman has larger transformers for the lower frequency of a bass. Both are very loud. Too loud to crank into break up at home. When I play with a drummer in my band, the volume is on about 1.75. The bandmaster is brighter I'd guess. I've never played through a bassman.
@fIRsTRATmAN 40W approx. All tube power. I believe the watts were rated to the max clean volume from the amp. It starts to get dirty around 5 on the volume and gets louder and dirtier from there.
@fIRsTRATmAN. Thanks. I was listening to this again. A few thoughts come to mind. I should re-do another sould clip with a real mic instead of the video cam mic I used here. I also noticed that with the turbo tube screamer on and the amp of 2 it seem dark. Only changing the amp volume to 5 really bightened the sound up and became fuller.
@keithb7 yeah man definately - would love to hear this beast with a mic... If you could demo the different tones with different vol's with and without the tube screamer that would be divine!
@jeTTa002. This recording had original Jensen ceramic C12N speakers dated. Early silverface amps, with the drip edge were the same as the blackface I believe. The later silverface Bandmaster Reverb was not the same.
This video demonstrates the difference in pedal and amp distortion very well. There is no contest.Man when that amp was cranked it was so GOOOOOOOD!!!
Thanks for posting! I'm looking into a bassman or bandmaster and I REALLY appreciate how you showed so many different settings and shared what you were changing without talking too much or trying to be the next "Andy". If only all the other amateur gear vids were done like this!
I just discovered that I have one that was being used for parts. Luckily the only thing missing are the tube sockets for the 6l6's and a few other odds and ends. This goes to my amp tech next week for restoration and I will be ordering a cabinet and faceplate for it as well. WHAT A FIND. Thanks for the demo of what I have owned for years.
I have a '64, used it for quite a few years and loved it. Used it in bars and clubs almost every week, it's a great amp to run at about 4 on stage and then use a boost, overdrive or distortion pedal in front, sounds beautiful and full. Went to a '65 Bassman since then and now use a custom built amp, but I don't plan on selling the Bandmaster, it was a wonderful amp for gigs and recording. Has that great older Fender sound that the newer amps don't really nail.
typsypyg 2 weeks ago
Is it the camara thats making your BM look fat.I would not turn it up to 10 sounds better at 6-7 tone 6 bass4-6...Nice amp
MrSandydillon 2 months ago
@MrSandydillon. I believe I probably filmed the video on a wide angle setting. Then I produced it and spit out a normal format. That is why the amp looks out of proportion. It is a nice amp. I never get to turn it up past 2 or so otherwise it's overpowering the rest of the band in our rehearsal space.
keithb7 2 months ago
I know it's a 40 watt, but could you tell me how loud it is? i'm torn between bassman and bandmaster :/
carrickabc 8 months ago
It's pretty hard to describe how loud it is. It's way too loud for most applications unless you want lots of clean headroom. Bassman has larger transformers for the lower frequency of a bass. Both are very loud. Too loud to crank into break up at home. When I play with a drummer in my band, the volume is on about 1.75. The bandmaster is brighter I'd guess. I've never played through a bassman.
keithb7 8 months ago
Comment removed
Vin2241 6 months ago
great tone... how many watts is this head please? thanks
fIRsTRATmAN 8 months ago
@fIRsTRATmAN 40W approx. All tube power. I believe the watts were rated to the max clean volume from the amp. It starts to get dirty around 5 on the volume and gets louder and dirtier from there.
keithb7 8 months ago
some nice licks and great tone... Superb Bandmaster
fIRsTRATmAN 8 months ago
@fIRsTRATmAN. Thanks. I was listening to this again. A few thoughts come to mind. I should re-do another sould clip with a real mic instead of the video cam mic I used here. I also noticed that with the turbo tube screamer on and the amp of 2 it seem dark. Only changing the amp volume to 5 really bightened the sound up and became fuller.
keithb7 7 months ago
@keithb7 yeah man definately - would love to hear this beast with a mic... If you could demo the different tones with different vol's with and without the tube screamer that would be divine!
fIRsTRATmAN 7 months ago
Do you have original speakers in cab? Is there any difference in sound between blackface and silverface amp?
jeTTa002 8 months ago
@jeTTa002. This recording had original Jensen ceramic C12N speakers dated. Early silverface amps, with the drip edge were the same as the blackface I believe. The later silverface Bandmaster Reverb was not the same.
keithb7 8 months ago
Haven't yet... leaning more toward the Bandmaster though. I'm really into surf guitar and I like the vibrato option. Any mods or changes to this one?
AgentTHREE90 9 months ago
@AgentTHREE90 No Mods or changes. All original except electrolytic cap job and power cord upgrade to 3 prong.
keithb7 8 months ago
This video demonstrates the difference in pedal and amp distortion very well. There is no contest.Man when that amp was cranked it was so GOOOOOOOD!!!
MrWilde71 9 months ago
Thanks for posting! I'm looking into a bassman or bandmaster and I REALLY appreciate how you showed so many different settings and shared what you were changing without talking too much or trying to be the next "Andy". If only all the other amateur gear vids were done like this!
AgentTHREE90 9 months ago
@AgentTHREE90 : What did you end up buying? Bassman or Bandmaster?
keithb7 9 months ago
what kind of guitar are you using a strat?
moneyfornothing13 10 months ago
I just discovered that I have one that was being used for parts. Luckily the only thing missing are the tube sockets for the 6l6's and a few other odds and ends. This goes to my amp tech next week for restoration and I will be ordering a cabinet and faceplate for it as well. WHAT A FIND. Thanks for the demo of what I have owned for years.
ondafritz 1 year ago
Great video! Need more of this sweet amp!
occupiedbytim 2 years ago