Fender 57 Champ: Review, Tone Tips & More

[@JackFossett]

Would you rock this little amp? Let us know! And make sure to follow me on Spotify ~ open.spotify.com/artist/6RLQFre2Qp5T454mFR5Ol4

[@GundogJake]

I’ve had two of the EC versions, main problem was I demoed number 1 against the EC Tremolux, so it had to go. Bought number 2 as I loved the aesthetics of the amp, and the two trick pony nature of the sound, but didn’t cut it for me. Ended up with a Vox ac4 hw and the Tremolux. Perfect balance.

[@JackFossett]

@@GundogJake Id love to get one of the EC ones. I actually also want to grab one of those little Champion 600 amps they did for a while.

[@mikefromusa6902]

I play my mojotone 5f1 with my own mods quite often at church and what not. It’s that amp and my 79 Princeton reverb most of the time.

[@musicalSFCat]

Just purchased one last month. Love my Fender '57 Champ custom shop reissue. You absolutely right. It's fantastic especially for recording applications . Beautiful distinctive tones.

[@Baci302]

The sound of this amp is incredible. Can you gig with it in a small club? How would you compare this Champ with a Blues Jr. Tweed?

[@biffleonetti5298]

I've had my 57 Champ for about 6 months and love it. I gotta tell ya Jack, your review of this amp is hands down the most informative and insightful of any other reviews I have seen. Great job !!!

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Fun fact, the solo that Eric Clapton played on The Beatles While My Guitar Gently Weeps was actually through a Fender Champ amplifier through a Leslie speaker with the red 58 Les Paul that he gave George and that George named Lucy. I got this information out of a book called Recording Gear of the Beatles. There was never any Marshall stack at Abbey Road Studios for that session. If I had the author's name and page number I would list it but it's not sitting in front of me!

[@notomatoesbbq]

Champs are really underrated for their cleans. I bought my champ for that cranked humbucker sound, but fell in love with it when I heard the single coil cleans.

[@JackFossett]

Right? I feel exactly the same way

[@DeadHandBlues]

Yeah really. Its a Fender clean sound with mids. Its amazing.

[@mat900ft]

Same. I had zero interest in playing clean when I got mine, then as soon as I realised I couldn’t crank it in my flat, I plugged in my strat and haven”t looked back

[@patrickcoughlin3564]

I have a Champ clone, Memphis mini harmonica 6 watts and a power line out This amp shines on 3 with a guitar and harp ! Extraordinary flexible with light fx perfect for a gig ,thru the board and the 8in spk onboarding. Thanks for cast.

[@antoonhermans8953]

every one knows these amp sound best at volume level 2-3 , wich will give you the best clean tones ever heard , all that talk about tube driven overdrive is a lot off BS .

[@rockstarjazzcat]

I got two Champ reissues to run in stereo and ended up being gifted back a third. I’m of the low gain input, dial at 3 crowd. Interesting to hear the hand wired version! Cheers, Daniel

[@TheQuinnzo]

Hello from Ireland 🇮🇪 I am Paul, I read your comment about the Champ Amps you run in stereo and I was wondering if I could ask you a couple of questions?

[@FuriousMess]

I picked up a used one in mint condition off Craigslist for $450 a few years ago. Have a 78 SF Champ as well. The 57 Champ is the winner and definitely a keeper

[@frankswildyear]

That’s an incredible price, it’s 2024 and I’m looking at one for $850 that is cheaper than most

[@dean-marr]

2009 bought this reissue. Best 999 cdn I've spent at the time. Works great also with vintage pedals but not that it's needed. Love it with my sg humbuckers

[@JS-nf1sn]

Great video. I had one of those, loved it, sold it, regretted it. Bought Swart Space Tone Jr to replace it, and love that too. I thought the cleans on the one I had were great. My trick is set it to around three and drive it clean with a preamp if I need more clean volume. With a Blackbird tube preamp I can get pretty loud clean tones (relatively speaking, of course). The cranked tone is like the best drive pedal without a pedal. Roll back the volume knob, especially with a treble bleed, and you can go from full on to clean. On a Les Paul I set the bridge full on and the neck rolled back; instant drive pedal with a pickup selector switch change.

[@JackFossett]

I'd love to get my hands on a Swart - my bass player has one and I frequently use it when we rehearse. Great sounding amp.

