Best Low-Volume Amp: A 20-Year Quest

[@markk2285]

I recently bought a Fender Champ 20 after checking some favorable reviews and have been very happy with my choice. You do a great job of demonstrating it; well done. It's perfect for a practice and fool-a-round amp for all the reasons you show us. Thanks.

[@RogerThat902]

I have the Allen Chihuahua and my search for amps are done. I know you said you tried the classic 10 but I can say the Chihuahua amazed me at how quiet it can get. It gets way loud if want it to but it's almost perfectly loud for just about any home player. Can mic it for a gig and get multiple amp tones w/ the raw control. It was expensive if you think of it as a practice amp, but I think of it as my do it all amp...well almost. That amp plus a headphone solution or portable and that's all you need (THR for the win there).

[@michael_caz_nyc]

I recently purchased a 65 Blackface Princeton Reverb reissue (was not expecting much) and was absolutely Blown-away. Sound is phenomenal. I was interested in Pristine Fender Cleans for my situation. I get my drive from a Barber Gain Changer, Fulltone OCD and Thorpy Muff. Nice demo & tones. Enjoyed your demo. oNe LovE from NYC

[@Hoodrio]

Hard to beat the PRRI for a home tube amp, congrats!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

@@Hoodrio Thanks brother. Nice tones you have right there . . . Volume, portability, effects. The total package !!!

[@tankdarla637]

Its so simple and functional and it sounds great to me. I love mine.

[@davidhovey5152]

Took me awhile to warm up to this amp.. I was on an extended work situation so while out of town (2 years) and my gear in storage out of state bought this and a budget gretsch.. I play mostly clean so after a speaker swap (Jensen mod 8-20, $25 on sale) I discovered it's best clean tone was actually on Metal: "Supersonic" setting but with gain on just a smidge past 1 and volume where needed.. I was very surprised how clean this setting was like that.. only took a year to figure this out lol.. bought a Mexican tele which also sounds nice on this setting.. the vox setting is not to bad either with this speaker.. I have a older ac30 and though not a faithful model it actually doesn't sound to bad with the darker ""slightly" British voiced" jensen mod.. all in all a much better amp then most fair in this size and price range..

[@michaelmendillo7513]

This amp can't be beat ! It was my first amp,,,30yrs ago ! I just bought a new one this week simply because I am living in a new place and can't be to crazy, but I can't wait to get it ! It's like an old love returning again ! Hahaha !!! 😜👍💕

[@RFToob]

Enjoyed this. Very helpful and I agree. Cheers.

[@christopheraaron8299]

I just found a used Champion 20 in perfect condition at a flea market shop for $55. I really like it.

[@johnduckworth474]

This is a very good review. Much appreciated. On your listed amps at the beginning, your review of the Yamaha THR 5/10 some time ago persuaded me that would be a worthwhile purchase too. Thank you.

[@Hoodrio]

Thanks, John. I still love the THRs and if I had the original 10 instead of the 10C I probably would have stuck with it. I'm pretty much a Fender guy, and so of course the Champion has a wider variety of those tones.

[@melodicman3032]

the blues cube Roland small version is pretty cool for good sound and low volume - has three volume levels - .5w, 5 w, 15w and 30 watt with a 12 inch speaker. Light weight

[@robertjones7792]

This would be great for me at home, I use a Supro Blues King for AC/DC hard rock tones and a Fender 2x12 Deville for clean tones which is way to big for home use. I thought of the little black box for the fender but it cost almost as much as the Fender champion 20. Great Video, Thanks

[@Hoodrio]

There is also a new Champion II, which is 25 watts. I’m not sure how different the tones are. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

No thrills nice little amp, classic Fender look as well.

[@dcfan8589]

This and the Orange Crush 20 are my favorite bedroom amps.

[@charleshaman1782]

I guess I got lucky ... I was ready to go with the Peavey, but the Fender Champion 20 came bundled with the guitar I wanted; so the Fender won by default (and it took me zero years).

[@TheMysteryG]

Bought plenty of amps, the champion 20 is one of the best low priced allrounders. Only problem so far power switching speaker pop.

[@Hoodrio]

Yeah, that seems to be a pretty universal issue. Happens on mine every time.

[@unrequitedmusic8004]

Thanks for this video. Bought this amp and it's perfect for what I wanted. No longer have to drag my large tube amps around the house. Tuck it away in the corner of the living room. Gets some great sounds. The Fender amps sound good and so does the 70s Marshall. IMO, 8 of the 12 amps sound good. Built-in effects is a bonus. All for $99.

