Find out about vintage Fender guitar amplifiers
One of the earliest names in the electric guitar world, Fender, began in the 1940s. Dating Fender amplifiers can be a challenge, since there were no production numbers. The easiest way of identifying vintage Fender amplifiers is by their face.
Vintage woodie Fender amplifiers
Woodie amps are so named because of their uncovered wood cabinets and matching wood handles. The controls face the rear. They were made in three finishes: walnut, maple and mahogany. Woodies date from between 1946 and 1948.
Vintage TV front Fender amplifiers
Tweed-covered TV Front amps look like old televisions with rounded edges. Produced between 1948 and 1953, the amps came in two types of tweed. Earlier models had light tweed, and later models came in darker, diagonally-patterned tweed
Vintage wide panel Fender amplifiers
Wide panel Fender amps, produced between 1953 and 1955, had a top-facing chrome control panel.
Vintage narrow panel Fender amplifiers
Narrow panel Fender amps, made between 1955 and 1964, are almost identical to wide panel amps, except for the narrower top and bottom grille panels.
Vintage brown Fender amplifiers
Brown Fender amps, produced between 1959 and 1963, have forward-facing control panels and round brown knobs. The tweed was replaced by brown vinyl Tolex. Blond models are similar but have a beige Tolex covering with white knobs.
Vintage black face Fender amplifiers
Black face Fender amps, made between 1963 and 1967, are similar to the brown/blonde amps but have a black Tolex covering and a black control panel. Many people think of these as Fender’s best amps.
Vintage silver face Fender amplifiers
Silver face Fender amps date from after 1967. Theyre similar to black face amps but have a dull chrome control panel.
Chronicle of vintage Marshall guitar amplifiers
Marshall began in 1962. The original amplifier model is the JTM45, with serial numbers starting at 1004. Smooth black covering, aluminum panels, and a rectangular logo with red lettering are all part of the Marshall history. The originals used straight-fronted cabinets and Celestion G12 15" speakers. In 1965, Marshall introduced its first 100-watt amplifier. It came in a larger cabinet with two 50-watt transformers. Pete Townshend (of The Who) requested an 8" x 12" cabinet, and thus the stack was born.
Learn about vintage Vox guitar amplifiers
During the 1960s Vox was famous for its Beatle Amplifier (yes, those Beatles). Producing 240-watt peak power with a built-in tuner, the Vox brimmed with technology. Its Watchdog load limiter let players crank up the volume without worrying about overloading. People also knew Vox for its five-button foot switch, which let the player control reverb, distortion, midrange boost, tremolo, and repeat percussion.