The Fender Champ, Five Watts of Famous Tones; or The Need for Tweed

[@monday6524]

I love this statement - "If you have a 5-watt Fender and a 5-watt Marshall and one Fender style guitar and one Gibson style guitar you will be hard pressed to find excuses to not make classic tones all day long.". I definitely agree!

[@pugforce8315]

What marshall is 5 watts?

[@kevinwalsh9974]

@@pugforce8315 i have a 5watt dsl5cr marshall amp.

[@pugforce8315]

@@kevinwalsh9974 They any good? Looking for a good small amp to replace my hotrod deluxe.

[@staybobo]

@@pugforce8315 Marshall Class 5.

[@richardpierce7168]

​@@pugforce8315 Class 5 and they have at )east one other model I've seen

[@DanBlake3rd]

This video validates what took me about 25 years to realize. A tweed champ, Hall of Fame pedal, and an LP is all that I need. Thanks. :)

[@JohnnyArtPavlou]

Dan Blake, know your sound! 🏆💪🏼

[@MrSmiley1964]

Tweed Champ and a Boss DM-2 set with a very short delay. Been playing this way so long I don't know what else to do.

[@BeefheartLynch]

That, and this Paddle Ball game. And that's all I need. And this ashtray...

[@DanBlake3rd]

@@BeefheartLynch ...and this lamp.

[@BeefheartLynch]

@@DanBlake3rd haha. Awesome that you get the reference

[@kurtrebar7450]

I love the smell of 12AX7s in the morning... it smells like... oh shit, my amps on fire again

[@royd5323]

Kurt Rebar 😂

[@gamesandguitars3901]

I smelled smoke last night and i was so scared I THOUGHT MY AMP WAS ON FIRE! Nope it was the neighbor smoking pot lmfao, i smelled it the second i walked outside and all that smell that defines pot added to the smoke smell. Probably should shut my window to avoid the smell lol

[@relevantinformation6655]

😂🤣👍. Victory !

[@mikkywhalan]

🤣🤣🤣

[@user-nu7xx7pc1d]

the horror!

[@DHRGrafix]

I love my 1980 Silver Face Vibro Champ. I inherited it from my brother. My dad bought it for him brand new in 1980. Brother and dad have passed on. The SFVC is a little piece of them.

[@fivewattworld]

I love it when an amp moves through the family.

[@jakemitchell1671]

In about '93 I started getting decent studio work as a guitarist. I'd played out professionally for over 10 years by that time, and I really thought I understood equipment. I owned excellent gear, and not to brag but I was known among other players for having really good tone. I did a couple of sessions that the artist and producer really liked, and before I knew it I was being called regularly for all sorts of projects. On one of these sessions I was booked for a singer-songwriter at an old-house-turned-recording-studio. I showed up with my usual tool box: a Tele, Strat, and Les Paul, and for amps an '87 Marshall Silver Jubilee with 2x12 cab and a Mesa Boogie Mk III 100 watt Simul-Class, and of course a rack of effects. I was READY! Except I wasn't. EVERYTHING I threw at the tracks were USELESS! I had all this wonderful, LARGE and POWERFUL equipment, yet my tone SUCKED!!! Everything sounded small and buzzy in this particular studio. At about hour 3 the engineer had enough. He said, "I've got an idea" and left the room. Two minutes later he returned with a 1973 Fender Vibro-Champ and an original TS-808. Ten minutes later (I swear on all that's holy) I was recording the absolute most massive tones of my life! I've still got those recordings somewhere, and they changed my life forever.

[@phillschneider5232]

Wow!!Nice history..!!!saludos!!🍻🍻🍻thanks for compartir that history!!!

[@MrSmiley1964]

I believe you man, I have the same set up here at home, plus the tweed.

[@cjlespaulify]

What were some projects you were in? What recording studios have you done sessions in? This is some history I hope was documented

[@jacobsamano9761]

I don’t understand. Why were the bigger amps producing smaller sound?

[@jakemitchell1671]

@@jacobsamano9761 Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn't it? Here's the main reason: An amp sounds "bigger" when the power amp section is pushed. To do that with a hi-wattage amp, such as a marshall or mesa, you have to turn it up too loud for many situations, such as this house-studio. At lower volumes the bigger amps were just cruising on the preamp section, with the big EL34 power tubes barely engaged. And you're not stressing the speakers at all either. However, with something small like a Champ, you can turn it up to the point where the power section, transformer, and speaker are all being pushed/stressed, which produces "bigger" more satisfying sound. At least that's how I understand it.

[@jefflinkous212]

I stumbled upon a 1978 Fender Champ in 1995 being sold on consignment at a music shop near Fort Knox, KY, for 75 bucks (I think that's what I gave for it) ... still had the paperwork in a plastic bag at the bottom of the cabinet. I still have the amp and that paperwork. A Frank Zappa fan, I bought it for the reference in the title track of Joe's Garage: "And a cheesy little amp/With a sign on the front said "Fender Champ" ... It's been a treasure lo these past 26 years.

[@DieselCat18]

My first guitar and amp was a Fender Mustang & Champ Amp that my mom and dad gave me for christmas back in '66 when I was 13. Wish I still had those today.

[@snarfusmaximus]

I love my little homebuilt tweed Champ but I still find it too loud if I want an overdriven sound. I built a quarter watt amp using 1950's battery radio valves and it's great for cranking up for a tweed Deluxe tone without others complaining. Yes, I love tiny amps.

[@jocknarn3225]

mate of mine has unusual low Wattage amp in a big cab. I really love it. U can crank it @ neighbour, even household-friendly volumes. Couldn't b bothered nowadays but u could put a 1Watt (or less) amp, 3" driver in a cigar box, u can adjust lid 4 close or open-back sound (like Pig-nose)

[@therugburnz]

I've playing live, outdoor, rock, keg party gigs with a mic'd tweed champ and an EQ pedal. We had to tape the amp to the tarp/stage and the Mic to the cab. The other guitarist used a tiny PV exactly the same size as the fender and an EDI. The bass DI no amp, just sidefill. The soundman Loved Us. He had total control, the singer get could hear clearly through the crap wedge monitors because they contained only him as we played through only sidefill and our 5 watters. The drummer used what is normally the bass amp as a monitor. This was a teen kegged party so we only had a portable 1500watt generator to run the whole show and it worked fukkin great.

