GAS dilemma: Ampeg jet sj-12r or Fender bandmaster reverb 68

Hello everybody, I'm new here!
I found rig-talk in the middle of my latest GAS attack, happens more often these days... I hope you can give me some advice here...

I find it difficult to choose between buying a fender '68 bandmaster reverb (early silverface) or an ampeg jet sj-12r (the latter being 30% cheaper). If you have the time, would you be so kind to tell me something about the sonical differences? I am searching for a good sounding (tube) room-volume guitar amp, that I can use for lessons both for guitar and bass. It shouldn't get too boomy or I will have trouble with my neighbors. I might gig or record with it, but I'd probably use an Ampeg V4.

I hope you can share some thoughts, would be highly appreciated!

Best wishes,

Najchevski

I own a 68 bandmaster Reverb head with matching 2x12 cab. The Ampeg I'm not as familiar with so I can only share what the bandmaster brings to the table. The 68'BMR is one of the very earliest of the Silverface era, but under the hood this amp retains much the same circuit and parts that it's more expensive black faced older brothers have. Couple of things. The head is 40 watts, and it fairly loud if you want it to be. Mine has the separate 2x12 cab that is bigger than a 4x12 cab in height, but not in depth. The speaker cab is made of solid pine and had the original Jbl speaker compliment. 100lbs easy. A back breaker for sure but fantastic sounding. I did change out my speakers to 'Patriots' which have the new magnet design that is about 70% lighter. It brought the cab down to about 50 lbs which was so much better for moving it around.
Now for the head-simply an amazing sounding amp on its own. The cleans come through chimey, bell like and will memorize you, especially with some reverb. Amazing sounding. Crank the volume past 5 and she will break up ala SRV, fantastic for creamy blues and such. Look up the on the Internet the technique of pulling a preamp tube from the channel that you aren't using, it gives the amp a tad more break up when you are trying to crank it to get a little more edge. Works really well on mine. Doesn't hurt the amp at all. Many articles about this with a lot of dual channel old Fender amps.
I have run a lot of different pedals they the front of mine and it is kinda a trial and error thing. Some work great, other didn't. I actually used to run my old mid 90's Line 6 Pod unit thru it and it was very good, and would boost the volume of the amp loud enuff to jam with a full band no problem.
Take a nice sounding strat or Tele and plug it straight into it and I'm telling you man, it is pure inspirational tone. These amps are a bit of a sleeper IMHO. You can find the heads out there for 500$ give or take, the cabs that match around 250$. If your lucky, you may snag a cab that has the coveted JBL Orange back speaker in it, these sell for big bucks by themselves.
Long story short, the 68' BMR is an amazing sounding amp. If you do get it, pull the chassis and have a look inside. Beautiful. Hand wired with cloth covered wiring and turret board layout. Mine had the original RCA preamp tubes that sounded great. I even popped one of this in the V1 position of one of my hi-gain heads I have and it was absolutely killer sounding.
Keep me posted if you snag it. As with all older amps like this, it's good to take it in right away to an amp shop and have a guy clean up the inside for you and make sure there hasn't been any tinkering under the hood. I guarentee that the amp dude will have a big smile on his face when he opens one of these up. They take one back to the day when pride and quality existed in the workmanship.
Len

Almost forgot. Bass sounds great thru it as well!

Len, thanks a lot for your in-depth answer. You mentioned the amp can get 'very loud if you want it to be', does that mean it can (and also sounds good) at room level? I am looking for a combo that sounds good at modest volumes (I live and teach in an apartment, with nice neighbors that respect what I do and whom I respect). You did give me some food for thought there, also with the addition it sounds great with bass (I teach 50% bass). Also, since the price you mentioned is for the USA I guess, I know the price I would pay here (a little bit less) would make for a killer deal here in Europe.

I forgot to mention the fender deal includes a 2x12, I guess that makes it somewhat louder than the ampeg 1x12 combo by definition, doesn't it.

Is there anybody here who actually owns an ampeg SJ-12r, who is willing to share some info about that combo?

Or even about both amps and how they compare?

Best wishes,

Naj

It's a fantastic amp at apartment volume levels. I just wanted you to know that it also can hang in a live situation quite well. The 68 is the year to get for a great deal. A 67' and earlier would be the coveted blackface version, and command quite a price increase. What most don't know is the amp has just a few small changes under the hood, and is very easy to 'Blackface' if one wanted. Only a tone nut is going to be able to hear any difference IMHO, the amp sounds fantastic just the way it is. You can also plug 2 guitars in the Head, one in each channel. It's actually cool to plug a bass into the channel without reverb or tremelo, as those are things that bass really doesn't need, and plug the a guitar into the other side with all the bells and whistles.
My price estimates are in US dollars. Curious as to where your at?
Len

Hi Len, thanks again. I'm on my way to checking the amp right now. If it's as good as you say it is it's practically sold
Already checked the ampeg, it had a buzz sound on the second channel, then I learned its not point-to-point and decided to leave without it. It did sound great though.
Let's see if the fender sounds even better!
I live in Holland!
I'll let you know if I'm joining the bandmaster fanclub!
Naj

One thing to watch out for in those old Fenders is a conductive circuit board. Over years the board absorbs moisture and lets a little DC get across. Watch for scratchy pots. Measure the DC voltage at ground.

There are lots of Fender clone builders out there. Maybe a new one would be most reliable?

Well, I ended up buying it on the spot, couldn't resist the sound and mojo. I'll have it checked one of these days.