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{{Short description|Musical instrument amplifier}}{{More citations needed|date=May 2024}}
{{See also|Fender Bandmaster Reverb}}
{{See also|Fender Bandmaster Reverb}}
[[File:Fender Bandmaster Amp.jpg|thumb|Fender Bandmaster, model 5G7, early 1960]]
The '''Fender Bandmaster''' was a musical instrument [[amplifier]] made by [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]]. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974.<ref name=teagle-sprung>Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years</ref>
The '''Fender Bandmaster''' was a musical instrument [[amplifier]] made by [[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]]. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974.<ref name=teagle-sprung>Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years</ref> Some early models had both a [[microphone]] input and instrument inputs. Beginning in 1960, Bandmaster amps were equipped with a [[vibrato]] [[effect unit|effect]]. In the 2000s, vintage Bandmaster amps remain in use by [[blues]], [[Americana (music)|Americana]] and [[rock and roll]] bands.


== Gallery ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:42fd 1.JPG|thumb|right|{{deletable image-caption}} ]] -->
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:1968_Fender_Bandmaster_front.jpg |Fender Bandmaster, silverface, 1968 "drip-edge" with AB763 circuit
File:1968_Fender_Bandmaster_front.jpg |Fender Bandmaster, silverface, 1968 "drip-edge" with AB763 circuit
File:1968_Fender_Bandmaster_back.jpg |(back)
File:1968_Fender_Bandmaster_back.jpg |(back)
</gallery>
</gallery>

==Timeline==
''Timeline gleaned from<ref name=teagle-sprung />''
{| border="5" cellspacing="5" cellpadding="2"
| Year
| Inputs
| Output
| Form
| Speakers
| Controls
| Circuit/Model
| Price
|-
| 1953
| 2 instr, 1 mic
|
| Combo (Wide Panel)<br>Tweed
| (1) 15" + ext jack<br> Jensen P15N
| Volume, Treble, Bass
| 5C7
| $229.50
|-
| 1954
| 2 instr, 1 mic
|
| Combo (Wide Panel)<br>Tweed
| (1) 15" + ext jack
| Volume, Treble, Bass
| 5D7
|
|-
| 1955
| 2 instr, 1 mic
| 26 watts
| Combo (Narrow Panel)<br>Tweed
| (3) 10" + ext jack
| Volume, Treble, Bass, Presence
| 5E7
|
|-
| April 1960
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
| 40 watts
| Combo<br>(w/Modern Fender style)<br>brown Tolex
|
| each channel: Treble, Bass, Volume<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
master Presence
| 6G7
|
|-
| End 1960
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
| 40 watts
| Combo<br>brown Tolex
|
| each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
master Presence
| 6G7-A
|
|-
| Feb 1961-
June 1963
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
| 40 Watts
| Piggyback ("head")<br>cream Tolex
| (2) 12" + ext. jack
Oxford 12M6-10, Jensen C12N
| each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
master Presence
| 6G7-A
|
|-
| July 1963
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
| 40 watts
| Piggyback ("head")<br>black Tolex
| None
| each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
Presence removed, "Bright" added
| AB763
|
|-
| 1968
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
|
| Piggyback ("head")
| None
| each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
Bright
| AA568
|
|-
| 1969
| 2 channels, each with<br>
high & low sensitivity<br>
input jacks
|
| Piggyback ("head")
| None
| each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass<br>
Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity<br>
Bright
| AA1069
|
|-
| 1974
| Discontinued
| .
| .
| .
| .
| .
|}

==Cosmetics==
* [[Tweed (Fender)|Tweed]]
* [[Blonde (Fender)|Blonde]]
* [[Blackface (Fender)|Blackface]]
* [[Silverface]] 1967–1974
** Drip Edge 1967–1968
** Black Line 1967–

==Circuit notes==

===5C7===
The first Bandmaster was in all respects almost identical to the Fender Pro, a dual-6L6 26-watt amp with a 1x15 speaker, with one difference: separate treble and bass controls, where the Pro like all other Fender amps to that time only had a single "Tone" knob. Like the other larger Fender amps, the Bandmaster used cathode-biased 6L6G output tubes, a 6SC7 paraphase inverter, and two more 6SC7s in the preamp with a 5U4 rectifier.

