Fender amp model family overview, evolution [courtesy of Joe Bonamassa]

[jb_abides]

Fender amp model family overview, evolution [courtesy of Joe Bonamassa]
-- Thru Joe's eyes, and his collection.

Reverb video payload, timestamps --

Step inside Joe Bonamassa’s Hollywood Hills studio for a deep dive into classic Fender amps from 1946–1965. From Champs and Princetons to Deluxes, Twins, and beyond, Joe breaks down the amps that defined electric guitar tone—and why they still matter today.
https://www.youtube.com/redirect?ev...oRQ&q=https://shorturl.at/56eaB&v=t8nG5hn126g
Intro - 0:00-1:48
Champ Family- 1:49-9:02
Princeton Family - 9:03-15:29
Deluxe Family - 15:30-21:17
Vibrolux Family - 21:18-24:12
Vibroverb Family - 24:13-27:12
Twin Family - 27:13-32:13
Super Family - 32:14-36:09
Pro Family - 36:10-40:19
Bassman Family - 40:20

YouTube Summary --

In this video, Joe Bonamassa takes a deep dive into his extensive collection of vintage Fender amplifiers from 1946 to 1965 at his studio in the Hollywood Hills (0:15). He highlights Leo Fender's genius in creating durable, road-worthy amps that defined the sound of rock and roll and remain relevant decades later (0:46).

Key Amp Families Covered:

• Champ Family: (1:49) Includes the early Champion 600 (2:21) and the classic Tweed Champ (2:53), favored in studios for their punchy rhythm tones (2:16). Joe also discusses the lesser-known 1964 Blackface Champ (3:39) and the Vibro Champ (6:01).
• Princeton Family: (9:20) Starts with the primitive 1947/48 models that lacked volume knobs (9:31) and moves through the Tweed, Brown (12:54), and the industry-standard Princeton Reverb (13:45).
• Deluxe Family: (15:53) Features early models like the Model 26 (16:09), the iconic 5F3 Tweed Deluxe (19:06), the forgotten Brown Deluxe (20:12), and the ubiquitous Blackface Deluxe Reverb (20:50).
• Vibrolux Family: (21:36) Covers the Tweed, Brown (22:24), and Vibrolux Reverb (23:26), noting the Brown model's brightness due to 6L6 tubes (22:45).
• Vibroverb Family: (24:47) Joe calls the 1963 2x10 Vibroverb his favorite Fender amp (24:53), also highlighting the Stevie Ray Vaughan-popularized 1x15 model (26:27).
• Twin Family: (27:32) Explores the Low Power Twin used by Eric Clapton (27:44) and the powerhouse High Power Tweed Twin (80 watts) (28:40), which influenced Jim Marshall's designs (29:12).
• Super Family: (32:35) Discusses the transition from V-front models (32:44) to 2x10 Narrow Panel amps (33:28), and the quintessential blues amp, the Super Reverb (4x10) (35:19).
• Pro Family: (36:10) Covers models featuring 15-inch speakers, including the Tweed (36:34), Brown Center Volume (37:25), and the 2x12 Pro Reverb (39:04).
• Bassman Family: (40:20) Highlights the 4x10 Tweed Bassman (41:07) and the later Tuxedo/Blackface heads (42:09) that became staples for guitar players.
• Conclusion: (43:53) Joe concludes that while these amps are essential tools, they are all designed to serve the musician, reiterating that an 80-watt Tweed Twin is his top choice for doing everything on stage (44:09).

 

[Wally]

I have owned one Pro that is mentioned as one that Joe B does not have….the TV Front 5b5 from 1952. Granted it was a wreck when I got it. As he noted, it had been ridden hard. It was covered in non-original white tiles. The field coil F15N speaker had to be re-coned. Every component on the board had to be replaced…..the 250k plate resistors were all measuring in the 470k range. Weber did the recone, Gregg Hopkins did the new tweed, which I tinted. I did the electronic resurrection. I have owned a 5C5, a5D5, and a 5E5A. That 1952 5B5 was the best of them all.
I have another Pro that is a special amp as it is a prototype BF amp. It has a number of tells. The most noticeable is that it does not have a stamped serial number in the chassis. Instead, where that number would be stamped there is ‘000A’ written in pencil.
I love old Fender amps.
Joe B’s survey was enjoyable to listen to.

