Discover vintage Fender amplifiers for sale, from tweed Champs, Deluxes, and Bassmans to blackface Deluxe Reverbs, Princeton Reverbs, Twin Reverbs, and Super Reverbs, along with silverface classics through 1979. Vintage Fender tube amps set the standard for clean, dynamic guitar tone, and the right one is as much an instrument as the guitar you plug into it.
At Mahar’s Vintage Guitars, every vintage Fender amp is inspected, tested, and documented before it ships. We photograph the chassis, transformers, tube chart, and speakers up close, and we disclose service history, replaced parts, and cosmetic wear in every listing. Our inventory changes constantly, so check back often.
Want a newer amp? Explore our used Fender amplifiers (1980s to today), see our full Fender amplifiers collection, or browse all vintage amplifiers. You can also read our blog post on Fender tone ring amps, some of the best-sounding piggyback rigs.
We buy vintage Fender amps and guitars! Whether you’re selling one amp or a full vintage collection, let us know.
Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Buy a Vintage Fender Amp
Tweed, brownface, blackface, and silverface
Fender’s amp eras are named for their cosmetics, and the cosmetics track the circuits. Tweed amps, built from the late 1940s to around 1960, are prized for a warm, touch-sensitive breakup, with models like the Champ, Deluxe, and the 4x10 Bassman 5F6-A among the most collected. Brownface and blonde amps (roughly 1960 to 1963) brought new circuits and a cleaner sound. Blackface amps (1963 to 1967) are widely considered the high point of Fender’s clean headroom, and CBS bought the company in January 1965, so blackface amps built before that point are called pre-CBS. Silverface amps began in 1968, with early examples sharing much of the blackface circuit, and master-volume models arrived in 1972.
What drives value in a vintage Fender amp
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Originality — original power and output transformers, speakers, and tubes matter significantly. A replaced transformer or speaker affects both tone and collector value, even in an otherwise excellent amp.
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Era and circuit — tweed, brownface, and pre-CBS blackface amps command the highest prices, and a circuit designation such as AB763, found on the schematic and chassis, helps confirm what the amp is.
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Service history — filter capacitor replacement and other maintenance are normal and often necessary on an amp this old. A documented, professionally serviced example is generally a safer purchase.
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Cosmetics — original covering, grille cloth, control panel, and knobs all contribute to value, and a reconed or refaced amp can be worth less than an untouched one.
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Rarity — specific models, unusual covering, and special configurations carry a premium over standard production.
How we inspect and test our amplifiers
Every amp in this collection is inspected and powered up in-house before listing. We check for original transformers and speakers using their stamped codes, verify that the circuit matches the amp’s stated year and cosmetics, note service history when known, and photograph the chassis and key components so you know exactly what you’re buying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “pre-CBS” mean for a Fender amp?
Pre-CBS refers to amps made before CBS bought Fender in January 1965. Pre-CBS amps, especially tweed, brownface, and early blackface models, are generally the most collectible and command higher prices, though many CBS-era blackface and early silverface amps are excellent players and a better value.
How can I tell if a vintage Fender amp is all original?
Start with the stamped codes: transformers, speakers, and many components carry a date code that shows the year they were made, and these should line up with the amp’s stated year. The tube chart inside the cabinet and the circuit designation also help confirm an amp’s identity. We photograph these details on every listing, and you can use our Dating Your Guitar guide for help or contact us and we’ll lend a hand.
What is a “drip edge” silverface amp?
The earliest silverface amps, from roughly 1968 into 1969, have a raised lip along the aluminum trim on the front of the amp, known as a drip edge. Many players seek out drip-edge amps because they tend to share more of the blackface circuit, and they’re often a more affordable way into that sound.
Do vintage Fender amps need service before I play them?
Often, yes. Decades-old filter capacitors and other parts wear out, so we recommend having any vintage tube amp inspected by a qualified technician before heavy use. We note known service history in every listing, and we test every amp before it ships.
Do you ship amplifiers, and how are they packed?
Yes, we ship amplifiers nationwide and internationally, with careful attention to packing given the weight of the amp and the fragility of the tubes and transformers. Every amp is insured in transit. Import duties and taxes for international orders are the buyer’s responsibility and vary by destination country.