1964 Bassman Head - return or sell here?

ICBM · April 2017

For what it's worth - answering @TheMarlin's earlier question - this amp should be an AA864, the most desirable of the BF Bassman circuits. The production date is the 46th week of 1964, so after '864' (August '64), and the next variant is the AA165 (Jan '65). The circuit does appear to correspond to it at a quick look - the important characteristic is that the Normal channel (V3) doesn't go through the intermediate gain stage (V2), it goes straight to the phase inverter.

TheMarlin · April 2017

A lot of the early AA864's had the GG6B power transformer, which gave it some great girth. They just put them together using up the older parts...

Ive been after a 64 Tuxedo Bassman with the 6G6B transformer for a while. Mercury Magnetics make great replacement transformers for the 63/64.

If the OP wants to sell it as is, I'd be interested in It as a project.

jimmyguitar · May 2017

If the OP wants to sell it as is, I'd be interested in It as a project.

I think I want to get it restored and keep it, will let you know if I change my mind though @TheMarlin ;;

TheMarlin · May 2017

Try it with the Mercury Magnetics 6G6B transformers.
They are period correct for early 64's. These transformers have built in gain stages, very different to any other transformer Fender made.
Gives awesome tone.

DJH83004 · May 2017

My own personal view, is that MM transformers are very expensive especially with the exchange rate at the moment, so by the time it is fitted and serviced (filter caps, screen grid resistors etc.), you end up spending much than the resale value of an original BF Bassman. Why not let someone like JPF, have a look and see if the existing O/P TX installation can't be tidied up, service it and play it for a while and see how you get on with it