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Description

Experience the legendary tone and vintage appeal of the Fender 6G6A/B Bassman, a staple in the world of bass amplification. Originally designed for bassists, this iconic amp stack quickly became a favorite among guitarists for its rich, warm sound and dynamic range. The 6G6A/B version is revered for its distinctive tube-driven circuitry, which delivers a robust and clear output that cuts through any mix. Its simplistic yet highly effective control layout allows for easy adjustments on the fly, making it a practical choice for both studio sessions and live performances.

The Fender 6G6A/B Bassman is equipped with dual 6L6 power tubes, providing the classic American clean tone that seamlessly transitions into smooth overdrive when pushed. Its dynamic response and tonal versatility make it a favorite among musicians who appreciate a pure and uncolored sound. Whether you're crafting the perfect bass line or exploring the amp's potential with a guitar, the Bassman delivers a sound that's both familiar and refreshingly unique.

Key Features:

  • Tube-driven circuitry for warm, vintage tone
  • Dual 6L6 power tubes for powerful output
  • Simplistic control layout for ease of use
  • Classic American clean tone with smooth overdrive
  • Versatile for both bassists and guitarists
  • Ideal for studio and live performances

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Bassman 6G6-A/B Brownface 50-Watt Guitar Head
Finish Blonde
Year 1962 - 1964
Made In United States
Categories Bass Heads, Guitar Heads
Color Family Tan
Direct Output No Direct Output
Electronics Tube
Impedance 4 ohms
Model Family Fender Bassman
Model Sub-Family Fender Bassman Amp
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 4 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 50
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb None
Series Fender Vintage Brown / Blonde Amps

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B?

The Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B is known for its warm, rich tones with a smooth overdrive. It offers a balanced response ideal for both bass and guitar, making it versatile for various genres.

Is the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B suitable for live performances?

Yes, with its 50-watt output and robust tube-driven sound, the Bassman 6G6A/B is powerful enough for live performances, offering clarity and presence on stage.

How does the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B handle pedals?

The Bassman 6G6A/B takes pedals exceptionally well, particularly overdrive and distortion pedals, enhancing its natural tube warmth and dynamic response.

What type of tubes does the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B use?

The Bassman 6G6A/B utilizes 6L6 power tubes, contributing to its robust and classic Fender tone.

Can the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B be used with electric guitars?

Absolutely, while originally designed for bass, the Bassman 6G6A/B is highly popular among guitarists for its exceptional tonal qualities and versatility.

Uncle Doug

Uncle Doug

Rare Brownface 1962 Fender 6G6A Bassman.....in for a Tune-Up

Video thumbnail for Rare Brownface 1962 Fender 6G6A Bassman.....in for a Tune-Up by Uncle Doug

Rare Brownface 1962 Fender 6G6A Bassman.....in for a Tune-Up

Uncle Doug

Uncle Doug

Reviews

PROS

  • Authentic vintage tone that captures the essence of early '60s Fender amps

  • Dynamic breakup makes it ideal for blues and expressive playing

  • Versatile sound range from clean to filthy with pedal integration

  • Exceptional presence knob adds a unique sweetness to the tone

  • Can produce a powerful and commanding sound

CONS

  • Lacks built-in reverb, requiring an external reverb unit for those who desire it

  • Large size may not be convenient for all gigging situations

Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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h535
h535

606

Just can’t be beat.

This amp is beyond compare when it comes to big sound. There is no reverb but you really don’t miss it, the cleans are so rich, so long as your playing is up to it, this amp will serve you well. Cranking this amp yields enough sound to rip your face clean of, and a bite worthy of a lion.

alex_chierichetti

my version

i have the blonde 1961 original speaker one! all orginal tungsol tubes !

jimmarchi1

AWESOME! There are 2 different blonde bassmans and I think they overlapped in '61, so is yours the 1st circuit with a tube rectifier or the solid state rectifier? The original 6L6es are still going? You lucky SOB~!

alex_chierichetti

Yeah it is an original 61 blonde tolex with rectifier and original tubes all..so lucky :)

walter

Beautiful!

jimmarchi1

awesome, though I am gonna say that when it comes to blonde bassmans I much prefer the 2nd generation SS recto version. It kills me to say I prefer SS rectification on an mp to a tube diode, but in this case I do. Not that there's anything wrong with the 1st version, its just that if you put the 2 versions side by side (which I have) the SS rectified one is just a little sweeter.... although if you are going to dime the amps the sag from the tube rectifier is nice for leads....

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kurt Cobain uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Kurt Cobain

Singer, Guitarist

Nirvana

...
Verified

Kurt Cobain utilized a Fender 6G6A/B Bassman amplifier during the recording of the album "Nevermind." This information is corroborated by Dave Friedman, who personally delivered the amp to the studio, as detailed in the "Live Nirvana | Equipment Guide | Kurt Cobain's Amplifiers and Effects Pedals."

