Fender showman vs dual showman: difference?

[kingsxman]

I might be picking up a Fender showman amp. I was thinking it was a dual showman...but it just says "showman" on the front. Its older. (60's). Whats the difference?

 

[rockstarjay]

The cabs they came with. The only difference in the heads will be 8 ohms vs. 4 ohms (dual).

 

[kingsxman]

Thanks. Prices seem to be all over the board for these.... I'm looking at a mid 60's blackface blonde one....

 

[rockstarjay]

I could never win any auction on one of these (I usually bid on blackface ones). I finally just went with two bassman heads instead of 1 showman.

Good luck.

 

[waxnsteel]

It's either blackface or blonde. On a blackface there won't be numbers on the faceplate around the knobs. On BFs, the numbers are on the knobs.

This one's blonde

This one's blackface

This is blackface with blonde tolex

Blonds have brownfaces and no brightswitches.

 

[ROKY]

As already stated :

Single Showman amp has an 8 ohm output transformer
Dual Showman, the 4 ohm transformer

I have an early 1968 SF Showman, which still has the BF circuit,
and it's a great amp, with the classic BIG Fender tone - tight, focused
clean tone that holds together at higher volumes and will show some
slight hair and grit if pushed by a humbucker loaded guitar.

The middle control is also very useful as it can add body to the clean
tones, and with the treble rolled back to, say, "5" on the dial it really
helps the amp breakup more @ higher volumes [by cranking the mids].

 

[kingsxman]

It's either blackface or blonde. On a blackface there won't be numbers on the faceplate around the knobs. On BFs, the numbers are on the knobs.

This one's blonde

This one's blackface

This is blackface with blonde tolex

Blonds have brownfaces and no brightswitches.

Its blackface with blonde tolex.

 

[ROKY]

Its blackface with blonde tolex.

GRAB IT !

 

[kingsxman]

GRAB IT !

I 'm trying to... The issue now is if he's going to stick with the deal or if he's going to sell to someone who will take "all" his stuff....

I aint got 8K to stick into the vintage guitar he's selling aslo.

 

[waxnsteel]

Very cool amp either way.

 

[babyslapmafro]

Can you use a dual showman (4 ohm output) into an 8 ohm cabinet safely?

 

[Baxtercat]

That'll work good.
BTW: how you tell a Showman from a Dual Showman is the
4 ohm OT is either 022889 or 125A29A, and the
8 ohm OT would be 022897 or 125A30A.

 

[teledeluxe]

Ditto. Some Showman heads have the 4-ohm transformer like the Dual Showman. I think they started shipping some Dual Showman amps before they ever printed it on the Faceplate. You might want to check the output transformer code prior to buying a '64 or '65 Showman to make sure it has the transformer you are looking for.

 

[Jman60]

My DS has a sticker "dual" on the back. Mine is dated May 1965.

 

[oceantracks]

I am getting a Showman dated 8/65, it says "SHOWMAN" on it, but the output transformer is 125A29A, which I read is for the Dual. Could this be one of those Showman's that were really Dual Showmans? If so, is it safe to hook up to an 8 ohm 2*12 cab?

Thanks
Tom

 

[Baxtercat]

It'll be fine, like I said. I run my four ohm Showman head into one 8-ohm EV at gigs all night long.

 

[oceantracks]

It'll be fine, like I said. I run my four ohm Showman head into one 8-ohm EV at gigs all night long.

Are all 8 ohm cabs equal?

For instance, the new Bandmaster VM cab has two 16 ohm speakers wired in parallel. So it's called an 8 ohm cab.

When I wrote to Fender to ask if it would be safe to use with a Dual Showman head they wrote back and said "No, it will blow up the amp. You need two 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel."

Confused.

TH

 

[Beam Tetrode]

Two 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel is 4 ohms.

Yes, there are quite a few dual showmans that just say showman on the faceplate. It's always best to check the output transformer number to determine impedance.

 

[direwolf]

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-blackface-showman/

 

[Daytona57]

I have a Fender PA 100, when I bought it, there was very little info on the net.

I understood, that the PA 100 head, 4 channel pa, was a variation of the Showman.

It has marvelous, Fender cleans and takes pedals very well as a pa.

YMMV