Up for sale, a 1959 Fender Bassman featuring the 5F6-A circuit, re-tweeded and loaded with a vintage quartet of Jensen P10P alnico magnet speakers. A professionally serviced example with a very original circuit, this Bassman boasts 45 all tube watts driven by a pair of Tung Sol 5881 (6L6GC) power tubes. And while the 5F6-A circuit was originally engineered for bass as the name would suggest, guitar players quickly gravitated to it for its muscle, headroom, and rich overdriven grit. It's a pure, straightforward circuit, with individual Volume knobs for the two channels and a global Treble/Middle/Bass three band EQ, as well as a Presence knob. Bridging the two channels with a small 1/4" jumper allows for interactivity between the two Volume knobs for even thicker roar and sizzle.
The circuit retains all of the original Triad and Schumacher-made transformers, and the original CTS pots have visible date codes from the 37th week of '59. The preamp retains all of the stock yellow Astron capacitors, and even a few of the smaller Minimite electrolytics are still viable. The power supply has been recapped with high quality Sprague Atoms, and new smaller Sprague electrolytic caps have been installed in the bias supply. The result is a Bassman that runs extremely reliably with a notably low noise floor, delivering all the power, grit, and nuance for which this circuit is known. A modern three-prong power cable has also been installed.
The amp is loaded with four era-correct Jensen P10P alnico magnet drivers with dark blue frames, and these speakers offer more headroom and bass register kick than the smaller magnet P10Rs loaded in Bassmans from the factory. All four speakers have been freshly reconed, with date stamps on the edges of the frames from '61. The original tube chart is no longer present inside the cabinet.
The original cabinet has been professionally re-tweeded, and the oxblood/gold stripe grillcloth is modern as well, matching vintage spec. The chrome-plated chassis retains the majority of the original white silkscreened text, and there is some lacquer overspray across the control plate. The amp boasts a full vintage set of black chicken head knobs, and the molded dogbone handle is a modern Fender replacement.