FALSE Fender 5G6A Bassman EBAY/Sold as 1961 Bassman Amp Head

[Toppscore]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... TQ:US:1123

This above Fender amp head just sold on EBay for $1579.00
The seller states in the listing it is a 5F6A Bassman.
The seller verified that twice to me.

I had him give me all known info and I believe it is
a late 1961 or 1962 6G6 or 6G6A Bassman ~ not a 1950s 5F6A 4x10 Bassman
accidentally sold by Fender 20 months AFTER the last 1969 5F6A shipped.
And months past the 6G6 Fender amps shipped.

What do you think?

I mentioned Brand NEW Fender 5F6A Tube Charts are for sale for $5.00
on EBay. Add some tea stains and aging, and whammo!!! . . . .
the most rare one-of-a-kind Fender 5F6A Bassman Amp Head ever made.

What do you think? or am I off-base?

[Firestorm]

Well, it's obviously not a 5F6A (four preamp tubes instead of three), but it isn't unheard of for Fender to use old tube charts in new models. What I think is interesting is the seller shot a gazillion pics of the amp, but not one of the interior of the chassis, even though he had it out of the cab. That's the pic I'd want to see before buying it.

[Toppscore]

Well, it's obviously not a 5F6A (four preamp tubes instead of three), but it isn't unheard of for Fender to use old tube charts in new models. What I think is interesting is the seller shot a gazillion pics of the amp, but not one of the interior of the chassis, even though he had it out of the cab. That's the pic I'd want to see before buying it.

You think Fender could be 18-20 months off-base
with tube-chart inaccuracy?

[Lynxtrap]

Of course it's not a 5F6A. But it doesn't seem like the seller is making a big deal about the model number. If he doesn't know much about tube amps, maybe he simply calls it what the tube chart calls it.

Who knows what went on at Fender's factory back then. Maybe the person who glued the chart couldn't tell a tube from a light bulb.

But Firestorm is right, there should be pictures of the inside. But I don't see any reason why this wouldn't be a 61/62 Bassman like the seller says.

[Toppscore]

Of course it's not a 5F6A. But it doesn't seem like the seller is making a big deal about the model number. If he doesn't know much about tube amps, maybe he simply calls it what the tube chart calls it. Who knows what went on at Fender's factory back then. Maybe the person who glued the chart couldn't tell a tube from a light bulb. But Firestorm is right, there should be pictures of the inside. But I don't see any reason why this wouldn't be a 61/62 Bassman like the seller says.

Agree. Could be someone without knowledge.
But, there's way too much seller info dispersed within the description area
that I'd bet some research would make "combo amp" versus "amp head"
knowledge come to the fore-front of the brain's awareness mass.

He initially stated as "BF6A". I sent the following message:
"Hi. 'BF6A' for the tube chart does not make sense. Maybe hard to read.
'6G6A' makes the most sense for 1961-1962 Bassmans.

His response was:
"typing error...it clearly says 5f6a . you can read it
if you click on the picture of the tube chart."

He sold the "Whatever Bassman" anyway.
Whatever

[billyz]

The Tube Chart is wrong but so are many Fender tube charts. The date code is consistent with 1961.
Recovered, re grilled , new baffle, no gut shot and replaced Power transformer. Too much for me.

[rdjones]

The tube chart is obviously incorrect.
Even though Fender did use older charts into newer circuit production it's rare that the tube arrangement is wrong as in this case.
The chart appears to have been reattached in a different place than originally.

The amp is extensively rebuilt with non-original type parts.
CBS part # on the choke. Ceramic sockets.
The serial # seems too late for the tube rectified version.
The chassis photos that include top shots but no inside shots is suspicious.

My impression is that it's being sold by a 3rd party and that no deceit is intentional.
Unfortunately few eBay shoppers have the technical knowledge that the group here has.

rd

[Toppscore]

The Tube Chart is wrong but so are many Fender tube charts. The date code is consistent with 1961. Recovered, re grilled , new baffle, no gut shot and replaced Power transformer. Too much for me.

Agree. I just tried to help out

Like taking a 1967 Ford Mustang
and installing a big block Chevy 454ci engine
and adding a 1968 Plymouth tranny.

