Has anyone played the reissue of the Champs?? do they really sound good? I was interested since I love all those sweet old tones that were made with them, but I just dont think I can do $999 for a practice amp... OUCH.. But.... I AM trying to build a tone rig, so if if they are actually "the Poo" Ill check it out..
Fender Champ?
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: Fender Champ?
You mean the tweed Champ reissue???
Cool amp, sure...if you like NO headroom and an 8 inch speaker...however for a grand you could buy 2 high quality tweed Champ clones from almost any decent builder out there.
You mean the tweed Champ reissue???
Cool amp, sure...if you like NO headroom and an 8 inch speaker...however for a grand you could buy 2 high quality tweed Champ clones from almost any decent builder out there.
D
DLT
Guest
Re: Fender Champ?
+1.
You could also look for a nice used one on eBay. You can snag a 1968 silver face Vibro-Champ (same as circuitry as the blackface) for about $350.00. They are okay, but I wish Fender would have put a 10 inch speaker in that amp.
+1.
You could also look for a nice used one on eBay. You can snag a 1968 silver face Vibro-Champ (same as circuitry as the blackface) for about $350.00. They are okay, but I wish Fender would have put a 10 inch speaker in that amp.
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Fender Champ?
If i had a grand to buy a small tube amp with awesome tone to do a little bit of everything i would have a Vox Night Train with the matching cab.
If i had a grand to buy a small tube amp with awesome tone to do a little bit of everything i would have a Vox Night Train with the matching cab.
Luke Duke
PRSlustologist
RLee
New member
Re: Fender Champ?
I agree, I was totally surprised at the price tag fender put on that amp... I think they got just a bit too greedy on that one. It's a nice sounding amp, but -- not for that price. I mean, really, it's a reissue, for god's sake. I think they would have done very well at a lower price. (But what do I know -- maybe they're selling a ton of them... but so far every discussion I've read about them ends up with most people choking on the price tag.)
I agree, I was totally surprised at the price tag fender put on that amp... I think they got just a bit too greedy on that one. It's a nice sounding amp, but -- not for that price. I mean, really, it's a reissue, for god's sake. I think they would have done very well at a lower price. (But what do I know -- maybe they're selling a ton of them... but so far every discussion I've read about them ends up with most people choking on the price tag.)
Empty Pockets
BadHairDayologist
Re: Fender Champ?
Word to the wise -- most guitar companies price their new stuff so that they have room to knock it down a good 20-30% in the ensuing months / years
these will be on clearance for $700 in a year i bet.
Word to the wise -- most guitar companies price their new stuff so that they have room to knock it down a good 20-30% in the ensuing months / years
these will be on clearance for $700 in a year i bet.
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FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Fender Champ?
LOL +1 I totally just did that. for a G you could get 2 of the matching cabs and really work that shiiz
Anyways I'm diggin it.
LOL +1 I totally just did that. for a G you could get 2 of the matching cabs and really work that shiiz
Anyways I'm diggin it.
LtKojak
New member
Re: Fender Champ?
Still a LOT OF DOUGH for that amp. I don't think it should cost more than $ 300.00.
Still a LOT OF DOUGH for that amp. I don't think it should cost more than $ 300.00.
L
Lewguitar
Guest
Re: Fender Champ?
There are MUCH better and more versatile amps to spend $1000 on than a Fender Champ, even if Clapton did record Layla with a silverface Champ.
They are fun little amps though. Plug in your Les Paul, crank it up and have at it.
They're a True Class A amp, so you can squeeze those notes out like toothpaste from a tube once the volume knob is turned up passed 5.
There are MUCH better and more versatile amps to spend $1000 on than a Fender Champ, even if Clapton did record Layla with a silverface Champ.
They are fun little amps though. Plug in your Les Paul, crank it up and have at it.
They're a True Class A amp, so you can squeeze those notes out like toothpaste from a tube once the volume knob is turned up passed 5.
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freddarl82
New member
Re: Fender Champ?
Yup, great little amps, HeHe. Or you could go this route (when one becomes available... (details below the pics)
I bought the chassis on ebay for $119. It had been rebuilt by an amp hobbyist with premium grade components (not many components inside a Champ to begin with). Note the upgraded ON-OFF toggle (replaces the cheap plastic slider) and the 3-position gain selector (three stages of gain, labelled "Boogie" and "Blues," with the middle position yielding the cleanest gain). Next I found the cab on ebay for about $40 (I think it's a Line 6). Finally, I picked up the two 10" Fender Alnico Blue speakers for $40-50 each. So, I've got a little over $300 into this thing (counting my shipping costs), and it is KILLER!
I agree the Tweed Champ reissue is overpriced, handwired or not. I also think it's crazy what people will pay for a Blackface champ. Talk to any amp tech who knows his stuff, and he'll tell you the circuits really did not change when they went to Silverface on the Champs. Besides, caps and resistors do age, dry out, and degrade over time, so most these amps would do well with a good going over, anyway. If I were looking for a Champ today, I would look for a Silverface beater for a low price, play it for awhile, but always have a plan for upgrades (service/recap, new tubes, new speaker).