[@johnmirabile3535]

I LOVE A BOXY AMP! ESPECIALLY TO RECORD! THE BLUES SOUNDS AUTHENTIC WITH THESE LITTLE AMPS! LIKE THE OLD RECORDINGS...AWESOME GONNA GET ONE OF THESE

[@mikepj1025]

I am fortunate enough to have an all original 57 Champ. I’ve heard that statement about the volume on 3 as well and I will tell you that just under 4 on my original Champ is absolutely blissful. Rarely I have it turned higher than 6-7 but it is the one amp I have that works with all my guitars. The volume dial on mine and the guitars controls make it very easy to dial in any sound I’m going for. Great video Jack. That Champ does sound a tiny bit snappier than mine. Maybe it sounds warmer in the room but that was something my ears picked up. Mine is 60 years old and very well broken in.

[@chipsterb4946]

Which Champ do you have? 5E1 or 5F1? There wasn’t a “57 Champ”.

[@es330]

You got such a beautiful sound right there. I haven't heard better (for my ears).I bought one of these a year ago and will never tire of it .Boxy?...I don't agree. If you play in a band setting, there is nothing but a great sound that puts you just right in the mix. I have never once needed to feel that I need to make an EQ adjustment. In the past I have replaced an amp a year. I just tire of their sound and become aware of their limitations. I still love this.

[@Dizzydre21]

I built a mojotone 5f1 and run ot through an old AC4 cabinet with a 10" jensen. I leave the back off of the cab and it really helps with volume and doesn't sound as boxy as the 8" does.

[@MBBerard1]

Have a 2010 ‘57 Reissue Champ. Recorded with it- check, gigged with it - check, fell asleep while playing it all nite long-check! Sounds phenomenal with my NoCaster reissue!!

[@Slaphitter]

All I did was add a tiny little Swart Night Light Jr. attenuator to my 57 Champ. It just tucks into the back cavity. And suddenly you have access to all the tones at any volume you want. So simple, and it makes this amp into the ideal home companion.

[@aronvanalstine]

It was the rig rundown with Dave Cobb

[@robertbrancato9478]

Love my '57 Champ clone, faithfully reproduced by an eminent builder. Has a WGS G8C speaker and a vintage RCA pre amp tube. Opens this little gem up even more. Loves my BD-2 infant for more dirt if wanted. Btw... awesome vid on this little beauty.

[@dcjway]

I have a ‘57 reissue, it’s my favorite amp for around the house. I love that it is simple to use with only a volume knob. I usually don’t crank it up too much 6. I also found it works great with my ts9 tube screamer. I heard Clapton used one for the Lala album.

[@JackFossett]

There's a conflicting story about that - Tom Dowd apparently has stated that Clapton used a later Vibro Champ and Duane Allman used the Tweed, but others say they all used the Tweed. Also possible that they jumped them. I've never seen any "official" report on it, but one way or another, this amp really nails those tones.

[@dcjway]

I should of watched the whole video before commenting, lol.

[@robertcurran3]

Five Watt World did a video on the Champ, in it Keith references a Premier Guitar Rig Rundown video with Dave Cobb. Its in that Rig Rundown that Dave Cobb mentions only playing at 3 in the studio. Funny addition, I bought my Champ clone from Franklyn Amps after watching your video on their '57 Tweed.

[@faethe000]

Came back to this video after I watched your 1 year review and you're right. At first I thought my headphones might be crapping out on the left side, but no, they're fine. You really can hear that your speaker is starting to go.

[@crossroadsheavener7599]

Got one of the Fender Eric Clapton Vibro Champs with the tube vibrato and half power switch. He used a 5F1 circuit Champ on all of Layla, his first solo album, all of 461 Ocean Blvd, and Slowhand. So many albums to many to name! Weber 8" speaker, came in this one. Love it for recording!

[@JackFossett]

So according to Tom Dowd it’s possible he used a Vibro Champ on Layla, but others have said different. Not sure if there’s any official record, if he used both, who knows. They didn’t expect that half a century later a bunch of guitarists with baby televisions in their pockets would be interested in such things

[@crossroadsheavener7599]

@@JackFossett EC and Duane, only used 5F1 late 50,s Champs each on Layla. Tommy, set the Champs on top of the piano, he said it they weren,t real loud. Clapton used a slow leslie on some songs.

