Description
A vintage 1963 blonde Fender Bassman piggyback amp--one of the many classic amps of our vintage collection recently purchased from G.E. Smith. The 6G6-era Bassman is highly sought-after--not only for its associations with Brian Setzer, but for its unique, crunchy overdrive tone that bridges the gap between the stereotypical "American" and "British" tones. In breakup the amp has plenty of low-mid chunk, while still maintaing the individual note clarity that defines the Fender sound.
Condition-wise, the amp is quite clean and entirely original aside from the speakers. The original Oxfords were changed out long ago for a pair of 1967 Jensen Vibranto EM1220s, which are great-sounding speakers in there own right. This rare amp will make a great purchase for any serious player, studio or amp collector. It has been cleaned and serviced. It is fully functional and sounds absolutely fantastic.
Overview
-Serial #: Head - BP07964, Cabinet - M07086
-Manufacture Date: late 1963
-Circuit: 6G6-B (tube chart reads 6G6-A)
-Power Output: 50 Watts
-Tubes: 6L6 (2), 12AX7 (4)
-Controls: Volume, Treble, Bass | Volume, Treble, Bass | Presence
-Dimensions: Head - 8" x 22" x 9", Cabinet - 21'' x 30'' x 11.5''
-Weight: 80 lbs
Cosmetics (see phtotos)
-original Tolex
-original grillcloth
-original back panels
-original handles
Electronics
-original transformers
-replacement speakers: 2-12" Jensen Vibranto EM1220 (ca. 1967)
-a few replaced electrolytic capacitor
-original power cord
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.
