Bassman 5F6-A

Fender Electric Instrument Co.; Fullerton (CA)

Data
Forum
Pictures
Collections

  • Year
  • 1958–1960 ?
  • Category
  • Audio Amplifier or -mixer
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 356461

 Technical Specifications

  • Number of Tubes
  • 6
  • Main principle
  • Audio-Amplification
  • Wave bands
  • - without
  • Details
  • Guitar Amplifier
  • Power type and voltage
  • Alternating Current supply (AC) / 60 Hz, 110 Volt
  • Loudspeaker
  • 4 Loudspeakers
  • Power out
  • 40 W (unknown quality)
  • Material
  • Leather / canvas / plastic - over other material
  • from Radiomuseum.org
  • Model: Bassman 5F6-A - Fender Electric Instrument Co.
  • Shape
  • Console with any shape - in general
  • Notes

  • The Fender Bassman 5F6-A is a legendary guitar amplifier that played a significant role in shaping the sound of rock and blues music.

    Origins and Development

    The Bassman amplifier was originally introduced by Fender in 1952 as an amplifier for the Precision Bass guitar. However, it evolved over the years and became popular among guitarists.

    The 5F6-A model, introduced in 1958, represented the pinnacle of the tweed Bassman design. It was the culmination of several iterations and improvements made to the Bassman circuit throughout the 1950s.

    Key Features and Innovations

    The 5F6-A Bassman had several notable features that contributed to its iconic sound:

    • Circuit Design: It used a long-tail pair phase inverter, which provided greater headroom and clearer signal reproduction compared to previous designs.
    • Speaker Configuration: The amp featured four 10-inch Jensen speakers, which moved a lot of air and produced a powerful sound.
    • Tone Controls: It had a 3-knob tone stack with separate controls for treble, midrange, and bass.
    • Tube Configuration: The amp used a GZ34 rectifier tube, two 5881/6L6 power tubes, and 12AX7 and 12AY7 preamp tubes.
    • Power Output: The 5F6-A delivered about 40 watts of output power.

    Impact and Legacy

    The Bassman 5F6-A became renowned for its versatility and tone:

    • It was equally adept at producing warm jazz tones, gritty blues sounds, and classic rock tones.
    • The amp's circuit design became highly influential, serving as the foundation for many other amplifiers, most notably the early Marshall amps.
    • It was used by numerous famous musicians, including members of The Beatles and The Who.
    • The 5F6-A is considered one of the most collected guitar amplifiers of all time.

    Later Developments

    Production of the tweed 5F6-A Bassman ended in 1960 when Fender transitioned to Tolex-covered amplifiers. However, due to its enduring popularity, Fender began reissuing the 5F6-A Bassman as a guitar amp in 1990.
    The Fender Bassman 5F6-A remains a benchmark in amplifier design, revered for its rich, dynamic tone and its significant influence on the development of rock and blues guitar sounds.

  • Author
  • Model page created by Gary Cowans. See "Data change" for further contributors.

 Collections | Museums | Literature

 Forum