New tiny amp day!

[Powdered Toast Man]

Just picked up a Fender EC (Eric Clapton) Vibro Champ lightly used on a local sale. I'd say a good price at $650. I had been thinking about building a kit but when I started adding up the options I'd want to do it with high quality components and such it was approaching $500 - and that's before taxes, shipping, and exchange. So might as well just own the Fender since it's used and it's already depreciated, right?

Anyway, sounds awesome and has more volume than you'd expect. The addition of the tremolo to the circuit doesn't seem to have altered that classic 5F1 tone. Gets really barky when turned up (which is what you'd expect). Sounds like rock n' roll in a box!

Used but for all intents and purposes it's mint. Even still has the plastic film on the logo plate!

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Love champs. I played one of those and they are really neat. Enjoy brother!

 

[zzmoore]

Re: New tiny amp day!

You are (unfortunately) right on all counts.
If you had to buy the parts, it would cost 500-700 bux when all said and done...depending on what, where, shipping, taxes.....all the stuff you mentioned.
Does that amp have some sort of Power Scaling also.?
Little amps are expensive in direct opposition to their size.....just a sad fact of life.
Well Done

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: New tiny amp day!

You are (unfortunately) right on all counts.
If you had to buy the parts, it would cost 500-700 bux when all said and done...depending on what, where, shipping, taxes.....all the stuff you mentioned.
Does that amp have some sort of Power Scaling also.?
Little amps are expensive in direct opposition to their size.....just a sad fact of life.
Well Done

Yep, I started pricing out a kit - then add the nicer transformer - and a cover - and a good speaker - and then you're sitting around $500.

It does have an attenuator built in! Basically the switch puts it into a half power mode. It's quieter, but I still wouldn't dime it in the bedroom of an apartment.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Schweet!

 

[LesStrat]

Re: New tiny amp day!

What are the power ratings at high/low?

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: New tiny amp day!

What are the power ratings at high/low?

High is 5 watts. I think low is 2.5.

 

[Agileguy_101]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Awesome score dude! Is there a way to turn the tremolo off?

 

[FuseG4]

Re: New tiny amp day!

oh man that is hot.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Awesome score dude! Is there a way to turn the tremolo off?

Thankfully yes! It is foot switchable (sold separately) but the pot actually has a click off position at 0 so it's completely disengaged.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Great deal. Those things sound killer with a band.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: New tiny amp day!

After playing around with it this morning, I'm convinced that Can't You Hear Me Knocking was recorded using a 50's Champ in a room with hard surfaces. It gets nasty when cranked past 9 (goes to 12). Unbelievably touch sensitive. Quality seems good - I had to tighten a few screws on that vent panel on the back because it was vibrating when really loud. The half power mode is really good for playing along with recorded music pumped through my PA. It's still loud, but I don't have to blow my ears off to keep the amp from overpowering the PA.

 

[zzmoore]

Re: New tiny amp day!

You want to really hear that amp.? .....plug it into a 2x12

 

[Hoss]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Nice...i've always dug those!

NEW STUFF ROCKS!!! :headbang:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Nice score, and a way better value than any kit amp. The EC badge on it means you can cash out of it anytime you like......not that you should.

 

[Laughing Kookaburra]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Very nice, Jaysus!!

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Another nice one! Congrats!

 

[Matt42]

Re: New tiny amp day!

I love my little 5f1. I can practice with a drummer fairly well if I tip it back or put it on a chair.

I've always dug those Fender EC amps, I'd love the Tremolux version. It looks like you got a steal on that!

 

[Surgeon]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Congrats, however, I'd like to point out that building an amp is not about money but about knowledge and experience. If you're strictly looking at it from a financial stand point then yes, you're much better buying used.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: New tiny amp day!

Congrats, however, I'd like to point out that building an amp is not about money but about knowledge and experience. If you're strictly looking at it from a financial stand point then yes, you're much better buying used.

I realize that. Building an amp is a wonderful experience and I've done it before with my 5E3 clone. However, in the end the amp is the final product and it just so happened that this thing was for sale locally (which is rare) and at a very good price (also rare).