Fender 75 Head

This 75 head is a 1980. Very versatile with a little time playing with it. 2 channels- clean and drive (lead). I have completely refurbished this one with all new important wear parts inside and out. That is the key to making this 28 year old amp sound even better than when it was new. New power amp filter caps, all new preamp caps and resistors, bias cap, tubes and tolex. Yes this will cost a few hundred but the difference is amazing.

I use strats and teles for Blues, Blues Rock, Country, and most anything. Amp is very quiet and has tone for days. Lots of head room on the clean channel and the lead (drive) channel becomes very usable. There is plenty of distortion if you want it but if you keep the volume setting on the lead channel down ( about 2 or 3) and its master volume higher, the channel is great for a boosted clean channel. The regular channel also has a volume control and there is an overall master volume control. The amp takes pedals very well. The tone controls (bass,mid,treble) all have a pull boost for each that can really make this amp rock.

Very reliable especially with all the new, better parts.

Haven't delt with Fender.

Great Fender cleans and a second channel also. Can't beat that.

My amp was made in 1980. I am very pleased with the clean channel. The lead channel is not good. Bass, Mid, Treble all have boost/pull option. Great Reverb. High/Low power switch changes amp from 75Watt to 15Watt. You need to have foot pedal connected for amp to work correctly.

I really like the tone that I can get out of the clean channel (I only use the clean channel). Great for blues / blues rock. Not a lot of variety; however, it has the sound(s) I want. I find that with the boost on in the treble and bass (and not using the boost on in the mid) provides great tone. Using the mid (with boost) will provide slight crunch. I always have the bright option turned off. Reverb is great. Works well with stomp boxes. I almost always have it in the low output (15 watt) setting. I have two cabs (2x12 cellestions and 4x10 EVI - the 4 x 10 came with the amp). I prefer the sound that I get with the 4 x 10 - very nice, clean, blues, chime. I play a 1971 Gibson Les Paul Custom Black Beauty.

The amp is dependable. It required servicing only once - not bad for 25 years of use.

I sent away for the owners manual. Cost was approximately $5.00 and in two weeks it was mailed to me. Very good service.

I really like this amp. It gives me the tone (blues) that I want. However, I would not consider this a versitile amp. If I had more disposable income, I might consider purchasing a new amp for more diverse sounds (however, I would Never let this amp go).

I am not sure what year this amp was made, but I got it new around 1980. I got the head with a 2x12 cab. I don't use the lead channel alot, except for volume gain with the "Lead" drive and levels pulled back. I love the clean channel sound. It's a very thick sounding amp especially with the Bass Boost on. I like the fact that you can cut some of the midrange out by not having the "Mid" boost on. You can do this with every amp, but I noticed it more on this one. This amp has had plenty of power for any venue I have played, and have loaned it to fellow players who's amps have broken down on them.

I have never used the effects loop on this amp, but used it with a peddle board config. I did try changing the preamp tubes from 12AT7's to 12AX7's and found a little more gain, but prefer the original 12AT7's for the clean Fender sound. I found the amp to be kind of harsh on the "Lead" side, but I don't use it for that. I feel this is a great amp for blues style playing and maybe for jazz style as well. I've even used it for 80's Hair Band covers(with the right effects). I have had not trouble with this head.

As with any tube amp, you gotta do some maintenance. I've been replacing the tubes with a well known source. The amp sounds as wonderfull today as it did the day I baught it. As I said earlier, I've had to loan this one out to fellow players who's amps had broken down on them. I just had to give them a quick overview of the Bass and Mid boost controls.

Never had to get customer support on this one.

Ive had this amp for about 26 years and would not get rid of it. I've been playing for 29 years and will not let this one go. I've not heard another amp like it for what I use it for, mainly Blues and Southern Rock styles.
I just wish the "Lead" was not as harsh as it is. I've kicked back the gain but I just use that side as a volume boost.

My amp was made in 1980 - Great all tube guitar amp....I'm afraid, missing the point. This is Fender's best kept secret!It gives a clean Fender sound Twin + mix of mesa....All tubed point to point wired on a breadboard.No pc board crap.It has boost pulls on the treble, mid and bass. The clean channel is superb as is the reverb I GOT MANY FENDER AMP >>>USED THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HAVE IT AND THEY ARE CHEAP PRICE (USELLY) FOR WHAT YOU GET SO BUY IT OR FORGET IT YOU WILL NEVER SAW IT....CAUSE SOMEBODY WILL TAKE IT .....This amp has a great sound if u turn the volume above about 3 or 4 a buzz will pick up but you cant ask for everything. It also has a very clean sound and is very loud.

