Fair enough....tis a lot huh!!!

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I must honestly say i thought the same myself as it will be my next large amp, or the 57 deluxe (bit more though) But this is a play at night when the street is watchin tele type, wife asleep type amp i am lookin for......

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Yeah....I am battlin to think so but guy's who's playin i rate..... rate it..... but they like you guys are sayin the same, too dear........

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Don't get me wrong, it is a classic. My local store though started carrying Valvetrain amps, and one of their models is a 6W based on a 5F2 Princeton circuit in an oversized Champ style cab with 2 8" Webers or 1 Eminence 12." It's made in the USA, point to point wired and placed in a handmade tortured tweed cabinet. For $899. It's taken every ounce of my being to not trade in my SF Champ. >_>

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

Jeezez that does sound tasty, Princeton circuitry and mini twins!!! wow!!! Yumm!!!!

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+1

For $899 that looks like a bargain!

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

I have a 74 SF Champ and consider a bit more than just okay. Nothing wrong with it at all. I bought it used and never had a problem with it in the 25 years I've owned it. It's played almost daily.

The Tweed Champs that I've played anyway both original and reissue, have a sweet spot. They aren't really a turn it all the way up and this glorious tone automatically comes out.

Here's some clarification, when I speak of Tweeds, I'm not talking just about the covering, I'm talking about the circuit like the original 5e3 Deluxe and 5F1 Champ. Not the Tweed covering on the Blues Jr and the rest.

Tweeds are unique. They are very dynamic meaning the harder you hit the strings, the more distortion you get out of them. The tone is pretty complex and takes a little time to learn and master When I went looking at the reissues, some had horrible baffle and cabinet buzz that for me was totally unacceptable in a 5 watt amp in this price range. It's almost in boutique territory. For the money, I'd go Princeton or start looking at Dr. Z or Victoria.

Remember, just because a major musical instrument company puts out a product, it doesn't automatically make it a great product. I'm not just picking on Fender, I'm talking all major manufacturers.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

I think that is the same for all amps. Very few sound great on full tilt. One reason I'm not scared of not having controls on a amp. It's all on the volume control with the best amps.

Anything else is decoration .

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No no and no

I agree to a point, but the Tweed circuits by their simple design rely a bit more on technique to get the best out of them. I find nothing wrong with tone circuits, you can't always just rely on the guitars tone circuit and pups. Sometimes they just need a little help.

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

Thanks good advice, I am currently looking at victoria as you have suggested as i am scared of the 8 inch not having much bottom end or mid, And Victoria offers a 5f1 with a 12 inch celestion. But then you pay though your nose for it. Do i really need to worry about DB above room level in my practice amp??? Not really i willl never get rid of my main modded hot rod unless i buy another large wattage amp.....Decisions decisions!!!! Thanks for your valued input!!!

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I tend to agree with the DIY Build/Do it yourself model.

Snowy from down under (in modern amps section forum), built a great replica 5e3 from a kit that cost about $600US. It can do a lot more than what a Tweed Champ can do.

Thanks TTSC i will go lookin for that tomoz, It's 2am so i'm guitared out.....Again.......Love it!!! Cheers!!!

Please tell me what is meant by do more champ? Bigger speaker? Channels? EQ? the 5ef as against 5f1 what ever that circutry diff is?

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Here you go. There's a video and written instructions too. It's not really a hard build and the PCB makes it even easier.

http://www.tubedepot.com/kit-tweeddeluxe.html

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Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal

looks great thank you so much, Trying to work out what wattage it is ?

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The Tubedepot 5e3 kit comes with the "export transformer" (240v and 115v). The amp puts out 15-18 watts with their components. I use the 5e3 in the day time at home and out jamming, but I also use a Vibro Champ XD for late night home use as the 5e3 is too loud. I can't afford a vintage so I make due with the Vibro Champ XD.