ender Black Panel Bassman Amp Head - 1965 - Used
The 1965 Fender Bassman is a cornerstone of rock and roll and blues history, celebrated for its robust clean tones and legendary overdriven crunch. This "Black Panel" era head is highly sought after by guitarists for its versatility; while originally designed for bass, its two-channel layout—Bass and Normal—provides a wide spectrum of harmonically rich tones that have defined the sound of countless iconic recordings. The A12991 serial number confirms its 1965 production, placing it right in the sweet spot of Fender's golden era.
This unit is in great shape for its age, showing the honest patina of a vintage workhorse. It has been recently serviced to ensure it is stage and studio ready. Vintage amplifiers of this caliber benefit greatly from regular maintenance, and this one is sounding fantastic with the punch and clarity you expect from a 50-watt 6L6-driven circuit. Whether you are looking for the glassy cleans of the Normal channel or the thicker, more saturated breakup of the Bass channel, this amplifier delivers a level of touch-sensitivity and responsiveness that modern reissues struggle to match.
The chassis and faceplate are in clean condition, and the original black skirted knobs are present. It features the classic "Fender Electric Instrument Co." or "Fender Musical Instruments" text depending on its specific production month within that transitional year. This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of hand-wired history that is ready to be played and enjoyed immediately.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Fender
- Model: Bassman (Black Panel)
- Year: 1965
- Serial-Number: A12991
- Power-Output: 50 Watts
- Power-Tubes: 2 x 6L6
- Preamp-Tubes: 12AX7
- Channels: 2 (Bass Instrument and Normal)
- Controls-Bass-Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass, Deep Switch
- Controls-Normal-Channel: Volume, Treble, Bass, Bright Switch
- Condition: Great vintage condition. Serviced and fully functional; minor cosmetic wear to tolex and faceplate consistent with age.
- Included: 1965 Bassman Head.
About Us + Shipping Every vintage amplifier we sell undergoes a thorough professional inspection and service to ensure all transformers, capacitors, and tubes are performing to specification. We pack each head with extreme care, utilizing heavy-duty boxes and specialized padding to protect the chassis and tubes during transit. Mill River Music is a full-service music store located in Western Massachusetts. We are proud to offer new, used, and vintage gear, plus repairs and friendly advice. International buyers are welcome—please message us for an accurate shipping quote before purchase.