[@fivewattworld]

Hahahahaha, I love this story. Great idea to use a EQ with a Champ turned up, very inspired.

[@YoureNowOnTV]

I had never heard of Julian Lage until this morning. Thanks for the heads up and the info on the Champ. Today was a good learning day 😀👍

[@pgiuliano7]

Yet another thorough, concise and extremely educational presentation on a fantastic piece of equipment. Many years ago I was fortunate enough to be good friends with the great Tom Dowd. When he saw the 100 watt Marshall stack and the 50 watt Soldano amp I was trying to record with, he sat me down and gave me the talk. I was living in a 5 watt world and never knew it. You as usual are spot on agin. Can't wait to see your next presentation.

[@fivewattworld]

TOM DOWD! That's excellent. The guy that hipped Clapton to the five watt world. Epic!

[@pgiuliano7]

@@fivewattworld Yes I learned everything from Tom. He was the best teacher ever

[@elainericketts8820]

...I have the prototype for the "Super Champ"....it has a label on the rear of the chassis that reads, "when done please return to Paul Rivera in R&D"............

[@walterrizotto8668]

Fantastic! Please do a video somtime!

[@BenJamminBader]

Well done on the history lesson! I am building a 1958 champ clone currently and this is inspirational!

[@Peasmouldia]

Wish the 5 amp doctrine was more popular back in the 70s, would have made life as a roadie so much easier. I've managed to get my dosage down from 50 to 5 watts by a careful reduction programme. Keep spreading the word brother. Thanks.

[@fivewattworld]

Right there with you Ian!

[@castleanthrax1833]

I don't have a champ but I play through a Blackstar ht5 at home and usually run it at 0.5w. Unless I'm trying to rattle the neighbours, half a watt is enough. ✌️🇦🇺

[@kevinwaynenorthen269]

Cool video. I've got a little amp with what's basically a Champ circuit. It's a Silvertone 1481 from the early 60's. My Papa gave it to me in the mid 90's. Was my first real amp.

[@stevenmccart2894]

Hang on to that thing. There are players searching for those older silvertones.

[@thomascrow8289]

I purchased a Super Champ Fender amp New in the early 80's, an it is still Rockin ! It is truly a Super Champ living up to it's name , in Tone & Dependability .

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

My first amp in 1967 was a used Champ my mom bought me for $40 at a yard sale! It wasn't loud enough for me at the time. My mom scored another garage sale amp the next year: a Silvertone head atop a 6x10" speaker cab. I graduated to a silver face twin reverb in the 80s. Then in 95 I got a newly introduced hot rod deluxe 40 watt, which is what I use today still. It's a little too powerful but I still like it. I wish I had that old Champ. My brother still has a silver face Champ he uses at home.

[@dinein1970]

Another guy who makes a GREAT amp is Terry at D-Labs from Battle Creek, MI. He makes a unique little 10w called an Opti-Plexer. Push/Pull V/T/B and the "Opti-Plex" control. Got mine hooked up through a pair of 8" Celestion vintage speakers. Great amp. D-Labs has a KZbin channel where he repairs vintage amps and all.

[@DMKahn]

Thanks for your historical videos, you have a wonderful speaking voice. Very professional. Cheers

[@alwaysmidnight3698]

Small amps with less knobs are teaching me how to find it with my fingers instead of pedals. My whole rig is a National 1210, a Victoria 5112 and a Dr.Z M12 with a Strymon Flint and a Sacred Cow Klone. I have one a Strat made from a warmoth neck and MJT body. I always record people with the bare essentials before adding any other colouring or effects to the mix. I find that if you record it right in the dry run with simple tools, you can pretty much throw it into an LA2A as is and master the whole thing with two knobs.

[@Yupppi]

Shoutouts to these videos. I'm sure you could easily make extended, like 30-60 minute episodes of these, that were enjoyable as well.

[@joro4129]

I have a 79 Silverface. Got it used at a guitar store with a broken tube socket .Fixed the socket and retubed for $30. Best amp I ever had.

[@tedz24]

Dan Lurie just got another sale thanks to you. I just got the desktop version of the champ and it has proven to be a beast. Thank you for all the well researched and easy to follow content for us vintage gear enthusiasts.

[@duanewilson3941]

I just want to go on record and say the "electric" version of Layla is hands down better than the acoustic version. No contest imo.

[@fivewattworld]

Rick Beato named his youngest daughter Layla and when I started to ask he cut me off and said, "The electric version! Come on Hypes, get real." :)

[@AndrewHeskett]

@@fivewattworld I wasn't allowed to name my first or second Layla. My wife said that her brother had it reserved, but he never had children. My second's best friend is called Layla. I asked her if she knew her name was a song. Hearing a 4 year-old say, "got me on my knees! I know it", is one of the most satisfying things I've heard come from a child's mouth! Unfortunately, my second born followed Layla's statement with, "my daddy has got boobies". Only just!!! Kids can be so cruel ;(

[@charlesbolton8471]

True, but it’s still a timeless classic either way.

[@ThunderExpress]

I got a Hand Made 5w Champ and every time i turn it on i get more in love with it. It's amazing how good it takes drive/distortion pedals.

[@nrich5127]

You can build a 57 Tweed Champ amplifier kit - no cabinet - no speaker - for under $275 US + shipping - build the cabinet for under $40 - put in the speaker of your choice from $50 to $110 . But of course you need to be able to solder and have a basic understanding of electricity. Still you could get away with a Champ for around $425 or buy one already done for about $800 - 850. Sweetwater sells them new for about $1000. It all depends on your abilities and your budget as you chase the "Holy Grail" of guitar sound.

[@rstuartcpa]

neil rich I have a clone 5F1 champ built by Brian Cox and it’s incredible. He used top of the line components the dressing of the wire is artwork. It sounds perfect. I’ve recently discovered a Boss GE-7 with all the bands maxed and a Rodenberg 707 boost into the champ gives me the best tone of my life...coincidently the volume of the champ is perfect at 3

[@mojoman2001]

Why does a Champ cost more than a Blues, Jr.?

