Fender Champion 100 Solid state 2X12 combo amp

Sound demo of the amp using my .Strandberg* Boden Classic 6

[@songwriterjj6022]

If you're a tube snob, nothing will convince you to buy this. For the rest of us, this amp is great. Lots of effects, but you don't have to spend weeks dialing in tones like on other modeling amps. Great clean sound, love the amp models too. Can't really go wrong with this.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

Tube snob? I didn’t know loving tube amps made you a snob. The fender tube amps are popular for a reason. They sound fantastic! My favorite is the Twin Reverb That doesn’t mean this amp can’t be good too 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@NXavier787]

I adore tube amps but until they start reliably cranking out new production tubes in the US most of us are stuck with our solid states. I love this Champion 100, tubes or no ;-)

[@JohnnyRebKy]

@@NXavier787 I’d buy a champ 100 if the clean channel was close to a twin reverb. I like crystal clear cleans and a telecaster 👍🏻 I have a champ 20 but the “ voicing” for the blackface amps isn’t quite up to my liking clean. But that could be because of its small size

[@thisguy2973]

Messing with modeling amps is horrible. I had a line 6 years ago and it was absolute junk.

[@andrewwheelerguitar]

@@thisguy2973 i have used these amps clean on channel 1 (no modeling) and then my pedals. It did well. The reverb was good, too, as was the delay.

[@ximre2]

I was at Guitar Center in New Hampshire, looking for a Squire Jaguar, but the one they had was used and beat up. Over a row of amps, behind a column, I saw a guitar player playing a strat, he sounded really good. So I walked over to see if he was playing a Squire strat. We got into conversation about that guitar. He said he ran a youtube channel. He then was talking about guitars he played, many brands I never heard of, he said were really good for the price. Chris talked about guitar setup, about buying guitars, and so on. Chris said he does many guitar reviews on his channel. I quickly realized, he has a wealth of knowledge. Glad to have met a real youtuber in real life! Such a kind person!

[@monzo9999]

Man only a few days left and I'm getting mine.....my days of watching champion 100 vids are almost over

[@JeansUA]

so did you get one? How do you like it?

[@monzo9999]

Nerdel Gaming I got it , and I love it. Sounds great with my road worn 50’s tele and my Taylor. Credits to Chris is for doing a demo on every setting

[@MJPGuitar]

Dude I’m in the same boat right now. Watching videos over and over until I can scrape up the funds to order one of my own.

[@albertomiranda3719]

Me to but also the mustang gt100 I can't decide

[@danielquintanilla1111]

Getting mine next week⚡

[@diamondavid]

Not only is this a cool Amp , this Dude can Play .

[@mikeprince6045]

Just got mine… laughed my ass off when i hooked my strat to it. Super bliss … bought it on a whim and had no idea what i was getting. Best money i ever spent….EVER!!!!!!!! Im in love

[@Xanadu424]

I’ve been using the Marshall DSL series amps for 8 years (I’m 23), had an orange crush for about 6 months last year, and I bought this amp today. So happy!

[@johnstanley6977]

What can I say. Best demonstration I’ve seen of this amp. It’s an excellent amp and a great pedal platform too.

[@kevinhanshew3703]

Finally a decent review of this amp without a bunch of crazy distortion. I have this amp and I love it for home use. I don't even use pedals with this amp cause it sounds great on it's own.

[@antonioxcecutor2158]

Kevin Hanshew can you get a nirvana clean tone with through this amp?

[@bassplayer8815]

From other reviews you can get a sound near Cobain's but i don't have the amp so take that as you will

[@quiuboolokoo9325]

Kevin Hanshew would you recomend giging with it

[@bigblueplanet1968]

@@quiuboolokoo9325 itll gig...shes loud when needed

[@mattball420]

Thats basically the most useful reason for these videos, ppl nit pick clean tones but they really dont vary nearly as much as anybody makes them out to, you can put 2 identicle amps set the same side by side and most ppl will start picking apart the tone differences, like its a clean tone bro, dont get so deep lol

[@reymonti5504]

I've had several amps, diferent brands, but none with the quality of this. It's powerful, versatile, fantastic. The Fender Champion 100 It's my favorite.

