Description
A vintage 1960 Fender Brownface 3x10 Bandmaster--one of the signature amps of our vintage collection recently purchased from G.E. Smith. This extremely rare amp is in nice shape and features largely original circuitry. Produced for only a few months, the 5G7 Bandmaster combo is one of the rarest and most desirable Fender amplifiers.
Cosmetically, the amp the amp shows signs of its 60 years of use, but it remains in relatively nice shape. The addition of metal corners on the bottom of the amp and a few extraneous small holes are the only cosmetic modifications. Even the original dogbone handle remains intact.
The 5G7 one of the elusive "Center Volume" Brownface amps. These early Browns have their volume and tone controls in reverse order from all of the Fender amps that followed. Sonically, all of that big, Brownface bottom end is there. While the Jensen P10Qs lend the amp some of that early breakup of the tweed era. On top of that, you get one of the most incredible tremolo/vibrato sounds you have ever heard. This amp will make the perfect centerpiece to any vintage amp collection. It has been cleaned and serviced. It is fully functional and sounds absolutely fantastic.
Overview
-Serial #: 711
-Manufacture Date: April of 1960
-Circuit: 5G7
-Power Output: 35 Watts
-Tubes: 6L6 (2), 12AX7 (5)
-Controls: Bass, Treble, Volume | Bass, Treble, Volume, Speed, Intensity
-Dimensions: 24'' x 22.5'' x 10''
-Weight: 50 lbs
Cosmetics (see photos)
-original tolex (early "Pink" Brown)
-original grillcloth
-original handle
-metal corners added to amp bottom
-two small holes near amp handle
-several small holes for caster mounting on amp bottom
Electronics
-original or period-correct speakers: Jensen P10Q dated 220024
-original transformers
-two replacement vibrato capacitors
-all electrolytic capacitors replaced
-original power cord
-original footswitch
The G. E. Smith Vintage Guitar/Amp Collection
If you have ever watched the Saturday Night Live band back some of the greatest names in music, then you probably saw G.E. Smith on guitar. G.E. has been THE rock-steady guitar sound behind SNL, Hall & Oates, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, MoonAlice and many more.
Recently, G.E. had been thinking about selling some of the gear he'd collected during his long career. While looking for an established, knowledgeable and trusted buyer, he ran across our shop and liked what he saw. After checking out the store's bona fides, he decided to touch base with John Majdalani, Cream City Music store co-owner and head vintage buyer.
Fortunately, John and G.E. hit it off immediately, and G.E. asked John to come out east to see, in person, the portion of his collection he was no longer using. When John arrived at G.E.'s, he was invited down to the basement, and they spent the next 8 hours deep-diving through the whole thing: amps then guitars--all the while jibber-jabbering about gear, life, food and rock'n'roll war stories.
The collection turned out to be a total of 60 pieces--roughly 30 guitars and 30 amps...an astonishing wealth of great vintage gear. At the end of the long day, as John was packing everything into the truck, G.E. sat on the tailgate and played a goodbye tune on his old, trustworthy 1960 Black Beauty Les Paul.
Most of the collection is currently at Cream City Music and consists of some of the most extraordinary vintage pieces we have seen in many years. If you're in the area, it's truly worth a visit to the store to see this gear. If you can't make here though, take a look at our website and social media over the next few weeks to see these items as they are posted for sale.
