Fender Bandmaster: Difference between revisions

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The Fender Bandmaster was a musical instrument amplifier made by Fender. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974. ^[1]

This page focuses solely on the Bandmaster. See also Bandmaster Reverb.

Timeline

Timeline gleaned from ^[2]

Year	Inputs	Output	Form	Speakers	Controls	Circuit/Model	Price
1953	2 instr, 1 mic		Combo (Wide Panel)	(1) 15" + ext jack	Volume, Treble, Bass	5C7	$229.50
1954	2 instr, 1 mic		Combo (Wide Panel)	(1) 15" + ext jack	Volume, Treble, Bass	5D7
1955	2 instr, 1 mic	26 watts	Combo (Narrow Panel)	(3) 10" + ext jack	Volume, Treble, Bass, Presence	5E7
April 1960	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks		Combo (w/Modern Fender style)		each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity master Presence	6G7
End 1960	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks				each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity master Presence
Feb 1961	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks		Piggyback ("head")	None	each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity master Presence	6G7-A
1963	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks	40 watts	Piggyback ("head")	None	each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity Presence removed, "Bright" added	AB763
1968	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks		Piggyback ("head")	None	each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity Bright	AA568
1969	2 channels, each with high & low impedance input jacks		Piggyback ("head")	None	each channel: Volume, Treble, Bass Vibrato channel also: Speed, Intensity Bright	AA1069
1974	Discontinued	.	.	.	.	.

Cosmetics

Tweed
Blackface
Silverface 1967 - 1974
- Drip Edge 1967 - 1968
- Black Line 1967 -

Circuit Notes

AB763

The AB763 (designed in July, 1963) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. 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.

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 silver faceplate used from 1968 to 1974. It should be noted, though, that the circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time, and 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.

References

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

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

[2] Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 141: / Line 141: @@
 ===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 silver faceplate used from 1968 to 1974.  It should be noted, though, that the circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time, and some 1967 and early 1968 Bandmasters still possessed the AB763 circuitry.
+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 silver faceplate used from 1968 to 1974.  It should be noted, though, that the circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time, and 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.