[@fathomisticfantasy2681]

Probably the best demonstration of this amp. I was sold when I saw this YT video

[@vapeymcvape5000]

Q: What's the capital of Canada? A: Auto-Wah 2:29

[@Nev06]

Vapey McVape that’s quite good we need to give the likes

[@riffdigger2133]

Great line on a great effect. I was just in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

[@MIKE-ej6ud]

well now....i guess that makes you the Champion! sorry, i couldn't resist hahhaha

[@jarrydfoster]

What everyone is saying here is completely true. Every single other review of this amp sounds overly bright and thin, there’s no life to it, even the reviews where they are clearly mic’d up! Yet, your review makes this thing sing! It’s the first review that’s steered me away from knowing it’s a transistor amp. I was sceptical on this amp until I saw your reviews (the one with the pedals, too). I think it’s mainly just 1. You actually know how to tune a guitar (for some reason most of the others don’t?) and 2. You actually show useful applications for all the effects and channel voicings. Well done man, hopefully fender see how many people bought this amp just based on this one review, because I don’t think many of the other reviews did anywhere near as much for them lol

[@jimiguitar6324]

Yawn...and bullshit

[@souvlaki9951]

@@jimiguitar6324 thanks for the constructive feedback

[@bigblueplanet1968]

@@jimiguitar6324 why

[@SeasonedSalmon]

I have this amp and it sounds great. Tube amp snobs will never be convinced. I also have a tube amp and there are plenty of tones from the fender champion that sound fantastic. I'll admit I'm not a fan of the high gain sounds from this amp, but that's any fender solid state amp I've ever played. The low-mid gain overdrive sounds are fine though. To me it's not a deal breaker and I can use fuzz and overdrive pedals to solve this so it's truly not an issue. There's more bass and mids than other demos show as well. I think if your interested in one of these amps go to the store and plug one in and see for yourself that it's a great amp!

[@chickenlegs28porkchops94]

Just bought this amp new still with tags on it and the shop employees kept Hounding me to get the fender mustang 100 but I loved the sound of the champion more so I bought it and am pleased, your review is awesome.

[@dsalbert9572]

Yes- This is one of the best- if not THE BEST review I've seen on this amp! You take your time with the controls, and actually EQ the settings for a good tone. Nice playing too! You've renewed my faith in this particular Amp!

[@stan2211stan]

I'm absolutely stunned by this S/S Amplifier. Fender really outdid all expectations.

[@Fragments_Ov_Shattered_Malice_]

You should check out the the fender frontman 212R, it sounds absolutely amazing

[@davidwright9550]

Self admitted tube snob here for many many years. Have been playing just over 50. Chris Sir your excellent demo convinced me that this is what I need. Will take care of everything. Thanks Brother.

[@rexgoliath4032]

Thank you very much for doing such a thorough review of this amp. It is the best one I have seen on KZbin. I purchased this amp based on this well done demo. I also am very happy with the tone and simplicity of use. I actually like these dial in sound amps better than the more complicated modeling amps. Less complicated means less time fooling around with the settings. Just dial it in and play. Add in pedals, and the possibilities are infinite. But regardless of those preferences, it just sounds great.

[@sixstringbayonet8808]

I've watched a ton of videos on this amp and yours has sold me. All of the other videos sound like crap for the most part, but somehow you showed off the brilliance of this amp. It sounds incredible and your playing really showcases this amp. I think when I hear it in person that I may think it's the best SS amp I'll have ever heard. Really beautiful cleans with the effects, especially chorus +delay. Nice video.

[@timbaugh8742]

I paid £120 for one of these amps from a local music shop. The amp is ex display but in nearly new condition. It sounds awesome at home in practice and more than keeps up when jamming with my band. It is so versatile and I am so pleased with my purchase. You get a whole lot of sound for such a good price. And it looks really nice too. Great review video too.👍🏻

[@rbjsculpture]

Great demonstration- I'm sold! Also REALLY impressive playing. Usually these demos are hard to sit through with all the weak, random noodling. This one was a pleasure all the way to the end. (You should really do an instruction video)

[@Eastlane42]

This is a really useful test, not made by somebody who wants to show his skills playing guitar. I got a very distinguished impression of this amp. Thank you, Chris! Tomorrow I will buy it.

