1963 Fender Dual Showman Pre-CBS Vintage Blonde Black Panel Piggyback Tube Amp w/ 7355 Tubes, JBL D130 Speakers

Up for sale, a 1963 Fender Dual Showman with an exceedingly rare and original 7355 power tube complement, paired with the original 2x15 JBL D130-equipped speaker cabinet and complete with Victoria Luggage slip covers. From production run #2, with a A006XX serial number and Pre-CBS control plate (sans-Mids knob, which was the norm for the first Showmans) this is an extremely early example.

The 7355 power tubes were only seen in a literal handful of first-run Black Panel amps, as Fender was experimenting with different valves after a purported (and apparently short-lived) 6L6 shortage. The result is an amp that delivers the power, sparkle, and dynamic cleans expected from a Black Panel Showman, but with slightly tamed output. The amp produces roughly 60 watts and begins to break up at around 5 on the volume dial with a smooth, detailed touch of overdrive. Of course via the ample power of the original JBL D130F speaker pair, this Dual Showman offers prodigious volume, and few cabs complement a Black Panel Fender as well as a dual dose of JBLs. Whether you seek vintage tube warmth and dynamic range for guitar or bass, this Showman is an ideal choice.

The circuit is 100% original with the exception of a new bias capacitor, with all of the original Schumacher transformers dating between early and mid-1963. Even the original power supply capacitors are intact and functional, and the preamp is untouched, with all of the famed blue molded Ajax capacitors intact, an essential part of the sweet, musical sound of Fender's Black Panel amps. All of the original CTS pots are present and date to '63 as well. The original RCA 7355 power tube quad is intact, and the power tube sockets require a different pin-out for these tubes than a standard 6L6. The unique power tube complement is also noted on the original tube chart which is intact inside the head cabinet. The preamp tubes are all vintage valves as well.

Both the head and cabinet retain their original smooth blonde tolex and gold sparkle grillcloth, with stock hardware throughout including the tilt-back legs, nickel corners, piggyback clip bars, handles, and raised Fender logos.

A vintage (non-original) footswitch is included, along with the original pair of Victoria Luggage slip covers. These covers represent the transition between the brown canvas covers of the 50s-early '60s and the black vinyl covers of the Black Panel line.