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Post subject: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:29 pm
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I recently pulled my 1968 Champ out of storage to clean and service it for home studio use. It's opened the door to many questions, but I figured I would pose two of them here:

1. The grill cloth is abysmal. It's been like that since long before I came to be the owner (25 years ago). Would it hurt the value to replace it with a nice new grill cloth?

2. As you can see from the photos, the Fender logo is "tailless". Everything I have researched about this amp and all the others from the same year I have seen in photos or otherwise have had the "tailed" version of the logo. Oddly enough, the grill cloth doesn't appear to have a hole in it for the third logo tail screw. My question: Is this more than likely someone's replacement Fender logo or are there some transitional drip-edge Champs out there with the "tailless" logo?

Thanks in Advance.

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:44 pm
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In my opinion to keep the value, the amp must be all original.

You buy this amp new as it ? Keep it as it :)


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 4:07 pm
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1. I would keep the original grill cloth unless totally ripped

2. Should have tail logo but Fender might have used what was available at time of production as they often did with everything else. There are quite a few amps from that time with tail less logo, especially smaller amps


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:22 am
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Unless you are trying to sell it, there's really no reason to address either issue.
The logo is an easy fix however and if it bothers you swap it out.
A new one will change the overall look and make the other original components look more dull/aged.
Of course you could change the handle endcaps and chassis straps to off set the new tailed logo look.
A good detailed cleaning of all the bright works might just be enough instead of replacements.
For a 68' that's really a pretty decent looking grill cloth even w/ the small tear. A little well placed super glue would help the tear significantly. IMO, that may not be OG cloth. The blue just doesn't have the right sparkle nor does it cross thru the white section the way it should.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 10:32 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
. A little well placed super glue would help the tear significantly. .


No, don't do unless you are a expert and are sure of the result


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:00 am
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stratele52 wrote:
sfceric64 wrote:
. A little well placed super glue would help the tear significantly. .


No, don't do unless you are a expert and are sure of the result


I also said I didn't think it was original grill cloth, IMO. I realize there were a few variations of version 1 cloth, and without sparkle(version 2) but the weave is to tight and not the right pattern shape - missing a fourth color from what I've seen.

So my recommendation of a few well placed drops, is purely to prevent further tearing. I didn't say for a restoration. I don't think it calls for "expert" skill set, just the right glue and tip.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2018 11:58 am
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Everything on the amp in the pics is period correct. The grill cloth is correct and original as is the logo. During this time frame there was no tail on the logo.

I have the very same amp and it is all original, these first drip edge champs came as you have it.

There is no grill cloth made that is the correct match so if you replace it you will be devaluing the amp, same with changing the logo as a tailed logo would be wrong too.

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:01 am
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I have a ‘67 drip edge vibro champ. Same grill. Same logo. I cleaned the grill with water and mixture of half Dawn dish soap and half white vinegar. Soft bristle brush and gentle brushing. Remove the baffle board from the amp and remove the speaker and logo first. When you remove the logo, you will be able to see what the original color was, and what you’re going for. You can rinse it with running water (carefully) using a sink sprayer or shower head. Towel dry then air dry before reassembly. Same solution works well on the tolex as well.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Sun May 06, 2018 6:28 pm
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Absolutely nothing wrong with your amp it is totally correct for the year. That is the first version of silverface grill cloth that only lasted till about mid 68. Fender introduced the tailess logo in 68 on the Champs. They continued to use both styles up into 73 but like everything Fender had it was used untill inventory was depleted so a few could still show up at a later date. Other early SF features were the blackline faceplate, aluminum trim around the grill cloth also refered to as drip edge and the snowman 8 knobs that were carried over from the Backface amps.
Your amp will be worth more and be more disirable if its stock especially in the condition its in. It’s really in good shape even with the aged cloth and minor tear. You cannot replace it with anything available today and have it match.
If you decide to clean the cloth anyway, beware the baffle board is MDF and will swell if it gets wet. I wouldnt advise removing the cloth to clean it either. Chances are you will never get it straight or taught enough as original and the staples used to fasten the drip edge to the baffle board are black, try and find back staples if you want it to be totally correct.


Last edited by roadhog96 on Thu May 10, 2018 3:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 5:01 pm
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Yeah, my '68 Pro Reverb had that logo - I used to put it on top of my '68 Bandmaster Cabinet that had the other logo - never noticed the difference until years later somebody pointed it out...


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Wed May 09, 2018 10:48 pm
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Oddly, my 1968 Bronco did come with a "tailed" logo. :?:

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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Thu May 10, 2018 7:25 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Oddly, my 1968 Bronco did come with a "tailed" logo. :?:

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Great looking Bronco!!


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 3:32 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Oddly, my 1968 Bronco did come with a "tailed" logo. :?:

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What's a bronco?


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 6:01 am
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A VibroChamp basically, a couple differing component values and the obvious name/red on the faceplate.


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Post subject: Re: 1968 Champ-Amp Logo
Posted: Thu May 31, 2018 6:56 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
A VibroChamp basically, a couple differing component values and the obvious name/red on the faceplate.

Never seen one. Not that means anything but thought I'd come across most of the fender amps from that era. So is it 8w etc how does it differ or is it an export model?


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