Champs truly are great little amps, and some great (and very famous) tracks have been recorded on them over the years. One last thing: a 5 watt Class A tube amp (like the Champ) is really NOT a bedroom amp -- unless you leave the volume at 2 or 3 -- they are LOUD for the small package they come in. Don't buy a Champ if you live in an apartment and are hoping to achieve real tube distortion.
Yup, great little amps, HeHe. Or you could go this route (when one becomes available... (details below the pics)
I bought the chassis on ebay for $119. It had been rebuilt by an amp hobbyist with premium grade components (not many components inside a Champ to begin with). Note the upgraded ON-OFF toggle (replaces the cheap plastic slider) and the 3-position gain selector (three stages of gain, labelled "Boogie" and "Blues," with the middle position yielding the cleanest gain). Next I found the cab on ebay for about $40 (I think it's a Line 6). Finally, I picked up the two 10" Fender Alnico Blue speakers for $40-50 each. So, I've got a little over $300 into this thing (counting my shipping costs), and it is KILLER!
I agree the Tweed Champ reissue is overpriced, handwired or not. I also think it's crazy what people will pay for a Blackface champ. Talk to any amp tech who knows his stuff, and he'll tell you the circuits really did not change when they went to Silverface on the Champs. Besides, caps and resistors do age, dry out, and degrade over time, so most these amps would do well with a good going over, anyway. If I were looking for a Champ today, I would look for a Silverface beater for a low price, play it for awhile, but always have a plan for upgrades (service/recap, new tubes, new speaker).
Champs truly are great little amps, and some great (and very famous) tracks have been recorded on them over the years. One last thing: a 5 watt Class A tube amp (like the Champ) is really NOT a bedroom amp -- unless you leave the volume at 2 or 3 -- they are LOUD for the small package they come in. Don't buy a Champ if you live in an apartment and are hoping to achieve real tube distortion.
D
DLT
Guest
Re: Fender Champ?
I love it! It has Chicken Head knobs too! :fing2:
Yup, great little amps, HeHe. Or you could go this route (when one becomes available... (details below the pics)
I bought the chassis on ebay for $119. It had been rebuilt by an amp hobbyist with premium grade components (not many components inside a Champ to begin with). Note the upgraded ON-OFF toggle (replaces the cheap plastic slider) and the 3-position gain selector (three stages of gain, labelled "Boogie" and "Blues," with the middle position yielding the cleanest gain). Next I found the cab on ebay for about $40 (I think it's a Line 6). Finally, I picked up the two 10" Fender Alnico Blue speakers for $40-50 each. So, I've got a little over $300 into this thing (counting my shipping costs), and it is KILLER!
I agree the Tweed Champ reissue is overpriced, handwired or not. I also think it's crazy what people will pay for a Blackface champ. Talk to any amp tech who knows his stuff, and he'll tell you the circuits really did not change when they went to Silverface on the Champs. Besides, caps and resistors do age, dry out, and degrade over time, so most these amps would do well with a good going over, anyway. If I were looking for a Champ today, I would look for a Silverface beater for a low price, play it for awhile, but always have a plan for upgrades (service/recap, new tubes, new speaker).
Champs truly are great little amps, and some great (and very famous) tracks have been recorded on them over the years. One last thing: a 5 watt Class A tube amp (like the Champ) is really NOT a bedroom amp -- unless you leave the volume at 2 or 3 -- they are LOUD for the small package they come in. Don't buy a Champ if you live in an apartment and are hoping to achieve real tube distortion.
I love it! It has Chicken Head knobs too! :fing2:
scottish
WeirdScienceologist
Re: Fender Champ?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1969-FENDER-CHA...ultDomain_0?hash=item2c515df463#ht_720wt_1061
'69 fender champ rehoused into a bigger cab witha 10" celestion.....perfect
http://cgi.ebay.com/1969-FENDER-CHA...ultDomain_0?hash=item2c515df463#ht_720wt_1061
'69 fender champ rehoused into a bigger cab witha 10" celestion.....perfect
T
these_go211
Guest
Re: Fender Champ?
i'm not sure this amp sounds similar enough but i just pulled the trigger on the new vox ac4tv. 2 tubes, switchable from 4 to 1 to 1/4 watt, 10" speaker, $249! sounds totally amazing. plenty of clean headroom on 4 watts, easy overdrive on 1 and 1/4. if you can crank the volume up on 4 watts the overdrive is the best i've heard.
i'm not sure this amp sounds similar enough but i just pulled the trigger on the new vox ac4tv. 2 tubes, switchable from 4 to 1 to 1/4 watt, 10" speaker, $249! sounds totally amazing. plenty of clean headroom on 4 watts, easy overdrive on 1 and 1/4. if you can crank the volume up on 4 watts the overdrive is the best i've heard.
