The COOLEST Amp I've Ever Seen & Played!

[6L6]

As Groove Tubes founder Aspen Pittman said in his tube amp book, "You either understand or you don't. That's all."

1961 Fender Showman w/Reverb Unit:





As incredible as this amp looks, it sounded even better. All original and in incredible condition, it lasted only half a day when it was sold at REAL GUITARS in San Francisco. If I could have afforded it, it would have been mine and put on permanent display in my living room (wife willing…).

These amps were by custom order only and cost $1200 when new (the reverb unit was extra). The first was built by Leo Fender for Dick Dale and he still has it and uses it on tour.

Just INCREDIBLE!!!

[Steel and wood]

Not familiar with this amp so went straight to Youtube to have a listen.

I love Fender amps.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

Not familiar with this amp so went straight to Youtube to have a listen.

I love Fender amps.

You can't ever, really, evaluate sound on Youtube.

[rmp]

that is a gorgeous thing right there..

[Bob Womack]

That's a very cool amp. I'm trying to remember - is that a brownface circuit in a white tuxedo?

Bob

[guitararmy]

Very nice. My older brother had a blackface Fender Bassman head and cabinet when we were kids...

I've always liked the look of the Tone King Continental amp as well, although I haven't been able to justify getting one.

[muscmp]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

That's a very cool amp. I'm trying to remember - is that a brownface circuit in a white tuxedo?

Bob

bob: it is the 6g14 circuit. here is a link to the start of the showman. it appears to be a combination of the brown tolex "professional" series with the 5881 tubes of late 50s twins. except for when the showman didn't have reverb, 63-68, the twin and showman heads were identical.

http://ampwares.com/?line=showman&production=1960

play music!

[muscmp]

and here i was getting ready to congratulate you on a phenomenal setup. at least you were able to play it.

play music!

[redir]

I would absolutely live to plug into that. I have played through an old reverb unit like that once. Lots of echoey fun.

[jseth]

That is an incredibly clean amplifier, given that it's nearly 55 years old!

Reminds me of the blonde Bandmaster (w/ matching reverb unit) that I had a chance to buy in 1964... couldn't come up with the $$$ at 13 years of age! The deal was from one of the rhythm guitarists in my adopted garage band who had decided to switch to bass.

He offered me a '62 powder blue Strat (rosewood board) and the amp and reverb unit for $175... beg as I might, my Mom and Step-Dad wouldn't come up with the half I didn't have... sigh...

[Steel and wood]

Originally Posted by fazool

You can't ever, really, evaluate sound on Youtube.

Maybe ..... but it's usually my first point of call. (Given that I can't play the amp myself).

[Dru Edwards]

There's something special about those vintage amps. Leo was a genius not just for the Strat/Tele but his amps as well.

[zabdart]

When I was in college, the best rock and roll band in the state played their guitars through Fender Dual Showman Reverb amps going through Vox Super Beatle bottoms. Best rock and roll rigs I ever heard!

[Steve DeRosa]

Went to my first schoolyard dance in the summer of '64 - shortly after I got my first electric/amp (Gretsch Double Annie/Ampeg Rocket top-panel), graduated from sixth grade, and met my wife-to-be (many years later) for the first time...

The lead guitarist in the house band (there were a couple vocal groups on the bill as well) was playing a blonde thin-body '63 Gretsch Country Club through a blonde/oxblood Twin-Amp, the kid brother to your Showman + Reverb rig (TMK same circuit in a 2x12" combo box)...

From that night on, it would forever become the standard by which I would measure electric guitar tone...

You never forget your first love(s)...

[Jeff Scott]

I used to have a 1962 Concert Amp. Basically, a half powered Showman with 4-10s built-in. Very loud. Brownface circuit as far as having the "harmonic vibrato" tremolo circuit (3 tubes - 2 1/2, actually). Mine was in the white Tolex® with oxblood grill cabinet, my favorite Fenders.