Amps By Era

THE “RE-ISSUE” BLACKFACE AMPLIFIERS When people hear the term “re-issue” used in conjunction with vintage musical equipment, the assumption is often made that the “re-issue” is an exact copy of the original, down to the very last detail.  If only this were the case! While the modern “re-issue” blackface amps might share the same cosmetics as their blackface ancestors, almost every other detail is quite different from the original.  Where original blackface amplifiers were hand made in the USA using relatively high quality components, most re-issues are constructed outside of the US utilizing printed circuit board (PCB) technology, and often integrating underrated...

It is our belief that Leo Fender designed & built the best amplifiers ever made.  From the legendary tweed amps of the late 50’s to the famous blackface amps of the mid 60’s, nothing sounds like a vintage Fender.  Nothing plays quite like a vintage Fender.  And nothing even compares to a vintage Fender that’s been set up right.  This website is dedicated to all of the Fender junkies out there, and helping you get the best performance and tone you possibly can from your vintage Fender amplifier.

Beginning in 1963 & manufactured for less than 4 years, the blackface Fender amps are widely considered to be among the best sounding amps ever made.  They are considered by many professional players to be the “holy grail” of tone for blues & rock.  Blackface amps sound absolutely beautiful; with clean, full, round tones at lower volumes.  Turn it up, and you will experience the rich, creamy distortion that has become the very definition of tube overdrive – the sound so many pedals & effects desperately try to emulate. This was the first line of Fender amps to feature on-board...

In mid 1967, CBS started to deplete the stocks of components they had been using since they bought the company from Leo.  They decided to give the amp a makeover.  The very first silverface amps were only different on the outside, with shiny new silver face plates, some new grill cloth & fancy aluminum trim around the baffle.  Soon after this, CBS decided to alter most of the circuits, making them cheaper to produce, cleaner (and thus “louder”).  Unfortunately, these circuit changes were not for the better. The good news is that these are still very high quality, hand wired...

What can we say?  Every single one of these amps has its own unique sound & they often sell for thousands of dollars each in original condition.  They are considered by many to represent the peak of amplifier technology;  the most touch-sensitive & responsive amps ever manufactured.  And talk about sustain!!!!  If you are lucky enough to be the keeper of such an amp, please treat it with the respect it deserves!  No need to mod it – it’s such an amazing amp that everyone else is copying it!! Just repair what is absolutely necessary, restore it to it’s intended glory & ENJOY!