Small, Expensive, and 5-Watts...Worth it? The Fender '57 Custom Champ Review

[@landonbailey]

Too complicated for me. I need zero knobs :P

[@frankaalderink3667]

You are looking for a 1946 Fender Princeton

[@maxwhitten8376]

Really

[@almostliterally593]

Get a deacy amp

[@notanotherguitarchannel]

Exactly. There's a volume knob on the guitar.

[@anthonysilva5312]

I made me one myself. From scratch. I selected a circuit and transformers that allow the amp to run on 6v6 (5-ish watts) or 6L6 (15-ish watts). I had a custom lacquer tweed pine cab built for it and a used 10” alnico Alessandro circa ‘59 . Learned a lot. Love the tone.

[@intheblues]

Rather than blasting this amp on 10, I wanted to see how it handled cleaner tones and how it also worked with pedals. My pros and cons are listed at the end. 0:00 - About & Disclaimer 0:40 - Jam Track 3:08 - ’57 Champ Overview 4:38 - Clean Stratocaster Tones 6:57 - Telecaster & Overdrive 8:47 - Who is this amplifier for? - ►Sweetwater - imp.i114863.net/QO6dm3 ►Thomann - bit.ly/3DzZy3u ►Sky Music - alnk.to/bEcwTPv

[@jmo1366]

Thank you! I dont like most amps on 10 anyway! Idk why thats such a thing..

[@shanebrbich5698]

G’day Lefty! Just scrolling through your videos. Have you done a review of Carr Super Bee amplifiers? If you could get a hold of one that would be great 👍

[@intheblues]

@@shanebrbich5698 I haven't heard of that amp before, Shane. Sorry mate (but cool name!)

[@shanebrbich5698]

@@intheblues Well then! ....off ya go, give it some research! I reckon you’ll be very impressed ! (Edit) “Carr” amplifiers!

[@mauricioalfredoaltamirajas2364]

Hello Shane 🤟🏼, Your content is awesome 🔥, can you make a video of the new Fender Custom Pro Reverb 68, 👌.

[@gregoryhall3156]

Really really nice clean classic Fender clean tones-and great smooth playing as usual Shane. My first amp was a Fender Champ silverface from circa 1977 which I received from my parents at Christmas-still have it along with the Fender Mustang guitar they gave me.

[@camilo1455]

Is that one hand-wiref, too?

[@geespar1]

Fantastic that you kept them :)

[@charlesbolton8471]

@@camilo1455 All Fender tube amps were hand wired until the early 80s.

[@camilo1455]

@@charlesbolton8471 that is amazing. I have a 68 Ampeg that uses a printed board. That was a period of major transition in electronics. I expected mine to be hand wired when I started having problems. Disappointed to find it wasn't.

[@handwrittenhero87]

Recently let mine go. It’s an absolutely wonderful recording amp but impractical for just about any other use for most (although Julian Lage gigs one just fine in the jazz world) so it just became a bit of a luxury and the cash could become something that worked harder for me. Spot on about the cleaner side of things being the sweeter spots….the crank to 12 and really roll off on guitar does work, but I preferred 6 as well to get some grit if needed but be capable of dropping down and still having space in the clean rather than it compressing.

[@CheddarKungPao]

I've had one of these for a while now, I never turn it to 10, usually 5 at most. With my hum bucker guitars it has a really nice overdrive around 3-4. I have literally never put a pedal into it. Most often I use it as a practice amp, so I just adjust the volume until I have a tone I'm happy with.

[@intheblues]

I didn't enjoy the amp cranked either. The clean tones are where it's at with this one. Cheers mate!

[@CheddarKungPao]

@@NS-tc9kk Loud is a relative term. It's not nearly as loud as my 20W or 100W amps, I don't think it gets very loud. But people who aren't used to electric guitar volumes have told me they think it is loud. So YMMV.

[@RodClark]

I've got one as well. Try a J Rockett Archer set clean and unity gain as an always on EQ. You'll thank me later.