[@terryshrives8322]

I like it, might have to get one

[@michaeltihon3485]

I'm actually on the opposite side. Searching for a normal room amp (bedroom size) , without any effect since I have my own choices on the pedal board, and only for clean tones. Didn't find one yet 😏 Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Hoodrio]

For home volume tones with my pedal board, my favorite amps have been the Princeton reverb or my current choice, the Traynor Darkhorse.

[@SaxJockey]

Don't overlook the Fender Super Champ XD, it is two channel, 15W hybrid SS/Tube amp. CH1 clean which takes pedals very well. CH2 has various amp models. No effects loop, aux in or phones out. Has line out to PA system if required, and the amp (speaker) output can drive a separate cabinet if required. The Super Champ X2 is similar but with software/USB features.

[@SaxJockey]

@@Hoodrio Princeton is lovely, bit pricey over here though.

[@michaeltihon3485]

@@SaxJockey Thanks for your reply 🙂 Since then I don't use amps anymore. I have a LeClean tube preamp on the pedalboard and the chain of all effects ends with a Strymon Iridium. All my instruments, including the guitar via the Iridium, are sent to the looper via a mix table and everything outputs on a PA. Way more flexible for my needs 😉

[@thomaspick4123]

Nice video. I agree. Small, no pedal board. Clean. I do not like distortion, one gets tired of it very fast. Clean, can play a long time.

[@salsabilahmedshrestho960]

Thank you so much for this review :)

[@Ben_Mdws]

Very helpful, thank you.

[@alexgochman6654]

It is best review for this amp.thank you

[@FOHguy]

Heading out on the road again. Needed a small amp for tuning, (I like to hear when I tune), and bus/hotel jamming on my own. (I'm a tech, not onstage player), Small enough to fit in my workcase, front desk at hotels doesn't look quite as concerned when I carry this in. Overall, perfect for what I want and need. Sound out of the headphone jack is excellent.

[@moushunter]

I've done the amplifier rodeo too. The biggest surprise was a Crate G40C. It is a stereo amp with twin 8" speakers, 20 watts per side though no way to balance sides which isn't really an issue. It is light, small, sounds good down low and great up high. Has spring reverb and built in chorus. There are plenty out there cheap money. A Peavey Envoy is also pretty good but dang those plastic board mounted 1/4" jacks! I've replaced a bunch of them already on the inputs, and foot switch. The Fender Frontman had issues with poorly soldered connections throughout the board but sounded nice when it worked. I've had a bunch of 50s and 60s small tube amps and some have been really nice but I play for a hobby and maintaining tube amps can turn into a heartache and money pit.

[@We_are_the_light]

I'm getting one .. thank you

[@smashygodzilla3213]

I chose the orange crush 20 over this and I hate it,just want something quiet for home practice,gonna try this

[@stevenmike1878]

my friend wants to learn guitar and ive taught a few people. gonna help him to get a one of the better squire strats used and this amp. and if he needs a different tone/gain profile he can always glaze a petal on top of the sound. the reverb on the amp is already a 50-70$ petal so the fact you get all the extra bells + on the amp put this on the top. lol when i was younger i hated fenders because everyone loved them but as i got older and built electronics the amps are really really good just for the extra clean tone channel, you can always make them dirtier with petals,but you can't make a dirty amp clean. you can morph a fender to sound like a Marshall but you can never get a Marshall to sound as clean as a fender.

[@Hoodrio]

Exactly. My tag line on gear forums is “You can add dirt, but you can’t add clean.”

[@ArielsSmartyPants]

I've been and still am a fan of the Super Champ XD, it's got a tube and sounds huge, has effects and just performs.

[@SpaceGhost666]

ArielsSmartyPants I’ve had a Super Champ XD for 8 years and love it.All tube clean channel and the amp models for overdrive and distortion are awesome

[@Hoodrio]

I agree. The cleans of the Champion are similar but the XD/X2 sounds better w/OD.

[@SaxJockey]

Another vote for the SCXD 👍.

[@TimMilliken]

Scxd actually has 3 tubes. The power section is real 2 x 6v6. The clean channel says it’s voiced Bassman and it’s as good a Fender clean sound as anything Princeton to Twin Reverb. It’s so good in fact I took it from my practice amp spot to the studio. I now have a champ 20 in its place.

[@lucid_delirium976]

i know i should listen to you, as i've failed countless times selecting amps for home... I just cant get myself to buy something small... Two years later, how do you feel about this amp? Still great or have you found something better for low volume? Or would the champion 40 be better?