I play everything and i love loudness. These amps have a lot of head room....I GOT 2 TWIN 2 HOTROD 2X12 1 SUPER REVERB 1 PRO185 1 STAGE185 1 SUPERTWIN 1 STAGE SE ETC...THIS AMP WAS BUILT to compete with the mesa FORGET THE DISTORTION CHANNEL PUT EFFECT IN FRONT (OR A PEDAL OF YOUR CHOICE) AND GO TO CLEAN CHANNEL.. VOILAAAAA!!!!! this..this is very cool, well sounding, vintage character amp. VERY RARE. With a Strat with Texas Specials you get a powerful,nicely overdriven sound. The amp works well with effects [ not using the effects loop WITH OUT STEREO JACK YOU NEED STEREO JACK POWER IN POWER OUT ]ANYWAY THIS A MIX OF TWIN AND MESA TRY IT IF YOU LIKE BUY IT IF YOU DON`T LIKE LEAVE IT AND GO SPEND YOUR MONEY $$$$ ( L O T OF M O N E Y ) FOR A MESA OR TRIPLE XXX ..... ETC BUT IF YOUR looking for A Fender Twin Reverb SOUND this Head IS A decent [ original ] 1970's FENDER AMP with A MESA MIND

USED 1980 + TUBE !!!!!! FOR GIG I TAKE SOLID STATE AMP ...FOR STUDIO TUBE AT HOME TUBE AMP......Can you depend on it!!!! YES BUT IT `S 1980 AMP I've owned this beast, for 5 years. When I bought it, I MOVE the power tubes . I would not hesitate using this amp anywhere and without a backup. It has never given me any trouble But i got many AMPS SO I USE A SOLID STATE (STAGE 185 OR STAGE SE) COMBO AMP INSTEAD MOVING A 75 FENDER HEAD + A BOTTOM

MONEY TALKS!!!!!!

$300.00 CANADIAN FOR THAT AMP ,,,VERY GOOD DEAL GOOD SOUND VERY I`M HAPPY....I've been playing for 30 years.I've owned marshall's,peavey,LOT fender's AMPS .Get one of these while you can!!!!..These were only made for 3 years and a lot of people and even tech's dont know about these Ed Jahns designed fenders.These were designed by Jahns to compete with the mesa mark II....And what a great job he did!I would find another in a heartbeat.Before they become a rareity. I honestly think in the next ten years this amp will be a real collectors AMP.. I've used MY other fender amps. No one has my sound other than MY FENDER 75 AND LIKE I SAID BEFORE I play everything and i love loudness. These amps have a lot of head room...with a effect like V AMP 2 OR POD LINE 6 OR BIG PEDAL YOU WILL BE SUPRISSE EVAN HARD STUFF !!!!IF YOU KNOW HOW TO PLUG YOUR EFFECT LOOP...BUT If your looking for a Meaty MENTAL DISTORTIONNNNNN (FOR YOU TAKE A MESA A TRIPLE XXX PEAVY A 5150 ETC.. AND A BIG POCKET $$$$$$ ANYWAY THAT `S THE PRICE TO BE HAPPY)..TOOOO BAD!!! THIS IS NOT YOUR AMP. But, if you want one of the most versatile amps that Fender makes in tube, this is it....AND IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT BUY IT!!!!! DON`T PLAY WITH YOUR LUCK....!!!!CAUSE THIS AMPS ARE RARE!!!!!!!!AND USELLY AT A CHEAP PRICE FOR THE VALUE OF GREAT QUALITY SOUND..AND FINALLY I SALUT MY US FRIENDS FROM A FRENCH CANADIAN OF MONTREAL SORRY FOR SOME MISTAKE IN ENGLISH BY THE WAY I LOVE YOUR COUNTRY............

