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Post subject: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:59 am
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Hi Guys

Thinking of doing a blind buy on a 1979 champ.

The guy wants £399 (Approx $622) for it which I think is too much and he has no current bids (4hours to go).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/330751668979? ... 682wt_1396

He has the make an offer system on the auction and I am tempted to go for a sneaky bid. I was thinking £200 (Approx $312) with delivery. Do you think that is a fair price?

Obviously the guy might not accept it but I figure its worth a go. It looks in good nick but the original speaker has been replaced and he broke some of the cone when removing it. Is this repairable?

I'm worried about blind buying it though but who knows it could be a $@!&#*!!! Really wanted a vibro champ but I guess I could just buy one of those as well (Although the wife might disagree)

Thanks in advance

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:25 am
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Bassett, my first question, is whether this amp is from your locale. The voltage supply(power transformer) is what I'm getting at. The speaker just becomes a personal preference. Yeah, go for the low bid, and you can always bump it up, to your budget. Art

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 3:50 am
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aclempoppi wrote:
Bassett, my first question, is whether this amp is from your locale. The voltage supply(power transformer) is what I'm getting at. The speaker just becomes a personal preference. Yeah, go for the low bid, and you can always bump it up, to your budget. Art


Thanks for the quick response Art, I really appreciate it.

There is a picture on the auction that shows an English plug so it should be all good.

I might give it a go.

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:10 am
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Turned my offer down...I don't think I'm prepared to move up more and I think the guy wants to be as close to 399 as possible.

I'm going to let it slide.

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 4:35 am
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Right, Tom. Something will come around your way! Happy Pickin' Art

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:45 am
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It's been relisted with a BIN of 379 pounds:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 0756704105

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:58 am
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Given the prices silverfaces have been going for over in the US, $622 for a '79 seems way too much.

Buy one that's beat up for cheap and fix it up. As long as the transformers are original, there's not that many parts inside...

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 8:53 am
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nedorama wrote:
Given the prices silverfaces have been going for over in the US, $622 for a '79 seems way too much.

Buy one that's beat up for cheap and fix it up. As long as the transformers are original, there's not that many parts inside...


+1

A blackface Champ isn't worth much more than that. I saw a '66 Vibrochamp go for under six bills recently.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jun 29, 2012 2:24 pm
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Man I wish I was in the states, I've found one 1964 blackface champ for £695 and a blackface vibro champ for £699 thats over a 1000 bucks according to google.

I guess the vibro champ is the better deal but still a lot of money!

I don't know what to do!

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 1:41 am
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Hi Guys s

Sorry to keep resurrecting this thread but I have finally had a reply from the shop selling the 1964 vibro champ.

He said "The amp is a MINT CONDITION fender Champ from 1964 ( black face )
it has been Serviced and sorted out , it plays and sounds Just like it should ( great ! )
the Tremelo works and is probably the Best there is....
The speaker is original
Somone offered me a similar one for £1200 .
it seems like a very reasonable price for such a rareity.......
the model is AA764 , the chasssis number A 18785
on the valve chart ....31A
its guaranteed for 3 months
and no u should'nt have to do any repairs"

What do you guys think - I thought an offer of around £600 instead of £695? I'd need a step down transformer to use it but that should not cause a problem - I hope. It sounds like it is great shape. The pictures sure look fantastic on the website.

Thanks for the opinion.

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:02 am
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" I'd need a step down transformer. "

This is no issue, as long as the PT is wound to 50/60Hz standards. If it's only wound to 60Hz--- you will need to change it to 50/60 or straight 50Hz (if your country uses 50Hz AC lines). Voltage is no issue--- just requires a converter or some PT's have multiple taps for this.

But, a 60Hz tranny will overheat and fry under 50Hz conditions. The windings and core are not up to 50Hz standards. Be sure to find out before you buy the amp. As the PT is usually the single most $$$ item in any amp.

The Champ is a GREAT amp for practice and recording use. Tonal variety is endless. And they really respond well to fingering articulations. OD is slow, brown, Bluesy. Hard to beat.

Good luck! Keep us posted.


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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 2:44 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
" I'd need a step down transformer. "

This is no issue, as long as the PT is wound to 50/60Hz standards. If it's only wound to 60Hz--- you will need to change it to 50/60 or straight 50Hz (if your country uses 50Hz AC lines). Voltage is no issue--- just requires a converter or some PT's have multiple taps for this.

But, a 60Hz tranny will overheat and fry under 50Hz conditions. The windings and core are not up to 50Hz standards. Be sure to find out before you buy the amp. As the PT is usually the single most $$$ item in any amp.

The Champ is a GREAT amp for practice and recording use. Tonal variety is endless. And they really respond well to fingering articulations. OD is slow, brown, Bluesy. Hard to beat.

Good luck! Keep us posted.


Thanks so much for this BMW, as you can probably tell I'm a complete novice!

I'll get back in touch with him ask about the Hz etc. He just replied to some more of my questions saying that

"The plug has 3-pins ( with earth )...
a step down transformer poses no problems , if the earth runs thru;
i can recommend one if you buy ( as they were'nt imported to UK then this all you are going to get...
Unless the amp has been modified )"

Nice to know he would recommend me one to buy.

Seriously thinking of blind buying this one - I inherited some money from my nan passing away which I thought I would buy an amp with which will hopefully last me years. Its a bit of a gamble with a vintage but if it has lasted since 1964 then why shouldn't it last another 48 years!

I only play at home these days so the champ seems to suit my needs fully. I could always mic it if I jam again.

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:35 am
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Hi

A little bit on an update.

I emailed the guy offering him £600 and he didn't get back to me. I sent a follow up a few days later to which he replied that he can't go under the asking price (he said "or close to").

Was a little bit short I felt considering I was offering him hard cash for the amp. I was hoping he would come back with "no thanks but how about ???" to start negotiating but it back fired on me.

Not sure what to do I'm going to see my brother in Bristol this weekend so I'll think about it and discuss it with him (He plays bass). After all its my cash to spend and from what you guys have said its a lot of money for the amp. The thing that is really making me feel the GAS is that it is a 1964 amp. Some real history there.

Decisions decisions.

The upside is that there are some new sf champs/vibrochamps on ebaye which could be contenders

Have a great weekend.

Tom

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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 8:59 am
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BassettsAllSorts wrote:
The upside is that there are some new sf champs/vibrochamps on ebaye which could be contenders


FWIW - The circuit designs for the Champ and Vibro Champ were not monkeyed with by CBS. So the only difference between a BF and a SF Champ/VC is cosmetic. Which means you can spend less cash for the SF Champ and still get a great sounding amp.


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Post subject: Re: Champ on ebay advice
Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 11:53 am
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phansford wrote:
Which means you can spend less cash for the SF Champ and still get a great sounding amp.


+1

And do not exclude the Bronco Amp from consideration -- behind that red-lettered silverface front panel beats the heart of a Vibrochamp.

Best of luck with your search, HTH

Arjay

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