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Average Price: $1,000

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

The Fender Dual Showman is a classic choice for guitarists seeking powerful and versatile amplification. Renowned for its all-tube circuitry, this guitar amplifier head delivers the rich, warm tones that have been a hallmark of Fender amps since the 1960s. Its formidable output offers plenty of headroom, making it ideal for both clean and distorted sounds, and perfect for large venues where you need your sound to project with clarity and authority.

With its twin channels and flexible tone controls, the Dual Showman provides a range of tonal options to suit various musical styles. The vibrato channel offers additional depth, making it a favorite among surf rock enthusiasts and musicians who appreciate vintage soundscapes. The robust construction ensures it withstands the rigors of touring, while the straightforward interface appeals to both seasoned professionals and those just starting their musical journey.

Key Features:

  • All-tube circuitry for warm, authentic tones
  • Twin channels with independent controls
  • Vibrato channel for added depth and modulation
  • High headroom for clear sound projection
  • Ideal for large venues and live performances
  • Classic design, true to Fender's legacy

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Dual Showman "Drip Edge" 2-Channel 85-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish Silverface
Year 1968 - 1970
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
Direct Output No Direct Output
Electronics Tube
Impedance 4 ohms
Model Family Fender Showman Amp
Model Sub-Family Fender Dual Showman
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 4 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 85
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb None
Series Fender Vintage Silverface Amps

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp?

The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp is known for its clean, powerful tones with a strong emphasis on midrange clarity, making it ideal for surf rock and clean jazz tones. It lacks built-in reverb, offering a pure tube-driven sound.

How much power does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp deliver?

This amp delivers 85 watts of power, providing ample volume and headroom for live performances and larger venues.

Is the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp suitable for use with guitar pedals?

Yes, the Dual Showman Amp takes pedals well, thanks to its clean and transparent sound, allowing effects to shine without unwanted coloration.

What type of tubes does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp use?

The amp uses 6L6 power tubes, which contribute to its robust and clean sound output, characteristic of Fender's classic tube amps.

Does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp have built-in reverb?

No, the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp does not feature built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering a pure, uncolored tube sound.

Grayzercaster

Grayzercaster

Fender dual showman demo

Video thumbnail for Fender dual showman demo by Grayzercaster

Fender dual showman demo

Grayzercaster

Grayzercaster

Reviews

PROS

  • Incredible clean channel with ample headroom

  • Advanced features for its time, like selectable impedance and XLR out

  • Works well with extensive pedalboards

  • Unique push-pull EQ knobs on drive channel

  • Big, punchy clean tones

CONS

  • Drive channel challenging to dial in

  • May require patience to achieve desirable drive tones

  • Clean tone might be too powerful for some preferences

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp.

Features and functionality

  • The Dual Showman is essentially a Twin Reverb in a head and cab format, providing similar tonal qualities but in a different configuration.

    Source
  • Jumping channels together on the Dual Showman provides unique tonal options, unlike the Twin Reverb where they're out of phase.

    Source
  • The "drip edge" aesthetic is often associated with earlier circuits, suggesting potential high-quality internals, though variations exist due to parts inventory at the time.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Silver era Fender amps have simple circuits that are easy and relatively inexpensive to modify to different era circuits.

    Source
  • Owners note the installation of a 3-prong cable, indicating the removal of the death cap, which is a common safety modification.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A '68 Dual Showman paired with a 4ohm JBL K130 speaker in a Showman tone ring cab excels for pedal steel and guitar, offering powerful volume and tone.

    Source
  • The amp is ideal for large outdoor gigs or civic centers, but impractical for home use due to its excessive volume.

    Source
  • The amp excels in genres like shoegaze, post-punk, and alternative rock, providing a versatile tone that satisfies specific musical styles.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners note that the Dual Showman is overpriced at $1200, suggesting a fairer price would be below $900.

    Source
  • Early Silverface models are recommended for their clean tone and affordability, offering a cost-effective alternative to pricier Blackface models while achieving near-identical results for many users.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Dual Showman is described as essentially a Twin Reverb in head and cab form, but the head's loudness and weight are significant considerations.

    Source

User experience

  • The amp's loudness is seen as excessive for modern live environments, limiting its practical use.

    Source
  • After acquiring a misidentified 1969 model advertised as a 1974, an owner highlighted the importance of verifying details for potential undervalued purchases.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • One owner identified the need for a recap, highlighting maintenance as a crucial aspect for older models to maintain optimal performance.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mayheaven

A clean, powerful beast

I own one of the late 80's, Rivera-designed, "red knob" Dual Showman heads. The clean channel is absolutely incredible, with headroom for days. The drive channel, with it's push-pull EQ knobs, is very difficult to dial in, but can yield decent tones with a bit of patience and effort. I like to run the drive channel just on the edge of breakup, then use overdrive and fuzz to gain stage.

The features on this amp are very advanced for the time period, with selectable impedance, effects loop, damping switch, and XLR out for recording (all on an amp from the 80's!). This amp is highly recommended for the guitarist with a gigantic pedalboard that wants a stage ready showstopper.

jimmarchi1

the red knobs really need their own category, I'll take care of it

jimmarchi1

!