[@jimistheman9732]

@@mojoman2001 Because you pay for the mystique. You can build one for very short money. Three tubes, a couple low level transformers, and a handful of components. The hyped prices for boutique versions are ridiculous.

[@leatherdardoretromovil6779]

Nice job!!!! Thanks for your time

[@nicholastotoro7721]

I got a fantastic deal on a slightly used Custom Champ and I have to say it’s fantastic. The cleans with the volume at 4 on a Strat are amazing... punchy, clean and smooth. You’d never expect it. So responsive with the volume at ten, using the guitar volume to control your tone. It doesn’t sound or feel like an 8” speaker.

[@fivewattworld]

Yeah, there is something magical about having so few parts between you and those two tubes.

[@faultlessguitarsandamps1116]

Having recently restored a circa 1954 5D1 I noted that the earliest versions had a single 6SJ7 preamp tube , and from the 5E1 onwards they used the 12ax7 . This Champ is now my favourite amp that's ever been through the workshop . I couldn't make a bad sound with it .

[@Topsy_Krett]

"An old blackface Champ is actually what I did ‘Funk #49’ on. A blackface Champ and a Tele, straight in.” -Joe Walsh, from an interview in Guitar World Magazine, June 2012

[@DerpRulesAll]

What, no pedals?!

[@jocknarn3225]

A slogan that caught my eye: "I feels da need 4 tweeeed"😂🤣😂." Took delivery of supposedly serviced 77 Silver-face black Tolex Champ, original driver included but 8" Warehouse Vintage swapped in. A small, neighbour-friendly tube amp dialled down to 2.5-3 for cleaner but tone-ful jazz-oriented sounds. Just had it expertly checked thru & properly serviced. Now properly earthed, quieter & more responsive. Wanted 2 swap in a Weber but dissuaded in favour of said service. Toggle switch. Ideal size 4 the "back room study/studio", more portable than the Blues Jnr I usedta have. Partnered with a 355 semi-solid & Mr Black mini-reverb, is the perfect simple rig for me. Use a cheap Fender FM-25R for still cleaner tones. 4 still smaller sound I havva 6" s/s Canadian Mtn Amp .. i love this too .. 3.5Watt "desk-top" mini-amp with surprisingly big sound. Btw guys; i think our little champs r more than 5W .. anyone put me straight on that?

[@poodlenme]

I paid $35 for a Fender vibrochamp amp in Des Moines Iowa in the early 70s. The guy threw in a cable and a dynamic microphone I used that amp for 30 plus years! Great tone. In that time I only had to replace one tube!

[@mrflipperflopper3495]

Time well spent !!!!! Great video !

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks brother!

[@liberty5565]

I slowly came down from 100 watt 412 to 50, 20, 12... I think I did it with age and not gigging. What was said about the Champ at 3 is the same for the 5E3. I run mine a bit higher at 7, but it depends on what I want to do. At 7 the 5E3 is a gut punch and pairs great with my Laney Lionheart in a wet/dry rig. My pedalboard slowly dropped pedals until I had no use for a board at all. With 2 Lovepedal's, Black Deluxe and their JTM and a Mr Black Deluxe Plus in the effects loop, I'm happy. The digital reverb on the Laney is fine for me and does the job, if I want more, I can use the Mr Black; which has a ton on reverb. The Laney Lionheart 212 is such a great amp, it's certainly it's own sound, not Vox, closer to Fender, just well rounded and neutral. I can easily get the sound I want from it. Haven't tried their 5watt, but I assume it's similar. You can get great deals on used ones, as I did. Great video, I subscribed after seeing your Princeton video--great video.

[@DavidGerhartIWIT]

Great to bump into this channel ... For quite a long time, (Since 2001?) I've owned a 5Watt TopHat Prince Royale. (EF86 Pre-amp, EL84 Power, 5Y3 Rectifier) The Cone is an 8" Top Hat custom. Gigged with a mic, but mostly studio and practice sessions. Note also: Rhett Shull (/rshull07) recently suggested a similar bedroom rig (my go-to, all this time.) Teeny amp and a reverb pedal. It's a way of cleaning up bad habits, that's for sure.

[@Bleats_Sinodai]

I make tube amps for a hobby and 5w is the IDEAL power output for home and recording

[@jettramel]

Do you have any schematics for 5 watt amps?

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Aside from the ones you make which are your favourite 5w's?

[@jcameronferguson]

Your thing about a Fender style guitar, a Gibson-style guitar, a Marshall, and a Champ, and making music all the time is so true! I'm in a creative state of grace right this moment, with my Jazzmaster and my Riviera P93 (which I keep in open G), and my British-style amp (in this case, an AC4), and my Fender - in this case, a Princeton. Lovely channel, I respect your clear passion for history!

[@edwardfjohnson]

Keith - always love what you do. Never miss a thing. Just a point of feedback for this one: maybe turn off the blues in the background; we’re here to listen to you brother. Again, always love your work.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks. Yeah Ive moved away from background music. I think most musicians’ ears get pulled too much by the background.

[@josephtravers777]

First amp I owned was a brand new SF in '73 my Mom bought for me with the condition I worked and paid her back. Great amp and a life lesson ta boot! Blew the speaker and sold it to a friend in '76. Wish I still had it.

[@ronfrey5327]

To add the tweeds dont like 125 @ the wall either so pairing those with brown box and lowering the voltage and % to find the sweet spots is KING on those amps. I Own a Dumble 50 in bassman platform and using the brown box and lowering the voltage and % down instantly makes that circuit sound better.. It is far too aggressive @ 125 but bring it down and suddenly it behaves and you can also bring up the volumes to let the amp breathe more. The Dumble is a hybrid of other circuits and instead of 68 its something else combined.. Regardless its two other designs with borrowed ideas from other pre existing amps such as tweeds and even circuits from across the pond. What I know is they behave better at lower voltages which the amps were originally designed to run on... You set both volumes on 7 and adjust to taste but running it lower instantly sounds better less strained. The amp belongs in a nice studio to be recorded somewhere so its for sale....

[@jameswallace5967]

I'm building one from scratch. Adding an on / off switch to the negative feedback. Will run the amp through a Celestion Blue alnico 12" speaker.

