Vintage West Fillmore Bass Head & 2x15 Cab

 **LOCAL PICKUP ONLY**

EXCELLENT condition. Functions perfectly. Sounds. See pics. Aside from some scuffs here and there, it hardly shows it's age. Includes matching 2x15 cab. They are HEAVY.

The West Fillmore 200-watt tube bass amplifier was a powerful and distinctive piece of equipment developed by David West and his West Laboratories in Michigan during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was one of three core models in the West Laboratories lineup, alongside the 50-watt Avalon and the 100-watt Grande, and was famously used by Grand Funk Railroad, particularly by guitarist Mark Farner and bassist Mel Schacher, on their first four albums and live performances. The amp was known for its massive output transformer, which was larger than that of a Fender Bassman and even bigger than the power transformer on the 200-watt Fillmore itself, and was built by the legendary Dynaco. It utilized four 6550 tubes and was capable of producing a clean, punchy, and powerful sound, often described as more akin to Hiwatt’s high-fidelity rigs than Marshall’s crunchier tones.

The West Fillmore was marketed as a "LOUD" amplifier, and its sound was praised for being capable of outperforming other high-powered amps like the Ampeg SVT. Despite its reputation, the amp's construction was relatively simple, with hand-soldered wiring, eyelet boards, and a mix of Orange Drop capacitors and carbon-comp resistors, which contributed to its unique character. The amp was also noted for its heavy weight, reportedly around 90 pounds, due to its large transformers and robust chassis.

Production of the West Fillmore was limited, with estimates suggesting that only about 300 were made. The model was named after the Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, reflecting David West’s fondness for iconic rock venues. While the amp was originally designed for bass, it was also used effectively as a guitar amplifier, particularly in genres like doom and stoner rock. Despite its historical significance and cult following, the amp is not widely available today, and units are considered rare and collectible. The original designer, David West, passed away in November 2015, but his legacy lives on through the enduring appeal of his creations.

Since 1979, we at Mom's Music have worked hard to make the Louisville, KY music scene something special.  Now, we’re working hard to share what makes us great with the world.  We take pride in our care and attention to detail regarding every instrument and musician that comes through the store, and every instrument we receive gets a thorough inspection and setup when it arrives in our shop and prior to shipment.
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