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Description
The Fender Dual Showman Reverb amplifier head is a classic piece of music gear that has captured the hearts of guitarists for decades. Known for its powerful and clean sound, this amp head excels in delivering rich tones that are suitable for a range of musical styles, from rock and blues to jazz and surf. Designed with the professional musician in mind, the Dual Showman Reverb offers a robust platform for both live performances and recording sessions.
With its all-tube design, the Dual Showman Reverb provides a warm and dynamic sound that is highly responsive to your playing style. The amp head features a dual-channel setup, allowing you to switch between normal and vibrato channels seamlessly. Each channel includes individual tone controls, enabling precise sound shaping to suit your needs. The inclusion of Fender's renowned spring reverb and vibrato circuits adds a layer of depth and versatility to your sound, making it a favorite among those who seek a vintage tone with modern reliability.
Key Features:
- All-tube amplifier head for rich, warm sound
- Dual-channel design with Normal and Vibrato channels
- Independent tone controls for each channel
- Built-in spring reverb and vibrato effects
- Ideal for a variety of musical genres, from rock to jazz
- Renowned for its clean, powerful output suitable for stage and studio use
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head |
| Finish | Silverface |
| Year | 1970 - 1976 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Built-In Effects | Built-In Effects |
| Color Family | Black |
| Direct Output | No Direct Output |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 4 ohms |
| Model Family | Fender Showman Amp |
| Model Sub-Family | Fender Dual Showman Reverb |
| Number of Channels | 2 Channels |
| Number of Inputs | 4 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 100 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 |
| Reverb | Spring Reverb |
| Series | Fender Vintage Silverface Amps |
FAQs
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What are the main tonal characteristics of the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp?
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The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp is known for its clean headroom and bright, articulate tones. It features a classic Fender spring reverb and delivers a powerful 100-watt output, making it ideal for clear, punchy sounds suitable for a variety of musical styles.
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Is the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp suitable for live performances?
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Yes, with its 100-watt output, the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp is powerful enough for live performances, especially in larger venues. Its robust clean sound and reverb capabilities make it a versatile choice for gigging musicians.
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What type of power tubes does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb use?
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The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp uses 6L6 power tubes, which contribute to its classic, clean Fender tone and reliable performance.
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Does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp have built-in effects?
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Yes, the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp includes built-in spring reverb, which adds depth and dimension to your sound.
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How many channels does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp have?
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The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp features two channels, providing flexibility for different tonal settings and sound shaping during performances.
Videos
Johan Segeborn
FENDER STACK! Dual Showman Reverb - HUGE GRAND PIANO LIKE TONE!!
Reviews
PROS
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Classic big Fender clean sounds with tons of headroom
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Can choose cabinets for customized sound experiences
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Excellent volume with 85 watts of power, great for live performances
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Offers the possibility to modify and tweak for personalized tone
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Pre-master volume models provide fuller sound compared to later versions
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Compatible with a wide range of guitars for versatile sound profiles
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Less common than Fender Twins, offering unique ownership appeal
CONS
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Requires investment in new tubes upon purchase, adding to initial cost
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The 'pull for crunch' feature may not be appreciated by all, considered too fizzy
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Some users prefer external digital reverb units over the built-in spring reverb
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Volume can be excessively loud, potentially requiring attenuation for home use
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976).
Mods and upgrades
Value and pricing
Comparisons
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Although similar to a Twin Reverb in design, the ultralinear Showman offers a distinct sound profile and may require more frequent tube changes due to increased B+ voltage.
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Late '70s models differ significantly from early Silverface amps due to different transformers and circuit layouts, impacting their tonal qualities.
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The 1969 Dual Showman Reverb is compared favorably to the '65 Twin Reissue, with users finding the former better suited for desired tones in alternative genres.
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Setup and maintenance
Features and functionality
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The ultralinear output transformer with triode-pentode hybrid operation offers more linear amplification, making it a popular pedal platform for clean tones.
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The Dual Showman Reverb is an amplifier head with no built-in speakers; a separate cab is necessary for use.
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The amplifier's "Drip Edge" design is noted for indicating similar internals to Black Face models, although later revisions might differ.
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Use cases and applications
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This amp is described as a "County Fair Amp," implying it's best suited for large, open spaces rather than small venues or home use.
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Owners praise the Dual Showman Reverb for exceptional clean tones, especially when playing shoegaze, post-punk, and alternative rock styles.
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Historically paired with a 2x15 cabinet, it's known for its loud, clean tones suitable for both guitar and bass applications.
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User experience
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Owners highlight the amp's ability to produce a "boiiiinggg" reverb sound, emphasizing its unique auditory character when properly set up with a cab.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings
Artist usage
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David Gilmour used a Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amplifier during the recording sessions for "Wish You Were Here," as confirmed by Kit Rae in "David Gilmour Tone Building."
John Dwyer is known to use a Fender Silverface-era Dual Showman Reverb head, as detailed in PMT Online's gear guide for Thee Oh Sees' new album by Richard Bloomer.
