When we talk about American-style guitar amplifiers, only one name comes to mind. And for good reason. Since its beginnings in California in the late 1940s, Fender has designed and manufactured some of the highest-performing and most-recorded electric guitar amps in history. Whether guitarists prefer the crystal-clear tones of the 60s or the gritty sounds of the tweed era, we all revere the legacy that these amps continue to create. With their blackface, brownface, tweed, and modern designs, Fender is the only company that can truly claim the American sound. No electric guitar amp played a more important role in the evolution of the instrument than the 50-watt, 4x10-inch tweed Bassman combo, which reached its peak in 1959. Initially designed to be a bass amp – and a fantastic-sounding one at that – guitarists soon discovered its ability to produce smooth, sweet, and aggressive overdrive. As it shook the foundations of American rock 'n' roll and blues, a British record store owner, whose clientele included Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, and Ritchie Blackmore, developed his own version of the bass/guitar amp, thus giving birth to the British rock sound. Today, almost all electric guitar amps are inspired by the original or the British versions of these amps. Whether you are a bassist or a guitarist, the eternal influence and exceptional sound of these titans of the tweed era are undeniable.
INTERCHANGEABLE PREAMP
If you dream of the vibe, the sound, and the purity of a great vintage tube amp, try the Synergy B-Man preamp module. Designed to deliver the warm lows, crystalline highs, and thick harmonic crunch of a Bassman-inspired tone, the B-Man module opens the doors to some of the most important guitar sounds ever created. With its dual 12AX7 channels, you can switch instantly from a traditional sound to a more saturated one for solos or rhythm parts. Each channel also features bright and tight switches that modify the character of the sound and allow you to tame the loose low end of vintage amps. Every guitar sound you love owes a debt to the sound captured by the Synergy B-Man preamp module. Plug it in and discover the sound that changed the world.
The Synergy B-Man features two totally separate channels. Each channel has gain, volume, and 3-band EQ knobs, as well as three-position bright and tight switches.
CATHODE SELECTOR:
The B-Man module features a three-position switch that configures the low-frequency response of the input tubes to match the original circuit of the selected module (patent pending). This affects the feel and tightness. Every amp designer uses a specific combination of components for their input tube circuit. We have selected the three most popular combinations, accessible via this switch. The modules are preset to the same setting as a Fender Bassman, which is position 1 for the BMAN module (1.5 KΩ resistor and 22 μf capacitor).
DUAL <> SINGLE SLIDE SWITCH:
The BMAN module includes a switch allowing the new Synergy modules to be used in older single-channel Egnater and Randall modular amps/preamps that do not accept dual-channel modules. This provides access to either channel of the module when that slot is activated. You will still not be able to switch between the two channels due to the limitations of the older hardware. You can configure it so that channel 1 or 2 of the module activates when the slot is selected. Set it to Dual if you are using the module in units with the switching circuitry that allows access to both module channels. If you are using a single-channel amp/preamp, setting it to DUAL will activate the lower channel of the module. Setting it to Single will activate the upper channel of the module.
Fender, Bassman, Twin, and Deluxe Reverb are registered trademarks of Fender Corporation. Synergy hardware and interchangeable preamps are protected by a US patent.