Skip to main content
MusicRadar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
UK EditionUK US EditionUS AU EditionAustralia SG EditionSingapore
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Artist news
  • Music Gear Reviews
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Controllers
  • Drums
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Guitar Amps
  • Software & Apps
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About us
Don't miss these
A woman plays an MPC XL and synthesizer in a home studio
Tech After years of covering the NAMM cycle I've never seen flagship gear hit the shelves so quickly - here are 6 of the hottest NAMM 26 releases you can pick up right now
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
Guitars The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
Hottest music tech gear of NAMM
Tech The best music tech gear of NAMM 2026: Epic polys, acoustic synths, budget samplers, a Behringer Juno and more
A glam shot of a cherry red Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Firebird Les Paul Special in action
Guitars Epiphone revamps core lineup with the Inspired By Gibson series
NAMM 2026
Tech NAMM 2026: rolling news from the world's biggest music-making gear show
Billy Corgan wears black robes as he performs live with his signature Reveren guitar. On the right, a player's eye view of his new signature pedal, designed in collaboration with Laney and Carstens Amps
Artists Billy Corgan and Laney Amplification unveil the ultimate Smashing Pumpkins amp-in-a-box pedal
Faith Guitars Nexus Neptune and Venus 2026
Acoustic Guitars “For those seeking acoustic power, projection and an enormous amount of volume": Faith unleashes a slew of updates and new models at NAMM
Deals of the week
Gear & Gadgets MusicRadar deals of the week: Score $220 off a stunning Gretsch, $150 off a unique Les Paul Custom Widow, as well as hundreds off pianos, interfaces, and headphones
Synergy Machine Learning Power Amp Dave Friedman IR-LOAD Amplifier press image on white
Guitar Amps “Our amplifier learns your cabinet’s impedance through controlled sweeps and continues to monitor it in real-time”: Synergy’s Power Amp Machine-Learning tech could be 'revolutionary'
Magnatone Slash the Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo amp press image
Guitar Amps “Its sound kicks the ass of amps three times its size”: Slash’s latest Magnatone Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo can go toe-to-toe with the big boys
A three amp setup from the Neural DSP Archetype John Mayer X guitar plugin
Guitar Plugins "I love that you don’t have to be a Mayer mega-fan to enjoy what’s on offer here": Neural DSP Archetype: John Mayer X review
A lifestyle press image of the Sterling By Music Man StingRay Baritone SR50 in Toluca Lake Blue leaning against a Marshall amp in an empty room with concrete walls
Guitars “A deeper low-end presence within the StingRay lineup”: Sterling by Music Man launches its first ever baritone electric guitar
Two guitars and a pedal on a blue and white background
Guitars Thomann just carved some serious cash off Harley Benton guitars, pedals and accessories for Black Friday - here's 4 of my favourite deals for you
Press release images of a Blackstar Beam Mini Desktop Bluetooth Guitar Amplifier on a white background
Guitar Amps Blackstar unveils the Beam Mini – it’s portable, desktop-friendly, and as the first guitar amp to allow players to load Neural Amp Modeller captures, it's a game-changer too
YouTuber Carlos Asensio presents his brand-new Harley Benton ST-Modern signature model, which is offered in Cactus Green Metallic Gloss and Ice Blue Metallic Gloss finishes
Guitars Harley Benton just put a Vega-Trem on YouTuber Carlos Asensio's $700 signature guitar: is this the best-value S-style on the market?
More
  • NAMM 2026: as it happened
  • Best NAMM tech gear
  • Joni's Woodstock
  • 95k+ free music samples
  1. Guitars
  2. Guitar Amps

Summer NAMM 2016: Fresh Fender amps including all-new '57 Custom Tweed range

News
By MusicRadar published 30 June 2016

"Tone machines" joined by new Bassman offering

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Fender '57 Custom Pro-Amp

Fender '57 Custom Pro-Amp

SUMMER NAMM 2016: Amongst a slew of announcements this week, Fender has unveiled an entirely new Fender amp series, and a powerful new addition to its Bassman range.

The '57 Custom Tweed series is a range of unashamed "tone machines" which aim to emulate their original and reissued '57s in tone, while adding the controllability guitarists expect in 2016.