[@JackFossett]

@@crossroadsheavener7599 right, that’s one account but there are other conflicting accounts.

[@mikefromusa6902]

Between 4 and 7 gives you the clean/marginal sound depending on the guitar. I think the 3 from that premier guitar video was a bit hyperbolic.

[@JackFossett]

I think thats where this amp lives. I really liked it on the Low Gain input at 6 for clean tones. Nice and full, loud enough to hear but nice and saggy too.

[@RodStewart_Geek]

Also, pots aren’t exact. 3 on one amp won’t produce the same amount of resistance as 3 on another amp. Tones should be created with your ears, not eyes. These suggestions are just starting points.

[@ChrisM-ne4bc]

Out of many well known ...often used studio amps in the 60's-70's I've heard more stories of the Champ. ZZ Top, Joe Walsh, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix even...not a studio tool but, A dressing room fun amp was a Fender Silver face Champ. I love them a lot.

[@santrixhimself3679]

You have some great amps! I own a champ copy by a company called "Golden Tone". They are handwired, made in china, pine cab, 10" speaker but only two tubes. They were sold in european discounter supermarkets in the mid 00s for around 100€.... insane price to value ratio and great for modding.

[@ManicMaximus]

I was feeling tweed fever last month and almost bought one of these. Ended up getting a 59 Bassman LTD for the same price. Seemed like a good deal to me, but I don't think the neighbors agree 😂

[@scottyh1509]

If the guitar is good, with nice pickups....heaven Worth the money? Yes!!! A good tweed champ is an icon, every electric player should have one. I remember reading an interview with Eric Johnson and he said it was one of his favorites. (A tweed Deluxe may be more versatile for some players)

[@simonnotthepieman1581]

I have an original 1957 5F1 Champ and bloody love it. Haven't been tempted to get a custom 57 to try them side by side as it'd be a waste of my money. I do use it under 3 for clean, it sounds lovely

[@DjRafiV]

Bought one a month ago. I play a tele with twisted tele pickups on the neck and middle position at around 4 or 5 on the volume knob for playing at home. I place a J Rockett archer pedal with typical klon setting and add some high end with the tone knob, since I feel the amp lacks a bit of sparkle. Curious to see how breaking the amp in will improve the sound over time. I prefer it clean because it does sound gorgeous. Playing it wide open with chords I get sympathetic vibrations from the cabinet that aren’t pleasing, though I’ve read on forums that after time things will settle in place, I hope so. I thought I heard some rattle from the cabinet in your video? All in all I love this amp and it’s portability to move it from room to room is a breeze. Gorgeous clean sound, hand wired, portable and easy on the eyes this lil guy has a home forever with me. Great review!

[@snejkkc]

Hi Jack, love the video and the way you approached the different methods of getting different sounds out of it. Personally, I consider this amp a „one trick pony“. But man, what a trick it is. My recipe is - amp positioned in the eye level, volume around 4-5, high input, guitar volume backed off just a bit and the guitar tone on 6-7. Unparalleled dynamics and sound picture at bedroom volume!

[@mattgilbert7347]

It's all about that magic clean tone. . My Champ clone is boxed up at the moment (I'm moving), but it's the one valve amp I won't sell. It's going with me to the grave! Those legends are totally true. If you listen to something like the intro to Floyd's SOYCD it's a delicate, gentle clean tone. But I would bet that was LOUD in the room. No wonder all those guys are deaf. I saw that video. Validation :)

[@anthonyorzino7728]

Just as the Telecaster was designed for the Fender amp, the Champ was/is designed to be the electric guitar’s better half. When I first plugged into this little guy my jaw dropped. I don’t believe anyone has bettered the Leo Fender designs..maybe added a little?. My little Champ reissue says it like it did in the 50’s and the hotter it gets, the better it sounds. I’m a high gain - input at 4 - single coil alnico ll’s guy and this little single ended monster moves air, shakes curtains and can rattle walls. When paired in stereo with a larger tube amp (22 watts?) the Champ keeps it’s charm and can take the lead. I love it and don’t miss the grand I paid for it. Simple, clean rock and roll, country or jazz…

[@davidbeal8054]

Opening with "Can't find my way home" was brilliant. You've convinced me that Clapton must have been playing through a Champ.