[@asw7696]

@@NS-tc9kk I don't have this amp, but have the '57 Custom Deluxe which is 12 watts through a 12" speaker. That does not get painfully loud in the slightest so I doubt a smaller 5 watt amp would. I've tried to use that amp live with a drummer and I had to have it fully cranked to be heard at all without going through a microphone into a PA. It was fun, but proved to me that these types of amps do not get loud enough. If it can't be heard over a drummer, it can't be painfully loud unless you have it strapped to your head! Great for home use and low volume gigs and rehearsals though. The '57 Deluxe is great as a pedal platform.

[@Baci302]

Excellent video. Yes, Eric Clapton recorded the Layla album on a '57 Champ. I was floored when I learned that. To me, Eric's sound on that album achieved the perfect guitar tone.

[@markmcdonald5711]

I think Duane played one also one that album.

[@simonpark843]

A well-balanced, honest review as ever. It sounds good but I'm not part of the target market for this one. Your demos and reviews are always helpful and constructive.

[@intheblues]

Thanks a lot, Simon. This is definitely an amp that will appeal to a smaller audience and I am not the target audience with it whatsoever even though I usually love Fender amps.

[@11calman]

@@intheblues "BUT" I am mate, where would I get one of the Beauts in Auckland

[@HungryH1951]

@@11calmanAmazon has them.

[@SanFranciscoFatboy]

it is a nice review of your playing, the amp is just your excuse for posting yourn music......

[@dracul74]

I think what Clapton and others did was to turn the amp all the way up, but then use their guitar volume and tone controls to roll back and find the perfect tone. Something maybe to try with other amps in the future. Good luck!

[@JS-nf1sn]

Even though these are popular they are still underrated. Love the 57 custom Champ. I use it dimed but also on 2-3 with a blackbird tube preamp pedal for two extra channels. Dined it does the flame thrower thing perfectly. Layla.. Killer amp.

[@squidkid2]

If you're gonna play at low amp volume turn your guitar volume all the way up to 8-10. This basically removes the guitar volume from the circuit and allows all the top end of the pickups to get to and drive the amp. Turning your guitar volume all the way up and setting your volume with the amp volume control works with any any amp or guitar combo. Talk to any studio guitarist and they wiil tell you that they always turn their guitar volume all the way up and control the overall volume at the amp. The reason behind this is that with the guitar volume all the way up the guitar signal is "driving" the amp at max voltage. Also playing with the guitar volume turned down you loose some of the high frequency tones that your pickups put out. Try it and you'll see what I mean.

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

Bruh!🤦‍♂️ That's literally why the great players ride the volume knob.... it is a _tone_ knob!!

[@andressepulveda9709]

Thats obvius .... No ?

[@MrMojabo]

I have an 57 champ one of a kind special build. In a tweed platform it runs a 6l6 at about 7 or 8 watts. Currently its Sylvania. Hand wired. Jensen 8 inch speaker, one volume knob. Except it's on a bigger chassis. It's over 20 years old. I have played it live many times. Without any with peddles. Without peddles volume goes to about invisible 7 and shape sound with tone and volume on strat. Great for Blues. Strat only old single coils , no humbuckers. When peddles through front end . Volume maybe 5. All knobs on strat dimed. I swear when recording if amp not seen . No one can tell what I'm playing through . Sound can get explosive between 7 and 10. But absolutely no need to go over 7. No crackles or hums. The amp was built by an old bass player I use to know. Then I had it tweaked by an electrical engineer at work who loved all things tube. He really dialed it in. I'll be buried with it. Left handed also. The amp being played here and mine are extremely close in tone. But I will say the harmonics I can get at invisible 7 are the big difference.

[@DenisSanacore]

For sure it is not an heavy metal amp, not a Super Reverb, but this is the best studio recording amp of Nashville, best harmonica amp, and for me the best gigging amp with a sm 57 in front of it !!! Even my fiddle sound warm and beautiful in that little amp, this is a keeper for me ! Good review Shane !

[@miked1931]

I've had one for a few years and I love it. I find with the vol around 7 I can use my volume knob and get a whole range of nice tones. I've only ever used one pedal with it, a cheap sky surfer reverb pedal, because I missed having reverb in the amp!