 

[charliechitlins]

I have owned one Pro that is mentioned as one that Joe B does not have….the TV Front 5b5 from 1952. Granted it was a wreck when I got it. As he noted, it had been ridden hard. It was covered in non-original white tiles. The field coil F15N speaker had to be re-coned. Every component on the board had to be replaced…..the 250k plate resistors were all measuring in the 470k range. Weber did the recone, Gregg Hopkins did the new tweed, which zi tinted. I did the electronic resurrection. I have owned a 5C5, a5D5, and a 5E5A. That 1952 5B5 was the best of them all.
I have another Pro that is a special amp as it is a prototype BF amp. It has a number of tells. The most noticeable is that it does not have a stamped serial number in the chassis. Instead, where that number would be stamped there is ‘000A’ written in pencil.
I love old Fender amps.
Joe B’s survey was enjoyable to listen to.

My favorite tweed pro is a wide panel changed to 2x10, so I guess it's a Super now.

 

[Wally]

My favorite tweed pro is a wide panel changed to 2x10, so I guess it's a Super now.

5E5A Pro? Are you running an impedance mismatch?
The 5E7 Bandmaster is my favorite 2x6L6 tweed Fender. There are a couple of differences compared to the contemporary Pro and Super. The 5E7 Bandmaster and the 5E8A Twin are more similar…..especially if you pull one of the rectifier tubes out of the Twin. These two have just a bit more gain in the preamp than do the Super and Pro.

 

[charliechitlins]

5E5A Pro? Are you running an impedance mismatch?

I hope not.
I don't remember what model it is... it's a wide panel, so not a 5E5A.
I think the original speaker was 8ohm, so I used 2 16ohm in series.

 

[Wally]

I owned a 5C5 pro wide panel. It ran octal preamps. The 5D5 switched to Noval /9 pin preamps but is still a wide panel.

 

[charliechitlins]

I owned a 5C5 pro wide panel. It ran octal preamps. The 5D5 switched to Noval /9 pin preamps but is still a wide panel.

IIRC, mine is a 5C5, but with noval preamp tubes.
I recall looking inside and being unable to tell if it was factory.
I mainly just play it

 

[Wally]

Charlie, I bought the 5C5 when t was dead. The first filter cap had exploded. A recap put it back into service. I ended up buying it two more times! Lol….i paid more each time, but I sold it for more each time, as well. Great amp.
The tube chart designation in your amp may not be ‘correct’. Does the chart call for octal or Novak in the preamp? Fender would use tube charts that way. Hey, I had a dead mint 1957 5f1 Cgamp that had a 5F6A Bassman tube chart….,,all-original! Feces occurum, neh?

 

[charliechitlins]

@Wally I know you like this stuff

 

[charliechitlins]

Charlie, I bought the 5C5 when t was dead. The first filter cap had exploded. A recap put it back into service. I ended up buying it two more times! Lol….i paid more each time, but I sold it for more each time, as well. Great amp.
The tube chart designation in your amp may not be ‘correct’. Does the chart call for octal or Novak in the preamp? Fender would use tube charts that way. Hey, I had a dead mint 1957 5f1 Cgamp that had a 5F6A Bassman tube chart….,,all-original! Feces occurum, neh?

Right now it has a pair of 10” Fender-badged Rolas of unknown origin.
They actually don't sound as good as the 15" Jensen, but you don't have to be 30' away to realize it.

 

[corpse]

I think a lot of owners figured as it was a 15, when they blew the speaker it was a 2 ohm bass speaker and replaced it with a 2 ohm speaker. My ‘60 Super has a very old replacement transformer. A lot of them seem to.
It sounds like a big Deluxe. The volume at 2.5 vs 2.65 is the amount it takes to really piss off a singer.

 

[charliechitlins]

Now that I've dug it out, I've plugged it in, and now that I've plugged it in, I think I'll gig it this weekend.

 

[Mr. Papa]

No love for the Quad Reverb?

 

[Wally]

No love for the Quad Reverb?

Only if it is loaded with EVs!!!! Of course, one if these comes in handy….