Two 60 year old BLONDES on the bench | Rift Weekly Update |

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a tech channel, but simply a show-and-tell. It is not designed to give advice and support on vacuum tube amplifiers but to show what I get up to each week in the workshop.
I deliberately keep tech talk to a minimum, or at least to a point where it’s understandable to the casual viewer. There are other channels more suited to that level of detail.
I do not do reviews, either paid or unpaid. My opinions are entirely my own and do not represent those of others.
All comments are welcome but those deemed unhelpful, rude, inappropriate, or unsavoury will be reviewed and possibly censored.
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Bassman, 6G15 Reverb, Tweed Deluxe
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EQUIPMENT I USE
Wire Strippers - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/wire-s...
Knipex Snips - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cutter...
Oscilloscope - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/oscill...
Signal Generator - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/arbitr...
Soldering Station - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder...
Chisel Tips - uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solder...

[@garethsigrist8714]

That reverb tank is so clean you could eat your dinner off it! Does that mean it’s a plate reverb? 🍽️ 😂
What a privilege to get a look inside these vintage beauties! Thank you Chris and thank you Josh! I’ve got such a soft spot for the look of those blonde Bassmans. And that locking mechanism for the spring tank in the reverb unit is such a wonderfully simple piece of practical engineering! I love little details like that!

[@tomk1tl39]

I built a Fender 6G15 from scratch and it sounds wonderful .. . installed a 6K6 . .. use it with my Fender 5F2 scratch built . . . covered both units with tweed cloth 😎

[@MichaelSmith-rn1qw]

On the reverb unit, the ink stamped code inside the chassis indicated the technician and date the wiring was completed. It looks like technician H, 48th week of 64.

[@andyhightides]

Funny you call it a Christmas amp! My Bandmaster has transformers dated 44th and 47th week, but the two letter stamp on the tube chart puts it in September. I figured parts that laid around waiting to be checked for the Canadian market. It's mains cable plugs into what I would call a trailer (caravan) plug. A recessed male 3-prong plug, and the supplied cable is 2-prong with a stackable end. (Other 2-prong can be plugged into the back)

[@andypendlebury6445]

lovely stuff that! Am liking the 'interactive' presenting format!! 😁

[@MarkEagleton]

Love the second person/customer camera. I think having a customer in brings out more of your teaching skills. Nice to hear the interaction.

[@ThomasBN4G]

I couldn't decide which to put on my bucket list, a custom shop Strat or a hand wired amp. After watching a few of your videos, it's the amp! Cheers!

[@fiddlix]

Wow, what a time capsule that Fender reverb unit. It is always a treat to work on one that is unmolested as that. The owner brought it in to the right place without a doubt….Cheers..!

[@Kevin-the-Just]

The transformer in that Bassman looks like it's been in a fire. How did it get to look like that? As a second thought, Chris, have you considered making a stand alone reverb unit? With your design and build ethos they'd be awesome!!

[@JEmilioJNava]

What a nice unit ... love those ... super clean

[@Jim_Cox]

Great production. The camera work was great. Keep up the good work!

[@DornAndGrant]

Interesting mix of amp and cab. I had exactly that, a cream bassman with a tremolux 2x10 cab. Sounded splendid. Bought it in the 90s from dick Taylor of the pretty things. Some years later, One of the 10” speakers was dying and I wasn’t gigging cos of children so sold it to one of the levellers in their studio in Brighton. Such an odd mix I wonder if this is that actual one. If not still very interesting. :)

[@LPCustom3]

Mercury's are warrantied for 20 years..

[@RiftAmps]

Incorrect. It’s 10 years and ONLY to the original owner. However, any Mercury-made OEM transformers are only covered up to the mnfr’s limit, which in Fender’s case is two years.

[@watkinscopicat]

i would sell several organs for a Rift version of that reverb unit.

[@RiftAmps]

Get your credit card out and I’ll get building ;)

[@joepeezy4sheezy]

The reverb unit’s tolex is not original. The tolex on it is newer, and not the “rough blonde” that is on the bassman. The pattern is different.

[@RiftAmps]

Incorrect. Fender changed to the smooth blonde tolex in late ‘63.

[@joepeezy4sheezy]

@@RiftAmps no pine knot stains, no staples on the bottom seams? At the end of the day if it sounds good and looks good, awesome.