I owned a hacked (by a moron) and then restored (by me and my buddy) '63 Fender Electrical Instruments first-run Dual Showman. Didn't say Dual on it yet, guys, but it was 4 ohms to drive a 2x15 instead of a 1x12 or 1x15 with the 'tone ring'.... Mine was really similar to the ones Dick Dale still tours with. I know this because he and I were comparing notes one time at the Northstar in Philly. I'll say this for my Showman, it had a big, punchy clean tone. Almost too big and too punchy. A twin by any other name is just as stiff....

From Gear Setup
skylinerr

clean

got this the same time as the silver jubilee sold my favourite 2 boogies which i regret but it has a great clean sound

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how John Frusciante uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

John Frusciante

Guitarist

Red Hot Chili Peppers

...
Verified via Photo

In this rig diagram of John Frusciante's rig circa 2001, one can see a Fender Dual Showman.

See how Jimi Hendrix uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Jimi Hendrix

Guitarist

The Isley Brothers

...
Verified via Photo

Jimi acquired new Fender Dual Showman amps in 1968. He would typically use three of these 100 watt amps with cabinets containing two 15-inch J.B.Lansing speakers. These amps were used in the studio, and on the 1968 Experience tour, together with Marshalls and Sunn. Source Jimi Hendrix: Electric Gypsy by Harry Shapiro.

See how Jimmy Page uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Jimmy Page

Guitarist

Led Zeppelin

...
Verified via Photo

Jimmy Page uses the Fender Dual Showman amplifier, as detailed on his official equipment page.

http://www.jimmypage.co.uk/equipment.htm

See how John Lennon uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

John Lennon

Singer, Guitarist

The Beatles

...
Verified via Photo

In the background of this photo taken at Abbey Road studios John can clearly be seen plugged into one of the two Dual Showman amplifiers given to the Beatles by Fender in the 60s. Try not to stare directly into Yoko, its bad for your eyes!

See how Keith Richards uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Keith Richards

Singer, Guitarist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via Groundguitar

Used between '64 and '66

See how Kevin Shields uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Kevin Shields

Guitarist, Singer

My Bloody Valentine

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Used on the You Made Me Realise EP, as mentioned in this May 2018 Sound on Sound article.

“When we did the You Made Me Realise EP, we didn’t really have many instruments,” he says. “I had a Fender Sidekick 65 that I used quite a lot. They were transistor Fender amps and my friend had lent me his [Fender] Dual Showman valve amp. But I actually preferred the hardness of the transistor amps."

See how Pete Townshend uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Pete Townshend

Singer, Guitarist

The Who

...
Verified via Thewho

Pete Townshend’s use of blackface Fender Showman amplifiers and Fender 2x15 cabinets on the American tour in August–September 1967.

See how Lenny Kravitz uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Lenny Kravitz

Guitarist, Singer

The Plastic Ono Band

...
Verified via Photo

In this pic you can spot two Fender Dual Showmans

See how Steve Howe uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Steve Howe

Guitarist

Yes

...
Verified via Gear4music Blog

In an interview with Tom Rice for the Gear4music Blog titled "Yes 'Close to the Edge' 50th Anniversary - Steve Howe EXCLUSIVE Interview," guitarist Steve Howe explains his use of the Fender Dual Showman: "I’d already got a Dual Showman. I don’t know that I had two of them. But what I did have was some sort of Super Twin that had four speakers in it – and it was a big thing. Usually, the front pickup would go in that Double Twin and the Dual Showman would take the back pickup. So that’s how we recorded it. Pretty much, (Tales From) Topographic Oceans was the same thing. Somewhere in the late ‘70s, we started using round stages and the Dual Showmans were just too big a cabinet. So I switched to Twins, which the front-of-house engineer just loved because he said the 12’’s were much better for projection than the 15’’s in the Dual Showmans. So I went to Twins."

See how Greg Howe uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Greg Howe

Guitarist

Richie Kotzen & Greg Howe

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"Those were red knob reissues of the Dual Showman. I still have a few of those. They’re really cool amps. I know Robben Ford plays those and there are a couple of other people who swear by those amps. There’s a Fender twang to those amps that’s really kind of cool."

See how Don Felder uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Don Felder

Guitarist

Eagles

...
Verified via Getty Images

In this image, Don Felder can be seen with a Fender Dual Showman behind him, just to the right of his Marshall JMP 2203. He used this amplifier live with the Eagles from 1976 until 1980. It was used in conjunction with the Marshall JMP on the Eagles' 1980 tour.

See how Eddie Hazel uses Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp

Eddie Hazel

Guitarist, Singer

Funkadelic

...
Verified via Guvna Guitars

Eddie Hazel used the Fender Dual Showman amplifier as his preferred amp in the 1960s, as detailed by Angela Jamoso on Guvna Guitars.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Amp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 41029

jimmarchi1

jimmarchi1

Gear IQ 41029

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