[@soto44123]

Love the vesatility of this amp,...your playing is showing what it can do with your proficiency on your instrument. Thank you for the demo.

[@andrewfrench9554]

Everyone should own one of these amps. They are a work horse. You get all the volume and clear tones you’d ever need. And it’s very affordable. The effects are fun to play with, but I just my pedals for that.

[@johnwatts4620]

I bought one second hand from a guy that had never used it, for $175. It was like hitting the lottery. Awesome amp.

[@betocano1987]

This is the most explained a cleanest review I could ever find. Nice job sir.

[@bb_lz9790]

I haven't looked at amps in years and just happened to click on this video after watching your Standberg videos yesterday. Now I've got a tab open to Sweetwater looking at the Champion 100... This is a great demo with your playing bringing out the best of each voicing! Well done! It's a shame that Fender ignores some of their former Brownface amps. A Brownface Deluxe voice would be really cool!

[@reggiebellamy7112]

I bought this amp about a year ago, I love it for the "Fender" tone and the on board FX opens many sonic possibilities. I actually wish that it was louder, so I mic it sometimes.

[@ScottieFarrowelvisKong]

I had one, sold it because I thought I didn't need it, ended up buying another one. Really, really, nice amp. GREAT metal sound - great blues sound.

[@omarsharif927]

Got the 40 its loud got to get this one.

[@haroldbaker555]

How did you get a metal sound out of it?

[@joeyoungs8426]

I was looking at these and decided I don't really need another amp. Well thanks to you I actually do need this amp now! BTW, your playing is gloriously versatile and you always seemed to choose just the right noodling for the sound/effects you dialed in. Outstanding review young man.

[@TheUlesifah82]

I love mine , it’s very versatile and has a ton of power !! Great with or without pedals !! The effects are all awesome

[@oldcrackadated]

Thank you for making this about the amp and not an audition for a gig

[@rodneytredo]

Great review of this amp. I bought one a couple months ago, and I am very happy with the sound, and the variety of options on tap. I highly recommend it, because I think that dollar for dollar, it is a great choice in this price range. I have used it with my Stratocaster, my Nashville Deluxe Tele', and my new pro series Telecaster.

[@318Magnum]

I just bought this amp. I tend to get a bit board of things and this had lots of features. To me it's a pretty authentic 60 sound. Like Beatles, hendrix. Sounds good.

[@BrianW-ny1lv]

Great straight to the point review. Thank you for explaining what each dial does in detail.

[@donnieproffitt5355]

Hey brother !! Awesome job on the video! I own this amp and may I say that your video is the first review that actually did the amp justice. Again an awesome job & your tone and style is thru the roof !! great playing man enjoyed it immensly

[@grumblyone3334]

My son's been wanting a new amp, & while lookng a Boss Katanas, I came across this. Pretty solid amp for cost!

[@davegallagher8285]

After watching this video I decided to get one. I went to Guitar Center and found a mint condition used one for about $229.00. Looks new and never used. One of the best amps I have owned. Great for gigs as well.

[@qwertasdef4371]

Which Shop is it? Is there any one?

[@davegallagher8285]

Any Guitar Center store.@@qwertasdef4371

[@qwertasdef4371]

But Not for this price, I'm afraid!

[@sayantanutbe]

This is one of the better videos on this amplifier. Very much appreciated. Make more videos of this amp with high-gain, over-driven voices.

[@PaulGarage03]

Finally got mine!, your review really convinced me into getting one, found it at a pawn shop for 140 bucks lol, works perfect! Thank you!

[@davidyoung8875]

just bought one yesterday. sooo loud. best amp i have ever had.

[@MrCarlos1335]

I BOUGHT ONE IN MISSISSIPPI ,AND HAD NO COMPLAINTS, A GREAT AMP FOR ALL NEEDS , REALLY DON'T NEED ANYTHING ELSE.

[@101bluesguy]

Thanks Chris I found my last amp, hey im 68 and learning the Blues. Now all I need is $350 and get around my wife lol.

