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Post by jackstrat on Nov 9, 2008 22:19:06 GMT
Hey Guys...
I've been looking to get a small 'about-the-house' valve amp for a while, and today I ordered a Fender Champ 600. Judging by some of the online reviews etc. it seems that some folks love these little amps, while others are less enthusiastic. I personally like that classic sound got from the combination of a Fender guitar and amplifier.
Any opinions on the Champ 600 here??
Regards,
Niall
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Post by Michael Messer on Nov 9, 2008 22:54:08 GMT
Hi Niall,
I am a big fan of Fender Champ amps. I have a hand-made one that I have used everyday for the past 4 years. That is all I use on stage with the band and in the studio. 6 watts is all I need!
The 600 is an amazing amp for the price, but the extra wiring and the fact that it and many other modern valve amps have solid state rectifiers does affect the sound. So it is not really a 1950s amp. However....for £100 it is AMAZING.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by jackstrat on Nov 10, 2008 9:35:50 GMT
Michael
That's great to hear...I was flitting between the Champ and an Epiphone Valve Junior. To my ears, based on online video clips etc. the Champ won out each time. Love that 'glassy' sound of the Fender guitar/amp combination. It's very reassuring to hear that you're such a fan!! I'll get mine during the week hopefully, but I won't be allowed to use it till Christmas (it's a pressie from my wife!!!) so I'll get back to you on this one!
Best regards,
Niall
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Post by andys on Nov 10, 2008 10:42:47 GMT
IMO the Champion is a nice amp but it does have a small speaker, at 6" so the bass response is not so good. You can run it out into a cabinet, but thats where the Valve Jnr has the edge. The new combo has an 8" Weber speaker, and multiple impedance outputs that you can run into any speaker cab. Also the new Epiphones have most of the mods that folks have done to the earlier models, actaully already done for you, so they have improved it by looking at what folks have done to theirs. Also there is a head only version of the VJ. Also for not much more there are the Blackheart amps, which have switchable output level, which is essential for home use. People mod the Champion 600. Apparently one of the main ones is to replace the speaker cloth, which is a tone soak, and then people switch out the tone circuit, which can boost the treble. Theres a whole lot of stuff about modding the Champion at www.tdpri.com, and for the Valve Jnr theres the Epiphone Forums, but with this amp if you get the latest version, theres not that much more to do to it that Epiphone havent done already. Beware, all these amps are loud, even at 5 watts. If you are looking for any kind of crunchy sound at bedroom/home levels, you'd better have tolerant neighbours. I can hand on heart say that I have never, never, run my modded Valve Jnr combo on anything more than 3/4 volume, even with a drummer, and a bass player. They are deafeningly loud. Telecaster+Class A combo+soundproof room= fun!!! |
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Post by jackstrat on Nov 13, 2008 21:16:29 GMT
Hello lads,
I got my Champ 600 today, and despite it technically being a Christmas pressie from my Much Better Half, I was granted a dispensation to inspect it and make sure it was in full working order before committing it to the confines of wrapping paper till December 25!!
First impressions, I must say I was very impressed with the sound from this little amp, although I can say straight off that the presence of dimmer switches in my house could be a small problem, depending on exactly which room I'm in. Nothing too concerning though as the guitar which i intend to use it with mostly, my recently converted-for-slide Stratocaster, is fitted with Kinman noiseless p-ups and these are MUCH less prone to electrical interference than the stock p-ups in my other Strat.
In so far as I could tell in the half hour that I had it out of the box, and this little problem aside, I reckon I'm very pleased!! Roll on Christmas Day...I'll be cooking the turkey on the heat from the valves in the back!!!
Niall
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Post by jackstrat on Dec 31, 2008 0:28:17 GMT
Howya lads!
Slightly belated happy Christmas wishes and all the best for the New Year!
I finally got my hands on my new Fender Champ 600 last week. After a few days of messing around with it, I must say that I am most impressed. It's small, it looks great , but most importantly the sound is super. It's a no frills, straight-down-the-middle amp that does exactly what it says on the tin, and used in conjunction with my cheapo lapsteel or my rather more pricey Strat (Kinman p-ups) it's a more than adequate around-the-house substitute for my less portable, big and heavy 4x10 DeVille. Can't wait to try it out in the studio. Delighted.
Season greetings and regards,
Niall
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2008 8:42:17 GMT
Niall
I have a Vibro Champ and it is a lovely amp. Makes the Beltona sound even better and almost light enough to carry on a bus!!!
Barry
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Post by jackstrat on Dec 31, 2008 9:59:41 GMT
Hiya Barry
Yeah, from what I can make out, the Vibro Champ, while not 'big', is still a good bit bigger than the Champ 600...weighing nearly 50% more. I think the 600 is about 15lbs while the Vibro is around the 23lb mark (bigger speaker, extra onboard FX circuitry etc).