“The ’57 Custom amps capture the essence of the highly-collectible originals, with thoughtful player-centric tweaks added for today’s player,” says Jim Ninesling, Vice President Fender Amplifiers and Pro Audio.

“They represent the culmination of a 12-year journey, from our highly successful ’57 reissues and Eric Clapton Signature amps to the landscape of today. Together with the Bassman 800, we are proud to add them to our expanding amplifier category.”

’57 Custom Pro-Amp (above)

PRESS RELEASE: The 28-watt hand-wired ’57 Custom Pro-Amp replicates classic Fender tone. The combo guitar amplifier is built around a vintage all-tube circuit with rich clarity and smooth overdrive.

The amp features a single 15” 8-ohm Eminence® Special Design speaker, original 5E5A circuit with newly sourced coupling capacitors, 12AY7 preamp tube and Schumacher transformers.

Other features include classic aesthetic appointments comprised of tweed coverings, chickenhead control knobs and a top-mounted control panel. The amplifier also includes a protective cover.

UK RRP: £1,999

Page 1 of 5
Page 1 of 5
Fender '57 Custom Twin-Amp

Fender '57 Custom Twin-Amp

PRESS RELEASE: The ’57 Custom Twin-Amp is a responsive 40-watt, hand-wired, all-tube combo guitar amp that adds clear, expressive tone to a player’s sound.

Two 12AY7 preamp tubes, are included in the original 5E8A circuit, along with Mercury transformers.

Other features include two newly designed 12” Eminence® Special Design alnico speakers, a pair of dual inputs that accommodates multiple instruments and varying output levels, as well as a protective amp cover.

UK RRP: £2,419

Page 2 of 5
Page 2 of 5
Fender '57 Custom Deluxe

Fender '57 Custom Deluxe

PRESS RELEASE: The two-channel ’57 Custom Deluxe 12-watt combo amplifier was based off of the original highly sought-after collector’s piece.

The classic all-tube 5E3 circuit is updated with premium coupling capacitors, a 12AY7 preamp tube and Mercury Magnetics transformers.

Other features include a newly designed single 12” 8-ohm Eminence® Special Design alnico speaker, improved volume pot tapers on both channels and a protective cover.

UK RRP: £1,639

Page 3 of 5
Page 3 of 5
Fender '57 Custom Champ

Fender '57 Custom Champ

PRESS RELEASE: One of the most popular amplifiers lives again in the 5-watt, hand-wired, all-tube ’57 Custom Champ.

The updated Fender 5F1 circuit gives the amp its heightened dynamic response and sweet sounding tube overdrive when pushed. A 12AY7 preamp tube matched to a 6V6 power amp tube generates this in-demand overdrive.

Other features include a single 8” 4-ohm Weber Special Design alnico speaker, dual 1/4” inputs that accommodate a variety of instruments and a protective cover.

UK RRP: £939

Page 4 of 5
Page 4 of 5
Fender Bassman 800 Amp: Launching August 2016

Fender Bassman 800 Amp: Launching August 2016

PRESS RELEASE: Designed for the ultimate bass-playing experience, the Bassman 800 offers two versatile channels and extreme Fender tube tones, while mating perfectly with Fender Bassman Pro Neo speaker cabinets.

The foundation of the Bassman 800’s tone is the two-channel tube preamp, which utilizes a pair of premium 12AX7 tubes.

The lightweight (17-lb), 800-watt hybrid amp also includes Vintage and Overdrive preamp channels, XLR line output, tuner output, an effects loop and a footswitch for hands-free channel switching.

Page 5 of 5
Page 5 of 5
MusicRadar
MusicRadar
Social Links Navigation

MusicRadar is the number one website for music-makers of all kinds, be they guitarists, drummers, keyboard players, DJs or producers...

