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Post subject: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now what?
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 4:41 pm
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I acquired this '65 Blackface Champ in a trade, and aside from the tubes, it appears to be 100% original, right down to the two-prong power cord. It's pretty cool that it has survived this long and is in such nice condition.

What I think makes it interesting is it comes from the time that Fender was bought out by CBS. Dating the chassis and rubber stamp code on the tube chart comes back to April 1965, and the transformers are from '64 & '65. Fender was bought by CBS in January 1965, so eventhough this amp was technically made during the CBS era, it is made from pre-CBS stock. This is evidenced by the fact that there is no Fender badge on the grill cloth, the knobs on the pots have the set screw at the '10' position, and on the front of the faceplate it says 'Fender Electric Instrument Co.' (CBS era amps would say 'Fender Musical Instruments'. Its the same AA764 circuit, but just thought it was interesting and fun to discover all of that, and thought some Fender experts could tell me a little more about it.

SO my question is what should I do? Since it is so pristine and original, do I just keep it as a collectors piece and not have the caps replaced and a three-prong cord installed, or do I do the necessary maintenance and due it justice and ensure it will be a solid performer for another several decades? I will be honest, I am not one to baby my gear, but I don't abuse it, and although it is all original, part of me sees it as being pointless to leave it as is if it isn't going to be played and used as it was originally intended!

I also have an all original '76 Champ thats currently having a once through my a tech and caps replaced as preventative maintenance. That amp even had the original tubes in it, and it sounds so nice. The '65 sounds good, but a little harsh compared to the '76, which I am going to attribute to old caps and crappy tubes!

Also, will changing the power cord and replacing the old caps reduce the value of the amp at all? Again, I'm a player and not a collector, and am just curious!

Thanks to all in advance!

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 5:30 pm
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Very nice find! I just restored a 1965 VC. Good new replacement parts (including cap cans) are available. I would replace the eletrolyctic cap can & bypass caps. Make sure that the 470-ohm, 1 watt cathode-to-ground resistor off the 6V6GT is within 10% tolerance. Actually, I just replace it, along with the 25mfd/25VDC original bypass cap (go to 25mfd/50VDC -- to compensate for higher outlet voltages, these days).

I'm sure that new can cap and bypass caps will bring a lot of life back to the amp. Along with fresh tubes.

Also, replace the two-prong cord with a three-prong grounded cord.

May want to think about a good replacement speaker. I like the Weber 8F1125 or 8F150. I did not liek the JJ 6C6S that came with the amp. Currently using a beown base Raytheon 6V6GTY.

Also, may want to post any questions in the Vintage Guitar Amp section. You prolly get more responses.

Good luck. These are great little amps! :D

http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20heav ... _schem.pdf

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:04 pm
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Crap. I thought I did post in the vintage amp section! Can the Mods move this to the appropriate section?


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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:43 pm
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Because of the tasteful nature of your first post, and the fact that the topic is profusely illustrated with a bevy of outstanding photos, you shall be forgiven your "transgression".

Just this once.

:mrgreen:

She's a real beaut......take B-man's advice and re-cap, re-tube, and re-wire with a proper grounded power cable, then enjoy that Champ for the next 20 or 30 years.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 6:47 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Because of the tasteful nature of your first post, and the fact that the topic is profusely illustrated with a bevy of outstanding photos, you shall be forgiven your "transgression".

Just this once.

:mrgreen:

She's a real beaut......take B-man's advice and re-cap, re-tube, and re-wire with a proper grounded power cable, then enjoy that Champ for the next 20 or 30 years.

Rawk on!

8)

Arjay


Thank you, sir!


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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 7:08 pm
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What those two guys said. Some electrical components are "wear items", meaning that they're not designed to live forever. ANY electronic device that is 50 years old is going to need a bit of service to replace caps and any leaky resistors. Plus that three prong cord is a safety issue. They didn't put two-prong cords on them because they sound better, they did it because most homes of that era did not have three prong wall receptacles!

If you're really concerned about resale value, have your tech save all the parts he removes and put them aside in a plastic baggie. Save them so that later should you wish to resell the amp and a collector wants it for originality over functionality, then you have all the original pieces so it can be easily restored.

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:57 pm
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+1 on the baggie for the older parts - you can always give them to the next person if they're a cork sniffer. But in the meantime, play that amp the way it was meant to be. Congratulations!

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 11:50 am
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Sweet.


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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 6:59 pm
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Nice score! Follow Beemers advice and another speaker option would be a Black Frame Kendrick speaker. I put one in my 68 Drip Edge Champ and it has tone for days!! They cost just a little bit more but are more than worth it!

And enjoy your new "Porch Weasel"!!

T2

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:39 am
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Best speaker IMO for these amps is a Weber 8A125. I've got one in my '73 Champ and it's awesome!

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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 5:38 pm
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Wow! So fresh so clean! Congrats man!


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Post subject: Re: Just picked up an interesting '65 Blackface Champ..now w
Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 2:51 am
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Nice photography too, congrats. :)


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