Fender amp heads?

[SpinWheelz]

Why such a limited/minimal offering of amp heads from Fender? Given the sort of following they have, why do they not offer head-only variants for some of their most popular models? Loads of other manufacturers willingly offer head-and-cab options as well as combo options.

Is the "Fender amp magic" only realized through a combo of their construct?

[Chupy]

No offence but, why reissue something thats so easy to find?

Showman pretty close to the Twin.
SF Dual Showman Reverb same as the Twin
Bandmaster
Bassman
Tremolux

You can take out the chassis (Twin, Super, Pro, Deluxe, Champ) and put it in a head box if you want.

[danzego]

Originally Posted by SpinWheelz

Why such a limited/minimal offering of amp heads from Fender? Given the sort of following they have, why do they not offer head-only variants for some of their most popular models? Loads of other manufacturers willingly offer head-and-cab options as well as combo options.

Is the "Fender amp magic" only realized through a combo of their construct?

I think it's because that following they have are more in tune with what seems to be Fender's combo philosophy. They have a few heads out there, but those seem more aimed toward a "modern" sound and crowd and don't catch on with anyone. Their combos, on the other hand, are where Fender's bread and butter have always been and it seems to me they embrace this philosophy. Stick with what works, ya know?

Plus, you're talking about amps that are so dang loud in the first place, how often do you really need a halfstack? Ever try getting a Twin Reverb to breakup? Good luck hearing ANYTHING after that! Of course, for those who do want to add to that, Fender includes speaker outs on many models for the extension cabs they offer.

I think it's just their "thing". There have been some well known Fender heads, but generally with combo counterparts. Perhaps the combos sold much better, leading Fender to keep that combo philosophy going?

[imsilly]

Probably because amp heads are a complete pain in the arse for the majority of players.

I had a bunch of Fender Amp heads, old Blackface and Blonde ones. I couldn't get over how annoying it was to carry a head and cabinet around. A combo not only sounds better, but you only need one hand to carry it and they weigh less. Plus you can't make heads that small if you want to include things like reverb in them because of the large reverb pan.

Also remember Fender amps are built for home players, studio, small and medium sized gigs. That is basically what 99% of players need, so there is little incentive to make lots of models for the 1% of players that actually need some 100 watt monster stack. I think people often confuse volume with tone and end up buying oversized, overpowered amps. I think Fender have been around long enough to realise what their market is.

[danzego]

Originally Posted by imsilly

Probably because amp heads are a complete pain in the arse for the majority of players.

I had a bunch of Fender Amp heads, old Blackface and Blonde ones. I couldn't get over how annoying it was to carry a head and cabinet around. A combo not only sounds better, but you only need one hand to carry it and they weigh less. Plus you can't make heads that small if you want to include things like reverb in them because of the large reverb pan.

A combo sounds better? Well, I think that totally depends on the application. While you might see a bluesman carrying around a 15 watt combo and getting a killer sound to a bar jam, the hard rock/heavy metal guy carrying around a 15 watt combo probably is going to play at his buddy's family garage and has to be home by curfew. One day, he'll get a job at Taco Bell to save up for the half stack that will make his sound much better.

Also, to be picky but speaking from experience, sometimes making more than one trip for a head and a cabinet or two can be a relief. 40 pounds is considered a lightweight combo. Ever try to carry some of the bigger Fender combos or a Vox AC30? Not with one hand, you won't, and if you can, you wouldn't be concerned about weight issues in the first place.

[Sukkoi19]

Not that I disagree but some heads and cabs are a pain as well. My H&K head is 50 lbs. and each cab is 57 lbs. They are not entertaining to move what so ever.

[dix]

Originally Posted by Sukkoi19

Not that I disagree but some heads and cabs are a pain as well. My H&K head is 50 lbs. and each cab is 57 lbs. They are not entertaining to move what so ever.

Well my Fender 4x10 might be the heaviest combo amp I've ever seen. Fender site says it's 50 pounds, certainly feels like more.

[dougk]

Originally Posted by Chupy

No offence but, why reissue something thats so easy to find?

Showman pretty close to the Twin.
SF Dual Showman Reverb same as the Twin
Bandmaster
Bassman
Tremolux

You can take out the chassis (Twin, Super, Pro, Deluxe, Champ) and put it in a head box if you want.

