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Post subject: Super Champ XD evolution of Mods
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:46 pm
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Joined: Wed Dec 03, 2008 1:45 pm
Posts: 4
Hi all,

I'm new here, but been lurking for a while. Just wanted to say hi and share some info about my experiences with the new SCXL. First off out of the box it's is pretty good as most of you know already. After Playing it about a month and doing extensive research, I started doing mods to see what it could become. I went through 3 different speakers, 5 different tube combos and finally did a PO tranny exchange. In it's current form I have come to what for me is pure nirvana, tonal bliss if you will YMMV. Here is the way it is currently configured.

Power tubes are the 6V6GT (I found these to have the creamiest overdrive with both SC and HB pickups with improved headroom for clean volume. Fantastic for blues/rock)

Pre amp is a Jan Phillips 5751. This tube is a real winner for the SCXD. It significantly reduces hum and noise when cranked. I noticed very little if any loss of gain with the switch even though they say they are only 70% of the 12ax7. This gives shimmering highs and great note separation on chords with chiming grand piano like bass notes when plucked. A+++

Speaker. After trying the Ragin Cagin and the Red Fang, I finally went with the Tone Tubby Ceramic. Out of the box it was very good, better than the other 2, but now after playing it for about a couple of months it seem to keep getting better. It's like it keeps find nuance in tone/chimey harmonics that I've tried to find before but never could. It really is developing some great character that enhances phrasing.

Having heard about Mercury Magnetics kits that were getting such raves for the Champ 600 an Valve Jr. I decided to take the plunge and change the OP Transformer. After getting some expert advice from them they pointed me to a tone clone for the Vintage 65 Deluxe Reverb tranny. Part # FBR DR-O - $110 for those of you that want to give it a shot.

Long story short, it's in and in a word it's MAGNIFICENT! It is like it isn't even the same amp. Huge perceived boost in output volume. Tone, tone and more tone. There really aren't enough superlatives to give justice to the dramatic change this made. This thing is a beast wide open. It's like a Ferrari that had a governor on it, then removing it to discover it's true potential. This thing flat cooks.

Though not up to the same standards of many boutique amps this SCXD modded would give many of them a serious challenge. Add in the fact that it's only about $650 with mods and tack on it's versatility with channel switching, voicing and effects on board, this thing can't be touched.

For those of you that like to tinker, I cannot highly enough recommend these mods.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:19 pm
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Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:39 am
Posts: 110
Ok. Help me out. I just replaced the stock speaker with a Jensen and I like the way it sounds but I'm thinking of replacing the tubes. I was thinking of Tung Sol 6v6GT. I keep hearing stuff about 75% bias. I don't know what that means (bias) or how to do it. I love to mess with things so I"m looking forward to doing some mods.

Any advice would be great.

Thanks,


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