From Combo to Dedicated Head Unit: Fender Frontman 15R Conversion

In this video, we'll show you how to convert a Fender Frontman 15R amplifier from a combo unit to a dedicated head unit. This conversion will give your amplifier more versatility and better sound quality, making it the perfect amp for your guitar needs.
If you're looking for a new amp to use with your guitar, then this conversion is a great option. You'll be able to power up your guitar with more clarity than ever before, making it the perfect amplifier for your playing needs. Check out this video to learn how to convert your Fender Frontman 15R amplifier!

[@jeffstanhope4335]

can't believe i found this video right when i needed it. i want to turn my 15r into a head but don't want to risk the cab if it goes bad, so i'm buying a much cheaper 15g and cutting it down for the 15r chassis. this video was exactly the info i needed. thanks again.

[@brianmoore8596]

Huge upgrade. The speakers are why these are getting dumped. I have a 10g. While I love the look of this I'm going to add a switchcraft A1 jack so I can use as head or combo. Cool video.

[@michaelmillican5592]

Very cool video! I'm going to try this with my fender front man 15G.

[@user-yd4kr1jq1j]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a great and fun project. Love the channel!

[@gtoneguitars]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@allenblack9890]

Very Cool, I have to try this!

[@GRBAquatics]

Very Cool, Thankyou. Interesting, Informative and Entertaining Video, Awesome. Nice Work. I have a bargain Fender Frontman 15G (Wish it was a 15R). I also have my first amp I bought in 1985, a Fender Sidekick 15R, still going strong. I find both to be Amazing Amps, with awesome cleans, nice Gain, and Take Pedals really well. All the Best. Cheers

[@birdman316]

nice job brother! sweet lil "shrunken" amp!

[@stanleyc.348]

Great video, consise editing, great length and quality. The speaking audio is like 3-6db louder in the right channel. I would have chopped the bottom above the corners.

[@brianmoore8596]

Put a piece of tubing over the drill bit as a stop to avoid damaging board.

[@joeshoe6184]

Or tape on the bit to mark the depth.

[@DaveyMulholland]

Someone gave me one of these. I've put a high powered good quality PA speaker in. It sounds immeasurably better. Going to try my ADA MP-1 running into the aux in. If that works nicely, I'll get another frontman to utilise the stereo out of the mp1 and that will be a nice stereo setup to utilise the the stereo chorus effect. I've got a boss se-70 also, with many stereo effects. It's switchable between -10 and +4. I'm guessing the -10 will be the correct matchup with the Aux input on the amp.

[@Texas059]

I have a question I have a Fender Mustang one combo I want to convert into a head. The problem I’m running into from the amp board. There is a yellow wire goes directly into the speaker in the middle of the two terminals if I disconnected the yellow speaker from the board to the mirror of the speaker between the two terminals. Will the amp still work or do you have to connect the yellow wire to any metal on the chassis of the amp for the crown to work on the amp If you can give me some input I would really appreciate it.

[@jonny1251]

I got a pr241 with black grill that I think is the same amp but has an ext 8ohm speaker out.

[@joeshoe6184]

Is there a reason you use a pull saw, or would a good old jigsaw work?

[@gazzaboy2531977]

Hi I have one of these for years. But now the drive channel volume is very crackly and basically unplayable. Is this just a pot problem? Wd40 fix?

[@layartancep9263]

what a great frontman head amp... I'm still thinkin'..... it should be great if you put more height for the frontman, so that Fender emblem still there... hahaha.. but that's just my own opinion... nevertheless, still a good lookin' amp...

[@peteytwofinger]

want to do this so bad , but ... waiting till i find a R i have maybe 3-4 G's

[@jr5750]

Great video, how do these compare to the fender15 G?

[@gtoneguitars]

The only difference is no reverb on the G. Otherwise they are the same.

[@jr5750]

​@@gtoneguitarsThanks I appreciate the info!

[@jonesvox1]

Cheers. Not sure why you’d take such a small, low power combo for this project. Simply adding a switching 1/4” speaker output would allow you to drive another speaker cab for sh*ts and giggles and not take away the “versatility” you spoke of. Had you just done the mod I’m suggesting and replace the stock speaker and diagnosed/repaired the reverb tank, the little combo would still be useful by itself. Now, you must have a separate cab….not very versatile, ya know? I have amassed a large collection of small combos over the years and I’ve modded most of them with an external speaker output jack. It’s always fun to hear the results of running a small combo through a 1x12 or larger cabinet. Often the results can be impressive. Just a suggestion, but I see on your videos that you only play music files through the amps you demo. This, in no way, gives any real impression of the tone of the amp. Guitar amps are not high fidelity playback devices, and obviously designed for electric guitar only. Even if you’re not a great player, tune one of your many guitars shown in the background and just strum a few chords and pluck a few notes. It’s far more useful to viewers to get an idea of the amp’s capabilities. All meant in kindness👍🏼

[@joeshoe6184]

Good advice thanks! I will add that I want a separate head and cab, so having a small head to run a 2x12 cab for small gigs is very versatile. If I need more, I can use a 30 or 50 watt head through the same cab. Again, VERY versatile. Also it looks cool and is a fun project.