[@droliver]

The Swart “Atomic Space Tone jr” amp takes everything about the 5w Fender Champ circuit, but does it much better with better quality parts and construction.

[@fivewattworld]

I agree. The handwired Fender stuff is crazy expensive. Particularly the Champs that you could build yourself without too much trouble (lots of kits out there from Mojotone and others). The Swart amps do seem pretty magical. I played some when visiting friends in NC when he was first starting out. Even then, they had that something. Thanks for watching. Welcome to five watt world (an attitude not a wattage.) Keith

[@markmcdonald5711]

@@fivewattworld Wanting to see a Swart Atomic Jr. on your channel, bought one a year ago to replace a Victoria 518 I had to sell.

[@m.loughlin1915]

I got my first electric guitar in '69 at age 14. Rented a blackface Vibro-Champ from a local music store for $4.00 a month. Hogan's House of Music, Lawndale California. Loved that amp. Went through the "bigger is better" phase for a lotta years. Now, rarely use any Fender amp without "Champ" on it! My Super Champ XD has been my go-to for 13 years now......even large venues. Either miced or use the line out feature. Great video.

[@garaughty]

Just discovered your channel, love what you're doing here ! The Fender Champ was my fav amp for doing studio work and often used it as a pre-amp into a Marshall stack on live gigs, such a powerful little beast !

[@dinmentor]

Hi, cool. How did you do that connection wise?

[@dr_tomK]

I've been in love with Fenders since I started playing guitar. When I bought my first electric after saving for a year, my Dad got me a silverface Princeton for Christmas. I upgraded that to a Silverface Vibrolux Reverb. Sold that when I moved to New Zealand and started teaching at university. When I started playing again, after a few years of not, I got a first edition Blues Junior. When I cam back to Canada for good, I told my Dad I was leaving an amp behind and he bought me a 68 drip edge Silverface Twin Reverb which I still own. In my band, I've gigged with the Twin and then a Traynor VCV40 (go Canada!) but I just got my first Vox, an AC10, and I love it to pieces. Not sure if I'll gig with it mic'd or just leave it in my basement, but the small wattage amps are amazing.

[@fivewattworld]

I am a big fan of the AC10. If a Princeton is giggable then so is an AC10 in my book.

[@jameswayland2339]

Right now I’m using an Ibanez tube screamer amp that I’m in love with . It’s the fender style 2 6v6 2 ax7 style , with a tube screamer circuit on the front . It’s switchable 5 or 15 watts .

[@fivewattworld]

:)

[@alanbarron3182]

I have a 1964 Fender “Vibro Champ” In great condition & less than 25 Hours on it.. It had less than 18 Hours when I got it, along with booklet, etc. . It had been sitting in a ladies closet for years.. I also used to have a 1965 Fender “Champ” that I inherited with a 1972 Les Paul that had belonged to my uncle.. The Champ was in good shape, but had a few nicks on it, but still a great little amp.. I sold the ‘65 Champ.. The ‘64 Vibro Champ sounds amazing, & I’m hanging on to it.. At least for now. I sure enjoyed them both..

[@TheAlpineProject]

Nice video. I've got a '59 Gibson Skylark and an HT-5 Metal so I definitely appreciate what you're doing here. Might be a good channel for me.

[@fivewattworld]

Hey Bryan, Hear, hear! My amp building buddy Dan Lurie at FYD Amps turned me on to these 5 watters. I'm convinced that the world has come around to smaller amps, at least for now, given the high quality of PA of modern stages. Glad you liked the video. It isn't perfect but it was done with enthusiasm. Welcome to Five Watt World. We're glad to have you aboard.

[@samfosdick9874]

Jealous about the Skylark dude...drooooool.

[@liberty5565]

Those old Gibsons are great and don't carry the insane tag as a Fender.

[@jsphillip60]

Bryan Paul Now that Gibson seems to be back on track, it would be cool to see them do quality reissues of these amps!

[@aschneider70]

I discovered this channel yesterday and what a pleasure! More of this classics, please! Great job.

[@bobtone101]

Another wonderful and Informative Session. I happen to have a custom made Champ with an Amperex 6SJ7 Preamp tube and a 6V6, amazing sound!

[@gregoryz6545]

Your videos are brilliant. Keep up the great work! Thanks

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

This is a sweet little amp. I love low wattage amps. I have a Black Heart Little Giant 5 watt class A head with two Blackheart 1x10 cabs. Like a mini-stack. It sounds so good. And plenty loud enough. This would be a nice addition. I also had the Marshall Class 5 combo amp. I had to sell it to pay for a lawyer, but that's a whole other story. I was going to try and find another, but this may take it's place. Nice review and back story. A lot I didn't know. Liked and subbed

[@fivewattworld]

Welcome to five watt world! Like the handle.

[@thegoldendog7991]

Great presentation, thanks. I had a Princeton from about ‘75 to around ‘82 when I traded it for a Hiwatt Custom 50. I still have the Hiwatt, but I do miss the Princeton. My guitar teacher back in the ‘70’s had many Fender amps, tweed and black tolex, including a Champ.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Hiwatt's are great but I prefer the Hiawatha 95.

[@MartinCliffe]

Fascinating stuff. I've used 15W amps for most of the last 15 or so years (except a brief foray in a metal band when they just didn't cut it). Recently stepped down to a pair of 10 watters. I guess the main reason I've never looked at 5W (other than the Lionheart, which I think is an awesome amp, that I've been meaning to pick up once I sell 3-4 of my current collection) is that I like 12" speakers too much. And a little bit more headroom than Champs typically offer IME.

[@jefflevesque5316]

I like sending Champs n Super Champs into 1x12 either Celestion or Cannibis Rex losded.

[@brucecaldwell5239]

@@jefflevesque5316 Me too! I ran one through a 1 x 12 cab with an Eminence Red, White & Blues & it sounded great.