===5D7===
The D-series circuits represented Fender's shift from octal preamp tubes, e.g. the 6SC7, to nine-pin mini-tubes of the 12A(n)7 family, as well as the introduction of the floating-paraphase inverter.

===5E7===
Negative feedback and filter choke added, and the output section given fixed (grid) rather than cathode bias.<ref>http://www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetubestore/schematics/Fender/Fender-Bandmaster-5E7-Schematic.pdf</ref> Phase inverter changed to cathodyne (concertina) type.<ref>http://www.thetubestore.com/Resources/Guitar-Amp-Info/Early-Fender-Tweed-Amps#tweed Bandmaster 5E7 and Super 5F4</ref>

===6G7-A===
The 6G(n)-A circuit was used in several Fender amplifiers, including the Bandmaster.<ref>6G4-A (Super), 6G5-A (Pro), 6G7-A (Bandmaster), 6G12-A (Concert) and 6G13-A (Vibrasonic), together with an 85-watt four output-tube variant 6G8-A (Twin) and 6G14-A (Showman)</ref> It produces 40 watts into 4 ohms. The circuit was used from 1961 until July 1963 when the "AB763" circuit was introduced. "Blonde" aficionados feel this circuit has superior tonal characteristics when overdriven, to the AB763 circuit. The 6G7-A<ref>http://www.thetubestore.com/lib/thetubestore/schematics/Fender/Fender-Bandmaster-6G7A-Schematic.pdf</ref> circuit used the long-tail pair phase inverter introduced with the 1957 Bassman, and also included a vibrato that is heralded as Fender's best by many enthusiasts. Power tubes were now 5881s (6L6WGBs).<ref>schema electrique pour un fender ban master 1961</ref>

===AA/AB763===
The AA763 (July 1963) and improved AB763 (March 1964) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. The complex brownface "harmonic vibrato", however, was replaced by a simpler electro-optic oscillator. Power tubes were the even beefier 6L6GC. Amps retrofitted to this circuitry are described as having been "blackfaced," a reference to the black faceplate used on these amps during much of this era.<ref>http://www.thetubestore.com/Resources/Guitar-Amp-Info/Vintage-Fender-Tube-Amp-Info#Bandmaster AA763, AB763</ref>

===AA568===
The AA568 version (introduced May, 1968) was met with popular dislike by Fender's customers. It is referred to at times as the "[[silverface]]" circuit, referring to the brushed aluminum control plate used from 1968 to 1974. The circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time; some 1967 and early 1968 Bandmasters still possessed the AB763 circuitry.

Unfortunately, the tube chart inside the amp head cannot be reliably used to differentiate the AB763 from the later circuits, as Fender continued using the older tube charts for a while after changing the circuit configuration.

===AA1069===
Some of the changes from the AA568 were reverted in October, 1969, yielding the AA1069 circuit, but many of the changes remained in place.

==See also==
*[[Fender Bandmaster Reverb|Bandmaster Reverb]]
*[[Fender Musical Instruments Corporation|Fender]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<References/>


{{Fender}}
{{Fender}}
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[[Category:Instrument amplifiers]]
[[Category:Instrument amplifiers]]
[[Category:Fender amplifiers|B]]
[[Category:Fender amplifiers|B]]
[[Category:Musical instruments invented in the 1950s]]

{{Guitar-stub}}

Latest revision as of 07:18, 19 May 2024

See also: Fender Bandmaster Reverb
Fender Bandmaster, model 5G7, early 1960

The Fender Bandmaster was a musical instrument amplifier made by Fender. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974.[1] Some early models had both a microphone input and instrument inputs. Beginning in 1960, Bandmaster amps were equipped with a vibrato effect. In the 2000s, vintage Bandmaster amps remain in use by blues, Americana and rock and roll bands.

Gallery[edit]

  • Fender Bandmaster, silverface, 1968 "drip-edge" with AB763 circuit
    Fender Bandmaster, silverface, 1968 "drip-edge" with AB763 circuit
  • (back)
    (back)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years
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