1980 Blackface Model - there are Silverface ones too. Features as described by other reviewers. This has been my main amp for 13 years, and the more I use it ,the more I realise it's a real find. There is an underground 75 appreciation society here in the UK, but we're reluctant to let everyone in on the secret, in case the ,already diminishing, supply of these amps is affected, and prices go stupid! Oops I've let the cat out of the bag! Anyway, it does have good features - the two channels, boosts on tone controls, line out etc, so I'll give this an 8.

The 75's worth is recognised by blues guitarists - Jessy Davey [ Hoax, Davey Bros], Scott McKeown [Divided by Three], Chris Duarte [ before he used Riveras], Indigenous, and many more. It gives the wonderful classic Fender sound but has balls to it. I use the lead channel, unlike most users, but with a small amount of lead, and with the reverb turned up to compensate for the drain on the reverb that using the lead channel creates. My settings:
Lead Channel selected, Vol 3, Treble [ with boost] 8 and3/4, Middle[w/boost] 5 7/8, Bass [ no boost] 4, Reverb 3, Lead 1, Lead Master 4, Master Vol 4. Guitars Strats, Teles and a Danelectro U2 through the usual SRV/Hendrix effects - TS9 [ 808 Keeley]Mod, Boss V Wah [ with Univibe], MXR 90, Arion Chorus, Dano PB and J Delay, Boss OC2 Octave, Dano French Toast. I used the lead channel on a higher setting when I first got the amp, but then realised that I didn't need it - plus it is a bit nasty. It works well with effects, and suits different speaker combinations - I've used it with 2x12, 4x12 and 1x12, with or without extension speakers. It is very loud, and seems more controllable than a 40 watt Fender combo.

It runs hot, but is relaible. Get good quality valves for it - sorry tubes. It's 14 years old so you expect a few repairs - the transformer needed replacing, and I currently have no extension speaker ability. I broke the standby and on/off switch carelessly loading it into my car, and had to have a non-standard replacement fitted, but hey ho!

I've got the circuit diagram [schematic in the USA] and handbook from the web. Take it to a good repairer though - it is an odd amp to figure out for some techs.

I'm looking at getting a Vibrotone, and possibly a smaller Fender Combo of some description, but would never trade my 75. These are to ADD to the sound. I'd always get another one [if I could]. This is definately Fender's best kept secret.

I have a 1980 75 head that I bought new in 1980. I'm pretty sure they only made it in 80 and 81. I bought it because I wanted a Boogie, but at that time they cost $1500 through the mail only, and I couldn't spend that much on something I could not play first. I paid $550 for it new. I believe that it is Fenders answer to the Boogie, which was a hot-rodded Twin.(Ironic, huh?)
I have had nothing but trouble with it for 24 years. It repeatedly let me down in one performance situation after another. The troubles ranged from horrible garbled noises to radical volume shifts, to distortion on the clean channel without warning.

I have a 65 SG junior and a 78 Les Paul Custom (very nice one too)
I actually have gotten some great tones out of the thing once in a while, which is why I kept trying to work with it.I always liked that you can get that great Fender clean sound, like an old Super Reverb, and any number of pure all tube overdriven sounds with the mere press of the footswitch. I play it through an old refurbished Showman cabinet with a 15" JBL.

This is the most unreliable amp that ever was made by anyone. It is truly a lemon. I have had it in repair shop after repair shop, including the Fender authorized repair guy in my area. I contacted Fender to complain and appeal for help. Their consumer relations department told me to buy a new one or send it to their preferred repair facility in Springfield. I did, and they charged me more to fix it than I paid for it. Guess what? , It still doesn't work right.

Even though I paid full retail for it, the dealer didn't have anyone who was capable of fixing it, and they blew me off until the warranty ran out. Fender was totally unsympathetic. They responded to my four page appeal with a two sentence blow-off. I easily have three times the purchase price in repairs and it still doesn't work right. I know dozens of people who have great Fenders, but I'll never buy another one.

I've been playing for 39 years. I bought a Marshall 100W Valvestate to get by with. If the 75 was stolen, I'd certainly buy something other than a Fender. If you ever have a chance to get a 75, run away screaming with your hands in the air. They are junk that was hurriedly produced by Fender when CBS took them over. They are very much like the AMF Harley Davidson. Nothing but trouble.