[@mjodr]

I'm not sure where your logic lies with lower wattage into a bigger 12" speaker. I look at the efficiency rating of the speaker. Higher generally being better for low wattage amps. I am designing a 1-5W amp right now and chose a Celestion Blue as my speaker. It's rated at 100dB sensitivity. Meaning 1W in will make 100dB of sound out. That's A LOT! Why would you not like 5W amps on 12" speakers, as if it's not enough?? I imagine if I had a Celestion Blue I would be using it in the sub 1 watt range most of the time. This is how Nelson Pass started his career, showing you how important the "first watt" is. He built a whole company on showing you what 1 watt of power can do.

[@grantdickey]

1990's Fender Pro Jr. with a nano+ pedaltrain is life changing! 2021 minimalist approach for sure.

[@j.rozman7016]

I have Tone King Imperial MK II and I can get those Champ sounds on a lead channel with attenuator. Also love my Marshall SL5 amp. Great KZbin channel! subscribed! :)

[@martywilkinson6722]

You do such an excellent job on your videos. I have a '76 Vibro Champ that my uncle left me. Awesome amps!

[@markaochoa2017]

Super cool series! I have a fender champ 600 ri. I’m gunna mod it to the original specs of the original champs. Great find for under 100 bucks, but are hard to find under 180 now!

[@corneliuscrewe8165]

I found simply removing the horse blanket grill cloth and breaking the speaker in really opened up the sound on mine. Believe it or not, I get some great classic rock crunch tones with a Blackstar LT Metal pedal with the gain rolled back. Run the Champ at about 4 or 5, boost the signal a bit with the Blackstar, and dial the ISF to where you want it, it’s really versatile. That and a reverb pedal has been keeping me happy. Well, at least until I bought my Martin 000-15. I’ve pretty much been playing nothing but tha for weeks 😆

[@paulpiccigallo2980]

I bought a 1967 blackface Vibro Champ in April 2018. I love it. I don't play out much these days, but it's great to play with in my apartment and occasionally to jam with friends. I was surprised how loud a 5-watt tube amp can get.

[@Tomekgmz]

Since I got 57 Champ reissue, the search for the perfect tone is finally over :) Sometimes I need something louder, but the Champ is the perfect one.

[@phish1]

Tomekgmz can you perform live w a full band w it? Is it loud enough?

[@luthiervandros]

Those tweets define touch sensitivity. Love the two channel ones where the unused Chanel’s volume can be used to tweak the tone.

[@dlewtweentorla1210]

@@phish1 Read again, he says "Perfect Tone". Was skeptical about the Champ myself growing in the late 70's and 80's when Marshal Double Stacks ruled the world. Now with tech improving so much and being able to reproduce the 5W Champ Tone via a PA. Ya you can get the volume. Still that isn't it, try one, once plugged in a player realizes how honest and true it is. Can get fabulous tones but any mistakes played come through ten fold (well it feels that way). In turn making the player a better guitar player as there's no room for mistakes.

[@scoots8519]

I also bought a 57 Champ reissue and that was the end of using my other amps. Finally I found the sound I was looking for out of my guitars and without a tone knob. It was amazing.

[@raymeedc]

I totally agree. I have a few amps, but my hands down favorite is my “Champ” (in the form of my hand built Tungsten Mosaic, the best “Champ” I’ve ever played👌)

[@giannirocco7492]

Worked in a little two bit studio years ago and it was kind of funny how a large majority of guitar players chose my little Champ to record with!Most everybody usually made big fun of the Champ but when push came to shove it was always that Champ that saved the day!

[@jpalberthoward9]

When I first got mine in 1988, the hair metal guys laughed at it and called it a piece of junk and a grandpa amp. Now, loud is over and people offer me 5-6 times what I originally paid for it. I turn them down on a regular basis.

[@nickdrey1200]

​@@jpalberthoward9lol thanks for sharing that anecdote, brother. Gave me a laugh haha. The hair metal 80s trend was absolutely ridiculous lmao. Dudes calling classic amps and equipment lame and outdated....ironic that that era of music is now absolutely dated and corny. I like to think, now and then, of the ridiculous and laughable thought those hair metal players had, that they were going to be around forever, that their style was not going to become outdated.....lol. Tight spandex w/ hot rod super Strats thru giant stacks of Marshalls...just ridiculous. Luckily guitar music found its senses again, in the mainstream, and from then on we are back at the beautiful Fender/MesaBoogie baseline. Personally, tho, besides Fender Champs and Deluxe Reverb, my other favorite amp is the AC 15. That vox tone speaks to me. Probably doesn't help that my guitar playing and target sound has been influenced by my absolutely keen ear for anything John Scofield for the last 8 years haha

[@jpalberthoward9]

@@nickdrey1200 somebody gave me an ancient 50's hi fi that had sat outside too long to be restored, so I saved the amp,, and I'm in the process of massaging it into an AC4 circuit. We shall see.

[@ImTheDude326]

I got a custom 57 a few weeks ago. I found it used and practically brand new condition. I love it! I’ve been playing the guitar straight through the amp. It has become a new way of playing and I’ll never go back to another amp. Thanks for the video!!

[@boataxe4605]

A cheezie little amp, with a sign on the front said Fender Champ and a second hand guitar, it was a Stratocaster with a whammy bar.

[@vent676]

Turn it down!

[@coloradosquibnic7697]

Alfie there are children sleeping here

[@Kreln1221]

"Reen!...Doondeen!...Doondeen!...Doon...Deendoondeendoondeeeen!... Hey!!!"

[@gman2380]

RIP Frank

[@sentforth5]

he used to cut my grass...he was a very nice boy

[@bruzrkgro-malog2953]

Thanks Keith for such as awesome video! Now I NEED a Fender Champ...

[@peterzuehlke]

Had a Champ, liked it a lot, but went to a Princeton Reverb. And with the a/b push pull output and early phase inversion circuit it may not get as clean, but getting Fender spring reverb and trem, makes sounds I prefer.

[@MrStubat]

peterzuehlke yes that phase inverter on just half a 12AX7 makes the Princeton unique.

[@39MercFlathead]

For the past several years the amp I use most has been a mid-1950 Oahu Sunshine by Valco with either the Les Paul or the G&L. 4 watts into an 8 inch speaker. The big stuff hardly gets used, except by my metalhead grandson. But he is 16 now and starting to come around. I can't believe I spent so many years thinking a Deluxe Reverb was too under powered to cut the mustard.

