This is my buddies amp. I'm so glad you were able to take this in for him. I hope he gets the full treatment, especially after knowing what he traded it for. I cant wait to hear this when its done! Love your work and attention to detail!
I worked on a white tolex version of this.. had been sitting since early 70's, anyway after a filter cap change, pot cleaning .. good to go! 👍incredible amp!!
This amp was made the year I started seriously playing guitar. Saw these when they were brand new. IIRC, one used to come to my house for practice with the original Classics, pre "Spooky" fame ...
I have never seen a brown-tolex covered two-piece Fender amp. That's not to say that no such thing exists, but in fifty years of dealing with Fender amps and guitars, I have never seen one. That head has been recovered and it looks like a very nice job was done. Additional evidence: The painted over tube chart.
@@YeatzeeGuitar You'll see Brown Deluxes or Princetons or a Pro or a Concert or a Vibroverb, but I have never seen a brown tolex covered Bassman, Tremolux, or Bandmaster. They have brown PANELS and are sometimes called "brownface" but the tolex was white on the piggybacks in every case I have seen.
It looks identical to others on reverb for sale right now... Perhaps the lighting is throwing the look off. There were several variations of the brownface era tolex, early ones like this had that specific rough texture this one has. The earliest were more pinkish. This looks original to me
I've repaired and restored several of these early 6g6 heads over the years and I own a 6g7a Bandmaster. Absolute tone monsters. Seen much worse than this old girls internals it's a nice afternoon job.
What a shame--reminds me of the 64 Princeton a fella brought to me a few years ago that was just a badly abused--but worse! Someone had carved out the chassis to put a different PT in it sometime previously, the insulator board under the main eyelet board was missing, circuit was all boogered up...I had to completely rebuild it, new eyelet board and all new components except tube sockets and transformers.
The black caps in the dog house are CE Distribution (Amplified parts) Generic store brand. They weren't terrible, but the MOD brand they sell now is the better budget option.
People do that with the eyelets (I think) because they can’t get the lead in. They don’t have a solder sucker and they try to just poke it through but can’t and just glue it in with the solder. I was tempted to do this more than once when I first got started but my OCD wouldn’t let me. Takes twice as long by I prefer to pull the whole board and get it fresh - only way I can get it to look nice.
@@YeatzeeGuitar yeah who knows - I was probably just being overly charitable - my tragic flaw. Not gonna lie though I used to really struggle with some of those ones with 2 sets of bypass caps / resistors, some other rando resistor, and the original double cap's original lead going to ground.
I was checking out the schematic for this model and I found it interesting that although both channels have the same "bass and treble" tone setup, the BASS channel has two extra gain stages that the signal goes through. I would think that this would make the separate channels very different in sound compared to other Fenders that use extra gain stages for tremolo circuits, more complex tone stacks etc....and not preamp functions.
There was one locally sitting forever that I thought about, but I just don't love 15" speakers and it had some issues like a hole in for an added switch etc. Someday I'll snag a bigger tweed
@@YeatzeeGuitar I got these two for a little more then you paid for the GA40. An absolute ridiculous lowball but the owner was the one who named the price before me. Retweeds but original transformers, chassis, and wood etc, speakers replaced back in the 50s after blowing
Hi, It is sad when you see a historically significant and desirable amp like that, it makes you wonder why. It's a good thing the owner had it checked out.
If it were mine, I'd be tempted to put a type 2 ppimv in the standby slot and wire a 3-way switch for standby power. But I guess it makes sense to go stock on that old girl
Wow that is messed up. I have an original 6G6 that is not even close. Even the bias caps look like they were taken from the original bypass caps. Bizarre
I seriously doubt Fender would have released this amp even if it was a "Friday amp." They took too much pride in their work. With all those bad solder joints and replaced components, I think it's obvious someone who didn't know the first thing about fixing amps tried to save money and DIY'd it. And that replaced PT is form an AA270 Vibrolux with 6L6GC power tubes.
I was a collictor of old plxi marshall amps from the 60's i always hsd my tech put an amp on the bench at my cost before i would fork out thousands for an amp only about 40% were origional and not butchered 😊
Given the transformer date that could have been a TV repair guy or anyone.. amp techs didn't exist then. So be kind to that guy. Then it was a 10 year old amp as solid state was the thing.. it wasn't the classic we now see. Just remember being kind that could be you in the future 🙏🕉️♥️
I get what youre saying but there's nothing to suggest the transformer was swapped in 67, just that the transformer was taken out of a 67 Tremolux/Vibrolux. It could have been done 3 months ago for all we know. You either care or you don't, I hate seeing when someone that doesn't care works on a valuable vintage amp. But that might just be me
Owner has signed off on us moving forward with the restoration! Parts on order, subscribe to follow along 🤙
This is my buddies amp. I'm so glad you were able to take this in for him. I hope he gets the full treatment, especially after knowing what he traded it for. I cant wait to hear this when its done! Love your work and attention to detail!
Thanks! It's going to be glorious when we're done!
Oh man! The 6G6 is one of my favorite amps. So much of the 59/60 Bassman is in these amps. Lots of headroom, yet still grinds at high volume.
I've heard great things about them, looking forward to hearing it all healthy eventually!
I worked on a white tolex version of this.. had been sitting since early 70's, anyway after a filter cap change, pot cleaning .. good to go! 👍incredible amp!!
I wish this one was going to be that easy!
This amp was made the year I started seriously playing guitar. Saw these when they were brand new. IIRC, one used to come to my house for practice with the original Classics, pre "Spooky" fame ...
Amazing!
There is some funny stuff in that amp!
