Fender Champs!!

[FenderStratRock3]

Hi Everyone,

After just finally selling my Blues Junior, I'm in need of a good amp..FAST!!

I don't really gig too much, however I will start to do so this summer. I know that little Fender Champs only push out single-digits in wattage, however I have a PA system that works really well, so I could always mic it.

I've never used one, but I've heard they are vintage-y good for low, low prices. I also don't know too much about them, but I'm interested because the price is right and the tone seems like it'll be right. So tell me things I should know/be aware of/positives/negatives/etc. about old Fender Champs!

Thanks!!!

 

[DLT]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I own a 68 Vibro champ. I wish it came with reverb. I would suggest buying at least a 22 watt Fender Deluxe. Fender champs IMO are good recording/ practice amps but not a good gigging amp. They do not have a whole lot of bottom end either.

 

[FenderStratRock3]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Thanks bro!

The amp I have on hold is a v32 Palomino that I like a lot, but for financial reasons, I'm not sure if I'll be able to pick it up before I need it. I saw a Vibro Champ at a guitar store for about $300, which is perfect for right now. That's why I asked, but are they really not that loud?

 

[Luke Duke]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Are you looking at tweed or BF? They are pretty different designs.

The tweed will have more OD an mids, and no tone control. The BF (or SF) will have a Bass and Treble control. The tweed also is only 3 watts and the BF is 6 watts.

I have a 64 (IIRC) and it has a great clean sound. If you crank it you can get some good bluesy tones as well. These little amps are single end Class A and take pedals pretty well too. Whether I run an OD, dist, or gain boost into it it's going to sound good. They are pretty warm sounding too. Alot of guys change out the speakers in favor of 10s. The cabs are oversized so it is acutally very do-able.

I love mine!

Luke

 

[SoCalSteve]

Re: Fender Champs!!

This guy makes a clone with a 12" speaker for $399
www.littledawgamps.com

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I can let you know in a week....I'm building a 10-watt Champ Clone pushing a 10-watt Weber Alnico.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I've got a 64 I use for recording. I've never played out with it so I don't know how it would do miced up, but if this is any indication--I saw Kansas and Heart in 1982 from the second row in Brendyn Byrne Arean in NJ, which is about a 15 or 20 thousand seat arena. The guitar player from Kansas was using a Fender Deluxe propped up on a stinking chair! You know, one of those metal chairs with the plastic seat and back, LOL. See if they will sell you the amp on the condition that you can return it if it doesn't mic up well, and then do a sound check if you can maybe at practice.

Mine has good bottom end for what I use it for, which is blues like SRV and Led Zeppelin and does hammer out that vintage 60s Fender tone really well.

That Palomino is NICE.

 

[royd]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I use a silverface champ that I put into a larger cab with a 12 inch Weber blue dog. It is a great little amp. I think you probably will want a larger speaker and you will have to mike it live but they are great amps (did I say that already?). And how many PTP amps can you get for $300?

 

[Aceman]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Pro Jr is not a bad substitute for a Champ - if only in spirit....

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Do you need the amp for a gig? How big of a gig are we talking about?

 

[MVI]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I have several low Watt vintage / clone Fenders. Included are a '53 Fender Deluxe w/ Celestion Alnico Blue speaker, a '50s Fender Champ, and a Victoria Champ clone w/ 12 inch speaker. All of these are awesome, but on the pricey side shall we say.

The vintage Champs go about 5 Watts, and the Deluxe about 15 Watts. If you can sneak a vintage Champ off eBay, getting a maxed out tube sound in your living room becomes a realistic possibility, without the worry of getting shot by your neighbours. The sounds are fantastic. A Deluxe can gig easily in a small club.

 

[gripweed]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Used Champs are generally cheaper than a new Pro Junior or Blues Junior. I love mine. I don't find that there is too little bottom end, but they can be a little stringent in the highs. A speaker change can help with that. Trust me I know (see sig)!

 

[lyon]

Re: Fender Champs!!

I own a silverface vibrochamp that cost $250. I upgraded to a Weber speaker. The vibro is really lush. Without pedals the amp is ok. With pedals it turns into a Fender monster(because you can crank it up) and rocks the house (that is my house, I don't gig with it.) I also use a Fender outboard reverb unit which i Highly recommend for any amp, and it turns into a sreamin surf machine.

Good Luck!

 

[royd]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Even though it is only about 5 or 6 watts... the champ is not quiet. Your significant other won't be able to sleep in the next room if you're cranking it and the neighbors will stil complain

 

[MVI]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Even though it is only about 5 or 6 watts... the champ is not quiet. Your significant other won't be able to sleep in the next room if you're cranking it and the neighbors will stil complain

I don't have a sig other, and live in the country, but true, it is quite loud. Somewhere on another board someone said that the Victoria Champ w/ 12 inch speaker could gig. Not sure on that one, but it's a hell of a lot easier to get a cranked-up-all-out-tube-amp sound in your living room than a Marshall stack. A vintage w/ 8 inch does nicely.

 

[MVI]

Re: Fender Champs!!

Even though it is only about 5 or 6 watts... the champ is not quiet. Your significant other won't be able to sleep in the next room if you're cranking it and the neighbors will stil complain

Sorry bud, I don't think I read your post right the first time. I'm in agreement with you. Thought you were smackin' on Champs..heh..