[@farrukhgulamaliyev9948]

hahahaha nice))))

[@alexcastro7339]

Hope you got your amp bro... Now or never

[@robbiepenninger4111]

Hey bro just wanted to take a sec to say that I really dig your channel. You have great quality videos posted. Much love bro and stay warm up that way

[@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear]

Thank you very much Good Sir!! :)

[@JeremyMcCant]

Chris Tompkins Chris, is this amp a bright amp because on most videos, it's on the brighter side of things or is it just the way that they have it eq'd? Thanks!

[@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear]

This amp is a little bright, but it can be eq'd to sound very dark too. So it is all up to the user. I actually have found that the clean channel is a little too dark for my pedals and have switched over to the "Jazz" setting of the "Dirty" channel.

[@JeremyMcCant]

Chris Tompkins Thanks because I'm stuck between the boss katana 1x12 and the fender champion because I currently have the boss katana 2x12.

[@mackdaddi3mccaughtry87]

Best review of all of them of a nice amp

[@j.fiscel6921]

I just bought a like new one from a guy with the foot switch for $175.00 and it's amazing and this baby will keep up with a drum kit all day long!

[@mikefournier2601]

I really love this amp got one this summer 👍it great been playing for 62 years in bands an on my own I would tell all to get this amp you will like it

[@michaelbell75]

Great demo! Picked one up today and its my favorite SS/modeling amp and Ive owned most all of them. Mustang, Code, Katana, Orange Crush amps... this one tops them all IMO. I don't know why so many people hate on Channel 2 on this amp, I think the voicings are quite useable. Once you start getting into British territory, it does start to get a bit fizzy sounding but the Tweed and BF settings are killer IMO and plenty of gain on tap unless you are playing metal, but if you are doing that, grab a pedal and use it with Channel 1. Awesome amp, you cant beat it for $399.

[@theblytonian3906]

I own this. Chose it over the Katana 100 and Blackstar ID:Core 100 combos because of its tones. It was the right choice for me. I wouldn't be without mine. I have another two 2x12" combos now including a 30W 6L6 valve amp, but I still love playing this. Did I mention how loud this amp can get? Light too in comparison with my other two twin combos. The Fender branded speakers are very good. In my country the SRP and even street price is absurdly overpriced thanks to an arsehole single line distribution. Fortunately I bought mine internationally and shipped it here before Fender HQ put an international export ban on that etailer. Sucks considering the street price these can be had for in the US.

[@why67152]

I know its been 5 years but you are a great guitar player bud!!!

[@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear]

Thanks!

[@deanboca12]

Thanks for your nice demo of this great amp. I replaced my peavey vypyyr 30 with this amp and love it. I run a Fender Mustang Floor into it using the studio preamp settings. This allows me to use the effects on the floor while keeping the tones from the Champion. I play in an oldies band and have the EHX B9 and Mel9 pedals. I can use the volume/expression pedal on the floor to control the Leslie speed when using the organ pedal.

[@octtrinittolavg]

You wanna say Mustang's footswitch is compatible with this??? Gigantic 😮 Which footswitch exactly is that? Mustangs have few of them.

[@patrickromero5365]

Nice Amp I think they sound way better then the Fender Tone Master Amps at a cheaper price.

[@Johnny-mb9vy]

Got the champion 40 and that one’s brilliant

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I sold my Twin Reverb a few years ago and really miss it. I been thinking about buying another one. I may try one of these out first 👍🏻. If it can get pretty close to a twin then I may buy it. Very good demo, sir

[@rockindavebyron3960]

This by far a great sounding amp, & for the money, if this is reliable & last for even 5yrs with solid everyday playing & 3 to 4x gigging, this would be the best amp out there!!! Inexpensive, great sound, & supper reliable would put it totally on top, great video bro !!#

[@mikecaldwell4442]

picked up one at a pawn shop for 225.00 cant believe how good and easy it is to work....only thing i wish it had was a pedal programable switch of amp settings and effects

[@VioletMidnightProductions]

Excellent playing, excellent review! Thank you for this. I just picked up a used one today. This demo will be very helpful!

[@adammurphy8691]

Best demo of this amp so far

[@markzuelch7452]

Whoever dude is in this demo I'm lovin' what and how he's laying it out. Makes me think a lot of Leslie West! Get after it, bro!!

