Fender Super Amp 6G4-A Tube Amplifier (1962)
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Item # 10435
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Fender Super Amp 6G4-A Model Tube Amplifier (1962), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 54229, brown tolex covering finish.
This lovely Super-Amp Model 5G4-A is a very fine example of one of the true gems from Fender's often underrated early 1960s "Brown" period. Although there are always transitional amps from any era, more changes to Fender's line occurred in 1960 than any other year. This model Super is one of the first of the company's novel designs for the new decade, a two 10" speaker combo covered in the brown Tolex just coming into use as the '60s dawned. The front-mounted control panel and all-new layout were just some of the long lasting innovations ushered in around this time. The amps' dual 5881 power section yields around 40 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their 1960 catalog, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with their overdriven tones!
A noteworthy feature found in the higher-powered models in the new line-up is the all-new harmonic tremolo. Unlike the bias-vary tremolo appearing on earlier Fenders and the lower-powered contemporaries, which modulates the output volume, the harmonic vibrato circuit modulates higher and lower frequencies separately, at the same rate, but offset in phase from one another. There is no actually change in overall volume or pitch, but the faux doppler-effect created by the phase-shifting between high and low frequencies makes it sound like a mixture of both. It is very cool and takes a whopping two-and-a-half preamp tubes to accomplish!
This amp's tube chart bears no legible stamped markings, but the serial number (54229) narrows down the production year to 1962. This, the 6G4-A circuit is a light revision of the initial 6G4, using two 5881 output tubes as opposed to the earlier 6L6GC's and the revised harmonic tremolo circuit curiously leaves one half of a 12AX7 unused. The A-revision also addresses a rather peculiar original front-panel layout decision which put the volume control third, after bass and treble. This design received immediate backlash from players who found the volume control placement utterly confusing and the layout was changed to the more intuitive and now classic "volume, treble and bass" order.
Height is 18 in. (45.7 cm.), 24 in. (61 cm.) across at the widest point, and 10 in. (25.4 cm.) in depth at side.
This super is a stellar example. The cabinet is overall in phenomenal shape, save for a few minor dings and dents primarily along the lower front lip. The brown Tolex covering is otherwise very clean and the top of the amp features a neat little store badge reading "Parlier's Music Co - Bakersfield, CA", presumably the dealership where the amplifier was initially sold. The front panel is mostly free of blemishes with all the lettering is nicely intact. The front grille cloth covering is impeccably clean and even the original molded plastic handle is intact. The original tremolo footswitch is included and the amp also retains its original (and at this point fairly road-worn) covering made by Victoria Luggage Co.
Electrically, the Super is nicely original. Both speakers are the original Jensen P12R, marked 220-103 and 220-022, dating them to the 3rd week of 1961 and the 22nd week of 1960. The Schumacher-made power, choke and output transformers are original and are marked 606-213, 606-213 and 606-216 dating them to the 13th and 16th week of 1962, respectively. The amp sports a pair of Tung Sol 5881 power tubes and an RCA rectifier. The amp has received our routine maintenance, including the replacement of all electrolytic caps, a three-prong power cord, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and biased to spec.
This is a truly excellent example of a rare, great-sounding amp from a short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a unique-sounding tremolo and a great punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the brown Deluxe, this Super is a very versatile gigging or recording amp that can keep up with a louder playing situation while still offering the classic cracking overdrive of the "brown sound" Fenders. Overall Excellent Condition.
This lovely Super-Amp Model 5G4-A is a very fine example of one of the true gems from Fender's often underrated early 1960s "Brown" period. Although there are always transitional amps from any era, more changes to Fender's line occurred in 1960 than any other year. This model Super is one of the first of the company's novel designs for the new decade, a two 10" speaker combo covered in the brown Tolex just coming into use as the '60s dawned. The front-mounted control panel and all-new layout were just some of the long lasting innovations ushered in around this time. The amps' dual 5881 power section yields around 40 watts of "clean and distortionless power", claimed Fender in their 1960 catalog, filled with iconic amps that would soon change the course of guitar history with their overdriven tones!
A noteworthy feature found in the higher-powered models in the new line-up is the all-new harmonic tremolo. Unlike the bias-vary tremolo appearing on earlier Fenders and the lower-powered contemporaries, which modulates the output volume, the harmonic vibrato circuit modulates higher and lower frequencies separately, at the same rate, but offset in phase from one another. There is no actually change in overall volume or pitch, but the faux doppler-effect created by the phase-shifting between high and low frequencies makes it sound like a mixture of both. It is very cool and takes a whopping two-and-a-half preamp tubes to accomplish!
This amp's tube chart bears no legible stamped markings, but the serial number (54229) narrows down the production year to 1962. This, the 6G4-A circuit is a light revision of the initial 6G4, using two 5881 output tubes as opposed to the earlier 6L6GC's and the revised harmonic tremolo circuit curiously leaves one half of a 12AX7 unused. The A-revision also addresses a rather peculiar original front-panel layout decision which put the volume control third, after bass and treble. This design received immediate backlash from players who found the volume control placement utterly confusing and the layout was changed to the more intuitive and now classic "volume, treble and bass" order.
Height is 18 in. (45.7 cm.), 24 in. (61 cm.) across at the widest point, and 10 in. (25.4 cm.) in depth at side.
This super is a stellar example. The cabinet is overall in phenomenal shape, save for a few minor dings and dents primarily along the lower front lip. The brown Tolex covering is otherwise very clean and the top of the amp features a neat little store badge reading "Parlier's Music Co - Bakersfield, CA", presumably the dealership where the amplifier was initially sold. The front panel is mostly free of blemishes with all the lettering is nicely intact. The front grille cloth covering is impeccably clean and even the original molded plastic handle is intact. The original tremolo footswitch is included and the amp also retains its original (and at this point fairly road-worn) covering made by Victoria Luggage Co.
Electrically, the Super is nicely original. Both speakers are the original Jensen P12R, marked 220-103 and 220-022, dating them to the 3rd week of 1961 and the 22nd week of 1960. The Schumacher-made power, choke and output transformers are original and are marked 606-213, 606-213 and 606-216 dating them to the 13th and 16th week of 1962, respectively. The amp sports a pair of Tung Sol 5881 power tubes and an RCA rectifier. The amp has received our routine maintenance, including the replacement of all electrolytic caps, a three-prong power cord, all sockets, pots and jacks cleaned and biased to spec.
This is a truly excellent example of a rare, great-sounding amp from a short-lived era in Fender's history, offering a unique-sounding tremolo and a great punchy breakup at higher settings. With somewhat more headroom and clarity than the brown Deluxe, this Super is a very versatile gigging or recording amp that can keep up with a louder playing situation while still offering the classic cracking overdrive of the "brown sound" Fenders. Overall Excellent Condition.