The only thing I would say is to be careful when you buy a Bandmaster head. And to really be in line with Stevie Ray (asides from ability), I guess a 4x10 Super Reverb with a Tubescreamer would be more desirable than a 2x12 Bandmaster (didn't Noel Redding use a Bandmaster for bass?) Soundwise, I think Bandmasters are more in the line of the Fender Vibrolux/Twin Reverb/Showman family, not the Fender Bassman and Deluxe Reverb sounds. I ended up swapping in a Bassman output transformer and some 7581a power tubes, and it's my favorite amp right now. Save up for an original Deluxe, or maybe get a reissue Vibrolux.Ī couple years ago I was able to sell my 66 Vibrolux and pick up a 66 BF Showman, 68 SF w/trim Bandmaster, an unloaded BF 66 Tremolux cab and an unloaded BF 66 Bandmaster cab (the smaller one) with the money - I believe the Bandmasters are still one of the best deals for Fender. If it's more than that, it's only because it's a pre-CBS Blackface, not because it's incredible, sound-wise. I would not pay more than $500 for it (the head) though. I had a Bandmaster rig with head and 2 X 12 cab that couldn't have been more than $375 for everything, but that was the '80s. Bandmasters were always sort of considered the poor kid's Fender-I remember when those black-face heads were easily gotten for $100 to $150. I paid $500 for it about three years ago. I have had vintage Supers and Twins and Deluxes, and I won't say it's in the same class with those, but these days it's my only Fender.
I don't find mine to be overly bright, but I DO have to keep the bass pot down to like 2 or 3. Great clean sound, and surprisingly great for overdriven lead guitar using a Les Paul or humbucker Gibson. I record with it all the time and love it. The reverb version is quite rare, but other than that, it has the same circuit as the black '64 you're talking about. I have a first generation silverface Bandmaster Reverb, 1968/9.
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