I recently bought a 1963 Bandmaster black face that has transformer date codes from late 1962. I am no old Fender amp expert, but my best guess at the serial number interpretation is that this amp is one of the first 800 made. I would describe this amp as A- to a fussy collector. The tremolo causes no ticking sound when turned up. This amp is very quiet electrically when gained up. I know the hiss is there somewhere, I cant hear it. It appears to have a matched set of power tubes, and old looking fender spec 7025 pre amp tubes, all with original cans. Not saying they are original tubes, but they are correct tubes. I would not be surprised if the original filter caps are replaced because this amp does not hum. The power supply works well. With no rectifier tube, a capable choke and diode based rectification, this amp is pushing “enhanced” voltage to all the tube stages. This is the formula for snappy attack, big dynamics and no “sag”. Bring your own compression. This thing thinks it is a “boutique” amp. It was maintained. The silver grill cloth has sparkly threads and no stains or tears. The tolex has no tears or scuffs. The kick back hardware on the matching speaker cab is shiny with only a few patches of rust. The original speakers are gone, but Fender brown label replacement speakers sound better than the old stock ones anyway, unless its jensen alnicos……… Those are American made Eminance Fender spec. speakers. This amp roars. It is bright and projects very well into a big room. The sound is detailed, well defined highs and tight lows. It sings rather than grinds. If a Deluxe sounded huge and high definition it would be a Bandmaster. This is so not a black face Bassman. A Bandmaster head is noticeably lighter weight; not bad to carry. Bassman sound involves a beefier output transformer. The amp and speaker cabinet fits nicely in the trunk of a Civic sedan, but I will never load this one into a vehicle again without cases. You youngsters should know this was the original good pedal platform. At 62 years old this Bandmaster is a middle weight contender.

A Bandmaster should be perfect for guitar. If you want it to have a lower volume at break-up, like the Tremolux, have a technician put in a resistor to drop the high voltage. That’s about the only difference between the two amps. The Tremolux also had a tube rectifier. I believe there is enough room in the Bandmaster to install one.

I have a vertical standing Fender 2×12 cabinet with blue back Utah speakers dated to ’65. The cab/amp mount holes measure to 24 1/2 inches. I assume this cab was made for the Bandmaster. It’s dimensions are 29×39×11 1/2. There is a small metal plate on the bottom of the cab with a number P09342. I read a couple comments elsewhere on the net about these cabs only being produced for a few moths between the fall of ’66 to early spring ’67. I’m looking for more info on this. I assume a Bassman from this period would be OK to run through this and am trying to decide which to get a Bassman or Bandmaster. I play loud blues/rock-a-billy style with no effects, just natural break-up. I had a ’64 Tremolux that I liked, sold it in a fit a fit of stupid.