See how Billie Joe Armstrong uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Billie Joe Armstrong

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Photo

Billie used Mike’s Bassman (behind him) to record Bobby Sox.

https://www.guitarworld.com/features/green-day-billie-joe-armstrong-saviors-interview

See how Paul McCartney uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Paul McCartney

Singer, Bassist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Photo

You can clearly see Paul using a 1963 blonde Tolex Bassman in this picture.

See how George Harrison uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

George Harrison

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo you can see George sitting in front of a Blonde Bassman amplifier (according to Andy Babiuk, a circa 1961 to 1963 6G6B model), holding the famous "Rocky" strat. This amplifier originally belonged to Paul but was used increasingly by George in the studio throughout the 60s. When the Beatles broke up George wound up with the amp and to the best of my knowledge it currently belongs to his son, Dahni Harrison. You can see it behind Dahni Harrison in the recent "Concert for George."

See how Noel Gallagher uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Noel Gallagher

Singer, Guitarist

Oasis

...
Verified via YouTube

In this interview on That Pedal Show, Noel Gallagher reveals at 1:27:50 that he recently purchased a 1963 Fender Bassman head and speaker. It is unclear whether he has used this on any recordings yet.

See how John Lennon uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Solo Beatles Studios

John can be seen playing through a Blonde Fender Bassman head and matching 2x12 cabinet at various points during the Imagine sessions. The book Imagine John and Yoko misidentifies this amp as being a Showman, but in videos the Bassman name can be seen pretty clearly.

See how Mike Dirnt uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Mike Dirnt

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Guitar World

According to an interview with Billie Joe Armstrong in Guitar World by Richard Bienstock, Billie Joe used Mike Dirnt's Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964) to record "Bobby Sox."

See how Pete Townshend uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Pete Townshend

Singer, Guitarist

The Who

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo the head of this amp can be seen used in a pair of 4x12 marshall cabinets.

See how Mike Campbell uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Mike Campbell

Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via reverb.com

Mike Campbell uses the Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964), as confirmed by its listing on Reverb. The amplifier, identifiable by Serial: BP03588, and its matching 2x12 cabinet are noted for having minor cosmetic blemishes and a slightly scratchy volume knob on the "Normal" side, which reflects typical wear from extensive use.

See how Brian Setzer uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Brian Setzer

Singer, Guitarist

The Brian Setzer Orchestra

...
Verified via YouTube

At 12:55 in this Rig Rundown, Brian Setzer’s guitar tech, Tyler Sweet, discusses the Fender Bassman Amps. “They range from 1961-63 era. They're all brown face, all 6G6B's. Incredible amp. Everybody’s in search of them these days.”

See how Dean Ween uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Dean Ween

Guitarist

Ween

...
Verified via YouTube

At 8:00 we see Deaner use the amp head slaved with his masa/boogie head and cab

See how Bill Wyman uses Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964)

Bill Wyman

Bassist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via ProSoundWeb

A 6G6 cabinet was used on "Brown Sugar", as stated by mix engineer Jimmy Johnson in this September 21, 2018 ProSoundWeb interview.

And guess what we came up with for Bill Wyman? Do you remember those Plexiglas body basses that were around then?

I checked with David Hood later and he says it was a Dan Armstrong. So to the best of our recollection, that’s what it was. He played through David’s Fender Bassman setup, the tube head and separate box.

(...) Did you have a mic on the bass amp?

Yes, the bass guitar mic was an RCA 44. We didn’t have direct back in those days.

An image of Hood's Bassman rig, taken from this March 1, 2019 al.com interview, reveals a blonde 6G6 cabinet as part of the stack.

That said, the bass amplifier rig Hood used for his classic Muscle Shoals Sound Studios work is a Fender Bassman amp head and blonde Fender speaker cabinet.

In 2016, Muscle Shoals Sound reopened at original Sheffield location 3614 Jackson Hwy. and restored to retro ’60s/'70s prime. Hood’s rig was returned to the same spot it was during many vintage sessions. Against the studio wall, just left of the drum booth.

Hood thinks he acquired the Fender head and cabinet in the mid to late '60s.

"My father was in the tire business and got hooked up with a purchasing-agent-type place who would connect you with people to buy things wholesale," Hood says. "They hooked us up with Manny's Music in New York, on 48th Street. It's no longer there, but it was a famous music store. I would call and order things from them. I could hardly talk to them because they spoke so fast, but I started buying amps and would sell them to somebody and buy another one, things like that."

(...) From Manny’s, Hood purchased the blonde cab, containing two 12-inch speakers, originally to use as an extension cabinet with the bass amp he was using. He ended up selling that amp. Now he had an extra cabinet. He then purchased a black Tolex-covered Bassman piggyback amp. “And I can’t remember why I did it, but I brought the blonde cabinet to 3614 (Jackson Hwy.) and we started recording that and using the black Bassman head with it, to monitor myself. Sometimes they’d mic it and sometimes we’d go direct. But I used it always as a monitor. In a studio full of loud guitars and keyboards and everything, you just can’t hear the bass well, even with the headphones. It’s getting where nowadays they have so many channels on the recording stuff they can use several channels for a bass. A long time ago you were lucky if you’d get one channel.”

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender 'Brownface' Bassman 6G6A/B (1962-1964), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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