Even though it might sound like a contradiction in terms, I'm currently 'indulging' in a 'minimalist' approach to my gear usage...i.e. less buttons, knobs, FX (none) etc. and more emphasis on the subtleties of my playing. Much more challenging, but much more satisfying too I reckon. The 600, with nothing more than a power lead and one volume control knob, suits this approach perfectly I think!
Best regards for the New Year,
Niall
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Post by Michael Messer on Dec 31, 2008 12:00:29 GMT
Hi Niall,
Those are great little amps. If you ever want to tweak it and improve it, go to the Watford Valves website and get a Jensen Alnico Vintage speaker and 'old stock' 1960s valves. I believe your amp has a 6V6 and a 12AX7. You won't be dissappointed.
Simple is definitely best. I don't use any effects, not even reverb. Just straight into the amp with a high quality lead.
One more piece of advice about owning valve amps. You must have a set of spare valves. I would get a set of oldies from Watford Valves and keep the factory fitted ones as spares. But believe me, KEEP A SET OF SPARES!!!
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by andys on Dec 31, 2008 17:08:09 GMT
Theres some great advice about the Champion 600 in the Amp Central Station section of the TDPRI forum at www.tdpri.com There is someting you can do about the hum on these amps apparently I have used the Epiphone forum to mod my Valve Jnr, and mine still sounds good to me. Epiphone must have kept an eye on what folks did to their older Valve Jnrs, because the latest models have most of thye common mods as standard. A few golden rules about valve amps though. If you decide to sometimes put it out through a cab, make sure that that output lead is always connected to a speaker load. Running a valve amp without a speaker risks output transformer failure. I have modded mine with a high voltage resistor across the output jack, so if I ever forget to plug the speaker in, there will still be a load on the transformer. I sometimes use effects, but what I also built was a light bulb attenuator. This is a 12 volt 15watt car headlamp bulb wired into a box with two jack sockets connecting it. Put this between youramp and speaker, and it soaks some of the power, while glowing quite nicely. Acts as a compressor. Dont use it often, but its a bit of fun. Mind you these little amps are so loud, I'm looking out for an amp with a master volume. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2009 15:03:59 GMT
The one knob Fender amp is simple as it goes, but a valve amp is surely there to put some valve tone onto what we play. If we wanted a clean and pure reproduction of what we do on any guitar we'd surely use a transistor amp?
A valve amp gives a bit more of what blues players want.
Happy 2009 to all.
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Post by jackstrat on Jan 1, 2009 22:55:25 GMT
"...but a valve amp is surely there to put some valve tone onto what we play. If we wanted a clean and pure reproduction of what we do on any guitar we'd surely use a transistor amp?"
Barry...valve tone in a small amp is exactly what I am after. My goal is to get the best tone I can with the least amount (and/or most convenient combination) of gear possible (for a small budget). In my opinion, valves are integral to this pursuit.
My attempt at a 'minimalist' set-up is purely in reference to the amount of gear that I use. I'd hate to think there was anything 'minimalist' about my desire for a good tone!
Niall
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Post by Deleted on Jan 1, 2009 23:06:01 GMT
Niall
My point exactly. I may get a |Champ 600, but last time I gigged with the Beltona it went through a 50 watt Marshall so sounded pretty good anyway!!
Barry
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Post by jackstrat on Jan 1, 2009 23:54:27 GMT
Hiya again Barry,
I suppose it's also worth pointing out that I bought the Champ purely as a means of amplifying electric instruments. As most of my playing is done at home, or on those slightly more elusive occasions in the studio, I've never bothered to 'electrify' any of my acoustic instruments...whereas a lot of your requirements include being able to work in noisy live situations with acoustic instruments (I think.?) Different amplification specs required in those circumstances I guess?
My regards,
Niall
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Post by steverino on Jan 4, 2009 19:17:12 GMT
Barry, you've opened a bit of a can of worms here. In the hi fi world the debate has raged for decades as to the merits of tube... er... valve amplification versus solid state. No clear cut winners here, everyone chooses their preference. I'm basically a valve guy for hi fi as, despite steady state measurements which favor SS, to me valves provide the more lifelike and rewarding listening experience.
It has been said that the simple triode valve is the most intrinsically linear amplifying device known to man. Although transistors have higher inherent distortion, their high gain potential lends itself to circuit schemes (negative feedback loops, mostly) that can result in incredibly low distortion measurements. Valve guys counter that many of the artifacts created by these circuits are more easily heard than they are captured by measurements. Myself, I have yet to hear a more communicative amplifying circuit than one built from simple directly heated triodes, battery biasing and transformer coupling.
Interestingly, valves retain their undiminished popularity for music making decades after they were largely abandoned for music reproduction. Anyway, though many folks are of the opinion that valves remain useful due to their euphonic distortions, I think it is their inherent linearity that allow for simple circuits to pass music with the least damage, whether for production or reproduction. Of course a valve amp also sounds nicer as a creative tool than SS when it is overdriven, another reason for valve domination in guitar amps.
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