[@chopsddy3]

Great video. I know precisely where you’re coming from. Same here. I have a discontinued Champion 10 that I bought for a multipurpose computer monitor. Works great. I miss the reverb though. I need another for the convenience of playing in another room, without disrupting what’s already set up. You have satisfied my questions about the reverb quality of this offering from Fender. Thanks a bunch. Fender , if your listening , (where have I heard that before?) you owe this man a little “something something “. He just sold an amp for you. Mine will be on the way before this day is done. Exactly what I needed. Thanks again for the perfect review.

[@limf.m.4823]

When was this video made?. Is the amp still in production and how much it is selling now in the States?

[@Hoodrio]

www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Champ20--fender-champion-20-20-watt-1x8-inch-combo-amp

[@hepgeoff]

Nice demo. I own a Yamaha THR10, which I love because of the many built-in effects. But the speakers are pretty small. How does the sound of this Fender Champion 20 compare? Does the 8" speaker create a bigger sound than the Yamaha? Also, would love to see a comparison with the Katana.

[@Hoodrio]

Yes, the Champion sounds much bigger and much more real amp-like than the Yamahas. I owned both the THR5 and THR10C and would never go back.

[@cynicsupreme]

And by the way this amp gets a great AC/DC sound.

[@noonecaresaboutu6783]

I’m the only person I know that has one, but dv mark micro amps into a decent cab has been the best for me, just a suggestion, they obscure I think, not popular in the northeast, worth checking out too

[@Doowopsid]

Wow, great review and demo. Your knowledge of all these smaller sized amps is truly impressive and I love how you give your open and honest opinion of all of them. I have the Champion 20 and 30 and like them both although they each have a slight buzz which may mean they need some tube maintenance? I also have a Peavey 158 Rage 3 that I really like. It’s solid state as you know, doesn’t have the FX effects but it can get very loud at a very low volume setting. What’s your opinion of it and how would you compare it to the Fender? Thanks again for posting this video.

[@thatpeterboy]

Thanks very much for this..I’m thinking of getting a Champion 20 but heard it suffers from hiss on the clean channel…can you tell me if you experienced that at all. Thanks very much and thanks for a great demo👍🏻

[@Hoodrio]

Zero hiss with mine - go for it!

[@thatpeterboy]

@@Hoodrio awesome thank you :)

[@gunnslinger7774]

I love the amp, great sounds.. the only problem is you can't use a looper.. But the aux in is nice for youtube backing tracks..

[@Jimbowholivesinsoup]

Nice honest review ! Thanks ! (--:

[@petermarkovic8837]

I have just ordered an American Professional strat, like you I want to play at home, but I want the best amp for it even tho I am going to be playing at home at low volume levels. Do you think the Champion is the best choice for me? or should I consider something else even if it was much more expensive, or do you think that would be overkill and a waste of money?

[@mns8732]

@,Peter if you paid for A pro Strat, go for a Marshall 20, or 50 watt. Tube preferably. These fenders home amps are just something for fun . They're not serious amps.

[@petermarkovic8837]

@@mns8732 Thank you, I'm thinking about a Princeton Reverb if I can justify the price to myself?

[@Hoodrio]

Peter Markovic The Princeton reverb is an amazing amplifier for home use. If you want something in between the price of that and the champion 20, I would highly recommend a fender super champ. Very close to the Princeton tone and added versatility. Do not buy a cheap Marshall amplifier. There are no good clean tones to be found.

[@troyvan6952]

Nice review... I've also been looking at the Yamaha THR 10x (expensive). For the price of the fender, can't go wrong. I may Go clean with a good OD pedal. Or look at better speaker. Thanks

[@PJCobi]

Troy Van Get the Boss JS-10 EBand. You can get them used for around $299. They sound better than any small solid state amp I’ve ever heard.

[@kennylogue7947]

I just bought one today but my power cable is not compatible for the U.K. it has a 2 pin plug . I thought they would have had put the cables to suit the country. I have read reviews and look forward to trying it out but can’t at the moment. Shops shut because of Covid. Anybody any idea what I need to make it compatible for the U.K. Do I need to purchase a new power cable or an adapter

[@Hoodrio]

Contact the store you purchased it from

[@adriannunez8868]

I live in a two story house, pretty good space, not a mansion by any means but still a lot of space. Would a Fender 40 be better than a fender 20? Sound quality wise?

[@Hoodrio]

I think so, if space and volume aren't concerns.