Still a Mustang, but . . . . . .
. . . . . someone else's surprise project


Toppscore

[Toppscore]

The tube chart is obviously incorrect.
Even though Fender did use older charts into newer circuit production it's rare that the tube arrangement is wrong as in this case.
The chart appears to have been reattached in a different place than originally.

The amp is extensively rebuilt with non-original type parts.
CBS part # on the choke. Ceramic sockets.
The serial # seems too late for the tube rectified version.
The chassis photos that include top shots but no inside shots is suspicious.

My impression is that it's being sold by a 3rd party and that no deceit is intentional. Unfortunately few eBay shoppers have the technical knowledge that the group here has. rd

Anyway, I do try to point out ANY AND ALL unusual discrepancies that are
"CLAIMED to CORRECT" because "ANYTHING was/is/could be possible" at Fender.

Installing a two/three year old 1959 4x10 Bassman amp tube chart
inside of a 1962/1963 Amp Head Bassman is strange enough to
at least be reported or discussed ~ doesn't anyone think

Personally, I am tired of the BS that ALL inaccuracies or mistakes
can be easily attributed to "well ~ that is what happened at Fender".
You guys know the least of it as tons of crud gets no publicity.

Right or incorrect or fraud, all of these weird advertised EBay or Craigslist
amps for sale should be published or discussed.

Truly, I can understand if mistakes are made by Fender at the END of
one production run and the beginning of a NEW production run.

But, two-three years apart and with the completely wrong tube chart???


You'd think that a piece of paper is worth trashing and avoiding and
not saving 1/10th of a cent to save money . . . . and,
. . . . . having Fender Repair & Customer Service Departments "look good"
instead of looking like fools when someone calls Fender in 1964
to have a "1959 5F6A AMP HEAD" repaired with 1962 parts


Glad I did not buy that amp. Try selling it down the road - lol

[Structo]

What can we say, Leo was thrifty!

[rdjones]

What can we say, Leo was thrifty!

Ha Ha
Yeah, Leo was a chiseler in certain areas.
Luckily some of the important areas were spared.
For example we got nice sturdy chassis'.

Some components weren't even available in questionable quality.
I bet even the bottom barrel tubes from the day would exceed what we have now.

rd

[Lynxtrap]

I don't understand what the big deal is. The thing had the wrong tube chart, we have to live with the fact.
In my part of the world I couldn't get a blonde Bassman for that price if it was trashed with an axe.

[Toppscore]

What can we say, Leo was thrifty!

I am learning.
Must have been World Record Thrifty.

But But But, were are assuming at a high percentage
the tube chart is original to the amp and not
removed from another amp and not a fraud tube chart.

But, thrifty works, as well.

[Toppscore]

What can we say, Leo was thrifty!

Ha Ha
Yeah, Leo was a chiseler in certain areas.
Luckily some of the important areas were spared.
For example we got nice sturdy chassis'.
Some components weren't even available in questionable quality.
I bet even the bottom barrel tubes from the day would exceed what we have now. rd

I agree. The amps are still working and famous and deliver the goods.

[Toppscore]

I don't understand what the big deal is. The thing had the wrong tube chart, we have to live with the fact. In my part of the world I couldn't get a blonde Bassman for that price if it was trashed with an axe.

This is all about me and my questioning of a 1959 tube chart
for a possible 1960 5F6A 4x10 Bassman that describes within
tube chart different tubes for the 1959/1960 5F6A Bassman . . . . .

. . . and then is found in a 1962 6G6A or 6G6B Bassman amp head that
is maybe three years later after the 1959 tube charts were published.

Therefore if real/legit, the tube chart had to be lying around after
5000(+) other CORRECT tube charts were used correctly on this amp head model
BEFORE this amp head had the "WRONG COMBO AMP" tube chart installed.

My purpose is as an INQUIRY.

Is it possible??? Yes.
Is there chance of fraud??? Yes.

Who knows. But, the beauty is having this discussion and being aware of what
is going on in this world of today as well as the Fender world of yesteryear.

Why not discuss it? Why brush it under the table?
Maybe it is the most unique and rare amp ever made?
Maybe a Fender factory beta demo transitional experimental project for an employee?
Maybe not.

But, thinking all mistakes are simply a Fender idiot issue is, IMHO,
not the only way to view "Strange Fender Science".

What do you think? Toppscore