1964 Fender Bassman 6G6-B Tuxedo Brown Panel Blonde Vintage Piggyback Tube Amp, 100% Original w/ Oxford 12M6
$5,199.99
$5,199.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1964 Fender Bassman in 100% original, collector-grade condition, complete with the original RCA tube set. A rare, transitional version, this iteration of the Bassman only offered for a few short months in early 1964.
With blonde tolex, gold sparkle grillcloth, a black control plate and raised Black Panel-style Fender logos, this Bassman is the last version to retain the coveted Brown Panel-era 6G6-B circuit. This "piggyback" Fender tube amp drives two RCA 6L6GC power tubes for 40 powerful watts of pure tube goodness. Like the Tweed amps that preceded it, the Brown Panel circuits respond well to picking dynamics with Fender's hi-fi, glassy clean tones. The EQ controls have a huge sweep, and after around 5 on the Volume dial the amp cascades into rich tube overdrive that compresses noticeably and is particularly roaring and thick. It's the kind of natural tube saturation that only comes from pushing a well-designed Fender circuit to its limit. A Pre-CBS Fender Blonde Bassman was used on more Beatles recording sessions than the Vox AC30, was a particular favorite of Pete Townshend, and has become the amp forever linked with Brian Setzer's classic Rockabilly tones. It's hard to beat this particular Bassman circuit for a tone that bridges the gap between the dynamic grit of the Tweed circuits and the shimmery cleans of the Black Panel line.
The circuit is 100% original, and it cannot be emphasized enough how rare it is to see a fully undisturbed circuit still functioning as intended, even including the main filter caps and bias cap. The Schumacher-made transformers date between late 1963 and early '64, and the blue molded Ajax caps are intact in the preamp (an essential part of the Black Panel sound). All of the original CTS and Stackpole pots are present, with visible date codes from the 51st week of '63. The chassis stamp dates to the 14th week of '64, and each filter cap is individually stamped (12th and 13th weeks of '64). The original two-prong power cable is still present, and a three-prong can be installed at the next owner's discretion for no additional charge. Also unique, this Bassman has a factory "convenience outlet" in the rectifier tube socket, a feature that would be relocated to the back of the chassis on later Black Panel versions.
The speaker cabinet is loaded with the original pair of Oxford 12M6 ceramic magnet drivers, dating to the 47th week of '63. Both speakers have been professionally reconed. The tube chart is fully intact inside the head cabinet, with an "ND" date that translates to April of 1964.
The original smooth blonde tolex and gold sparkle grillcloth are in remarkable shape with very restrained wear on the enclosure edges. Stock hardware includes the original tilt-back legs, piggyback clip bars, thumbscrews, corners, handles and raised Fender logos. The Black Panel faceplate is very clean, with a full complement of original cream barrel knobs.
With blonde tolex, gold sparkle grillcloth, a black control plate and raised Black Panel-style Fender logos, this Bassman is the last version to retain the coveted Brown Panel-era 6G6-B circuit. This "piggyback" Fender tube amp drives two RCA 6L6GC power tubes for 40 powerful watts of pure tube goodness. Like the Tweed amps that preceded it, the Brown Panel circuits respond well to picking dynamics with Fender's hi-fi, glassy clean tones. The EQ controls have a huge sweep, and after around 5 on the Volume dial the amp cascades into rich tube overdrive that compresses noticeably and is particularly roaring and thick. It's the kind of natural tube saturation that only comes from pushing a well-designed Fender circuit to its limit. A Pre-CBS Fender Blonde Bassman was used on more Beatles recording sessions than the Vox AC30, was a particular favorite of Pete Townshend, and has become the amp forever linked with Brian Setzer's classic Rockabilly tones. It's hard to beat this particular Bassman circuit for a tone that bridges the gap between the dynamic grit of the Tweed circuits and the shimmery cleans of the Black Panel line.
The circuit is 100% original, and it cannot be emphasized enough how rare it is to see a fully undisturbed circuit still functioning as intended, even including the main filter caps and bias cap. The Schumacher-made transformers date between late 1963 and early '64, and the blue molded Ajax caps are intact in the preamp (an essential part of the Black Panel sound). All of the original CTS and Stackpole pots are present, with visible date codes from the 51st week of '63. The chassis stamp dates to the 14th week of '64, and each filter cap is individually stamped (12th and 13th weeks of '64). The original two-prong power cable is still present, and a three-prong can be installed at the next owner's discretion for no additional charge. Also unique, this Bassman has a factory "convenience outlet" in the rectifier tube socket, a feature that would be relocated to the back of the chassis on later Black Panel versions.
The speaker cabinet is loaded with the original pair of Oxford 12M6 ceramic magnet drivers, dating to the 47th week of '63. Both speakers have been professionally reconed. The tube chart is fully intact inside the head cabinet, with an "ND" date that translates to April of 1964.
The original smooth blonde tolex and gold sparkle grillcloth are in remarkable shape with very restrained wear on the enclosure edges. Stock hardware includes the original tilt-back legs, piggyback clip bars, thumbscrews, corners, handles and raised Fender logos. The Black Panel faceplate is very clean, with a full complement of original cream barrel knobs.
