Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $700
Standard/Professional
$300
$801+
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Description
The Fender Bandmaster guitar amplifier head is a classic choice for musicians seeking vintage-inspired tone with modern reliability. Known for its distinctive all-tube circuitry, the Bandmaster delivers a warm, rich sound that has been favored by guitarists for decades. This amp head is particularly revered for its versatility, capable of producing everything from clean, shimmering highs to gritty, overdriven lows, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles. The Fender Bandmaster is a perfect companion for both studio sessions and live performances, offering a robust and consistent output that musicians can depend on.
Equipped with both Normal and Bright channels, the Bandmaster allows you to tailor your sound to your precise needs, whether you're looking to highlight intricate picking patterns or powerful, sustained chords. The inclusion of a tube-driven spring reverb adds another layer of depth to your sound, providing a lush, ambient quality that enhances your playing. With its rugged construction and classic design, the Fender Bandmaster not only sounds great but also stands up to the demands of the road.
Key Features:
- All-tube circuitry for authentic, warm tone
- Two channels: Normal and Bright
- Tube-driven spring reverb for added depth
- Classic Fender design with robust construction
- Suitable for both studio and live performance settings
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Bandmaster 40-Watt 2-Channel Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Black Panel |
| Year | 1963 - 1967 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Model Family | Fender Bandmaster |
| Model Sub-Family | Fender Bandmaster Amp |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 40 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 |
| Reverb | None |
| Series | Fender Vintage Black Panel Amps |
FAQs
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster?
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The Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster is known for its clean, articulate tones with a warm midrange. It delivers a classic Fender sound, ideal for genres like blues, rock, and surf music.
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Is the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with its 40-watt output, the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster is powerful enough for small to medium-sized venues, delivering clear tones that cut through a band mix.
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Does the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster have built-in reverb?
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No, the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster does not include built-in reverb, which is typical for amplifiers from this era and model.
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What type of power tubes does the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster use?
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The Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster uses 6L6 power tubes, contributing to its robust and dynamic sound.
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How many channels does the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster have?
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The Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster features two channels, allowing for versatile sound options and easy switching between different tonal settings.
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Can the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster handle effects pedals well?
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Yes, the Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster is known for taking pedals well, making it a great choice for guitarists who use effects to shape their sound.
Videos
Vintage Tone
1968 Fender Bandmaster Drip Edge + matching cab
1968 Fender Bandmaster Drip Edge + matching cab
Vintage Tone
Reviews
PROS
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Classic vintage Fender tone, versatile for various music genres
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Exceptional pedal platform with clean tone and organic overdrive
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Unique vibrato circuit reminiscent of vintage models
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Lightweight and aesthetically appealing design
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Ideal wattage and tone balance for versatile use
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Offers a tight low-end due to solid-state rectifier
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Two stages of pre-amplification for expanded tonal possibilities
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Excellent for small gigs and recording sessions
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Competitive price for its quality and performance
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Great headroom without excessive volume
CONS
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Lack of built-in reverb may deter some players
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Smaller output transformer may limit headroom for some users
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Requires careful handling to avoid speaker damage at high volumes
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Some models may require restoration to original specifications
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 8 Ratings
Seriously Underrated and the AB763 version can be jumpered which a lot of players miss out on!
The blackface Bandmaster is a really underappreciated gem. This amp uses a solid state rectifier, which means tighter low-end and no rectifier sag. For some people, tube rectifier sag is desirable and I'd agree depending on the application. I feel the effect of tube sag is really only noticeable when you really push an amp, and I think the Bandmaster sounds best as a pristine class "fender" sounding amp. So even though tube purists may disagree, I think the diode rectifier in the BF Bandmaster is an overall win.
That said, if you're insane or reckless the sound of old alnico speaker break-up is amazing for indy or hard rock tone. I don't think the glory of that tone is worth the risk to the speakers though.
BUT here's the trick that makes this amp a total sleeper (at least the versions based on the AB763 circuit): Each channel of this amp has two stages of pre-amplification, a 12ax7 for the vibrato channel and a nearly identical 7025 in the normal channel. Without getting technical, this means with your guitar plugged into normal jack 1, you can plug a short guitar cord from jack 2 of the normal channel into jack 1 of the vibrato channel. Congratulations, you've just opened up a whole slew of tonal possibilities! All tone controls are compounded and combined!
If you've got this amp but think it's a bit one dimensional in tone, jumper it as described above, just don't spread the news too much, we don't want to drive the price of this amp into the stratosphere! Hah.
41029
country crunch
I owned a mid 60s bandmaster with the matching small box 2x12 cab. This was without a doubt the best sounding piggyback fender I've owned for Americana type music. It had THAT SOUND from so many 60s recordings of every style... wonderful edge of breakup tones. You can bridge the channels on these because both channels are in-phase with the trem disengaged... the amp had what one friend called 'cowboy crunch' when bridged and pushed hard. I sadly was forced to sell this amp on short notice to sam ash because my wife needed a couple grand in emergency dental work :-( I got great money for it versus the $800 I paid for the whole rig, but I've enver seen one this clean that sounded this good since... even the beaters don't sound like mine. Last I checked it was still owned by sam ash, so if I ever have a couple grand burning a hole in my pocket I'll meet their asking price. A lot of people are down on this amp versus the bassman because the smaller output transformer gives it a weaker sound and less headroom (by their standards) but I found it to have just the right amount of grit to the tone and the tightest bass of any large fender I've played aside from the tremolux heads. No boominess at all. Very much a giant deluxe reverb without reverb... not all blackface bandmasters are created equal though. mine sounded really good.
Artist usage
Add artist
Welcome to all you Tommy Bolin fans! If you want to know more about the equipment of Tommy Bolin and how to achieve his sound, read this article by ’treblebooster’.
Oz Noy lists all of his current gear, including this one on his website.
For the gear geeks out there, this is what I ended up using in the end:
8-string guitar: @aristidesguitars 080s Strings: @elixir_strings nanoweb 10-74
Acoustic guitar: @babiczguitars Identity + @martinguitarsnorway Strings: @martinguitar Acoustic SP Custom Light 11
Pick: Custom “Leprous|TorO” Jazz III - 1.14
Song writing / rehearsal amplification: @kemperamps_official Stage
Recording amplification: @hiwattofficial Custom 50 @fender Band-master
Fx: @ehx Soul Food + @xoticusa BB preamp
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Dimitri is seen using a Fender Bandmaster head and cab in this Instagram post.
Fender Bandmaster Amp spotted in his home studio in this clip supporting Tracey's solo release.
Tracey Thorn - Singles Bar - live at home
At 3:09, underneath a silver-chassis Bassman, there is a Bandmaster that says "JAMES!" on the grill cloth. However, it is his amplifier.
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Jim Roth is shown using a Fender Bandmaster in a photo posted by jermsfuzz on Instagram, tagged with #fenderamp and #bandmaster.
The Hives' Rig Rundown article states, "Arson uses a Fender Bandmaster and '76 Fender Vibrolux, both on all the time."
"Dave (Amato) recently gave me a mid Sixties Fender Bandmaster, just like the one I had in high school. That was the coolest gift ever. Dave is a great guy. I leave that amp at home, and my sons’ band plays through it."
At 3:11 into this video, we can see Thompson's Fender Bandmaster.
In the YouTube video titled "ISN'T SHE LOVELY" by Stevie Wonder, Miguel Talavera is seen using a Fender Bandmaster amplifier head paired with an Engl cabinet.
Album Usage
The Fender 'Black Panel' Bandmaster (1963-1967) has been featured on the following albums:
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 'Black Panel' Bandmaster (1963-1967), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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