1965 Vintage Fender Showman Amp Tube Guitar Amplifier Head Guitar Or Bass
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:6830219 | Brand: Fender |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: United States | Exact Year: 1965 |
This listing is for a Vintage original 1965 Fender Showman (8-ohm version) amplifier. This model of amplifier was used by pretty much everyone back in the 1960’s. Represented historically in photographs you can see that The Beatles had them in Abbey Road studios, Jimi Hendrix, Pete Townshend, Jimmy Page, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and many more. The amp was Fender’s top-of-the-line and most expensive. It’s basically a head version of a Twin Reverb, but without the reverb. It ...sat upon a large 1x15 cab in which the single JBL 15” speaker was mounted to a baffle that was equipped with a “tone ring.” Reverb would have been achieved by adding a Fender reverb unit to the mix. The cab in the photos is of the same time period but from a “Dual Showman, ” which is a 4-ohm cab, and although it is also for sale, it does not run with this head. It’s just there to show the look of the head on a similar cab.This particular head has had some restoration cosmetically but the electronics look to be mostly original, see photos of the inside. The handle, corners, and knobs seem original but the grill cloth and Tolex covering, face plate and piggyback mounts are new. I don’t know the amplifier’s personal history so I’ll just explain what I can.It does turn on and function. I didn’t notice any scratchy control pots, but it does appear that the overall volume is a bit low for an 85-watt, all-tube amp. I’ve had other Showmans and Twins and know it should be a lot louder. It sounds nice, just not as loud as one would expect. I’m not an amp technician or capable of making a judgement call as to whether it is the tubes, biasing, or whatever more elaborate explanation it may be. The tremolo works if you have a footswitch, but I think the intensity has to be turned up about halfway before it kicks in. Speed dial works fine.Anyway, this is all I know, really. It’s being sold as it is. Just a nice-looking, partly-restored vintage Showman that may need a visit to an amp doctor for a tune up, but would probably be well worth the extra attention.Please see photos for details/condition and email me with any questions. Because this is a vintage, pre-owned item, it will be sold as described. All sales are final.Be sure to check out our other listings for more music gear and accessories. We combine shipping.