Berry used two stock Dual Showmans (Showmen?) live, as stated in this November 17, 2008 Premier Guitar article, this concert rider taken from this The Smoking Gun page and this December 15, 2011 Questia article. Listings for two of Berry's 1971 D.S.R.'s are linked here and here.
Premier Guitar, "My Amps' Date With Chuck Berry"
He confided that Chuck preferred to play through two Dual Showman Reverb amps, unaltered from factory specifications. “Hmmm,” I thought, rubbing my hands together like a little fly about to feast on a tasty morsel. I then asked, "What would be a fair rental price for you?” He said, “Well I could pay $300 if that sounds fair.”
Not wanting to appear too eager I said I thought that should suffice and made arrangements for someone to come pick up the amps. Only having a Lincoln Town car, I knew I couldn't load those behemoths by myself. So it was agreed that Sharna would come by in the early afternoon of the concert to help fetch the amps. I later found out that Mr. Berry has a stipulation in his contract that unless two Fender Showmans are provided by the promoter, there is an additional $5,000 fee for his performance. This made me feel like my $300 was a paltry fee in light of this information.
Questia
Since his '70s comeback, Berry has managed his own career, and his concert rider has included the following provisions: "Three professional AF to M muscicians, capable and familiar with Chuck Berry's music, to serve as a backup group which must consist of only a 'show' drummer with drums, a pianist and a grand piano, an electric bass guitarist with a bass guitar, and two unaltered Fender Dual Showman Reverb amplifier sets." Now that's rock and roll.
Vintage and Rare listing
I would like to offer my Fender Dual Showman Reverb amp with the original cabinet (2x15'' JBL) and flightcase that comes with it. I bought the amp for rider.nl, which is a backline company in The Netherlands. The amp was used by CHUCK BERRY on an European tour in 2007-2008.
The amp is in superb condition and had a retube this year.
2017 Reverb.com listing
UNIQUE FENDER DUAL SHOWMAN REVERB (HEAD+CAB) FOR SALE PROFESSIONAL FLIGHTCASE FOR THE 2X15INCH CABS.
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY INCLUDED.
YOU CAN SEE CHUCK BERRY USING HIM IN THE LINK BELOW: [Chuck Berry, Let it rock Amsterdam 19 nov 2008]
In an interview with Vintage Guitar Magazine, John Fogerty mentioned that after Creedence Clearwater Revival broke up, he replaced his old and beaten Kustom Amps with more reliable Fender Silver Face Dual Showman Reverbs and Marshall JMP 2203 Heads for live performances. For studio work, he switched to Marshall 2104 Combos and Modded Silverface Fender Twin Reverbs for more gain.
According to the inner sleeve of Rick Wakeman's album The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Wakeman ran all his sounds through a Gender Showman amplifier on the album. This detail is supported by an image available on Equipboard.
This photo from 1970 shows Peter playing his Fender Bass VI Electric Bass Guitar through a Fender Dual Showman Reverb Amp Head.
Brian Bell posted an image of his studio setup where a Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp is visibly present at the top.
Used in the "mid-70s", as stated in this July 13, 2017 Music Radar interview.
His mid-70s bass setup was modelled after that of a local hero, Allman Brothers Band bassist Berry Oakley. “I had two Fender Dual Showman reverb amps: one cabinet with two 12s and one cabinet with four tens,” he remembers. Although Mills is most often associated with the Rickenbacker 4001, he went through a series of basses before finding the Rick.
“I played a beat-up Hofner for a while,” he says. “Then I played an Ampeg Dan Armstrong clear acrylic bass, followed by a Fender Musicmaster, and then I found that ’71 Rick.”
The 4001 remained Mills’ instrument of choice “until one of the horseshoe pickups went out. We couldn’t find another one.” He got a factory-replacement pickup, but wasn’t happy with it, so he went through another series of basses - an Ibanez and Guild among them - before trying out a 1970 Fender Precision he calls Old Yeller after its original finish.
“I had sort of resisted the P-Bass,” he says, “because everybody played them. But then I found out why. It was because they’re the best, especially for live shows. They’re just so durable, and they don’t go out of tune. They sound fantastic, and they feel good to play.”
Eventually, though, Mills’ bass tech located a working vintage horseshoe pickup, and the 4001 was returned to active duty. It’s actually a 4001S with Rick-O-Sound stereo output. “But I’ve never used it,” laughs Mills. “We tried it, but it was more trouble than the sound was worth.”
Mills has made a point of avoiding bass guitars with more than four strings. “I can’t stand them,” he says, admitting that five-string basses “just confuse me.”
In this Levitation session, at 0:39 you get a good look at the dual showman’s extra knobs behind Jean F., and at 3:55, you get a good look at the reverb out wires common on these models.
In a photograph accompanying an article by Peter Keepnews in The New York Times titled "Sam Andrew, Guitarist for Big Brother and the Holding Company, Dies at 73," Sam Andrew is seen playing a 1964 Gibson SG Standard through a JMI Tone Bender MK I into a Fender Dual Showman Reverb TFL5000D Head on a 2x15 Fender Cabinet (circa 1968-69).
Album Usage
The Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976) 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 Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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