[@JackFossett]

In fact I actually mashed up Can’t Find My Way Home and Anyday off of Layla - which has become one of my sleeper favorite EC tunes. Derek Trucks does some amazing versions of that song too.

[@davidbeal8054]

@@JackFossett Now I hear it! Great. Hadn't heard that song in years. Dating myself, in 1974 I joined a gloried garage/cover band and for a couple of years "Bell Bottom Bleus" was one of our staples. Don't ask me why --- we were not primarily a blues band. In those days, I was the drummer, which I played for over 40 years. (But I always dabbled in guitar.)

[@JackFossett]

@@davidbeal8054 Bell Bottom Blues is a very underappreciated EC tune also. Really that whole album is great. Have you heard the Tedeschi Trucks Band with Trey Anastasio doing the live performance of it?

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@JackFossett The band Larkin Poe released a cover of Bell Bottom Blues last year. It’s really good too.

[@graemero5532]

Cheers Jack. Sounded really nice and has a distinct character. I would buy one, but there are a few things before it on the want/need list.

[@Marazki]

here for the vibes at 10:07

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Re the 3 thing. My amp tech told me that the max output of a champ circuit is usually between 3 to 5 and anything above is just gradually distorting.

[@julielocke-balish1707]

I just bought one and after an hour put it on output two and level at 6 and haven’t looked back.. I’m a humbucker girl but wow my Strat is amazing with it! Thanks for the video, I loved it❤

[@Norton5996]

Great video! I like that you used different guitars and a pick. Some people just play a strat and finger pick the whole video. You did an excellent job show clean to drive setting. If you par a champ with a Fryette PS-2 you can use it for any volume. Can boost it to gig with and quiet it down to wisher volume. Add an extension cab or buy a tweed 1xx12 cut out for a champ from Mojo tone. Champs are great amps. Love you review.

[@redlandsaxman]

See Dave Cobb's Secret to Tweed Amps and His Dumble-Modded Fender.... never turn a tweed up past 3 !!!

[@JackFossett]

There it is! Thank you - I saw it a long time ago before I had this amp, and I looked for it again but couldn't find it for some reason. Appreciate the info.

[@davidmurphy4844]

Great and informative video Jack. I have done a number of gigs using a Fender Pro Junior with a Palmer PD 09 speaker simulator to di box between the speaker output and the speaker and one gig using a Fender 600 too. Recently I have used a pedal board rig into a Radial JDX Direct Drive di box to the PA and the amp output to a ZT Lunchbox as a monitor. That way if I adjust the amp volume it won't affect the front of house level.

[@tomcaron9113]

They are fun unique animals. They do not cover all bases. But for recording, telecasters, and putting a smile on your face it works. The right speaker is critical. They can sound boxy and crappy with the wrong one.

[@alexw4590]

These small little combo amps really benefit from tube dampener rings, had to remove the cage on my 57 champ to do this. The amp has no more vibration, and tone is really great.

[@richardwhitehead4684]

Further confirmation that this amp is too distorted for me. Yes, it is ‘boxy an small’. Not my jam. But that’s just me. Thanks for the clear, no bs, demo. I’ll be continuing my search for a SF, non reverb Princeton.

[@jonasjacobsen9702]

I was on the fence about buying one. I watched your video, thought about it for a month and just now decided to buy one. Excited to see how it will work for me. I live with roommates and need a smaller amp that can still give me huge tones at lower volumes. Thanks for the video!

[@thorvelizelos]

So how did it work out? Still pretty loud right? :P

[@zacherycampbell7296]

Thank you for this! I’ve been going back and forth between this and a 68 champ. Your reviews are always thorough and your playing style is similar to mine. Perfect!

[@JackFossett]

Glad to hear it! I'm actually planning a shootout between the two at some point coming up.

[@geralr]

@@JackFossett that would be great! If anything - I’d be interested in how they compare both dry.. and then if you can achieve the same reverb + tremolo sounds with pedals on the 57 ..

[@zacherycampbell7296]

@@JackFossett yesss please! Maybe I’ll hold off my decision until then. Seeing how each takes pedals would be great.

