Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

[Cdwillis]

I've had this little silverface Champ for a while but it's been nonfunctional since I got it. Tonight I pulled it apart to figure out what the deal was. Fortunately, it just needed a wire resoldered back to the volume pot.

Since it was late at night so I didn't get to crank it up. Pretty stoked to jam on it tomorrow. The treble and bass knobs have a pretty wide range of sweep. I had replaced the tubes thinking that was the problem. It will be interesting to see if there is a big difference between the tubes since I still have the old tubes.



The bulb is burnt out in the on/off light. Anyone know where I can get a replacement? Also got that broken knob that I'd like to replace.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

the bulb should be easy to find and the knob too if you dont need a vintage one. champs are fun little amps, enjoy!

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

Looks like a ~75 ? Love my '78 through a 1x12 . Resisting attempting a tweed mod; have all the original tubes for mine (Fender/RCA,) use an RFT pre-amp tube at present for a bit less headroom/more bass.

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

https://www.amazon.com/Fender-Skirted-Replacement-Guitar-Knob/dp/B003XG0LQ6

 

[Cdwillis]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

From what I can tell, it's a '73. Silence Kid, how do you like that 12" speaker compared to the stock? I'm not sure what's in here. I'm assumed it was the stock speaker, but it doesn't look like the ones on the google image results.



I dialed out a lot of the brash high end by turning the treble down, but increasing the bass much makes it a bit farty. I'll think about switching the speaker out if I get tired of trying to dial it in. One thing I have to say is that it feels weird playing a Fender amp with no reverb.

SlyFoxx, thanks for the link. And it even has the bulb and other jewels in the suggested items. Score!

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

Mine has an Italian ceramic Jensen internal speaker, which is quite flubby sounding... I have a WGS G12Q four ohm in a cabinet, "fixes" the bass but is still pretty inefficient/good for low volumes. Want to try a Tone Tubby 8"...

I actually liked the 6" stock speaker in my old cheap Champ 600 better than the 8" Jensen; that Champ 600 was a fun little amp, really woke up with the Tweed mod. Trying to keep this one mostly stock though Enjoy.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

I'm not sure how much money you're willing to sink into it, but besides the knobs, light, and maybe a blue jewel, one of these speakers would allow you to crank it and not fart out.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/celestion-g10-vintage-60w-10-guitar-speaker#productDetail

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

I had an Orange AD5 (re-voiced Champ-ish) with the G10 ... That amp was very loud, and very bright.

 

[Matt42]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

Nice! I love Champs. I'm pretty sure I'll get a Tweed one again some day.

 

[Southbound Suarez]

Re: Sorta new amp day, silverface Champ

The best place to source bulbs and fuses for vacuum tube amps are from your local auto parts stores. I had a bayonet base bulb in my THD Bivalve amp to go out and purchased a more robust replacement from O'Reilly's auto parts store (and cheaply too).