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$300

$801+

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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

What are the main tonal characteristics of the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp?

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.

Is the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp suitable for live performances?

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.

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

The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp uses 6L6 power tubes, which contribute to its classic, clean Fender tone and reliable performance.

Does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp have built-in effects?

Yes, the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp includes built-in spring reverb, which adds depth and dimension to your sound.

How many channels does the Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp have?

The Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp features two channels, providing flexibility for different tonal settings and sound shaping during performances.

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

FENDER STACK! Dual Showman Reverb - HUGE GRAND PIANO LIKE TONE!!

Video thumbnail for FENDER STACK! Dual Showman Reverb - HUGE GRAND PIANO LIKE TONE!! by Johan Segeborn

FENDER STACK! Dual Showman Reverb - HUGE GRAND PIANO LIKE TONE!!

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Video thumbnail for Fender Dual Showman Reverb - LOVES your Guitar Volume and Tone KNOBS!! by Johan Segeborn

Fender Dual Showman Reverb - LOVES your Guitar Volume and Tone KNOBS!!

Johan Segeborn

Johan Segeborn

Video thumbnail for Massive Tone from a 1977 Fender Showman Dual Reverb Amp by Denis Burbach

Massive Tone from a 1977 Fender Showman Dual Reverb Amp

Denis Burbach

Denis Burbach

Reviews

PROS

  • Classic big Fender clean sounds with tons of headroom

  • Can choose cabinets for customized sound experiences

  • Excellent volume with 85 watts of power, great for live performances

  • Offers the possibility to modify and tweak for personalized tone

  • Pre-master volume models provide fuller sound compared to later versions

  • Compatible with a wide range of guitars for versatile sound profiles

  • Less common than Fender Twins, offering unique ownership appeal

CONS

  • Requires investment in new tubes upon purchase, adding to initial cost

  • The 'pull for crunch' feature may not be appreciated by all, considered too fizzy

  • Some users prefer external digital reverb units over the built-in spring reverb

  • 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

  • Users suggest that late '70s models cannot be modified to Blackface specs due to significant circuit and transformer changes.

    Source
  • The ultralinear setup can be modified or defeated with a switch or relay, and the amp's power can be reduced to around 25 watts by a decent tech.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Prices should be compared to actual sold listings on platforms like eBay or Reverb for a realistic valuation.

    Source
  • At $900, it's considered a reasonable price for the sound quality, providing the amp works well and a suitable cab is sourced.

    Source

Comparisons

  • 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.

    Source
  • Late '70s models differ significantly from early Silverface amps due to different transformers and circuit layouts, impacting their tonal qualities.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Checking the condition of tubes and whether a capacitor job has been done is crucial, especially for vintage models around 45 years old.

    Source
  • A Fryette attenuator is recommended by users to manage the amp's high volume levels effectively.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The ultralinear output transformer with triode-pentode hybrid operation offers more linear amplification, making it a popular pedal platform for clean tones.

    Source
  • The Dual Showman Reverb is an amplifier head with no built-in speakers; a separate cab is necessary for use.

    Source
  • The amplifier's "Drip Edge" design is noted for indicating similar internals to Black Face models, although later revisions might differ.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • 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.

    Source
  • Owners praise the Dual Showman Reverb for exceptional clean tones, especially when playing shoegaze, post-punk, and alternative rock styles.

    Source
  • Historically paired with a 2x15 cabinet, it's known for its loud, clean tones suitable for both guitar and bass applications.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners highlight the amp's ability to produce a "boiiiinggg" reverb sound, emphasizing its unique auditory character when properly set up with a cab.

    Source

Build quality

  • An observed feature is the three-prong cable installation, suggesting the removal of the original "death cap" for safety improvements.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

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Artist usage

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See how David Gilmour uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

David Gilmour

Guitarist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Kitrae

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."

See how John Dwyer uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

John Dwyer

Singer, Guitarist

Thee OhSees

...
Verified via PMT Online

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.

See how Chuck Berry uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Chuck Berry

Singer, Guitarist

Chuck Berry & His Combo

...
Verified via YouTube

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]

See how John Fogerty uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

John Fogerty

Singer, Guitarist

Creedence Clearwater Revival

...
Verified

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.

See how Albert King uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Albert King

Guitarist, Singer

Albert King with Stevie Ray Vaughan

...
Verified via YouTube

Albert King playing Blues Power Fillmore East Live 1970

See how Rick Wakeman uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Rick Wakeman

Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

...
Verified via Photo

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.

See how Peter Green uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Peter Green

Singer, Guitarist

Fleetwood Mac

...
Verified via Photo

This photo from 1970 shows Peter playing his Fender Bass VI Electric Bass Guitar through a Fender Dual Showman Reverb Amp Head.

See how Brian Bell uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Brian Bell

Singer, Guitarist

Weezer

...
Verified via Photo

Brian Bell posted an image of his studio setup where a Fender 'Silverface' Dual Showman Reverb amp is visibly present at the top.

See how Mike Mills uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Mike Mills

Guitarist, Bassist

R.E.M.

...
Verified via MusicRadar

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.”

See how Jean F. uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Jean F.

Singer, Guitarist

SLIFT

...
Verified via YouTube

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.

See how Sam Andrew uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Sam Andrew

Guitarist

Big Brother and the Holding Company

...
Verified via The New York Times

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).

See how Tom Barman uses Fender Dual Showman Reverb 2-Channel 100-Watt Guitar Amp Head (1970-1976)

Tom Barman

Singer, Guitarist

Deus

...
Verified via Photo

You can clearly see this amp behind Tom

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.

Community setups

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moneymaker

moneymaker

Gear IQ 101

audiac

audiac

Gear IQ 249

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