[@JackFossett]

So I'm not sure when the video will be coming, but I can give you my thoughts in case you want any feedback before buying - the 68 Vibro is kind of like a mini Princeton. It really sits in between the classic 5 watt small amps and the next level up, partially because it has the 10" speaker and the added reverb. Overall, its probably more versatile. This one, however, is probably a bit of a step up in quality. The 68 is still great, but whereas that one is maybe an 8, this one is definitely a 10.

[@zacherycampbell7296]

@@JackFossett awesome! Thank you. I’ve only played the 68 and I loved it, but a strat through a tweed amp has always had my heart 😂

[@tomrosa4248]

Jack, thanks for this review it was very informing. I got mines few months ago I set the volume at between three and five and it sounds great.

[@JackFossett]

Thats right where I like it too! Theres a tiny little notch in the dial just above 3, kind of around 4, where the volume just fills in more and really sounds nice.

[@kengevers8738]

Love my homemade Champ. I have a few, and with different speakers. Gives me a variety of sounds including nice tones. Cheers 😀

[@JackFossett]

I've actually been toying with the idea of doing a 5F1 kit - would be fun to build it and then put it up against this one.

[@kengevers8738]

@@JackFossett I've had a lot of fun building my own amps. I'm of the old school ideas as I think some the stuff sold today is about the $. That is parts. I like to think I can make an amp old school, and with quality parts, an amp that will last for years. Another thought, speakers make quite a lot of difference in sound and tone. Great video. 👍

[@mhendriksma]

Thank you much Jack. Excellent review. I have a 2010-ish 57 Champ RI. I recently placed a 4 Ohm Eminence Texas Heat in a tweed Fender Deluxe 112 Cabinet. It gives me the option to either run the 8 inch inside the Champ, which I replaced with a Weber CV8A, or hook it up to the 112 cab. It has become a very versatile set and it loves pedals.

[@JackFossett]

Very cool! I have a 2x10 cab, that makes me want to try it out - funny because I’ve done collaborations with Weber and they outright told me that the stock speaker is one of the lower end ones in their lineup. So I’ll probably bump up mine at some point too

[@Modwiz125]

I have the Weber Blue Pup alnico in my DIY Weber 5F1 kit. It uses a boosted 7.oz plug magnet and the chime goes well with the bias of the amp and the 6V6, IMO. All Weber speakers, hand -made, are the best I have heard. Have 10 different ones. The Jupiter brand sounds good too, hand-made, but Weber is my speaker brand. Their articulation can be threatening to bad playing habits, lol.

[@madsenamplification]

I’m assuming someone has already mentioned it but the clip you’re thinking about was a gear run down video for the amps in Dave Cobbs studio. He talks about turning to 3 on tweed amps.

[@roughcutguitars]

It's between this and a Princeton 65 RI 10" and I'm dead stuck. Play in an apartment - lots of P90 guitars, a Page pup Epi LP, Strat, and Ric 12 string, with lots of OD, fuzz and 'movement' pedals playing 60 & 70s (Small Faces, Byrds, Zep, Hendrix, Allmans) right up to Pumpkins. Princeton seems like it has more accessible range, but can I drive it and keep the volume down?

[@cinquettitt6161]

The Les Paul at minute 10:50 sounds great!

[@RByrne]

Excellent review! I was all set to buy one if these, based on everyone saying how great it is. After watching this, getting a decent explanation of what it's all about, I did some more research and see it's probably not the amp for me. I'll wait til I can actually try one in person, but for now I'll stick with my 1watt JCM800 mini stack for home use.

[@Gigitygigity24]

Hey man, I've got a JCM-1H as well! I was wondering if you have any tone reduction when using pedals with your amp? Pedals completely kill the twang of my Tele. Thank you!

[@FraxOwen]

Not specifically related to the Champ but Regarding the best if not turned past three, I know that's a comment the Edge makes when it comes to his Tweed deluxes. It was his guitar tech who said that tweeds sound best at 3 and no more in a Rig Rundown.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I agree that the best tones are clean. I have a Tone King Gremlin, which is a much bigger 5w amp, but you have to use it like an instrument.

[@iTrove]

Nice review. Been learning to play on this little thing. Love hate relationship brewing here. Unforgiving but has beautiful acceptances of good technique. usually kept

[@ojaisherpa]

princeton?