[@neilderemer7388]

I picked up a 1969 Champ-Amp for.... wait for it............$20! And yes, that as this year, 2020.

[@robertemerson1087]

You lucky bastard

[@masonstafford8947]

I have a boutique version of a champ, it has a bit more tone control and it is made by a smaller amp builder. absolutely amazing, 5watt perfection!! Also, new to the Chanel, love it, subbed!!

[@fivewattworld]

Welcome to five watt world Mason

[@TheWoodStroker]

I have a 1962 Champ and a 1962 Fender Music Master guitar. Treasured possessions.

[@arturoacosta198]

You are a blessed man.

[@manocchs9369]

First guitar I learned on was my stepdads Daphne Blue Music Master II (he was a trumpet player but had a couple guitars) but he sold it once he saw I was committed to the instrument to "upgrade" to a 2000 Standard Strat which I still have and love today.... but damn do I wish I had that Music Master II now.

[@copflyer6569]

In 1957 when I was 12 years old, I bought a Fender Music Master and a Champ to go with it with my paper route money and some help from my Dad. I still have the Music Master, all original with hard case, leather strap, etc. but had to replace the tuners after they broke from age but sold the Champ and traded if for a VEGA amp. I have never seen or read about a Vega. Has anyone out there eve heard of one? I traded that for Fender Mustang amp. Wish I still had the Champ. I almost sold the Music Master a couple of times when times were hard. So glad I didn’t.

[@tommyroseguitar4557]

I have one of its grandkids, a blackface Vibro Champ rescued from the landfill. Played a H54 Harmony Rocket through it in a swing band for 10 years. You could not break it. Loved humbuckers and harmonicas too!

[@stevewoan6]

It seems as I get older, my amps have become smaller and better

[@9eyeh8chu9]

I heard that

[@mannyhoward2353]

I picked up sweet little used tweed Swart Atomic Jr a year ago. It's got a beautiful champ vibe and the reverb is lush beyond words.

[@markmcdonald5711]

Who would be foolish enough to sell an Atomic Jr.? They must have needed the money very badly. And you're right about the reverb, it's heavenly.

[@markkosa1]

Had an original late 50's tweed Champ, bought it at a yard sale for $75 ...yes traded it and a non reverse Gibson Firebird with P90"s for a Fender twin. Don't miss the little fart box at all, do miss the Gibson.

[@kiaora12]

Mark Kerns to each his own brother if you like loud and clean a twin is for you. I’ll take a 50s champ any day of the week over an amp that will bleed my ears before breakup.

[@lionsdenblog]

Wow... this makes me happy. Being a bassist forced into guitar work, I have an untrained or less than discriminating ear when it comes to the nuances of electric tone. Your show (along with That Pedal Show and Pete Thorn) has been invaluable. Because I didn’t know which of the many mass produced, yet fabulous, combo amps to buy (I still love a Vox 30 and Fender Blues Deluxe, but they’re too much for my trio), I had a friend of mine build a Fender Champ clone for me. Flipping amazing sound! Thanks Keith!

[@fivewattworld]

Hi Ken, We were just saying that other day that we have heard from you in a while. Hope the trio is going well and that your pedal accumulation is going slowly (something I always wish for myself.) I sold one of my Vox AC10's to Rick Beato. I think he didn't have a lot of hope for it but it blew him away. He's been playing it on his channel live streams a lot lately. Great little alternative to the AC30 for more mortal volume levels. Hope you're well dude, Keith

[@lionsdenblog]

Trio has been slow since the beginning of the year. Electric guitar has taken a back seat for a time, so there are no new pedals (thank God). I’m actually looking at basses again, which is a worse monster than guitar because I LOVE bass! Recently heard a jazz trio of women (sax/clarinet, piano, upright bass). I wept... it was so good. Talked to the bassist afterwards and that just fueled the fire. If I can get the money, I’ll probably go EUB and an amp over an acoustic upright. Cost, transportation, and room in the apartment are the main factors of that decision. Haven’t played upright since high school orchestra, but I’d be willing to get serious lessons, in order to find a small group (trio/quartet). I’m figuring I can find a used EUB for +/- $1000, but that’s a guess. 57 years old and trying to get my bass chops together... brilliant idea, huh? Oh, and there’s an STR Sierra 5-string electric bass (new) going for under $1500 on Luthier’s Access Group. Amazing deal. So... I need a $3K loan, right? LOL

[@clownhands]

Around 2010 I had some cash burning a hole in my pocket, so I bought a showroom condition bone-stock 1965 Super Reverb from Eric Bradley at 30th street Guitars in New York. He tried to talk me into an early 60s Champ instead, and like a dumb kid I went for the big Super because it looked cooler. Since I live in an apartment, the Super doesn’t get much use. I wish I could go back and get the Champ instead.

[@iancaspers7731]

trade it

[@bwall615]

Been using a Champ as one of my studio amps for several years now. Love it! Great informational video. Thanks.

[@fivewattworld]

+Brett Wall Thanks Brett, I do videos on topics I’ve always wanted to know more about. “Learn cool stuff and share it.” That’s the idea.

[@percys9427]

I've always wanted an old Champ but they do not come up for sale up here very often[Canada] and when a Champ comes up for sale they are quite pricey. I found a 1970's Garnet Gnome hand wired 5 watts not a Champ but for the price i cannot complain!

[@timothymatthews4399]

Buy a good soldering iron. Study the circuit and build one. I would recommend mojotone.com especially if they improved the assembly diagram for 5F1 (as they did for the 5E3) It’ll be relatively straightforward. Realistically, 20-30 hours of work if you’re a newb. I think the manual said 6 hours. No F’ing way unless you’ve done 10+ builds. It’s fun, albeit a bit frustrating at times. LOL. My least favorite part was figuring out the filament wiring. Do it. It’s very satisfying.

[@DDE_ADDICT]

man you pack a good lesson in so little time love this show. i had a 79 vibro camp i regret parting with and that was 2003

[@digitalbrand5510]

I use my 1959 Champ with a Weber 8” speaker.

[@CurtisMcLeodMusic]

Stumbled upon your channel about a month ago and I LOVE it. Keep doing what you’re doing.

[@fivewattworld]

Thanks Curtis!

