New Amps Week!! Fender Blackface content

[ErictheRed]

It all started here: https://www.mylespaul.com/threads/tell-me-about-the-blackface-fender-pro-reverb.440754/. After selling a '66 Vibrolux Reverb that never quite did it for me, I picked up a 1965 Bassman with matching cab and 1965 Pro Reverb. The best part is, I picked up both of these amps for less than I sold the Vibrolux for!

1965 Fender Bassman and 2x12" Cab
I see what all of the fuss is now! This sounds a good deal different than all of the Fender combos with Reverb than I've played, and yet familiar at the same time. It's got more thunder and roar that I was expecting; it's just a fantastic sounding amp and I can't wait to crank it up with the band one day.

I finally had a chance to open this one up, and even though it's labeled as an AA165, it's definitely an AB165. Funnily enough it looks all original, besides the tubes (all new JJs) and the jewel light color (it's turquoise). Everything else seems original, and the electrolytics don't even look TOO bad, considering the age. Obviously I'll replace them soon, and change the two-pronged cord out for grounded one, ditch the death cap, etc.

1965 Fender Pro Reverb
The amp that I was most interested in to start with, but after only a day with it I'm liking the Bassman more so far. It's definitely more different from the Vibrolux Reverb that I had before than I expected, a bit more mellow or full or something, hard to describe. This one has been serviced regularly and is in pretty good shape overall, still has original transformers and blue molded caps, but electrolytics and filter caps and a few resistors have been changed. One speaker is not original, but that's no big deal. I'm probably going to swap both speakers out, because I like the sound a lot better when I run it to my open-backed Mesa Lonestar 2x12" cab, currently loaded with a WGS Veteran 30 and Celestion G12H-75 creamback. I'm not sure what speakers I'll put in yet, but I do have a Celestion G12M-65 creamback laying around, so I'll probably start there.

 

[matthew bear]

Black face bassman amps are so awesome to my ears, congrats!

 

[Mike I]

Dayum, you picked up a Pro as well eh?

You're on a roll dude!

Congrats Eric!

Did we not hit the tone of the Pro pretty well in our earlier comments?

Enjoy Eric!

 

[ErictheRed]

Thanks guys! I'd post more pictures but it's a time-consuming pain to resize them first.

It's really hard to describe tone in words, but I think that you guys did a good job. It's bigger and warmer and more full than the Vibrolux, and maybe a little softer as well? Unfortunately the replaced speaker is a crappy Jensen Made in Italy reissue, and it sounds pretty metallic in the high end. Also the original Oxford 12L6 speaker in it probably isn't doing the amp any favors at this point. Sounds very good through the external cab though, so I'm sure that it'll sound very good with some new speakers.

The Bassman sounds really, REALLY good already though! Those old JBL speakers must be in good shape (I haven't bothered to open the cab).

 

[cherrysunburst00]

SWEET. CONGRATS. And what a BEAUTIFUL Lester to go go with it

 

[ErictheRed]

Thanks guys! So far I swapped out the Made in Italy Jensen reissue that was in the Pro for a Celestion G12M-65 Creamback, and it sounds great now, though it definitely added some weight. The other speaker is the original Oxford 12L5. I may store the original and put another G12M-65 in, or try to save some weight by buying a pair of Neo Creambacks, or investigate other options.

 

[Gridlock]

Congrats, a big time Fender amp guy here.
Looks like you’ve got two good ones.
Congratulations!

 

[ErictheRed]

Ordered another G12M-65 Creamback for the Pro Reverb, I'm really liking this amp a lot!

 

[Gridlock]

I’ve owned most Fender combo amps multiple times but never a Pro Reverb. Love to own one someday. My current is a 1966 Vibrolux Reverb.

I’ve always favored American voiced speakers in my Fenders but I bet that the Creamback sounds great. Enjoy.

 

[RAG7890]

HNAD x 2 Eric, they look awesome.

For me the Bassman is just one of those great Amps..............I should get one.

Enjoy in good health.

Cheers, Rudi

 

[ErictheRed]

I actually sold the Bassman for a small profit, as I've been so happy with the Pro Reverb after putting new speakers into it. I may regret that one day, but I can't have them all. By the way, the cab had CTS speakers in it, not the JBL speakers after all. 1968, code was 137 6837, part number 401-136. I believe that these were referred to as CTS Super Duties, but I'm not sure. Anyway they sounded good, but not nearly as desirable as JBLs.

I've done a ton of gear swapping lately, and I'm currently down to just a Mesa Triple Crown, Suhr Badger 35, and the Pro Reverb. I think that these make a great selection for my needs and tastes. The only amp that I feel like I might really regret selling is my '76 Hiwatt Custom 50, but I will hardly ever play a gig again where I need something that big and stiff (twss) I don't think.