[@JuanMotta]

i want one!!!! thanks for the review!!

[@JackFossett]

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it ~

[@gavin4848]

I need this amp as it's class A and produces a different harmonic series that seems to cut through the mix with little effort. I put an ECC83 (12AX7) tube in it for earlier breakup. I like the sound of your recording, sounds faithful to the actual sound but maybe not broken in enough yet?

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

Love this little amp and my little vox ac4tv. They get played way more than my Bassman 59 ri, 57 Deluxe, Friedman DS, Hitone JP30, Union Jack HG, Vox AC30HW and 68 Princton. If you get the chance, check out the Vox AC4Tv. I’ve had mine for almost 10 years now. I think I paid 250 for it new, considered a pretty cheap amp that was made in Vietnam, but they are amazing.

[@jlgis77]

thanks Jack, your vid and a few others helped me go for the 57 champ ri.........lovein it.......

[@MichaelHattem]

It was a clip in the Five Watt World video.

[@RogerThat902]

I think that video was a rig rundown on premier guitar. Guy said that he heard that from someone and he was skeptical of the volume, but that's where it is for him "3 or 4"

[@Panic42000]

I have one and love it!!

[@JackFossett]

Me too! 😃

[@DeadHandBlues]

The magic setting is input 1, volume on 6 and Strat neck pickup for me. It gets rectifier sag and is just before any clipping. Fender charge way to much for these though. I use 5F1 "clones". Edit: oh you used it the same way. Chuck a Boss reverb in front of it and its hours of fun.

[@JackFossett]

Exactly how I used it live! Good description too - the signal is starting to compress and round out nicely but before it gets clipping, although I found with more aggressive pickups it does overdrive at that point.

[@CradleRawk]

The video you're referring to was the Dave Cobb Rig Rundown on Premier Guitar's youtube. Great vid. That vid and that comment made me want to try a 57 Champ reissue again, having previously had one and selling it cos it sounded a bit too bassy and strident on about 4 which is where I played it - clean with a Tele mostly. I got another (used) one and it seems to be more broken in - but I find that the really sweet spot is on about 5-6, but guitar vol rolled way back - it seems to compress the sound, give it some 'clack' and jangle, AND it cuts the bass (this CAN be a bassy amp, even if its just an 8" speker and 5w) - making it really the perfect companion to my tele and LP when playing at home. Clean, but with real character. With my strat I prefer my 30w Marshall Astoria ASC1, the champ and that strat (56ri) just don't seem to jive together - and if I try to roll off the volume to lose the stridentness - well then all the top end just disappears.

[@bobvernon-104]

I think the video you were asking about was a guitar rig video with Dave Cobb in the studio. I've seen that one too and had the same experience you had - the sound coming out of the amp was too quiet.

[@PaulSmith-qz2re]

Hello great vid. I run a couple of wet dry rigs one has a couple of fender champion 600s as my wet amps together with a fender custom 57 champ or a vox ac4 as my dry amp. Or I can run a 1981 blackface champ and a fender vibro champ xd as my wet amps and the custom 57 champ and vox ac4 as the dry amps the dry amps I can have one or the other or both together

[@JackFossett]

Those XD amps are superb. Sounds like a great rig - I'd love to get one of the 600s. I also have the 68 Vibro Champ and have been really enjoying the whole small amp thing lately too.

[@FenderStrat1975]

I can't wait to get one saving up.

[@CradleRawk]

Regarding the amp not being loud enough on 3 - its cos you're playing a strat. At least that's my experience with my champ and strat. With my tele the amp on 3 is slightly too loud for home play, I can still turn it down and NOT hear the pick hitting the strings. Even more so with a Les Paul.

[@JackFossett]

Actually I've found exactly the same thing with my Telecasters, although a Les Paul is certainly louder. My Champ seems to hit the volume threshold more around 4, there's a drastic volume jump between 3 and 5.

[@roberthagemann4373]

Great video. Really helpful. Quick question if possible: Is there any way to rid the amp of the very low hum that is audible at all volume levels? I tried a Hum X, but that did made no difference.