[@jarrydfoster]

Me again, I’ve just come back to say I followed through and bought this amp, purely based on this video. After a little bit of tweaking I am using the second channel (jazz model) clean with the slightest bit of push from the gain knob. For light gain and crunch I’m adding some tumnus for a transparent drive and a wylde OD for a more saturated drive. For leads and heavy rhythm I’m using a Friedman be-od pushing that same channel and man, let me tell you, I am getting some sounds! I am finally getting very close to some wicked Alice in chains sounds. Such a great amp for the money and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s the perfect combo of portable and loud with that classic great glassy fender clean. So, I just wanted to say thanks again for your in depth video, as I wasn’t able to get to a store to test one myself I had to take a blind shot on this, and it’s paid off big time. I’ll have to upload a quick run through of some of my sounds for you sometime.

[@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear]

Very glad to hear!! :)

[@Gabriel.Chiriloiu]

I've just ordered it. Coming this week, hope it's worth and good for metal

[@joonapuurunen5602]

Is it good for metal?

[@joshhicks8572]

I’m gonna have to get another one of these. I changed to a katana and I love it but it can’t get this clean fender tone no matter how much I use the tone studio...I play a lot of different music so it’s nice to have both. Excellent review by the way thanks a lot

[@MrOzgooner]

Once you buy one of these you will dump that katana

[@Ricardo-go7yu]

Best review of the fender champion 100. great job.

[@jamiecarter5083]

I have this amp, a Hartke GT60, and Marshall code crap....I mean 50....and this amp is my go to. Great sound, loud, takes pedals really well, great tone..and great review....Love your playing....

[@squirelova1815]

This Champion line sounds to me as great or even better for cleans than the legendary Roland Jazz Chorus amps and those were first immediately recognized in 1975 for their pristine excellence by studio engineers and producers. Now if this is even as close to a Jazz Chorus in its beautiful clans and takes pedals well too, which it supposedly does, then the price is definitely right.

[@kimL93]

This video doing the justice for this amp and thrown away the stigma of solid state amp god bless u

[@j.fiscel6921]

I found a like new one with foot switch for $175.00!

[@waitaminute7257]

Best review of this amp I've seen! Thank you!!

[@campfirecrooner]

Best champ 100 demo on the net! thanks

[@GeeDee803]

I think i buy this one, it sounds GREAT! This will be my Amp number 4,

[@kiwiseanclarke]

Excellent review and tones just purchased one after seeing this! Cheers for a decent tour of the champion 100

[@melaluella1112]

I didn't know how good my amp was until I watched this! Thanks man really helped me out.

[@UtimusProphetia]

Great review and playing. Really enjoyed watching it.

[@drlzanej]

Bought mine about 4 months ago, love it

[@waterhead001]

Is it pedal friendly?

[@hmbseesaw]

Mann you are a highly accomplished musician really appreciate your riffs. I just bought the amp and you’re making me feel really good about the decision. Thank you so much.

[@motocrossadict1]

Awesome review, another great video to watch before buying is Dave Simpsons review on it. This review and his convinced me to buy one and I love it!

[@edgarmezavids]

Glad you played some Pantera, the overdrive on my little frontman 25 always gave me extreme Dimebag vibes. These solid state Fenders are really a great bargain.

[@billmorriss9876]

Thanks for taking the time. Great demo.

[@jamesgretsch4894]

And I thought my 1988 Princeton Chorus sounded good which it does but I feel your Champ 100 sounds even better.

[@ericburk7301]

Purchased this today, Cant wait to get it next week. ! Great job by the way dude.

[@yvettefaubert4019]

Best demo of this amp... Robert B. Thom.

[@kelvinsmith6854]

Yvette Faubert ...no it's not, you obviously missed the much longer demo, that one is the best, trust me.