[@addicted2tone349]

I used to be all about 100 watt Marshalls when I was a young man. Now that I'm older I wish I'd have discovered the magic of low wattage and 6V6 tubes earlier...

[@skinnykarlos710]

Russian Bot, I have a similar experience (I think). I'm 53 and all through the '80s + it was a bit of reverb, chorus, delay in front of a jcm 800 or a 'Twin'. Now, whilst I still have the old rig The amps I use are all under 15 watts or are like the Egnater Rebel 30 which can go right down to 1 watt and really drive those power tubes (6v's or el's) without starting fights with the neighbours. I live in a house but unless I'm playing a w'end gig it's all under 100 dB realistically. If you make the effort you can get a good tone under 100bB.

[@DonnyRocker2012]

I discovered your channel through this video just last night and, low and behold, a 5-watt Bad Cat Cougar appears today (via the local GC). The cosmos is speaking to me, so of course I picked it up. (I've owned a number of Champs, including a Super Champ, but none any more recently than 2006 or so)

[@fivewattworld]

What’s meant to be ...

[@amdenis]

Every amp has its own sound, where one man’s dream amp can be another’s nightmare. I run a fairly large studio and associated media lab (one of the largest and most advanced in the country), where we are doing a range of philanthropic and for profit recording, mixing, mastering and other things. When setting up the studio I noticed that many of the newer amps (Class A tube, hybrids/push-pull, D’s. AB’s and others) had to make various compromises to reach their markets. This was much less the case with some of the older Vintage amps, where costs and markups were much different than they are now. We eval’d dozens of brands, hundreds of amps, as well as their Helix, AxeFX, Headrush, Kemper amp sim and related alternatives. While the purchase of the Line 6 Helix and Kemper profiler were easy decisions for us, finding top amps was much harder. Many of the top 60’s and 70’s vintage amps with some work were solid and supported getting the sound many of us grew up with and often hear live and recorded today, some of the Italian and US (e.g. The Amplifier Company Bimbo and 3100 of Italy and the Jackson Amp Company of Texas) were phenomenal in their depth and breadth of available power, clarity and control. Also, they were 15-25% the price of the vintage Fenders, Marshall’s, Trainwreck’s, Dumble’s and others, while offering better options for studio work. In the studio, having a low true class A power 5-7 Watt and below, provides the greatest flexibility- at least when using the right recording techniques and mics. Some of the biggest disappointments were the new Fender, Vox and Marshall’s. You can say they are very different than what their vintage and boutique equivalents are, but you cannot really compare them to what they are supposed to represent. If they provide what you want and like, that’s great. However, for us, there was a pronounced lack of consistency within the model lines, tendency towards uncontrollable microphonics at various levels, a lack of core transformer power and various associated issues resulting from those and other factors. This results in newer amps amps that lacked the ability reach soaring power and control, and the effortless stability across a wide range of frequencies and dynamics. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is amazing that they can do as well as they do given the necessary cost constraints modern manufacturers work within. Specifically, the intrinsic 4-5 fold markup from manufacturing to retailer means to sell a $500 - $1,000 amp they must be able to make it at under $200. While that may be reasonable for a Class D amp and certain digital hybrids, there is no way to do that well on a true Class A, given that a vintage level of reserve power transformer alone will cost almost that. Unfortunately, this fact, coupled with nostalgia, component scavenging and other factors have pushed the process of many of the great amps out of the reach of many musicians. For many amp sims, post production tricks and the like are better options. We had hoped to really like the newest Marshall, Fender and Vox, and initially thought that $1,000 was a relative bargain to the vintage they are supposed to model. However, while they have their own sound that some may find desirable, they do not compare with the real vintage, nor the top amp sims in the hands of someone with a bit of knowledge and patience. I believe this is why the boutique market is so large and diverse (and almost i possible to do profitably- hence how many come and go quickly). In any event, if you want a true rock sound of the 60’s, 70’s that you cannot get out of the newer amps (and you don’t have the time to track down one of the great boutiques at a reasonable price), consider checking out one of the latest Amp sims. It takes a little time and effort to find or create great virtually equivalent sound to almost anything, but they are a hell of a lot closer in fidelity, significantly cheaper and more flexible than any of the $500-1,500 vintage reissue style modern amps that we’ve come across.

[@williammitchell5795]

Andrew Denis - So freaking true- you obviously speak the gospel truth on this my friend. I have one great vintage JTM50 Marshall from ‘67, and I keep it going because I can’t find anything even close that’s new. i din’t know that Jackson or Bimbo or 3100, but I will check into them- thanks!. I could get 8-10K for my old Marshall, and I know why. i do hav3 some newer amps that I gig with sometimes, but they are what they are. I hate when videos and articles try to compare the new ams to the old great ones. It’s not a comparison!

[@bobmarengo8322]

Andrew Denis Finally someone who knows what they are talking about. I sold my old Fender ‘55 and got a Helix, a Core Amp, an American Fender Elite Tele and a VW m-bus that I fixed up. It was great, but I can do 99.99% on my Helix and I now have a great guitar and bus!

[@sandramuncelli7976]

@@siobahnquinn7461 Definitely try out the Jackson Ampworks product-- especially the McFly or McFly II for studio work. The best 1 -80 watt quad tube amp in the world-- definitely up there with the best Italian and French amplifiers available, and a LOT less expensive.

[@sandramuncelli7976]

Yup, that's definitely the ticket! Totally awesome recommendation. I have a McFly that does 1 watt with built-in attenuation, and up to 70 watts with the dual 6v6 and 6l6's all going.

[@rrandy0]

Andrew Denis no

[@stephenrichie4646]

This is fascinating to me. I’m a klutzy hobbyist player trying to close the circuit between my brain and my left hand. These ideas are a whole new world for me. Thanks!

[@croatoansounds]

Just came from Ricks live chat, subscribed!

[@fivewattworld]

Yeah Billy! Welcome to five watt world!

[@MontyCraig]

Same!

[@fivewattworld]

@@MontyCraig Thanks Monty!

[@suncoaster8578]

Me too 👍🏻😎

[@fivewattworld]

SunCoaster yeah, suncoaster! Thanks

[@prigs750]

Bob, great video. Glad I stumbled upon it. I don't have a Champ bud do have a 53 DeLuxe and a 54 Princeton. Love them both but there is a special sweetness in the little Princeton that I love.

