1983 Fender Showman 210 Solid State Combo Amp

[Telecastoff1]

I bought one of these recently and got it at a sweet low price. It's in remarkably good condition for its age. I really wasn't expecting too much from it, but was happily surprised to hear how nice it sounds. It has a real wood cab and heavier than usual wooden back panels. It's very well built and seems to be a really nice amp. I'm an old clean channel guy, so I haven't messed around with the distortion channel much. But the clean channel is every bit true Fender as any good Fender amp I've ever played thru. Even has a 5-band EQ on board and buttons than allow you to transfer effects and EQ to either channel. It boasts 200 watts and has a pair of Fender-Eminence 10" speakers.
Has anyone else had any experience with these amps and what did you think of them?

 

[gridlock]

Congrats, love to see some photos.

 

[JustABluesGuy]

Nice! I am quite fond of the 2x10 format myself!

 

[Snfoilhat]

I had a '83 London Reverb, from the same line as the Showman, also available in 2x10" but with lower power power amp. Mine was the 1x12" format. Check out the '83 catalog and you can see how much effort Fender put into changing away from the silverface era construction and quality.

Google tells me I posted this back in September. So sorry for the double post. I don't have any affiliation to stratopastor.uk and I parted out my London Reverb before I learned how to build cabinets, but I do think Fender had some great ideas in 1983!

http://www.stratopastor.org.uk/strato/amps/twoseriessolidstatefenders/rivera era amp catalogue.pdf

 

[Telecastoff1]

 

[Telecastoff1]

I'm still playing this amp just about every day and have really come to appreciate the quality of sound and construction Fender built into this series of amps. I'm able to plug straight into this amp and achieve that unmistakable, warm, punchy Fender clean sound I have been accustomed to since the 60's. I've been on the lookout for the footswitch Part # 021703 that was meant for this amp, but so far haven't come up with anything. I don't need the footswitch, but it would be nice to have one just to complete the package. This is a great amp and I wouldn't be afraid to gig with it anywhere. It's been one heck of a surprise amp in that it sounds exactly like one would expect an extremely warm, clean sounding Fender should sound like. I'm looking for another.

 

[Wally]

Here is my Showman(Dual) 2 x 10....a 1964 that fits like a glove in a Pro Sonic cab with 2 x EVI Force speakers.

 

[Paul G.]

Here is my Showman(Dual) 2 x 10....a 1964 that fits like a glove in a Pro Sonic cab with 2 x EVI Force speakers. View attachment 706751

Oooooh!! That's a lotta amp in a small package! I'll bet it's plenty punchy!!

 

[Wally]

Magical.

 

[Paul G.]

I have a Showman in my house now, came in for repair just before the "shelter in place" order. Owner says he'll wait to get it back, so I am thoroughly enjoying "testing" it and "burning it in". When this is over, I'm going to see if I can find one cheap enough and refurbish it. Nothing like it. (Bassman at the bottom is mine.)

 

[matto]

The bassman needs another and correct lined up front cloth.

 

[Wally]

Yeah, Paul does need another piece of BF grille cloth that could be oriented properly, doesn’t he, matto? let me know if you need a piece for that application, Paul.

 

[Paul G.]

Yeah, Paul does need another piece of BF grille cloth that could be oriented properly, doesn’t he, matto? let me know if you need a piece for that application, Paul.

I've actually got some cloth. That cab was like that when I bought it in the 80s and my love for that amp has me happily overlooking the funny grillcloth. I've actually ordered an Armadillo Amps 2x10 pine combo cab for it so I can start gigging with it again (if we ever start gigging). I plan on stuffing a couple of Eminence Lil Buddys in there for fat and clean. Like me.

 

[schmee]

Had a BF Showman like Paul shows there maybe 5 years back. I got it cheap and surprised how little I could get out of it. $550 I think? Maybe $600

 

[chopzillaband]

If I need to replace a knob on one of these… how do I open it up?

 

[That Cal Webway]

Congrats on the ss amp!! Nize.

I'm a clean player too and like ss, although for the first time in decades I recently did get a nice tube amp.