[@PeterDad60]

Great review and excellent playing Chris. Your Champion 100 sounds really good and versatile too! What a sound! I have its predecessor the Fender FRONTMAN FM 212R. S.S., 100 watts, (2) 12" 8 ohm, 50 watt speakers (running at 4 ohms total load), spring reverb. Two inputs, a pedal to switch between Normal, gain and hi-gain channels. Three band EQ, Pre-Out, PWR IN, (an effects loop in other words) Open back cab. It has a full deep sound and can get really loud. I also have the Fender Champion 20, the smaller brother of the Champion 100. Because of that I have no need to purchase the Champion 100 as I can just run my Champion 20 through the Frontman FM212 and that is really close to the Champion 100. I just use the FM212 by itself because it is a straightforward amp that has good tone. BTW my Fender DeVille 410, 60 watt tube amp with (4) 10" speakers is a lot louder and more responsive to dynamics and has a Presence control. But you know, I have caught the young people disease that believes that Tubes last only about 15 minutes before they must be replaced, so I never turn it on anymore. It is very much like a Marshall Half Stack or a Fender Bassman. That is when I turn it on, which, again, I never do that because Heavens that would force me to replace the tubes after each song. Fender still makes the 212 version of the DeVille which is a close match up in size to the Champion 100, except its a tube amp and should never actually be turned on because as young people say Tubes don't last long enough to play more than one (1) song! -Peter For you inexperienced people: I am kidding Tubes can last many years even if you play every day. The Fender DeVille 410 has a built in "Bias" pot which means I can , using a $10 multimeter adjust the bias myself and I certainly can install new tubes and bias them myself as well if in the next 3 to 5 years I need too. One thing about tube amps is you can install different mfr tubes and that changes the tone a little, so basically a single tube amp can be made to sound like multiple amps and that is a good thing.

[@regularviewer1682]

13:00 Second channel

[@danielalvarez7900]

Excelente video Chris, acabo de comprar el CH 100, apenas lo estoy conociendo, y tu performance me dejo tranquilo con la compra. Gracias!

[@Poultongeist]

finally someone actually doing a decent review

[@daviddolly3723]

Great demonstration of amp and the guitar playing, well done👌

[@MrMfalzone]

What an excellent review! Thank you. SOLD!

[@MarkJones-vk4cs]

Great review , clear simple demo of sounds and effects , cheers have ordered one of these

[@rockman49er]

This video got me just picked one up from sweetwater and also a boss sy200 to af to my pedal board 😮

[@jasongoad1084]

Got one today. It is a fantastic amp! Great review.

[@brianmiller2739]

Great informative video..I just got one of these used in great shape for half the money ...like it way over the more complicated Amp I had traded it with

[@BISCUITANDBASS]

Nice one Chris 👍 I have two of the Champion 100's and also a Champion 40....I Love 'em 😁

[@edit2893]

Give one to me lmao

[@richardernest1612]

The one improvement suggestion: A direct out.

[@FatalizedGuitar]

Is that not what the pre out is on the front?

[@plaayBRGAMEZ]

can you please explain to me what that means? I just got mine today, I’m trying to improve the sound at max

[@bigblueplanet1968]

A direct out will be an output jack allowing you to run the amp directly to the PA without mics. It silences the speaker and all your sound is directed to the board. This amp is awesome but definitely needs a direct out.

[@mikecolgate494]

Great amp great review great value wonderfully toned .. I have many amps...many ..and this is my go to ...weird for the others are very expensive.... Must have...

[@julianlejbowicz6003]

Very nice playing man!! Bought one of these today, greetings from Argentina

[@ancientalien815]

I believe I had this amp back in 98-99ish and I always liked it. May have been called something else back then.

[@Metallion-ol8bc]

AncientAlien815. Yes it was called Fender 100 FM dsp, and this is its successor, and sounds way better and tubey IMO.

[@NXavier787]

Great video man. Smooth amp. I just got one and this is the first instructional vid I watched on it. Thank you!

[@boerpoel]

Very good demo Chris... ~I now use an old Super Reverb with a 1959 Jazzmaster, but... it's getting to delicate to take them out for every small gig. The "clean'' sound is more what I'm looking for, but again, the other options you showed are also very interesting. ---> Thanks for sharing! Greetings from Rotterdam, John.

[@ronboff3461]

excellent job, sir! thank you i have the 20 and love it..

[@joshuagarland1369]

Dude your chugging is the best

[@joebotts9464]

Just got mine. Takes some exploring but I am impressed and love it.

[@rockngpa5094]

I really miss my old Fender Frontman 100 amp , only bad thing was .. you turn it on with volume off & then once on you turn volume just a crack to louder and Bam!!! Balls to the wall level 6 loudness!!! I see fender fix that problem 👍