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NAD! Old Fender Champ


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Posted

I've had amp GAS lately, and have assumed my recently acquired MIM Tele was trade-bait from the start, so today I took it into Monster Pawn and ran it through a Silverface Fender Champ. Surprisingly, there were no crackles, it had had a 3 prong plug installed for safety, and it sounded really good. I struck a deal, and they got the spotless 1995 Fender MIM Telecaster and $50, and I got the amp. It was a fair, not great, deal for both of us. My total investment is $250, which is about what they are going for on Ebay, but this one is pretty clean. What I thought was funny was that the warranty card, Owner's Manual, and schematic diagram were all in a plastic bag in the back of the amp! I don't know if I've ever gotten any of that stuff from a used amp purchase, certainly not one from 1979, which is what the owner's manual is dated. I'll have to check to see if there is any other numbers that might give me a more firm date on this little guy. I haven't had a chance to crank it here at home yet, or run it through pedals, and I'm SURE it's not going to displace my KBP810 Tweed Deluxe as King, but I thought I'd rather have this 30+ year old piece of Fender history than the Tele, clean as it was.

 

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz327/schundog/RCSTRAT117.jpg[/img]"]http://RCSTRAT117.jpg

Posted

Go NADs... Go NADs!!!

 

Congrats on your new soundscape.

Posted

That is Super Cool!

 

Posted

Those are a blast... they take pedals great also.

 

I've got an old Vibro Champ.. but I must admit that I may have fried the weber speaker in it last time I played it. ... I'll have to check that out sometime.

Guest HRB853370
Posted

Cool deal, I would love to stumble upon one of those in a flea market, thrift store, etc. Even if it is a CBS version, still very classy!

Posted

Great catch. Cool amp and cool vibe. Much better off with the amp in place of the MIM tele. I'm also impressed with the inclusion and condition of the accompanying papers. Congrats!!!

Posted

I've had amp GAS lately, and have assumed my recently acquired MIM Tele was trade-bait from the start, so today I took it into Monster Pawn and ran it through a Silverface Fender Champ. Surprisingly, there were no crackles, it had had a 3 prong plug installed for safety, and it sounded really good. I struck a deal, and they got the spotless 1995 Fender MIM Telecaster and $50, and I got the amp. It was a fair, not great, deal for both of us. My total investment is $250, which is about what they are going for on Ebay, but this one is pretty clean. What I thought was funny was that the warranty card, Owner's Manual, and schematic diagram were all in a plastic bag in the back of the amp! I don't know if I've ever gotten any of that stuff from a used amp purchase, certainly not one from 1979, which is what the owner's manual is dated. I'll have to check to see if there is any other numbers that might give me a more firm date on this little guy. I haven't had a chance to crank it here at home yet, or run it through pedals, and I'm SURE it's not going to displace my KBP810 Tweed Deluxe as King, but I thought I'd rather have this 30+ year old piece of Fender history than the Tele, clean as it was.

 

http://RCSTRAT117.jpg

I have a 70's Vibro Champ and as far as I'm concerned it is THE bedroom amp, just crank all the knobs to ten and jam. Congrats those little Fenders are great!

Posted

Ain't nothin' quite like those little Champs! Nice horse-tradin'!!

 

Check this out. Everything you need to know about that little guy...and more.

 

http://ampwares.com/...lverface-champ/

 

Thanks, Tim, I'll definitely check that site out!

 

Trouble, you are correct, sir; This thing IS the bedroom amp. Lots of fun with everything dimed, but plenty of options with this just by dialing back the volume on the guitar, of course. I think my "sweet spot" was with the amp volume on 8, bass and treble at 6, and ride the guitar volume/tone. I did this quick and dirty clip with my 535. The first two sections are with no effects, first one with my sweet spot settings, guitar all up, second section rolling back the volume. The following parts of the clip are with either my delay, OCD, modded DS-1, or chorus on. Nothing to write home about, but it gives you an idea of how big a single ended Class A 6 watt amp can sound.

 

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11477909&q=hi

Posted

 

Thanks, Tim, I'll definitely check that site out!

 

Trouble, you are correct, sir; This thing IS the bedroom amp. Lots of fun with everything dimed, but plenty of options with this just by dialing back the volume on the guitar, of course. I think my "sweet spot" was with the amp volume on 8, bass and treble at 6, and ride the guitar volume/tone. I did this quick and dirty clip with my 535. The first two sections are with no effects, first one with my sweet spot settings, guitar all up, second section rolling back the volume. The following parts of the clip are with either my delay, OCD, modded DS-1, or chorus on. Nothing to write home about, but it gives you an idea of how big a single ended Class A 6 watt amp can sound.

 

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=11477909&q=hi

 

LOVE it, Really, really cool!!!

Posted

Sounds great!

 

Wait until you hear it connected to an extension cabinet. They sound HUGE!

 

I've connected my Champs to either a Celestion V30 loaded cab, or a Boogie Black Shadow loaded cab and man, it rocks em' both.

 

Enjoy experimenting with your new bedroom buddy.

Posted

 

That's really cool. Did you just leave the wood like that or did you stain, paint, tolex over it?

 

 

I left it just the way it is in the photos. I decided that it will get hammered putting in and out of the truck and knocked against doors when i am trying to carry too much stuff at one time. I just love the amp, so cheap and so much tone. I cannot believe they have not become more popular than they are currently.

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