Bandmaster reverb vs super reverb

[smolder]

Looking at one of these as the mid wattage fender solution... Comparing early seventies bandmaster reverb and a super reverb. If they were both in a head cab, how would they differ?

[pfflam]

I believe the Super is 2-Ohms while the Bandmaster is 4-Ohms (maybe the late ones are 8?)

[pula58]

The super has a larger output transformer compared to the bandmaster reverb. Significantly more iron.
THe super will have more oomph..more volume.. tighter bass..more headroom.

[Mattbedrock]

Bandmasters are SS rectified. Supers are tube rectified. Real difference in feel - sag vs no sag.

[pula58]

Respectfully: Silverface bandmaster reverb's are tube rectified. OP mentioned Bandmaster reverb, not bandmaster.

[sixty2strat]

Bandmaster reverb can be had for CHEAP.....everything pula58 said is right so makes they a very gig friendly amp. never notice too much bass flub

[smolder]

If I bought a super... I'd likely put it n a head cab. Not sure that I need the extra umph.

[Doctor Morbius]

Originally Posted by pula58

Respectfully: Silverface bandmaster reverb's are tube rectified. OP mentioned Bandmaster reverb, not bandmaster.

My Silverface Bandmaster Reverb has a solid state rectifier. It's the 70 watt version.

[StratMatt98]

The Bandmaster Reverb had a GZ34 in 1968, The first year of the silverface bandmaster reverb. They (Reverb model) never came with a blackface. Sometime in 1969 they switched to the saggy 5U4GB. These are great amps but you can score one of these heads for $500 or less.

The GZ34 models are worth more due to the blackface era rectifier. Later in the 70's I think they did do away with the tube rectifier.

[belair]

Originally Posted by StratMatt98

The Bandmaster Reverb had a GZ34 in 1968, The first year of the silverface bandmaster reverb. They (Reverb model) never came with a blackface. Sometime in 1969 they switched to the saggy 5U4GB. These are great amps but you can score one of these heads for $500 or less.

The GZ34 models are worth more due to the blackface era rectifier. Later in the 70's I think they did do away with the tube rectifier.

My BMR is a late 1969 model and shows a GZ34 on the tube chart but has an old 5U4GB installed. Don't know if it's original or not-like I said the tube is real old.

Will it tighten things up a little if I swap it for a GZ34, and is that OK to do?

I'm putting it into a 2x10 combo cab hopefully this month.

[blackba]

Originally Posted by belair

My BMR is a late 1969 model and shows a GZ34 on the tube chart but has an old 5U4GB installed. Don't know if it's original or not-like I said the tube is real old.

Will it tighten things up a little if I swap it for a GZ34, and is that OK to do?

I'm putting it into a 2x10 combo cab hopefully this month.

+1, I am curious about this too. Mine has a 5U4GB and is a '69 BMR as well. I think I have asked about this before and was told to keep using the 5U4GB. This is a nice link. https://www.kcanostubes.com/content/...eability-chart

As for the OP's question, as was mentioned the biggest difference is the size of the output transformer. Its a pretty common mod to put a 50Watt BF/SF Bassman output transformer in a BMR. I think my stock BMR sounds great as is, so I haven't done it.

[telejammer]

I have a Bandmaster Reverb head that I just had made into a Super Reverb, it was "blackfaced", and the output transformer was changed to a 2 0hm. A cap job was done using Sprage-Atoms and rectifier tube was changed from 5U4 to 5AR4. The chassie was then installed in a Super Reverb Reissue cabnet with the "Blackface faceplate and using the Jenson PR10's. I have the reverb on both channels and the vibrato mod ,on-off switch that adds some gain in the off position. JJ 6l6's and some NOS pre-amp tubes. The amp sounds out of this world! This is my new giging amp. The Bandmaster Reverb was purchased for $125.00 about 15 years ago. The SRRI I purchased for $700.00 and it is in mint condition. Overall cost including tech fees was around $900.00, not bad for a mint hand wired Blackface Super Reverb. I apologize for the rambling but I wanted to show that the Bandmaster Reverb has many posibilities and is still a good bargain for a hand wired American made amp.