[@stemitz7079]

Hello,first of all thank you for this great review ,I was totally sold on the champion 20 up until you mentioned that the distortion isn't very good.I like playing all genres except metal,so I want to ask 2 questions.1. how bad is the distortion on this amp,I mean could a beginner like me notice the inferior quality or is it muffled.2.considering I like distortion what amp would you recommend close to this price range?Thank you so much again,hope you answer as I need some pointing by someone more experienced than me!

[@Hoodrio]

You can get a decent bluesy overdrive on the Fender models, but for classic rock I find the amp lacking. The Mustang 1 would have more tweakability. Maybe look at the Vox modelers or the entry-level Blackstars. Folks also like the Boss Katana, but I haven't played one.

[@stemitz7079]

@@Hoodrio thank you so much for the reply!

[@patrickwiththepower1038]

Can you tell me the Amp settings that u used for Power of Soul. I cant see it because of the Video Qualitiy? Greetings from Germany :)

[@Hoodrio]

I don’t remember everything, but it is definitely on the blackface deluxe (green) amplifier setting with the reverb/delay effect probably about three. I never have the tone on that amplifier exaggerated one way or another, so straight up at five should be pretty close and then play around with the volume and gain.

[@patrickwiththepower1038]

@@Hoodrio Thanks for the Quick answer :)

[@baerster]

Do you still prefer the new Celestion TF 0818? I looked it up and it's sold as PA speaker, which makes sense for a modeling amp. I have a Champ 20 and love it. I wish it had more bass but I figured that's too much to expect from such a small amp. Also I like the treble in the stock speaker. But maybe the replacement Celestion will give me what I'm after?

[@Hoodrio]

Tom Baer yes, I’m still really enjoying the replacement speaker and recommend it.

[@williamsherman2374]

I think I might be sold on this little amp, I was going to pick up a mustang 1v2 for cheap but after hearing and seeing good things about this little guy I'm impressed. I just hate the interface on the mustang, easier to just turn an old fashioned knob.

[@Hoodrio]

William Sherman yes, that's exactly why I preferred it over the mustang. It has the same cyber engine with much more intuitive controls. And better aesthetics, in my opinion.

[@williamsherman2374]

Yeah and the more demos I listen to the less digitally it sounds also, more organic in my humble opinion... nice.

[@timleem3609]

I have this amp and love it! As you say it has everything you need and is super easy to get different tones. I have the Fender Mustang I and this beats it easily. Don't need another amp this one does it all.

[@bobt5778]

Great review, very well done. Do you think the 40W version of this amp is worth the extra $$ and size if it's only being used at "bedroom volume"? Just wondering if there would be a "night and day" difference.

[@Hoodrio]

Bob T Thanks, Bob. I don't think there would be a night and day difference. The main difference is going to be a 12 inch speaker is pushing more air and is going to sound bigger, but also it's going to be louder. I modified my champion 20 so that I can use it as a head with external cabinets, so I have played it through eight, 10, and 12 inch speakers. Sounds great on the fender settings with any speaker, but I prefer the eight for home playing.

[@bobt5778]

That's great info. I'm trying to get away from my Roland Cube with the tiny 5" speaker. Yeah there is an appropriate size for at home playing as I learned from my Rumble 100 in my small music room (spare bedroom). Ouch! Well I'm off to the store for my Champ. 20. When my wife asks about it - I'll refer her to you. Thanks in advance! :)

[@bobt5778]

Well I got the Champ. 20 and it's great. Much more bottom end than I thought and super easy to use. Thanks again for your help!

[@Hoodrio]

@@bobt5778 Excellent! My faves are Amp #3 for dirt and Amp #4 for clean. Fave effect is #10, delay with reverb.

[@edcameron5653]

a noble quest....many have perished. Thank you for the pursuit. Has anyone ever told you that you look like Jello Biafra?

[@Hoodrio]

Yes, with the voice of Norm McDonald.

[@troyvan6952]

Actually you and Robert Fripp share a resemblance....

[@David-cm4ok]

And Clapton.

[@websurfer1585]

Seems most things fender are highly regarded, and the champion series seem very good. I'm very tempted to get this amp, but i'm wondering if the champion 40 might be worth the extra investment, especially with the speaker upgrade options that would allow, any thoughts on that?

[@Hoodrio]

Web Surfer The 40 is definitely worth the minimal extra cost. The main reason I got the 20 is I was going to chop it down into a head, but it's so small already I didn't even bother.

[@MikefromAlabama]

Thank you. Been thinking about this amp. You've been through a bunch of amps. Just wondering if you have tried Blackstar 20 watt modelling amp? Thanks for sharing the sound unmiked, I like to hear the amp only. Wow, that' some good tones!