Exactly. The Blackface Bassman is probably still THE best vintage fender deal out there. I've been playing mine for the last 10 years and no matter how many amps I accumulate, I still go back to my Bassman.

That being said, I've turned both my 66 Bassman and 66 Bandmasters into combo's. I just prefer them to piggybacks.




If your looking for used blackface fenders, the head's are usually more affordable and a hell of a lot easier to ship.

[danzego]

Originally Posted by dix

Well my Fender 4x10 might be the heaviest combo amp I've ever seen. Fender site says it's 50 pounds, certainly feels like more.

Check out the current Vox AC30's. You're getting up into the 75 pound range there. It's crazy.

[coldsteal2]

Originally Posted by Chupy

No offence but, why reissue something thats so easy to find?

Showman pretty close to the Twin.
SF Dual Showman Reverb same as the Twin
Bandmaster
Bassman
Tremolux

You can take out the chassis (Twin, Super, Pro, Deluxe, Champ) and put it in a head box if you want.

Dual Showman breaks up a little better
than the twin i think, maybe its just mental

[Standard 64]

Originally Posted by imsilly

Probably because amp heads are a complete pain in the arse for the majority of players.

I had a bunch of Fender Amp heads, old Blackface and Blonde ones. I couldn't get over how annoying it was to carry a head and cabinet around. A combo not only sounds better, but you only need one hand to carry it and they weigh less. Plus you can't make heads that small if you want to include things like reverb in them because of the large reverb pan.

Also remember Fender amps are built for home players, studio, small and medium sized gigs. That is basically what 99% of players need, so there is little incentive to make lots of models for the 1% of players that actually need some 100 watt monster stack. I think people often confuse volume with tone and end up buying oversized, overpowered amps. I think Fender have been around long enough to realise what their market is.

Combos sound better is your opinion.I like a head and cab seperate to keep the speakers from rattling the tubes.

[rickym]

Originally Posted by Standard 64

Combos sound better is your opinion.I like a head and cab seperate to keep the speakers from rattling the tubes.

That's the reason they made heads in the first place. Problem is, the majority of players still put the head on top of the cab. So there's still vibration there.

[imsilly]

Originally Posted by rickym

That's the reason they made heads in the first place. Problem is, the majority of players still put the head on top of the cab. So there's still vibration there.

Yeah, I have noticed that heads and seperate cabs aren't any less prone to rattles then combos. The fact remains that amps will always vibrate. Even if the head isn't in contact to vibrate there is bound to be something in the speaker cab that will. In fact I find speaker cabinets rattle like mad and if they are closed back it's hard to get in there and tighten up screws to get them back to being quiet.

As for sound, combos will always have more character due to the nature of their construction. They sometimes have less projection, but as a pay off they seem to fill rooms in an more even tone. I've used seperate cabinets that are open backed and it's very similar, but if you are doing that you might aswell have a combo.

Anyway my beat up old Blackface Super Reverb is just about the best sounding amp ever and I don't think it would sound half as good chopped up into a traditional Fender head and cabinet.

[mudfinger]

Those custom cabs ARE nice. I dig these setups:

[scozz]

Originally Posted by dix

Well my Fender 4x10 might be the heaviest combo amp I've ever seen. Fender site says it's 50 pounds, certainly feels like more.

I think I use to own the BIGGEST combo ever! In the mid 70s I played a Fender Super Six Reverb, 100 watts winto 6-10" speakers!!

It was a monster to haul around, but what a sound.

Anyone here remember those amps?

[scozz]

Found a picture of one.

Amp Guide » Fender*Super Six Reverb

[Shelbyblues]

Originally Posted by scozz

I think I use to own the BIGGEST combo ever! In the mid 70s I played a Fender Super Six Reverb, 100 watts winto 6-10" speakers!!

It was a monster to haul around, but what a sound.

Anyone here remember those amps?

Yep, a buddy of mine has two of them in his vintage Fender Amp collection.

They never leave his studio for some reason....

[Shelbyblues]

Originally Posted by mudfinger

Those custom cabs ARE nice. I dig these setups:

I really like the blondie.