That transformer mounting made me laugh.
I have never seen a brown-tolex covered two-piece Fender amp. That's not to say that no such thing exists, but in fifty years of dealing with Fender amps and guitars, I have never seen one. That head has been recovered and it looks like a very nice job was done. Additional evidence: The painted over tube chart.
I'm not following, brown - tolex two piece? This looks pretty typical of an early brown face era amp to me 🤷♂️
@@YeatzeeGuitar You'll see Brown Deluxes or Princetons or a Pro or a Concert or a Vibroverb, but I have never seen a brown tolex covered Bassman, Tremolux, or Bandmaster. They have brown PANELS and are sometimes called "brownface" but the tolex was white on the piggybacks in every case I have seen.
It looks identical to others on reverb for sale right now... Perhaps the lighting is throwing the look off. There were several variations of the brownface era tolex, early ones like this had that specific rough texture this one has. The earliest were more pinkish. This looks original to me
You should write what you had for breakfast in sharpie inside the amp. Could come in handy if repaired in the future.
🤣
I've repaired and restored several of these early 6g6 heads over the years and I own a 6g7a Bandmaster. Absolute tone monsters. Seen much worse than this old girls internals it's a nice afternoon job.
What a shame--reminds me of the 64 Princeton a fella brought to me a few years ago that was just a badly abused--but worse! Someone had carved out the chassis to put a different PT in it sometime previously, the insulator board under the main eyelet board was missing, circuit was all boogered up...I had to completely rebuild it, new eyelet board and all new components except tube sockets and transformers.
Dang. Could always be worse I guess!
The black caps in the dog house are CE Distribution (Amplified parts) Generic store brand. They weren't terrible, but the MOD brand they sell now is the better budget option.
Gotcha. Yes I've had great luck with MOD
People do that with the eyelets (I think) because they can’t get the lead in. They don’t have a solder sucker and they try to just poke it through but can’t and just glue it in with the solder. I was tempted to do this more than once when I first got started but my OCD wouldn’t let me. Takes twice as long by I prefer to pull the whole board and get it fresh - only way I can get it to look nice.
I guess that'd kind of make sense for crowded eyelets with 4+ leads, but these should all be easy to fit I'd think 🤷♂Who know's
@@YeatzeeGuitar yeah who knows - I was probably just being overly charitable - my tragic flaw. Not gonna lie though I used to really struggle with some of those ones with 2 sets of bypass caps / resistors, some other rando resistor, and the original double cap's original lead going to ground.
I was checking out the schematic for this model and I found it interesting that although both channels have the same "bass and treble" tone setup, the BASS channel has two extra gain stages that the signal goes through. I would think that this would make the separate channels very different in sound compared to other Fenders that use extra gain stages for tremolo circuits, more complex tone stacks etc....and not preamp functions.
It's a bit of a unique bird for sure
Isn't 1962 the first year of the 6G6? That one transformer had a 46th week number so I would guess that is a '62 model year amp.
6G6 as far as I can tell existed in '61. It's the later more common revisions that were in 62 on afaik.
First time here. I subbed. Thanks for sharing this video.
Welcome!
And thanks!
I hope the owner authorizes you to restore the 61 magic. Looking forward to hearing this amp.
We are a go!
You should try a early 50s bassman! I picked up a 1953 wide panel 1x15 inch one as well as a 1950 TV pro for a steal the other day!
There was one locally sitting forever that I thought about, but I just don't love 15" speakers and it had some issues like a hole in for an added switch etc. Someday I'll snag a bigger tweed
@@YeatzeeGuitar if you say you don’t love 15 inches you haven’t tried any good ones I’m sure!
@@YeatzeeGuitar how much did they want for that one?
@@mohamedtlass3842 I don't remember off hand but it was a hefty chunk of cash
@@YeatzeeGuitar I got these two for a little more then you paid for the GA40. An absolute ridiculous lowball but the owner was the one who named the price before me. Retweeds but original transformers, chassis, and wood etc, speakers replaced back in the 50s after blowing
Hi, It is sad when you see a historically significant and desirable amp like that, it makes you wonder why. It's a good thing the owner had it checked out.
Agreed!
If it were mine, I'd be tempted to put a type 2 ppimv in the standby slot and wire a 3-way switch for standby power. But I guess it makes sense to go stock on that old girl
Yeah we'll get her running well in stock form, then go from there.
Wow that is messed up. I have an original 6G6 that is not even close. Even the bias caps look like they were taken from the original bypass caps. Bizarre
I seriously doubt Fender would have released this amp even if it was a "Friday amp." They took too much pride in their work. With all those bad solder joints and replaced components, I think it's obvious someone who didn't know the first thing about fixing amps tried to save money and DIY'd it. And that replaced PT is form an AA270 Vibrolux with 6L6GC power tubes.
Someone that knew enough to be dangerous 😬
I was a collictor of old plxi marshall amps from the 60's i always hsd my tech put an amp on the bench at my cost before i would fork out thousands for an amp only about 40% were origional and not butchered 😊
Very smart move with something that valuable!
Given the transformer date that could have been a TV repair guy or anyone.. amp techs didn't exist then. So be kind to that guy. Then it was a 10 year old amp as solid state was the thing.. it wasn't the classic we now see. Just remember being kind that could be you in the future 🙏🕉️♥️
I get what youre saying but there's nothing to suggest the transformer was swapped in 67, just that the transformer was taken out of a 67 Tremolux/Vibrolux. It could have been done 3 months ago for all we know. You either care or you don't, I hate seeing when someone that doesn't care works on a valuable vintage amp. But that might just be me
Temoluxe pt there
Yup!