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Post subject: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 5:23 am
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Joined: Wed Aug 20, 2014 4:50 am
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Hi
I live in Spain and yesterday went to order a new Champion 40 at my local music store,
but they said they wouldn't recommend them, they said it is basically a re-badged
Frontman and they had to send two out of three Frontman's back so stopped stocking them (although they still stock Fender Mustangs and a few expensive Fender tube amps)
are they correct, is a new Champion basically the same as the Frontman? do they have reliability issues?

They suggested I try the Roland cube 40, but I have always used Fender amps and my main amp is in fact a silver faced Princeton which is great but I would now like to more or less keep in the house (I had to replace two valves when a band member dropped it!)
and find a reliable, simple to use workhorse, I'm looking for something a bit lighter too and something I don't have to worry about too much.

Should I be looking at something else? I don't want to pay too much if I can help it, a good clean tone is important, I have pedals for overdrive, oh a line out would be useful,
any advice would be greatly appreciated.
gracias
Mick 8)


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:13 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:49 am
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They're not rebadged Frontmans as they have DSP effects. They're indeed a new series. I can't attest to their reliability because I don't own one, but there's been some complaints regarding that in this forum, mainly the champion 100. I do have an older Cube 30x & haven't had any problems whatsoever for the past 7 years. It's been a good work horse/practice amp. You might want to check out the new Roland Blues cube models. Although they're a little pricey.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2014 8:53 pm
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Thank you for the reply, yes I'll check out the Roland Cubes, I'm also considering the Fender Champ X2/Xd


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 5:04 am
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Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:06 pm
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Location: Northern Virginia
mandomicky wrote:
Thank you for the reply, yes I'll check out the Roland Cubes, I'm also considering the Fender Champ X2/Xd


I have owned a Super Champ XD for a number of years and will vouch for their reliability and versatility. Maybe not the best choice for stage use, but it does have a handy direct out (or better yet, you can mike it) for PA support.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 6:22 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
Posts: 366
I have the smaller Champion 20 and it seems to be doing just fine in terms of dependability.
I see no reason the 40 watt model would be any different. I have been out of action over a month due to wrist surgery and healing okay,but it will be a while before I can start playing again. Anyway,I can vouch for my little 20 watt amp. On subject of amps,...my Hot Rod Deluxe III tube amp has proven itself to be dependable as well,...it's a little over a year old.
My '59 Bassman Ltd Vintage Reissue is doing well so far,too! Overall,I have had pretty dependable service from my Fender gear,...my Strat included! Only problem I have had was with an instrument cable that failed,...but it wasn't a Fender cable,...it was the store's brand that failed. I'd say give the Champion 40 a chance if you haven't already bought another brand amp.

_________________
If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:14 pm
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Thank you for the replies I'm still doing some research, I think I'll end up with some sort of Fender just not sure which one!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Champion 40 reliability
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 8:02 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Tue Jan 15, 2013 11:12 pm
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Location: Perth, Western Aus.
So they had a couple with problems and stopped stocking them, so wanted to sell you something else? I think it's a sales pitch. If they're a fender dealer, you don't get the choice of only stocking certain lines. You pretty much stock what Fender tells you to stock.

There's no reason why a new SS/DSP amp shouldn't be as reliable as any other fender modelling amp.


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