Not sure of the year-people seem to laugh when i say Fender 75-snobs but maybe not...I don't care for the pullouts as they just seem to distort right away-I have had to use them on occasion live just to get a little extra volume-the channel switching is effortless-bought a switch for $15 to accomplish this as I don't have time to build one-not enough volume for me-as band sometimes looks at me as if the amp is not even on and I have to check myself

I use a Gibson Flying V '67 reissue from 1993 that sounds tremendous-great crunch on the bottom and either a fat Paul-like sustain on the bass pickups or a cutting thru piecing lead from the bridge pickup-the AMP is pretty clean and actually sounds better keeping it clean-I just run a floor compressor pedal (ibanez-$30) and a Vox wah-wah and get wild sounds-the reverb sucks on this though-it's either full out or off sounding-better to keep it off-I run thru a biamp system so I just put a little reverb on the other amp-a seymour Duncan Convertible 60 watt I keep at max and switch channels on this also for leadwork

Pretty overall dependable-Fenders usually are-had it for 2 years and have not changed a thing but boost channel has a badddd humm and just blew a fuse last nite-it was hot at gig-so this may have been a factor but no one else did

bought it used so you take your chances-didn't have the cash for a Marshall 2000 so had to go with it

wouldn't but again, well maybe if I was stuck again for cash,better than forking over $1200+ for Marshall head-$1200, that's right-50 watt Marshalls just do not make it, baby- not nearly loud enough and a total waste of $-

PURCHASE PRICE USED $ 250.00
I BELIEVE IT TO BE MADE IN 1980. FENDER 75 HEAD
IT HAS HIGH AND LOW POWER SWITCH (25 & 75 WATT MODE)TWO CHANNEL FOOT SWITHABLE, PULL BASS AND TREBLE BOOST, BRIGHT SWITCH, 3 BAND EQ ,EFFECTS LOOP, REC OUT, HUM BALANCE POTS, AND GROUND SWITCH. ORIGINAL TUBES
I PLAY ROCK AND BLUES. MY ONLY GUITAR IS AN IBANEZ RG 570 WITH V7 S1 V8 PICKUP CONFIGURATION.EFFECTS CHAIN IS GUITAR TO ORIG. DUNLOP CRYBABY 95 WAH WAH - TO MODIFIED IBANEZ TS9 TUBESCREAMER 808 MOD.- TO IBANEZ AD 9 ANOLOG DELAY - TO IBANEZ CS 9 STEREO CHORUS - TO TECH 21 SANSAMP GT2 AND SOMTIMES I THROW IN MY ORIG. MXR FLANGER I ADD AND SUBTRACT FROM THIS EFFCTS CHAIN DEPENDING ON WHAT IM DOIN!
I DONT RUN THE PEDALS THRU THE EFFECTS LOOP BECAUSE THE TONE GETS COLORED SOMEHOW ?? SO I RUN THEM ON THE CLEAN CH. OF THIS HEAD, DIALING UP THE CLEANEST TONE I CAN GET. I DO NOT USE THE DISTORTED LEAD CH. AT ALL. IT SOUNDS REAL RATTY.I TURN LEAD KNOBS ALL THE WAY OFF.BASS AND TREBLE BOOSTS ARE OFF, AS WELL AS THE BRIGHT SWITCH OFF THEY ADD TO MUCH TO THE TONE ( UNLESS I DESIRE SOME WACKY TONE )THE REVERB IS AWESOME IN THIS THING. I MAINLY USE THE LOW POWER 25 WATT MODE WHICH IS PLENTY LOUD MY CABINET IS A SLANT 2X12 TUBEWORKS CLOSED OR OPEN BACK WHICH I USE CLOSED.THIS IS MY HOUSE,SMALL CLUB RIG !!!

WITH MY IBANEZ 570 WITH V7 S1 V8 PICKUPS AND THE AFOREMENTIONED PEDALS I HAVE NO PROBLEM DIALING TONS OF DIFERENT TONES I CAN GET OLD SCHOOL JOHN LEE HOOKER TONE TO SCREAMING SATRIANI LEADS.THE AMP ON ITS OWN IS LIMITED ESPECIALL THE LEAD CH. BUT THE CLEAN CH. IS REAL GOOD FENDER TONE WARM AND TUBEY WITH GOOD HARMONICS, SUSTAIN,AND ROLLOVER.THE CLEAN CH. CAN CRAP OUT AT REAL HIGH VOLUMES LEAD CH. SOUNDS RATTY AND I DO NOT USE.

