Fender Bandmaster

The Fender Bandmaster was a musical instrument amplifier made by Fender. It was introduced in 1953 and discontinued in 1974. Teagle, J. and Sprung, J.: Fender Amps: The First Fifty Years ]

This page focuses solely on the Bandmaster. See also Bandmaster Reverb.

Timeline

"Timeline gleaned from "

Cosmetics

* Tweed
* Blonde
* Blackface
* Silverface 1967 - 1974
** Drip Edge 1967 - 1968
** Black Line 1967 -

Circuit Notes

AB763

The AB763 (designed in July, 1963) circuit is arguably considered the "best" circuit version produced for this amp by collectors and aficionados. Amps retrofitted to this circuitry are described as having been "blackfaced," a reference to the black faceplate used on these amps during much of this era.

AA568

The AA568 version (introduced May, 1968) was met with popular dislike by Fender's customers. It is referred to at times as the "silverface" circuit, referring to the silver faceplate used from 1968 to 1974. It should be noted, though, that the circuit change and the cosmetic change didn't happen at the same time, and some 1967 and early 1968 Bandmasters still possessed the AB763 circuitry.

Unfortunately, the tube chart inside the amp head cannot be reliably used to differentiate the AB763 from the later circuits, as Fender continued using the older tube charts for a while after changing the circuit configuration.

AA1069

Some of the changes from the AA568 were reverted in October, 1969, yielding the AA1069 circuit, but many of the changes remained in place.

ee also

*Bandmaster Reverb
*Fender

References