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Post subject: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 2:27 pm
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I have the opportunity to pick up what I THINK is a '77 Silverface Champ for $250. I haven't seen it yet but the guys says it's in good shape. I believe it is all original except for newish tubes. Assuming it is and operates perfectly, should I take the plunge? Was '77 a bad year for this amp? Anything I should look for when I check it out? I welcome your insights. Thanks!

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:02 pm
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Take your guitar and test drive it. These single-ended amps will tend to have a touch more hum (esp at 10) than push-pull types (like Princetons or Deluxes).

Here a little bio on the model you are interested in:

http://ampwares.com/amplifiers/fender-silverface-champ/


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:10 pm
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Thanks BMW. That link was useful. In your opinion are most silverface Champs 68-82 basically the same? I think I read that the older models are built to blackface specs. This changed at some point (but not in a bad way as I understand it.)

Of course, playing through the amp is the best way to judge it. I just want to make sure that a '77 isn't a dog and save myself a trip to Temecula lol.

And if anyone else would like to chime in, please do.

Thanks,

Mike

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:27 pm
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That era Champ is basically the same. I've notice that later Champs had 6V6GTA tubes as OEM. For single-ended use, a good 6V6GT is ok. The 6V6GTA can take a bit more abuse (esp when being pushed hard) than the run-of-the-mill 6V6GT.

But, as we all know, your Dad's or Grand-Dad's RCA, GE, or Sylvania 6V6GT is not like today's 6V6GT. Those NOS tube are some of the toughest tubes, of any kind, ever made.\


Good luck with the amp!


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:44 pm
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$250 is a fair price for a SF Champ. You'll enjoy it.

I have a 73 Vibro Champ that I love. Lots of fun.

Post photos if you get it.


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:14 pm
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phansford wrote:
$250 is a fair price for a SF Champ. You'll enjoy it.

I have a 73 Vibro Champ that I love. Lots of fun.

Post photos if you get it.


Yes. I feel good about the price. Like I said, I think it's a '77. Do you think I should hold out for an older one or are the early 70s pretty much the same as the late '70s.

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:16 pm
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phansford wrote:
$250 is a fair price for a SF Champ. You'll enjoy it.

Post photos if you get it.


+1...I have a '68 Champ, and it is a great little porch weasel! Crank it to 10 and enjoy! Not much difference with the later ones....CBS never seamed to get around to screwing up the Champ much (no pull boosts, Master Volumes, etc.)

T2

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 5:23 pm
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Great. Thanks guys. I got pix. The amp is clean. I'll go try it out this weekend.

:-)

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:05 pm
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Amp & guitar PORN! This site thrives on it!

:lol:


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 6:44 pm
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Amp & guitar PORN! This site thrives on it!

:lol:



+1K :!: ...here is my '68...your Turn Beemer :!:

Image

T2

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:11 pm
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The only Champ I own is a tweed (5F1) Champ. Do have a couple of VCs & a Bronco:

Image



Guts:

Image



Toobz:

Image


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:32 pm
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spinnrade wrote:
phansford wrote:
$250 is a fair price for a SF Champ. You'll enjoy it.

I have a 73 Vibro Champ that I love. Lots of fun.

Post photos if you get it.


Yes. I feel good about the price. Like I said, I think it's a '77. Do you think I should hold out for an older one or are the early 70s pretty much the same as the late '70s.


There is no difference between a early 70's Champ and a later 70's Champ. CBS did not dink with the Champ circuit. In fact, the Silverface Champ is basically the same as the Blackface Champ. I own a 1966 BF Champ and the SF Vibro Champ. Both fun little amps. And both are pretty comparable in tone (other than the Vibrato :wink: )

Just play through it.... if you like the tone, then buy it. :D

Image

Image

My other "Champ" is this 1960 Gibson Skylark GA-5. (Gibson's version of the 5F1 Champ) Its a rat with incredible tone. And I only paid $100 for it. Has the original 8" Jensen speaker.

Image

Image


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:34 pm
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Those pix are AWESOME! Now I totally have to have one!

BMW are those gut shots of the Bronco?? Who makes that 5F1 by the way? I tried an Eric Clapton Champ at Truetone but at $1000? Whoah. Sounded amazing though.

I also used to have a Richter 5e3 but never bonded with it. She (Sara Richter) made a great amp but also made some changes to the original design. So I haven't really had the Tweed experience yet (except briefly in stores.)

Unfortunately, I can't afford the Tweed experience so I'll have to sette or the Silverface experience. Can't wait. Hmmmm... should I buy a Wampler pedal or spend this money on a handwired Silverface Fender. Uh... lessee...

8)

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Last edited by spinnrade on Thu Nov 08, 2012 11:55 am, edited 4 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:39 pm
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The 5F1 is the circuit/model # of the last of the Tweed Fender Champs. Clapton is to have used a Tweed 5F1 Champ on the Layla recordings.


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Champ (GAS strikes again!)
Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:43 pm
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I own a '73 Champ and for a brief time, one of my bandmates owned a '77 Champ. Side by side, they looked almost identical. There is ONE change that CBS made somewhere in between those two amps and that was to the cabinet. His '77 was constructed of OSB (particle board) and my '73 is actual plywood.

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