[@PaulKirtley]

I'm confused. I own a 57 Champ Custom, bought new two years ago. On volume 3, you can definitely hear it. With my Strat it's just over 70dB with the meter about 4ft away, which might be a distance you'd sit with it when practicing at home. Turn it to just beyond 4 and dig in a bit and it's over 90dB. With my Les Paul, it's louder. That's on input 1. On input 2 it's not quite as loud but playing at volume 9 in the room is not pleasant at all. You cannot get this amp to break up at reasonable room volumes. In the room it also sounds like a bloomy shoe box at even moderate volumes. The way you get this amp to sound good is put it in another room or a cupboard with a microphone in front of it. My Orange Rockerberb III 50 W amp, with inbuilt attenuator, is more useable at home than this 5W amp with no master volume. Also, the cost is not that much more. I know the sound is different and not offering it up as an alternative, just making the comparison. I own four heads ranging from 15w to 50w and a couple of practice amps. I use the Champ the least of all my amps at home. I love the idea of the Champ and it is super well made, very retro and looks nice in the corner of the living room, but I would caution against it for most people. An Ox Box, a lunch box head and a 1x12 would be more useable and more versatile for many people wanting to play at home.

[@peterastore7134]

That was Dave Cobb who noted about turning it to 3

[@jorells]

Great video! Really nice tones. I've found the same thing, I like the amp set to about 5 or 6, so that it breaks up once you dig in to it, and then push it over the edge with a pedal. It gets more versatile that way imo. Turning it all the way up gets fuzzy and muddy, which can be cool if that's what your after of course.

[@maxwhitten8376]

Straight to the point. Thanks man.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

With a bigger speaker (12 inch?) Would it be able to give a louder clean sound or even just plain better headroom? Maybe make it a decent “pedal platform“?!🤔

[@petersen280798]

Also very good with acoustic guitar

[@PaulSmith-qz2re]

So to answer your question yes you do need a champ in your life

[@JackFossett]

Spoiler alert! :-D

[@GCW123]

The musician who said don't turn it up past 3 is Jason Isbell

[@james4878]

The video you are thinking of is a premier guitar rig rundown interview with Dave Cobb.

[@tylerjaax4917]

Some odd rattling or clipping in the left channel of the recording that I’m hearing in headphones. Did you use a different mic for the left channel?

[@JackFossett]

Whole thing or on a specific part? Edit- I hear it, sounds like an odd clipping. Not sure if I had the mic just on the edge of being too loud. It’s not on other videos I shot that day so I must have just set something up wrong. Thanks for the feedback!

[@ColocasiaCorm]

The reason for cranked small amps is due to the class a single ended circuitry. Ab push pull is a necessary evil of playing loud live. In the studio tone counts most. No audience to require more power.

[@wierdlygruesome]

I know that video it was a rig rundown I don’t know who’s rig but I do remember where I heard it

[@batman48195]

Nice review Jack. How’s this compare to the Blues Jr in tone?

[@adamfarmer8846]

Hi Jack. Thanks for the review. Does yours hum, volume 0 and no chord plugged in? I got one of these on Sunday, and it hums, and it’s not good. The amp sounds really great but the hum is too loud and makes it no good for recording.

[@JackFossett]

No it doesn't - sounds like that might have a bad tube.

[@adamfarmer8846]

@@JackFossett Many thanks for the reply. Good to know. I’ll have to ask for a replacement as the sound is just what I wanted.

[@JackFossett]

@@adamfarmer8846 Sure thing - I mean check with a tech because thats just off the top of a layman's head, but it definitely shouldnt be humming that much.

[@jessesmith2906]

For a pedal platform home amp would you pick this or the custom vibro champ

[@andy3d1]

What’s your right hand doing? It’s like you have an invisible pick! Sounds great

[@Jake-mv7yo]

I own this and yeah it is expensive but I made money gambling in the stock market so I felt like getting something extravagant. I still might build a clone so I can run stereo champs and use this as a frame of reference. I have a Harley Benton DC Jr and like the sound of a bridge P90 going into it. I put a lightning bolt tail piece on it and use 5 string open G Kieth Richards tuning and like how the cross talk of the strings rings out on it. I think fuzz also works nice into it. I stacked the Behringer Superfuzz into the DOD Carcossa and that was pretty crazy and sounds like the amp is going to explode.

