Blackface Mod Kits

You will truly be amazed at how much better your silverface fender will sound after completing the blackface modification. It will be more responsive, having more clean sustain, more depth and dimension (more of a '3D' sound), more touch sensitivity, note blossom, and a rich, full sound loaded with harmonic overtones.

PLEASE NOTE: These blackface kits are not compatible with the late 70s 135w and 70w 'Ultralinear' amplifiers (although many parts could be utilized!). For UL amps please check out our "1/2 blackface mod"

THESE KITS INCLUDE:

All of the electrical components, diagrams & written directions you need to perform a full blackface conversion on your silverface Fender amplifier. Most other blackface instructions & articles out there overlook many of the smaller details, such as the reverb circuit!

Going beyond just the blackface mod, these kits also balance and optimize your phase inverter/output section using measured & matched carbon resistors.

WE NOW OFFER NOS SIGNAL CAP UPGRADES IN 'PREMIUM' BLACKFACE MOD KITS!
We now proudly offer NOS rolled foil/mylar signal cap upgrades for our premium blackface mod kits! These selected NOS capacitors replace the standard ceramic caps used in our standard kits (as found in the original blackface amps). The entire preamp signal passes through this one cap on the way to the phase inverter, and the quality of this one cap has a significant impact on the tone and performance of the entire amp. These NOS mylar caps bump everything up a few notches, giving you more depth and dimension (more of a '3D' sound), a bit more clean sustain, and more 'oomph' overall; with smoother, sweeter top end. Don't get me wrong, the ceramic version is excellent and true to the original blackface models! But the NOS version is definitely a significant upgrade, giving you 'more of everything' we like about vintage Fenders!

*tools, solder & wire NOT included

WHAT IS A BLACKFACE MOD KIT?

You’ve all heard the term “blackfacing”. To put it simply, “blackfacing” means that you convert the circuit of a silverface Fender amp back to blackface specs. These blackface specs were the designs used by Fender from 1963 – 1967, and are widely considered to be the best sounding amps ever made. The term “blackface” comes from the amp’s black control panel with white lettering. The AB763 circuits (for example) are synonymous with the blackface sound. The blackface amps are sweeter overall vs stock silverface amps, with more clean sustain, touch sensitivity, harmonic richness, smoother overdrive, less 'ice pick' treble, etc etc etc.

A few years after CBS bought Fender in 1965, they started changing the circuits in an attempt to give them more clean headroom and make the amps cheaper to produce. Unfortunately, these changes were not for the better.

Blackfacing is a relatively simple procedure, requiring the removal of some parts, the replacement of others, and the relocation of a few wires. This can be done by any competent tech or do-it-yourselfer. These changes make a HUGE difference in the tone and performance of your amp. This is a recommended procedure on most silverface Fenders.

Please note that blackface 'circuits' do not give you less headroom than a silverface 'circuit'. The lower voltages provided by the different transformers used in blackface amps are responsible for the lower power rating compared to silverface amps. When you blackface a silverface amplifier, you keep the power and headroom of the silverface, but gain all of the tone and performance benefits of the blackface circuit (which are substantial!).

THESE KITS ALSO INCLUDE:

Complete, detailed, easy to follow instructions with “before & after” diagrams are included.
Copies of the original blackface Fender schematic & layout diagram for your amp are included (when available, not available for all amp models). These are invaluable tools for reference & learning about your amp!
Complete instructions for removing the master volume & push/pull gain boost are included.
Only the highest quality Nichicon electrolytic capacitors are included in this kit.
Only the highest quality carbon comp resistors are used in key locations
Flameproof 2W metal oxide resistors are used for the high voltage applications in the power supply & bias supply.
Instructions for reading color codes on resistors included!

BONUS!

Certain resistors, vital to optimum performance of the driver & phase inverter have been measured & matched by tolerance percentage.
You are getting a custom matched set for your output section! This ensures maximum efficiency, optimum performance and the best possible tone from your Fender!The tolerance normally associated with resistors makes it almost impossible to find matched sets unless you have hundreds & hundreds to choose from & the time to sort through them all.
I have taken readings on literally thousands of resistors and spent countless hours putting these matched sets together. Why? Because matched sets sound and perform better than unmatched! Other kits on the market today do not take the time to provide this important service.
The necessary resistors & detailed instructions on how to properly set the bias of your newly blackfaced amp (using only a multimeter & calculator) are included.

Please note: These kits are designed for the “standard” Fender silverface amplifiers. If your amp is “ultralinear”, these kits are not intended for your amp. You can tell if your amp is ultralinear by looking under the speaker jack on the back panel. ALL 70 watt & 135 watt models are ultralinear!!

For UL amps, please check out out '1/2 blackface mod'