Bandmaster vs. Tremolux

[Sauerkraut]

a friend is going to sell a few of his father's amps and amongst them are a blackface Bandmaster and a Tremolux. I've been looking for a replacement of my late 70's Twin Reverb as it's too loud and heavy for me and I think these amps are just what I'm looking for; the output of both is about 40 watts and they're easier to carry around because they're head-cab combo's.

The only difference between the two amps I could find is in the cabs; the Bandmaster has two 12" speakers and the Tremolux two 10" speakers. Are there any other differences? Which one would you choose? (I don't know the price yet) Does anyone own one of these? Do you like it? Will it kick my Twin's ass like I expect it to?

edit: I just noticed Soiouz's Bandmaster thread, I hope this one can still add something to the topic.

[greenlander]

You're lucky, those are some great amps! 

There were differences in the rectifier section (Tremolux = tube, Bandmaster = solid state) and some slight variations in the controls depending on year.

Check here for more detailed info: Fender Amp Field Guide

[Sauerkraut]

forgot to mention: the Bandmaster has been messed with; someone added a master volume knob (right in the middle of the 'bandmaster' logo).

That means I'm aiming for the Tremolux now, but it might make the Bandmaster really cheap and I know a good technician who can probably fix it.

[ohm-men]

Hi,

I got a 1964 Tremolux. Great amp and more then loud enough. Mine has a repro ceb, made it myself. Tremolux specs, but with 2 x12" speakers, since i'm not really into 10"'s.
The tremolux is a very sweet amp. Since it has the GZ 34 rectifier instead of the SS like the Bandmaster. Although the GZ 34 isn't a real "sagging" tube imo.
So what do you get...chinmey sparkley tones....and the tremolo is so nice. No pedal can bet that.

I also played Bandmasters (a '62 Blonde one and a '65 BF) Both were ok, but I dig the Tremolux far more. My other amp is a Showman, superb amp but loud...Main reasin I like the tremolux more.

If you want to get the amp serviced, I know some very good and reliable techs that won't charge you an arm or a leg. (unlike Mr Pexters in Tongeren)

[Sauerkraut]

Thanks for your advice ohm-men, I'll ask him if I can buy the Tremolux head and the Bandmaster's 2x12 cab.

I know a good technician here in Terneuzen (Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, m'n ouders wonen daar), since he does it as a hobby he never asks a lot of money and he's very good, he's an expert with old Fender amps, tape echo machines and offset Fenders.

[Sauerkraut]

I just remembered he's also selling an old Vox AC30

that might complicate things a bit..

[northern_dirt]

I just remembered he's also selling an old Vox AC30

that might complicate things a bit..

Guys got everything. haha

[blacktiger]

I just remembered he's also selling an old Vox AC30

that might complicate things a bit..

If by old you mean JMI, or early VSL/Vox Product (handwired versions) with either blue or silver Celestions, that's the one you want, as long as it's in good shape and not too expensive.  They are great amps and a much better investment than BF Fender piggybacks.

[Sauerkraut]

I don't know. He showed me some pictures he had stored in his camera of the amps his old man wants to sell and as most of them are old I assumed the Vox is probably old too. It could just be a 90's AC30, but that wouldn't be bad.

Maybe I can get him to send me the pictures later so I can post some here. I told him to make a list with prices (he's still figuring out what he should ask) to send me by e-mail. It's probably going to take a while though, he's not in a hurry.

[blacktiger]

I don't know. He showed me some pictures he had stored in his camera of the amps his old man wants to sell and as most of them are old I assumed the Vox is probably old too. It could just be a 90's AC30, but that wouldn't be bad.

Maybe I can get him to send me the pictures later so I can post some here. I told him to make a list with prices (he's still figuring out what he should ask) to send me by e-mail. It's probably going to take a while though, he's not in a hurry.

The early 90s Korg amps are good amps, but are PCB-based and not particularly collectible, so unless you are specifically looking for that tone, I'd probably go with the Fenders, which are handwired, should sound great with proper service and will appreciate over time.

Definitely post pics when you get them.

[painted wood]

Tremoluxe + =

I'd go for the Tremolux.  It is worth more, will hold it's value more, you'll love it forever, and it sounds killer.  I'd keep the matching cabinet with the head.  If it's the 2X10, then make sure you get that cabinet.  I think you'll really like the two 10s!  It doesn't get much better than that!

A 2x10 brown super is supposed to be really good too...didn't Stevie Ray play a 2x10 amp?

[opus]

i agree on the tremolux..., i'd go for the tube-rec, and 10s!

i wish i had an amp with 10s in it again.........

[bubbles_horwitz]

i've got a '65 bandmaster and it is a great amp. if you jump the channels together, it gives a great overdrive sound at gigging volumes. i'm not quite sure what the whole deal is with tube vs. ss rectifiers, but i do know that srv changed all the tube rectifiers in his amps to solid state.
i just played a gig with my jaguar and my bandmaster last week and found that with a combination of the rhythm and lead circuits on the guitar and the bright switches on the amp, i can get so many different sounds. i was switching back and forth the whole time.

but, you should really try all the amps first and pick the one you like best.

[blacktiger]

i'm not quite sure what the whole deal is with tube vs. ss rectifiers, but i do know that srv changed all the tube rectifiers in his amps to solid state.

In a nutshell; tube rectified = more sag/compression, ss rectified = tighter/snappier.  A lot of it has to do with the particular rectifier used too; GZ34s, for example, offer very little sag.

I prefer SS rectifiers.

[ohm-men]

In a nutshell; tube rectified = more sag/compression, ss rectified = tighter/snappier.  A lot of it has to do with the particular rectifier used too; GZ34s, for example, offer very little sag.

I prefer SS rectifiers.

Indeed, at low volumes the Tremolux sounds  a lot like a Bandmaster or a Showman. The GZ 34 does not produce a lot of sag. It's only noticeable on higer volumes. But there is something to be said about the GZ 34 that gives the tremolux it's unique sound imo. Indeed a bit less snapier then a Bandmaster, but it ads something to the overall sound. Hard to describe.

Blonde bandmasters used a 5U4 rectifier which produces more sag as it draws more current then the GZ34. But a Tremolux works also with a 5U4 if correctly biased. Although I prefer the GZ34 with it.