THIS THING IS BUILT LIKE A TANK. BUT I TOO DO NO TRUST THE HANDLE I HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER CORD END.(GROUND BROKE)I WANT TO BUILD OR FIND SOME SORT OF ROAD CASE TO HAUL IT IN. NO PROBLEMS IN THE 3 YRS I'VE HAD IT

GOT AN ORIG. COPY OF OWNERS MANUAL FROM FENDER PRETTY GOOD SERVICE!!!
BOUGHT USED NO WARRANTY BUT I GOT A BUDDY THAT HAND WIRED HIS OWN AMP HE CAN FIX IT !!!

BEEN PLAYING FOR 16 YRS. THIS IS MY FIRST TUBE AMP IT REPLACED A PEAVEY 65 WATT SOLID STATE BANDIT. MY OVERALL PLAYING AND TONE HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED BY SWITCHING TO TUBE WITH THIS HEAD.ITS NOT MY DREAM HEAD BUT ITS KOOL THAT ITS A RARE AMP DESIGN IF LOST OR STOLEN I'D BE BUMMED CUZ I'D NEVER FIND 1 TO REPLACE IT AT THE PRICE I PAID FOR IT IT IS A GOOD RIG FOR ME

1982 Model - $250.00 For Blues it has too many features definetely has enough power but I prefer the 25 watt mode versus the 75 watt. All you need is the clean channel and a good overdrive pedal. For some low-volume jazz the bass boost works pretty good on the smaller speaker cabs. The footpedal gives you channel switching and reverb/killing. It has a "record out" for the studio as well as pots to adjust tube hum and balancing - pretty cool.

I mainly use Strats, with lace sensors and hot rails. The built in distortion sucks, due to the fact that this was a "ultra-linear" amp, one of the first ever designed by Ed Jahns at Fender. The distortion caused "ripple currents" and made the sound shitty. Fender stopped making these after the 75, truly a rare amp design (75 watts from two 6l6's). Very quiet amp, excellent clean channel (very compressed in 25 watt mode). Perfect SRV sound on single coils, rips with humbuckers midrange for days. Chris Duarte uses this amp.

It has Never Broken Down. I beat it to death, 20 hour blues jams to outside concerts.
Reverb tank is too small.
I bypass the tiny reverb tank in the head. I placed the head inside a Gibson LM7 (ala BB KIng) with 4X10 fender Alnico's with a 67 super reverb spring tank.

Ive never needed service, but this is a rarer circuit design... alot less common to your local repair guy. Leave it to Fender to get it right.

I've been using this amp and 3 other 75's (1X15 combo's, and another head)for the last 15 years. I also own two vintage Super Reverbs and the 75's are very close in sound. What's great about these amps are:
1. Its a Fender and a rarer amp
2. Cheap.
3. All tube, handwired.
4. 25 and 75 watt mode
5. People always wonder what it is....a 75?
I will keep one of these in the garage until I die.

My 75 is an '82, and it plays great through the 2X12 cab that came with it. The original power tubes ( which I also have ) were replaced with Groove Tubes before I bought it, so I don't know what the original sound was like, but one day I'll throw 'em in and check them out. ( I heard they were pretty bright...)
It's got a huge range of frequencies, but they don't seem to mix well. Perhaps a 4X10 would drop some of the lower bass freqs out and tighten up the middle.
I never use the pull-outs on the EQ; nor do I use the bright switch: they add too much to the sound.
Instead of using the lead channel I use a 2/3 channel Mesa/Boogie V-Twin tube pedal on the clean channel. This, to me, sounds better than the lead in the amp.

I use a Tele primarily, but I'll use a Strat for some songs. They both sound good with the rest of the band. I have no idea what a humbucker sounds like through the amp.
Playing clean, the amp can shatter glass at full volume, but putting effects through it can dumb that down quite a bit.

As long as it's transported correctly, it can be used anytime, anywhere.
In five years of ownership ( and gigging ) it hasn't broken down once.

- Been playing for 15 years.
- Lost or stolen? I'd take the insurance and buy a Soldano.
- Love the power; the spring reverb; and the mid-range.
- Hate the cheap handle on the head ( I don't trust it ); the pull-switches that sound bad; and the fact that it takes me two trips to get set up! ( see "handle" )