  • GEAR: We help musicians find the best gear with top-ranking gear round-ups and high-quality, authoritative reviews by a wide team of highly experienced experts.
  • TIPS: We also provide tuition, from bite-sized tips to advanced work-outs and guidance from recognised musicians and stars.
  • STARS: We talk to musicians and stars about their creative processes, and the nuts and bolts of their gear and technique. We give fans an insight into the craft of music-making that no other music website can.
Read more
Press release images of a Blackstar Beam Mini Desktop Bluetooth Guitar Amplifier on a white background
Blackstar unveils the Beam Mini – it’s portable, desktop-friendly, and as the first guitar amp to allow players to load Neural Amp Modeller captures, it's a game-changer too
 
 
Fuchs Audio Joe Bonamassa JB-ODS: the new signature 100-watt combo is inspired by the Dumble Overdrive Special but has key differences, such as reverb – and it has Bonamassa's signature Celestion speaker
Joe Bonamassa just teamed up with Fuchs Audio on a signature tube amp that might just save you spending $175,000 on a Dumble
 
 
Squier Sonic Series: featuring mini-Stratocasters, single-humbucker Esquires and cult offsets too, the Fender-owned budget brand has made a big play for the beginner market in 2026
Squier unveils huge Sonic Series refresh – super-affordable, beginner and child-friendly versions of classic Fender models
 
 
fender
PreSonus Studio One Pro is dead, long live Fender Studio Pro: Fender launches “music production ecosystem” with rebranded DAW, interfaces and new controller
 
 
The OR60 is the new 60-watt all-tube, single-channel head from the legendary British amp brand Orange
Orange Amps rolls out the OR60, a single-channel 60-watt tube powerhouse officially approved by Down/COC’s Pepper Keenan
 
 
Chris Buck RS02CB Revstar Signature Electric Guitar in Honey Gold
“The truest conduit between the acoustic resonance of the guitar and its electric voice” says Chris Buck of the custom P90-style pickups in his new signature Yamaha Revstar
 
 
Latest in Guitar Amps
All the best guitar gear from this year's NAMM Show
The best new guitar gear of NAMM 2026: More effects, more amps, more guitars and more tech than ever
 
 
JBL BandBox Trio press image
"A brand new amp and speaker with AI vocal and instrument separation tech": JBL’s new BandBox makes it easier than ever to craft the perfect backing track
 
 
Magnatone Slash the Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo amp press image
“Its sound kicks the ass of amps three times its size”: Slash’s latest Magnatone Lil’ Viper 8-watt combo can go toe-to-toe with the big boys
 
 
Synergy Machine Learning Power Amp Dave Friedman IR-LOAD Amplifier press image on white
“Our amplifier learns your cabinet’s impedance through controlled sweeps and continues to monitor it in real-time”: Synergy’s Power Amp Machine-Learning tech could be 'revolutionary'
 
 
Press release images of a Blackstar Beam Mini Desktop Bluetooth Guitar Amplifier on a white background
Blackstar unveils the Beam Mini – it’s portable, desktop-friendly, and as the first guitar amp to allow players to load Neural Amp Modeller captures, it's a game-changer too
 
 
The OR60 is the new 60-watt all-tube, single-channel head from the legendary British amp brand Orange
Orange Amps rolls out the OR60, a single-channel 60-watt tube powerhouse officially approved by Down/COC’s Pepper Keenan
 
 
Latest in News
South Korean-New Zealand singer Rose (L) and US singer-songwriter and record producer Bruno Mars perform on stage during the 68th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026. (Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --
Bruno Mars and Rosé deliver a hard rock version of APT at the Grammy Awards
 
 
A pixellated 8-but style picture of an orchestra
“Another huge win for video game music”: 8-Bit Big Band pick up Grammy for their Super Mario medley
 
 
 Dave Mustaine of Megadeth visits SiriusXM Studios on January 16, 2026
“I wanted to be heavier and faster than they were”: Dave Mustaine on – guess what? – his split from Metallica
 
 
LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY 1: Justin Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026 on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+*. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images)
Justin Bieber played an ‘80s Yamaha electric guitar and an Akai MPC Live III in his underwear at the Grammys
 
 
cirkut
"Once upon a time I was a kid making beats in his bedroom in Canada and now I'm here": Cirkut takes home Producer of the Year, Non-Classical at the 2026 Grammy Awards
 
 
Bad Bunny receives the award for Album of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026
"If we fight, we have to do it with love”: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish all win big at 2026 Grammys
 
 

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...