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Post subject: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:11 am
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$250

It's a sweet little 70's tone machine.


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:20 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Location: SW Ohio
Photos..... we need photos. :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:58 pm
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can't figure out how to post them. Help!


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:11 pm
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All will be revealed here......

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52777&hilit=Nutter%27s+picture+posting+guide

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:35 pm
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Here is the little guy!

Image

Curious I have seen pictures of other Champs and there was a trim piece around the cloth. This one doesn't have it. Wondering which is original.


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:39 pm
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Cute as a button!

The aluminum "drip-edge" molding around the grill cloth was a hallmark of years 1967, 1968, and (very briefly) 1969.

Yours looks to be about ten years newer, judging from the "MADE IN USA" seen at the bottom of the amp's logo.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:43 pm
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So I open up the back to check out the tubes and there is a 5ar4 rectifier tube in there. Doesn't match the tube guide label. I read a few things about it. Previous owner says circuit is original.

Any thoughts about going back to the 5y3?


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:59 pm
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The 5AR4 should be fine. A 5U4GB is not recommended for this application.

The 5Y3 grew very scarce for a while but they seem to be plentiful now. It seems that every box of NOS tubes that some ham-radio's widow gives me after cleaning out her garage always includes a few 5Y3's. I had over two dozen of them at one point!

:lol:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:00 pm
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Wow nice little Champ, and it is hard to find silverface amps with that clean of a faceplate! Nice Score! Enjoy it.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:55 pm
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Thanks.

It do sound sweet. Perfect for playing anytime around the house.


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:11 pm
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For a pleasantly surprising treat, try disconnecting the amp's internal speaker and wiring the output to any larger speaker or speaker cab with a 4Ω impedance. I've wired my '68 Bronco to a Dual Showman cab with a pair of 15-inch JBL's. It makes for a real nice growl -- sort of a cross between SRV and Robert Cray. Very ballsy!

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:16 pm
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I have several Champs. Two Champions (600-1948 and 800-1952). One BF (1966). Three SF (1970-74). They are all tone freaks. There are very simple tricks to back date the newer ones to the famous 5F1 narrow panel tweed (which I consider the beset sounding). If you are interested.

Use a 5Y3GT. Any bigger rectifier (or solid-state) just ruins the slow overdrive and wonderful sag. There are plenty of good NOS 1950-60 5Y3GT's still available. I like the RCA, GE, Bendix 6106, or nearly any JAN mil spec one (JAN, Sylvania, Raytheon, CBS-Hytron). The green labeled Sylvania 5Y3WGT is a very tough cookie. And still getable, for a good price.

One thing that REALLY helps is a good speaker. I like Webers (either Alnico or Ceramic magnet---depending on your tastes). But, there are other good brands to choose from.

From Tube World site:

https://www.tubeworld.com/5y3gt1.jpg

https://www.tubeworld.com/5y3gt_3.jpg


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:28 am
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GREAT looking Champ. Double thumbs up on the score. $250 is a excellent price for that amp. Enjoy it.

Now I understand that since the Fender logo does not have a tail - this is an inferior amp. <runs away laughing> :lol:


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 6:50 am
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My ears hear the lack of that tail every time I play. I am very upset. :P


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Post subject: Re: Picked up a Little Champ
Posted: Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:38 am
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It's all in your head. This Princeton with its no-tail logo sounds spectacular......

Image

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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