[@Hoodrio]

Thanks, Michael. I have not tried anything from Blackstar - they're actually one of the few amplifiers I have not sampled that I really would like to. I am particularly interested in the HT1R.

[@travelinman617]

Im get that amp cool l like it I have a fender mustang 111 amp it's great but to loud for the bedroom your right fender champ 20 is better for room

[@jon.wilson]

How did you like the Skylark? I've been interested in getting one

[@Hoodrio]

Nothing special but nice tremolo.

[@bh8365]

Informative review. I've got one of these, Champ 20. Any tips on using the Tap button?

[@Hoodrio]

Push it to the tempo of a particular song. I like short repeats, which means you press the tap faster. I'm sure there are KZbin videos showing how to use a tap tempo.

[@bh8365]

@@Hoodrio Thanks for reply. Going back to rewatch your Wild Night lesson to pick up some more info. Learn more from each viewing of your lessons.

[@kervinrodriguez1833]

Great review, do you know if it would work to get an SRV tone?

[@Hoodrio]

Kervin Rodriguez clean tone, yes. Overdriven tone, you would need to put a tube screamer in front of it.

[@kervinrodriguez1833]

Hoodrio thank you for the reply

[@laurentldoldi840]

I have purchased a Blackstar HT5 MK II, the sound is great (tube amp), but it costs over 500€ (550$).

[@Hoodrio]

I want to try the HT-1R.

[@laurentldoldi840]

@@Hoodrio I have also the Blackstar Fly 3, incredible, same sound than the HT-5R MKII but it weights 750 grams only!

[@earthsteward9]

Has anyone ggigged with this? Perhaps mic it to the sound board?

[@paolo8306]

Is this good for small venue gigs???

[@Hoodrio]

Probably not a full band, but a duo or solo, sure.

[@allosaurusfragilis7782]

Manufacturers should focus on low volume quality, as its what we use about 90 per cent of the time. By we I just mean non professional players

[@Hoodrio]

Great point. One of the few that have done that is Yamaha with the THR series.

[@garcemac]

Your list of amps is irrelevant. I have used - on an actual stage - an Ampeg VT22 through two Cerwin Vega 2*12 cabs, a Marshall JCM800 full and half stack, and most recently a 1996 Fender Hot Rod DeVille - which I have used in the studio and live for the last 15 years. The little Fender Champion is the only solid state / modelling amp I use in these Covid times. Great little amp. Just plug my B.K. Butler Tube Driver into it and its perfect.

[@poppyonepug1]

Have you ever tried an attenuator ( Weber Mini-Mass, etc) with any tube amps you had in the past?

[@Hoodrio]

Poppy & Wally Yes, I had the Weber with the Pro Junior, and it just sucked a tremendous amount of tone out of the amplifier. There may be better attenuators out there, but I would not recommend that one. In general, I think you're better off with a master volume if you are going with a tube amplifier.

[@poppyonepug1]

@@Hoodrio OK Thanks.

[@cinematofu]

Sir what do you think the difference between fender champion 20 and roland micro cube. Which do you prefer?

[@Hoodrio]

The Roland has a nice Vox emulation, whereas the Fender does not. The Roland also sounds much smaller and does not have nearly as good Fender tones or effects.

[@cinematofu]

@@Hoodrio allright then, looks like i'm gonna take the fender. thank you for the details :)

[@andrebrito3816]

Hello I find this topic to be very important and I am on a similar quest.. I am bending towards the Fender Super Champ XD (or X2, still not decide yet). I would be interested to hear your opinion about it. At the studio I play a Fender Deluxe Reverb 65 together with a jcm 2000 however at home I believe, as you, the modeling solution is by far the better option as pure tube are always too loud. Sometimes I see myself thinking about amps with attenuator integrated, like the tone king gremlin, the victory v22 or very low wattage amps like the supro 1605R. The problem is that I can’t justify their price to play on such low volumes.. Thank you

[@Hoodrio]

The Super Champ is of course a much better amp if you have the money and don't mind the bigger footprint.

[@salsplace]

I like the Katana

[@lucid_delirium976]

i know i should listen to you, as i've failed countless times selecting amps for home... I just cant get myself to buy something small... Two years later, how do you feel about this amp? Still great or have you found something better for low volume? Or would the champion 40 be better?

[@Hoodrio]

I still have it and still use it almost every day. It obviously doesn’t sound as good as my tube amplifier and pedals, but when I just want to plug and play quickly, it’s fantastic. The 40 is obviously going to sound bigger and better, but with the speaker upgrade described in my other video this thing sounds pretty huge.