Fender Super Amp 6G4-A Tube Amplifier (1961)
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Fender Super Amp 6G4-A Model Tube Amplifier (1961), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 03590, 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 version of the 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, which was 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 a very cool effect and takes a whopping two-and-a-half preamp tubes to accomplish!
This amp's tube chart is stamped KF indicating assembly in June 1961. It has a handwritten "A" after the model designation, indicating an early example of the 6G4-A circuit, a light revision of the initial 6G4 that uses 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 truly stellar example. The cabinet is overall in phenomenal shape. Save for a few minor dings and dents, the brown Tolex covering is otherwise extremely clean. The front panel is mostly free of blemishes with all the lettering is nicely intact, the front grille cloth covering is impeccably clean and only has one notable tear along the center of the lower edge. Even the original molded plastic handle is intact, and the chassis straps only show very minor signs of corrosive staining. The original vibrato footswitch is unfortunately long gone. The amp has also been outfitted with reproduction tilt-back legs.
Electrically, the Super is all original. Both speakers are the original ceramic 10" Oxford 10K5-S8's, both marked 465-125, dating them to the 25th week of 1961. The Schumacher-made power, choke and output transformers are original to the amp and are marked 606-113, 606-117 and 606-116 dating them to the 13th, 17th and 16th week of 1961, respectively. 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. 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 version of the 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, which was 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 a very cool effect and takes a whopping two-and-a-half preamp tubes to accomplish!
This amp's tube chart is stamped KF indicating assembly in June 1961. It has a handwritten "A" after the model designation, indicating an early example of the 6G4-A circuit, a light revision of the initial 6G4 that uses 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 truly stellar example. The cabinet is overall in phenomenal shape. Save for a few minor dings and dents, the brown Tolex covering is otherwise extremely clean. The front panel is mostly free of blemishes with all the lettering is nicely intact, the front grille cloth covering is impeccably clean and only has one notable tear along the center of the lower edge. Even the original molded plastic handle is intact, and the chassis straps only show very minor signs of corrosive staining. The original vibrato footswitch is unfortunately long gone. The amp has also been outfitted with reproduction tilt-back legs.
Electrically, the Super is all original. Both speakers are the original ceramic 10" Oxford 10K5-S8's, both marked 465-125, dating them to the 25th week of 1961. The Schumacher-made power, choke and output transformers are original to the amp and are marked 606-113, 606-117 and 606-116 dating them to the 13th, 17th and 16th week of 1961, respectively. 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. Excellent Condition.