Just bought a champ 600!

jmv

jmv

New member
Well, i was trying to figure out what to do for a practice amp at the apartment. There was one at a local store so i decided to check it out. I definitely dig the tones it offers on the verge of breakup. I plug it into my bassman cab (which has speakers on their way out, so it gives a general lack of bass), and the overall quality of the powertube distortion improves, so i feel that connected to a high quality, properly working speaker it could improve a whole lot there. I've also read that it responds really well to new tubes, so thats probably in the works before too long. Overall i'm pretty happy with it, i just hope its still not too loud to bug the crap out of the neighbors (which it probably is).

Heres a pic i took, i have no idea why it makes the bookmatched top look two different colors though:

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Re: Just bought a champ 600!

yeah definitely cool looking. I have a few reserves as to how well the speaker grillcloth will hold up though.

It seems like its started a rattle, i think from the speaker?? Somewhat dissapointing. I didn't notice it when plugged into the bassman cab. I may try to check the mounting points for the speaker.

I put a spare Groove Tubes 12ax7 i had in there, and it helped make the amp warmer and fuller. I would like to get a Tung-Sol for the preamp, and replace the 6V6 also, but i don't know with what....
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Those really do look cool. I've played one briefly, but didn't get that chance to get a feel for one. Congrats!

When I had my Silvertone, I replaced the original 40 year old Silvertone 6V6 with a JJ and couldn't have been happier. Great tone and alot more output? I'm assuming that it's got the EH's in it, that's what came in my Super Champ. I'd like to try out the Tung Sols or the TAD's.
 
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Re: Just bought a champ 600!

the preamp tube i took out simply said 'made in china', that was all.... the 6V6 is an EH though. How are those tubes??
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Since I don't have another set to compare to on hand, all I can say right now is that they sound fine. Could the amp sound better with a different set, who knows. You may as well try differnt ones, a single 6v6 will only set you back $10 to 20 for a new production tube.
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

FWIW I like the EH 6V6's...I got a set for my 62 Deluxe and was sure I woudl end up replacing them right off the bat...much to my surprice they sound quite nice!
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Cool little amps. Bruce gave me an original early 50's tweed version of that amp for Christmas a few years ago. Is that a reissue of the same amp? I think so. The controls are on the back. Actually, the CONTROL...all it has is a volume knob! I love little Fenders like that. Congrats!
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Lewguitar said:
Cool little amps. Bruce gave me an original early 50's tweed version of that amp for Christmas a few years ago. Is that a reissue of the same amp? I think so. The controls are on the back. Actually, the CONTROL...all it has is a volume knob! I love little Fenders like that. Congrats!
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yeah its a recreation of the early TV-front champ 600. only difference features wise is it has a slightly higher gain input, as well as one made to replicate the original. Pretty cool tones for the price, and with a new speaker and possibly a better pre-amp tube, probably quite good!
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

It's a great little amp. Some of the locals were pretty sceptical when I ordered it. It's turned out to be a great workhorse. It really pushes you to get more familiar with your guitars and effects.

I haven't had a real desire to swap out the tubes yet. I've got a Tung Sol and a JJ 6V6, and Chinese, JJ and TS 12AX7's ready.

I have been toying with the idea of using a 2x12 with it but I grew up with 8 and 10 inch speaker'd amps so I'm fine with the speaker that's in it currently (not to mention there's not too many replacement 8's done for guitar purposes ... I think Weber is one of them).
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

The sneaky little bugger's been shrinking on me ... thought it was an 8.
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

i was messing around today running the amp in stereo with an old silverface vibrochamp. The vibrochamp you can hardly get to break up, regardless of the volume. It was pretty cool setting the champ 600 to a light breakup and having the vibrochamp clean, gave some really sweet articulate sounds.
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Hmmm i think this would go well with the laney 5w lion heart im geting, with an a/b/y switch. Get a 12 inch cab with a weber speaker, i could use the lion heart for crunchiness, and the fender for cleaniness
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

the more i play this, the more i like it!

in trying to work my playing skill back up, i've been working on some Zep tunes, i just plug the les paul into the amp, and crank it, and its got some great crunchiness for the early zeppelin sounds. Voiced differently, but i like it. Just the amp and a tube screamer for solos or for heavier rhythm sounds and i feel like i'm set!
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

I've been wanting to try one of those out, but every time I see one, some dude is parked on another amp in front of it and I don't want to wait on him to finish his 2-hour solo so I can get on it for a bit. Looks really nice.

Your blackface bassman is KILLER!
 
Re: Just bought a champ 600!

Gr8Scott said:
Your blackface bassman is KILLER!
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Thanks, i know that you're someone who appreciates!! :headbang:



Yeah thankfully the music store i was in had one on display, and there was noone in the store when i tried it out except the owner, so i could crank it and enjoy myself.
 
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