[@ivan_emege]

Better Sound with The Gibson. Not pass 3 is when the amp carries the 12ax7; now this amp have a 12ay7. I have this amp, the freshly new 75th Anniversary edition, it’s more than an amp, is a musical instrument, works like an acoustic guitar.

[@holmes1978]

Yes !

[@1222chrism]

What volume/tone setting did you keep the strat and Les Paul?

[@jbert7289]

Cool video. I like the champ at lower volume. I have a xd champ and for this amp. I like the tone best at 5-7. When it’s cranked to 10...it looses it tone.

[@dwaynedelario]

It's a cool tone, no doubt. I liked it with the Les Paul the most. Something about the breakup on the Strat sounded like cab rattle to me!

[@bluesbubba7429]

I've got a "real" 1963 Tweed Champ amp. A lot of Mojo. I'm never getting rid of it.

[@JackFossett]

I’d love to get an original someday. As far as vintage gear goes they aren’t unreasonable price wise.

[@bluesbubba7429]

@@JackFossett Last time I looked, about a year ago, some were going for as much as $3500.

[@geralr]

I play almost exclusively clean - and almost exclusively at home - do you recommend to get the Princeton or that champ? New they both run at about the same $$

[@es330]

You mean the reissue? I had a 65 Princeton reissue. To my ears this is far better. I've had this amp for 16 months. The difference is pure quality of tone and I didn't find that with the deluxe reverb or princetons.

[@geralr]

@@es330 thanks - what do you mean you didn’t find that with the Princeton or deluxe reverbs?

[@es330]

@@geralr I didn't the like sound of those amps. I had the 65 and 68 Princeton and the 65 Deluxe reverb. I love the Champs tone. It's hand wired ,uses the old type electronics (retro engineered),has a fantastic Weber speaker. Leo Fender's tweed amps are just perfect for me .It just comes down to what your ear tells is the right tone for you.

[@JackFossett]

I personally would still go with the Princeton. I love this little amp, but if I were in a position where I could get one or the other, 65 Princeton all the way for me.

[@WS-bk7uu]

I can hear a strange vibration in my left earphone. Is it an issue with the tube or speaker? Great playing and tones though by the way!

[@jocknarn3225]

M8; i like ur style. Dynamic rather than cranked tone. Personality-driven isn't it?! I hav 1977 silver-face black tolex 8" Warehouse Vintage Champ and had it very expertly checked thru & serviced. It has lost the noise, more responsive & dare i say detailed .. well that's wot i look 4 being into cleaner sounds .. jazz, classic r&b/funk. Only pedal is a MrBlack mini-reverb 4 some ambience. 5 or 6Watts power more than enough 4 most amatuer situations & (back-room) studios.

[@Speed13Controle]

Can you do rehearsal in a 3 piece band?

[@JackFossett]

Honestly depends entirely on your drummer

[@holmes1978]

Add the Fender Legends Series from Boss all the buttons from all three Amps that’s all you need !!!

[@eddieh311]

Great video Jack! Im a big fan of the channel. One question: Ive heard this gets very loud, and Im wondering if I will be able to get the heavy distortion and sag at bed room levels. I currently have a blues junior and am realizing how spoiled i am to have a master knob. Any thoughts on getting this to break up at low volume? thank you!

[@PJReikiMaster]

I have a Champ clone and mine has to be up loud for distortion. Certainly not at a bedroom level volume. Cheers.

[@eddieh311]

@@PJReikiMaster thanks for the advice!

[@lancedawson7037]

The video is RigRundown with Dave Cobb

[@silviopimentel7247]

I have the hand wired eric clapton vibro. & I use to record mids along with a badcat & harmony 65 set the cat on dark tone, harmony on treble champ mids. Then blend. From all my amp these 3 are the recording ones. Others for live. But since I don't like fender this one & the super reverb are the exception for me. Really dislike other fenders and Marshall.

[@thelowmein9143]

I already own this amp and I just can not get it to break up, nor can I seem to get it to sound as good as you tube videos. It frustrating and I feel like it’s on me not the amp, I’m lucky enough to have such a great amp as a relatively new player. Cranking it up, I just can’t, even at 5 watts it’s loud for my house lol.

[@maxwhitten8376]

LR Baggs Nashville TN is the video

[@maxwhitten8376]

Dave Cobb