So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

U

UberMetalDood

New member
Well, I've been playing on one for a couple of days and I must say that I'm very impressed. It's a great sounding little amp and has enough power to play in one of those little trios at a small bar. I really like the tone but wish that instead of the vibrato thing that it would have a tone knob or something. The vibrato effect can be shut off completely because the knob clicks at zero to let you know it's completely off.

The speaker handles the volume pretty well, but I don't really like how it sounds full volume. It hardly gets louder past about 3/4 volume, but it gets more distorted in a real fuzzy, softly broken up way. That's not really my thing, but if you reduce the volume on your guitar to about 7-8 it cleans up just enough to give you a really nice smooth and mild overdrive.

Still, priced at $999 is just beyond what I'd pay for it. However, I really like that little amp. I wish Fender would get rid of the vibrato feature, put a tone knob, and sell it for $399.

Small amps have never been my thing, but something about this one really grabs me. Just for grins, I hooked up my Maxon TBO9 (mini tube boosted overdrive) to see what kind of lead tone I could get. It was surprisingly good. It tightened up a little of the fuzziness and I was able to get a really great lead tone. I'll be looking for clones of that amp to see if I can find one at a much lower cost.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

Pardon my ignorance about these little amps. I just found out that it's based on the 57' Champ RI which also seems to cost the same amount. I found that Marsh amps makes one but they're $650 without the Weber speaker and Mercury transformer. Anyone know of a more affordable 57' Champ clone?
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

I don't think I've ever played a champ of any sort that wasn't enjoyable. They're cool little amps. I don't know if they are $1000 price tag cool though.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

Champs are fun. I am partial to the one I built for less than any single one mentioned here or TGP:

402418_10150475211707117_965340090_n.jpg
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

Fresh_Start said:
I'd buy a Swart 6V6-SE long before that Fender:
http://swartamps.com/amplifiers_tweed_tone_6v6se.htm

Here's a decent discussion, but none of these amps are cheap:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/archive/index.php/t-962849.html

Cheers,

Chip
Click to expand...

I used to have one of those actually. I got it as part of a trade. It wasn't as loud as the Fender Vibrochamp EC though. I think I like the Fender more, but maybe it's worth a second look.

Powdered Toast Man said:
Tone knob? Understand Champs, you do not.
Click to expand...

Right, I don't know much about small amps. However, I said that it should have a tone knob instead of the vibrato, not that it needs a tone knob to be a proper Champ.

B Bent said:
Champs are fun. I am partial to the one I built for less than any single one mentioned here or TGP:

402418_10150475211707117_965340090_n.jpg
Click to expand...

That's really cool. What a neat little head/cab. Did you use one of those Weber kits or something?
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

^^^^ nah, mine is a kit from Triode Electronics. All they do is assemble the parts (good ones I might add) and sell the kit with a wiring diagram.

183409_10150094591182117_7400384_n.jpg
 
B Bent said:
Champs are fun. I am partial to the one I built for less than any single one mentioned here or TGP:

402418_10150475211707117_965340090_n.jpg
Click to expand...

I've built a Tweed Princeton 5F2-A several times over. It was my first amp build and I love it. Volume & Tone controls plus an on/off switch. What more do you need? I did cheat and put it in a Tweed Harvard sized cab so it takes a 10" speaker (Weber 10A100). Cost less than the clones by a couple hundred bucks. Best tube tester you'll ever find too.

To the OP - the behavior of the Volume control is normal for this circuit.

Cheers,
Chip
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

B Bent said:
^^^^ nah, mine is a kit from Triode Electronics. All they do is assemble the parts (good ones I might add) and sell the kit with a wiring diagram.

183409_10150094591182117_7400384_n.jpg
Click to expand...

I took a look at Triode Electronics and they seem to have some decent pricing on a nice variety of kits. Is it as easy as assembling and soldering components or is there a lot more involved in putting together a kit?

zzmoore said:
Buy my 1975 VC.
It is completely rebuilt, and will last another 40 years.
I will make the tone stack switchable.....that will give you your 1000 dollars Eric Clapton Tweed.
best
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/1972VC003.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/1972VC004.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/1972VC007.jpg
http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n143/zzmoore/1972VC008.jpg
Click to expand...

That's awesome that your amp still rocks. I saw a bigger version of that just the other day.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

UberMetalDood said:
I took a look at Triode Electronics and they seem to have some decent pricing on a nice variety of kits. Is it as easy as assembling and soldering components or is there a lot more involved in putting together a kit?
Click to expand...

potential death if you don't know about all the safety issues & regulations.

If you do your research though theres no reason why its a bad idea.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

Toe-Knee said:
potential death if you don't know about all the safety issues & regulations.

If you do your research though theres no reason why its a bad idea.
Click to expand...

I have read that there are components which can carry a lethal charge even after the amp has been powered off for a while. If it was like soldering pickups, I would do it. However, I don't I will ever be comfortable trying it without taking an electronics course or something so that I know the exact function of every component and connection.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

UberMetalDood said:
I have read that there are components which can carry a lethal charge even after the amp has been powered off for a while. If it was like soldering pickups, I would do it. However, I don't I will ever be comfortable trying it without taking an electronics course or something so that I know the exact function of every component and connection.
Click to expand...

Its mainly the electrolytic capacitors but there are other points too.

If the amp is designed/built well it will drain the charge from the amp within minutes. I do this in all of my amps as a precaution and still even check to see if there is any charge just in case.
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

UberMetalDood said:
I have read that there are components which can carry a lethal charge even after the amp has been powered off for a while. If it was like soldering pickups, I would do it. However, I don't I will ever be comfortable trying it without taking an electronics course or something so that I know the exact function of every component and connection.
Click to expand...

If you can solder well, and have some mechanical aptitude, you can build one of these smaller amps without too much trouble. Only reason to shy away from a larger amp, is the potential trouble-shooting nightmare that a "big" amp poses if it does not work properly. Better to start with a "reasonable" size amp, until you get your abilities up to speed.
I have never heard of anybody being killed by an amp that was not plugged in. It is theoretically possible, but the real risk is working on the amp when it is live. And THAT is unavoidable. If you take your time, stop to THINK where your hands are, you will be fine. Do not be afraid to use clips on your meter probes. THAT is what will keep you safe. It is Two Hands in the amp that you need to avoid.
Whatever you decide.....
Good Luck
 
Here's a good source for a "kit"
http://store.marshamps.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28
Please understand that it is a box of parts, not a kit in terms of step-by-step instructions. Good deal though. Chassis and cab from Mojo.

The amp safety tips I could think of off the top of my head are down right now.

First rule is be the one armed amp tech. Electricity running from one arm to the other goes through your heart. That's bad.

Second rule is no distractions. That includes no alcohol etc.

Third rule is assume everything is carrying voltage until you verify with a meter that it isn't.

BTW you can get a very nasty shock from an amp that is not plugged in. Capacitors store electrical energy. That is their function!

This thread should give you enough reading for a week or two...
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3273.0

Cheers,
Chip
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

Mr 9finger said:
I don't think I've ever played a champ of any sort that wasn't enjoyable. They're cool little amps. I don't know if they are $1000 price tag cool though.
Click to expand...

Does anyone make a DIY kit for the vibro champ?
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

I just bought a Fender EC Vibro Champ a week ago. In my opinion this is a wonderful amp. Sounds great. After playing it a couple of times, once for about 30 minutes the next for an hour, I was surprised how hot the top metal part of the amp got. Is this normal?
 
Re: So you know that little Vibro Champ EC Fender just put out?

probably. those little things run hot and there isnt much ventilation
 
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