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Post subject: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 8:48 am
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I have a Champion 100, and it's not a bad amp.
Obviously not as great as a high end amp, but a lot of good tones can come out of this 2x12...especially if you utilize the effects loop.

However, I've been searching the net for quite awhile now looking for anybody who has any long term reviews out there. There are virtually none! All the youtube videos are old and mostly from shops when they first came out.

What I've noticed is that they need to really break in before they start to sound good. They would probably benefit from a speaker change, but why do that on a $300 amp unless you absolutely need to feel better about yourself? ;)

I wish it had a line out, and I wish it had an echo effect instead of just delay.

Other than that, it's not bad at all.

does anybody have a listing of what the amp models should be?
Oh, and why doens't Fender have an 'easy' way to find this amp on their site? Is it being discontinued already? I have to search like crazy before I find it OR the manual online.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 1:40 pm
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horax wrote:
I have a Champion 100, and it's not a bad amp.
Obviously not as great as a high end amp, but a lot of good tones can come out of this 2x12...especially if you utilize the effects loop.

However, I've been searching the net for quite awhile now looking for anybody who has any long term reviews out there. There are virtually none! All the youtube videos are old and mostly from shops when they first came out.

What I've noticed is that they need to really break in before they start to sound good. They would probably benefit from a speaker change, but why do that on a $300 amp unless you absolutely need to feel better about yourself? ;)

I wish it had a line out, and I wish it had an echo effect instead of just delay.

Other than that, it's not bad at all.

does anybody have a listing of what the amp models should be?
Oh, and why doens't Fender have an 'easy' way to find this amp on their site? Is it being discontinued already? I have to search like crazy before I find it OR the manual online.


A quick search brought up several links with reviews, here's one:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifie ... -combo-amp

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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 6:57 am
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My drummer buddy has one, and I really like it.
When I go to his house to jam, I don't even bother to bring one of my amps...I just hook up to his Champion 100.

I disagree on the built in affects. I shut them completely off and use a Behringer VT999 Vintage Tube Monster instead to change from clean to mean. I can absolutely get this amp to put out 'classic' Fender tones with an MIM Standard Strat.

In my opinion, there are a lot of people missing out on versatility simply due to their hatred or non-acceptance of Solid State amps (to each their own). With the right combination of amp, affects pedals, and guitar, I can easily make this particular Solid State amp sound just like a tube amp. I am even able to get the ZZ Top (Billy Gibbons) string screams, and he uses a Les Paul through a Marshall tube.
$325.00 for the Champion 100, and $50.00 for the Tube Monster...and this thing sounds (to me any way) just as good as my $550.00 Blues Jr. and $950.00 Hot Rod DeVille.

I tried to barter for his Champion 100...but he won't sell/trade...so I will just enjoy playing through his whenever I like. At home, if I wanna replicate the sound, I have an early 90's Deluxe 85 (1x12) that comes hauntingly close to the same tone with the same combination of pedal and guitar.

The Champion 100 is a work horse Solid State amp at a very reasonable price...so if a person was in the market, I would definitely jump on this one before Fender decides to pull its' production for something else (seems they tend to do that a lot regardless of success of a certain product).


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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 8:42 am
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I got one of the early production ones in October 2013. It failed after less than two weeks and I switched the Mustang IV V2. The Mustang, besides reliability, is better on all counts.

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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:03 pm
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Tried them a few times, but could not deny the superiority of the v2 Mustang III and Mustang IV.

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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 7:34 pm
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It's missing a Fender jewel.

It's about the same size as a Twin Reverb and has the looks of a classic Fender.
Having 2-12" speakers make better it than a lot of amps imo, where as a combo might have 1-12" speaker. Very quiet, with usable features. I own one and use it. It's cool how the front grill is removable, don't mind the 100W either and tilt back legs would work too if your inclined.

Got it last year before the price increase (it was $299), then add a Christmas discount/$50. I think it's a good amp.
The manual with all the amp-models should be on Fender support.

I can see why some prefer the Mustang IV, because that has 2-12" spk too with 150W, also costs more.


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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2015 9:55 pm
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I agree with a lot of Jackhammer's observations. I installed tilt back legs on mine and they worked great. The amp sounded pretty good out of the box and I have Twin tastes on a SS budget.

I really did not understand the missing jewel. I would probably cost a nickel to have the thing manufactured with the LED under a plastic jewel cap.

It was the Champion 100's failure that led me to the Mustang IV. If the C100 had not failed, I would still be playing through it.

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Post subject: Re: Anybody still using the Champion 100?
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2015 5:36 am
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Quote:
and tilt back legs would work too if your inclined.


Haha, nice.


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