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Post subject: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 1:12 pm
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Does anyone have an opinion on the effects of the 5y3gt on the performance of this amp?I have a 1967 Fender champ that was modified in the 80's when the 5y3gt went out of stock, using two silicon diodes, the amp is apart and I'm wondering if it's worth it to restore or just repair.
Thanks for your previous help, Rich


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 8:34 pm
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Hi 73blondestrat,

Some people prefer the "sag" in voltage that you can get with some tube rectifiers, as opposed to the "stiff" supply of the solid state rectifiers. The sag in the voltage contributes to the vintage tone (original tone). You might just have to hear it both ways to see if you can tell the difference. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 10:28 pm
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5Y3GT's seem to be plentiful at the moment so the choice is yours.

Personally, I prefer tube rectification but there are advantages to a solid-state diode stack.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 3:30 pm
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I love the sound of the SAG on the rectifier


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 4:35 pm
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On these low powered single-ended amps, nearly everyone of them sound better wtih tube rectifiers. Solid-state stiffens the tone too much. You lose a lot of the overtone and harmonics, when the power tube is driven by too stout a power supply. IMHO.

Remember, you need that center tap off the 5 volt secondaries to run a tube rectifier.


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 9:17 am
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Since rectifiers last so long,I went with a Black Plate Rca 5y3gt


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:01 am
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joncarr1979 wrote:
Since rectifiers last so long,I went with a Black Plate Rca 5y3gt


None finer!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 2:38 pm
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joncarr1979 wrote:
Since rectifiers last so long,I went with a Black Plate Rca 5y3gt


Very nice.


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 10:43 pm
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joncarr1979 wrote:
Since rectifiers last so long,I went with a Black Plate Rca 5y3gt

I scored 4 of those on eBay a few months ago for around $60,I think it was,NOS in the original boxes.


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:05 pm
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I would go back to a tube rectifier...I think the reason some amps sound so great is due to the interaction of the sag of the rectifier, the speaker, and power tubes...seems the amps with rectifiers are the ones I love the best, especially champs!

FWIW

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 4:54 pm
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The champ is one hell of an amp


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 4:15 am
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hi everyone !!!

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:00 am
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You know what 5Y3GT I find sounds really good in older Champs? The plain old 1950-early 60's GE 5Y3GT. Lasts forever & has sag to die for. You want a bit more stout sound the Sylvania 5Y3WGT (green label) is a good one. You'll only need one for the life of the amp.

If you like slow warmup... the Bendix 6106 is the finest 5Y3GT ever made. Designed for ICBM rockets for the USAF and NASA---- this puppy is heavier than some GZ34's. Still has great sag.

HTH. 5Y3GT are very nice tubes. I would never run solid-state rectifiers in a BF or SF Champ. Takes all the life and "breathing" quality out of the beast.


You want killer-ass tone... go for a Weber Vintage ceramic speaker. I end up playing the amp more than almost any other Fenders lying about the house.


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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:47 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
I would never run solid-state rectifiers in a BF or SF Champ. Takes all the life and "breathing" quality out of the beast.


+1

The same applies to the Princeton and Princeton Reverb.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 1967 Fender Champ Tube opinions
Posted: Fri Jun 10, 2011 3:32 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
BMW2002Ti wrote:
I would never run solid-state rectifiers in a BF or SF Champ. Takes all the life and "breathing" quality out of the beast.


+1

The same applies to the Princeton and Princeton Reverb.

Arjay


+100 and to quote our friend Arjay, those Champs and Princetons are some of the greatest "Poarch Weasels" ever...all due to those rectifier tubes!
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
T2

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