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Post subject: 57 Champ Reissue - it's that good
Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:25 pm
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I just got back from a trip through the Twin Cities in MN. While there, I popped in to Willies American Guitars. I spotted a Champ reissue on the floor. I have to say, it's smaller than what I thought! I plugged it in and it is just awesome! So simple, yet so good. Even my wife liked it (and she can't tell the difference between most of my gear). If I hadn't have already bought a new acoustic that day, I'd have maybe taken the Champ home instead.

Birthday's coming up in about 4 months... hmm....

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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 6:40 pm
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Hey PTM, hope for the best and good luck. :)
Claude. 8)


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Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 8:10 pm
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It seems kinda pricey for what it is.You can get a real champ used for around that.JMO.


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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 12:54 pm
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Most Tweed Champ clones sound that good for a fraction of the price and you can get a real 57 for the same money. I don't see the point. They could easily sell it for half the price, there's not that much to them. You can build a kit in a few hours with not much electronic experience.


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Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 4:29 pm
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Yeah, I played one too, seemed like just my cup of tea, but there's no way a cup of tea is worth that much >_> Put it this way, if it were $750 I would seriously consider it, if it were $500-600 I would buy it.

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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 6:57 am
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63supro wrote:
Most Tweed Champ clones sound that good for a fraction of the price and you can get a real 57 for the same money. I don't see the point. They could easily sell it for half the price, there's not that much to them. You can build a kit in a few hours with not much electronic experience.


+1

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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:48 am
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The price was the main reason I didn't actually buy it. That IS rather pricey for a 5 watt practice amp. Few dollars more and you could be into a DRRI already.

Still, it sounds great.

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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 2:29 pm
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just a volume knob seems awfully minimalist, thats why i struggle with this amp and the 600. you gotta at least have a tone knob (other than on your guitar). for example, the tone knob on a Pro J almost acts like a Presence, imo. it adjusts the upper mids as well as the treble. it's good for adapting to different guitars and different venues (not so much as 3-band eq though)
(and true the champ isn't exactly a gig amp, but i imagine some people probably take it anyway and mic it. i suppose in that case you can use the house board to shape the tone)


okay i'm rambling now, and clearly there are loopholes that justify using these amps, but the only reason why i don't hit the back button and abort this post is because i still think its a bit extreme to only have a volume knob.

i'm curious to hear about anyone's experiences with this type of amp, prove to me why this setup isn't so bad.


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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 9:13 pm
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Quote:
i'm curious to hear about anyone's experiences with this type of amp, prove to me why this setup isn't so bad.


I own a Champ 600 and have played through the ‘57 Champ. The Champ 600 is a very honest amplifier. The highs, lows and mids are very balanced, allowing the true tone of the guitar to shine. That balance is also something I look for in a guitar (acoustic or electric). Without plugging the guitar into an amp I listen for an even balance across the highs, mids, and lows. If you are plugged into one of these amps, and are looking for a tone control on the amp, you may want to try a different guitar.

The 600 is also true to your playing technique (for better or worse). Basically there is nowhere to hide when playing this amp. Personally I like this type of setup, but that may not be your cup of tea. As far proving why this setup isn’t so bad… I have never wanted, or needed a tone control on my 600. Also, the Champs are one of the most collectible, sought after, and recorded amps in history. That speaks for itself.


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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:28 am
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Yep I saw one in a shop a few weeks ago. Just over 2000 bucks here in australia. That's some seroius moolah for what (IMHO anyway) is a VERY basic amp. Sure it sounds great and looks WAY cool but yeah, I've seen DRRIs going for a couple hundred less.

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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 12:38 am
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dbkaiser wrote:
Quote:
i'm curious to hear about anyone's experiences with this type of amp, prove to me why this setup isn't so bad.


I own a Champ 600 and have played through the ‘57 Champ. The Champ 600 is a very honest amplifier. The highs, lows and mids are very balanced, allowing the true tone of the guitar to shine. That balance is also something I look for in a guitar (acoustic or electric). Without plugging the guitar into an amp I listen for an even balance across the highs, mids, and lows. If you are plugged into one of these amps, and are looking for a tone control on the amp, you may want to try a different guitar.

The 600 is also true to your playing technique (for better or worse). Basically there is nowhere to hide when playing this amp. Personally I like this type of setup, but that may not be your cup of tea. As far proving why this setup isn’t so bad… I have never wanted, or needed a tone control on my 600. Also, the Champs are one of the most collectible, sought after, and recorded amps in history. That speaks for itself.


I also think the Champ 600 is great across the board for lows, mids and highs. Very balanced and I enjoy mine immensely. If I need any more options I plug my Boss FDR-1 in.

CC

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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 7:03 am
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i'm not arguing anything, but my outlook is that the 57 Champ is the "Texas Special Pickup" of Fender amps. it's regarded so highly because it was used on so many recordings of the past. yea, so what if Duane Allman recorded on Layla with one? I love Duane btw, but i'm sure a beat-up Champ was probably the easiest thing they could get a hold of with their limited budget. im sure it didnt cost an arm and a leg in those days, even when taking into account the lower inflation rate.

oh but now all of a sudden, the world's simplest amp design is also among the most expensive high end products. the price is astronomical because Fender knows that there will be people going bonorific over it because guys like Duane used it, just like they do over anything with the word "Texas" in it, because the first word that comes to mind is "Stevie". so basically, Fender's marketing dept. doesn't have to work very hard here, and they just spit out unGodly prices, knowing that they'll succeed.

i'm just saying that for $999, i'd expect a little more than what is offered (namely 5 watts, 8" spkr, and one volume knob). maybe you're paying for the point-to-point wiring for a few resistors and caps? its a joke

well, i applaud the fact that people are putting money back in the system, we should be back on our feet in no time. :roll:


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Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 9:01 am
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i havn't used one but plan to soon. I did find some clone champ kits for sale. the cheapest i found the kits for was $415.00.

So what is the retail markup on theses kits? also some have said that it would take a few hours to aasemble this kit. let's say three hours.

How much does fender pay their employees for amp assembly in their custom shop? $50.00 an hour? more? less? do these employees get other benefits such as health care? So let's say fender pays $250.00 for the parts and $200.00 for assembly and finishing of the amp. $50.00 to market the amp and deliver it to the retailer equals $500.00. Retail prices are usually 100% markup from wholesale...$999.00 seems reasonable. expensive yes but in the ballpark of typical business practice.


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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 8:45 am
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Hello Powdered Toast Man,

I was listening to another test driveing the little amp
and it sounded great even accross the room in a crowded venue.
I beat feet over there to get my chance and I gotta admit
I was suprised at how nice it was, but,
no interest for that kind of money though.

Cheers


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Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:21 am
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Powdered Toast Man wrote:
The price was the main reason I didn't actually buy it. That IS rather pricey for a 5 watt practice amp. Few dollars more and you could be into a DRRI already.

Still, it sounds great.


Did You mean "That IS rather pricey for a 5 watt 'STUDIO' amp"?

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