[@fivewattworld]

Hi Paul, Check out the Princeton video I did. You pretty much have a Champ style amp in that '54 (and very, very cool pair of amps btw). I'm curious, what do you run for a preamp tube in the Princeton? 6SL7 or a 6SJ7?

[@prigs750]

@@fivewattworld Bob, I found the Princeton video and enjoyed that one also. Now subscribed. I checked my Princeton. It is a 5C2 chassis ser #4082. Tube chart shows 5y3gt, 6v6gt, but 6sc7 is struck thru and 12ax7 is hand written in. Checked the tubes and all are OEM or very old. Only 1 still readable is the 5y3. Send me your contact info and I will share some pics. Have had some caps replaced.

[@fivewattworld]

@@prigs750 Hi Paul, You can shoot them to "[e-mail]". I'd have thought a '54 would have still (just been) an octal preamp tube. I'd enjoy the pics, thanks.

[@michalmikolajmaslowski3994]

Excellent video, thank you! I've just discovered your channel & subbed!

[@JonManProductions]

I never thought much about small amps like this until re-watching this video on a binge and then cranking on a patch on my Fender Mustang GT modeling amp which has a 57 Champ in it, which I added a 60s spring reverb to in the patch and my lord... with my Les Paul's neck pickup rolled almost off and the bridge full out, it's like having two channels: a cleanish rhythm sound and then a bigger than it should be overdrive tone in the bridge, which goes into rock lead territory with a tube screamer punched in. Almost nailing basically all the rock tones from my favorite classic rockers without even as so much as touching the dials on the amp, just changing the way I pick and going between pickups is more than enough. Maybe I should get a real one just for those type of days where you just wanna crank up and play.

[@jerrywhalen4056]

I have been using the "no need to touch the dials" technique for a long time. The range of tones just kinda jumped out at me. I use the same technique for my acoustics and 12 strings. Gotta keep the brain and heart in sync any way you can!

[@kiaora12]

The only thing better than Fender guitars is Fender amps :-)

[@williamsporing1500]

Fender amps, Les Paul …sometimes a strat lol

[@ricardorodriguez5549]

Longtime Champ lover here. It’s been my #1 since I had it recapped and the speaker swapped out for the Jensen. Just got Lovepedals Amp 11 got to say the Vibro Champ loves it like no other. I run the pedal at a low drive but it’s enough to send the amp into The Sweetness while allowing me to roll off the guitar volume for full, clean tones.

[@Fnnggjji]

Watching this after ordering a 40w marshall

[@jegr3398]

😂

[@Ninjametal]

A 40 watt marshall does a few useful things no 5 watter can... Be used as a makeshift PA, keep up with a loud drummer, or get the sound of an amp with headroom. The bass response of amps 20+ watts is much fuller. I love my '68 champ, (and my 5 watt Marshall) but my '68 Showman or common DSL40 will stomp the strained performance of 5 watters in many live scenarios.

[@ricklewis5804]

Guitar Ninja I have a 30 watt Marshall solid state and love it.

[@thephotoyak]

40 + watt tube amps have a bottom end that nothing else can really replicate.

[@Fnnggjji]

@@thephotoyak guessing due to the bigger transformers

[@mikeilkenhons8896]

I have scratch built three Champs. Two with the upgraded 18 W power trans... One built with a custom aluminum chassis. The third was a custom cab out of Oak with mahogany trim. The idea was point to point, minimum wiring with vintage cloth wire. Amazing little amps.

[@dogcowrph]

In the seventies and eighties every bar band had to have stacks of amplifiers. Not bands get better sound out of small amps and effective PA systems. Music doesn’t need to leave listeners deaf for two days after a night at the club.

[@christophermiller684]

Although my studio is in NY, just ordered a Honeyboy 5 from Andy Smith, a custom tube amp builder in the UK. Have experienced tremendous custom service from Andy and eagerly await delivery.

[@filianablanxart8305]

I'm going to have to call you out regarding the statement that Fender was an Amp company before a Guitar company . Leo Fender was making guitars back to the very beginning of K&F ... Steel Guitars . Long before there were ( vertical ) solid body guitars . The very name of the Champ comes from it being introduced as the companion piece of the very sucuessfull Champion Lap Steel .

[@ronfrey5327]

Yes and I believe Forrest White was also there White amps were like small fenders no surprise really considering Mr White worked for Fender the entire time..

[@johnreilly9748]

Awesome Keith!! I miss my 50s champ and deluxe that were stolen in the 70s. I had a late 60s champ that was awesome. Now I use super champ xds modded one in a tweed cab with 12 in spkr. Aerosmith got hip to the champs allegedly thru the Stones.

[@fivewattworld]

I love Champs w 10 and 12” speakers. I once had a beloved guitar stolen. So much deeper regret than selling one and missing it. Know how you feel man. I like the little Champ XLs. Great sounds and you get grab them at great prices. Tremendous value without all the boutique cork sniffing.

[@johnreilly9748]

I run a super champ and a Dean Markley K50 thru a morley switch so with the super champ clean with effects channel and distortion I have many parameters of tone within quick reach!

[@sirbaronvoncount4147]

Great content. My daily driver is a Marshall jvm one watt combo. The 50th anniversary one. I will never part with it.

[@fivewattworld]

Those SUCH cool amps. They came and went and I never got my hands on one. My original Desk Top Champ actually has a half power switch. :) A half power switch on a five watt amp, just makes me smile saying it out loud. Gotta love it.

[@ADHD_collector_in_the_YYJ]

Scored a late 57 champ two years ago and it took 5 minutes to become my favorite piece of gear. Absolutely love it!

[@ADHD_collector_in_the_YYJ]

Two older RCA tubes an English brand I can't remember the name of that the amp tech put in the preamp.

[@fivewattworld]

berek christian Old RCA tubes are my favorite. Grey plate 12ax7s and silver domed 6V6’s are my favorite Champ power tube. I’ll bet it sounds glorious.

[@ADHD_collector_in_the_YYJ]

@@fivewattworld it sure does sound glorious lol