[@cmkilcullen8176]

right. pedals and cables all over the place for this little thing. The appeal of it is that it is small, tweed , Fender, and tube- but all the add ons necessary take that away. See my comment above.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

It’s so adorable I don’t care how much it costs. I need it!!

[@tobeysoprano2444]

Tele + TS 808 + Flint + 57 Champ = all i need. Great video shane 👍

[@FrankDeAlto]

I have one. It's a killer amp. Hardly ever turn it up past 3. Still sounds great.

[@dalepal]

The Fender '57 Custom Champ sure does sound fantastic. I had considered buying one but felt it was too expensive so I bought a Supro Blues King 12.

[@zacherycampbell7296]

Played one recently and loved it. Perfect for the bedroom, but I still think I like the 68 vibro better.

[@seanbrooks2583]

The Tone King Gremlin is an amazing 5 watt amp. I highly suggest it over the champ.

[@emossg]

I wish there was something like this but with Marshall voicing. Gremlin was my dream amp until I realizedI actually prefer marshall tone.

[@mattburdock1734]

@@emossg Marshall came close with the Class 5. I do love mine and in principle it was a great idea but just never had the build quality, clarity of tone or 'magic' to be a mini BB or Plexi :(

[@nickk8650]

Horses for courses man- you have to know what you’re getting into when you buy a champ. If you like the 12 inch speaker of the tone king gremlin chances are you probably would prefer a tweed deluxe over a champ. Part of the champs charm is the small/broken/fuzzy sound. And I’m not saying either is a better amp- it just sounds like the 8 inch speaker isn’t for you and you’d prefer a bigger fuller tone. But the imperfections that make the champ unlikeable for some people is what makes it so unique and great and it can’t really be replicated in a 12 inch speaker amp

[@seanbrooks2583]

@@nickk8650 I wanted to like the amp, i bought one because im a huge fan of julian lage's tone. i just couldnt make it do what my heros can make it do.

[@gregb6387]

Perfect timing, I just got my Artist Tweed Tone V yesterday. Sounds so good.

[@petersen280798]

Fender 57 Custom Champ for ever - love it

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Damn shane !!!!!!! That sounded amazing. Screw that amp, we need a review of the guitar player. Flat awsome man!!!

[@intheblues]

Haha thanks mate. You can find my guitar chops filed under “easy” in the guitar book haha

[@benlogan430]

The Champ, Tele and Maxon 808 was one of the best tones you’ve had. Tasty… it looks the business and is expensive, but cheaper than the originals.

[@starflyer4660]

Got a practically new one on reverb for $750. Got a standard C tuned strat with zexcoil vintage pick ups and a warmoth roasted maple neck. Sounds heavenly. So glad I got this little amp. ❤❤❤❤

[@jamalabdul2009]

Really surprised how nice the clean tones are on the Champ! 😎😎 Perhaps one day!! Thanks Shane!!🎸🎸

[@camilo1455]

Amp over pedals. And you can attenuate both volume and frequency with the guitar. Most guitars (my Jackson super-strat has tone only, no volume)..You've said your preference is wide-open pots on the guitar but you should give pots a chance. Especially on your Teles! Especially with P-90s! Especially with humbuckers! Yesterday I played a Gtetsch for the first time. Talk about pickups! Man! Now I need another guitar. Anyway, nice amp and TY for content.

[@musicalSFCat]

Well agree in your cool demo. The Fender '57 Custom Champ does shine especially in the clean tones straight through amp, and/or with effects. Harmonics are ultra clear, beautiful sounding amp with my Fender Strat guitars. Recently used a vintage TS9 overdrive to push a little more O.D. gain during recording track, amp volume at six . The warm overdrive tone on that lead track sounds. Love the cool natural overdrive from amp as well. Very versatile amp for recording. Yes indeed as mentioned...was used during Layla sessions by Eric Clapton. Many other great guitar players/legions from various studios, past to present recordings. Many "big time guitar players/legions" own the real deal original amp (with resonates more than the reissue). But nevertheless...this is extremely close to the real deal for far far less than what one would pay for an original in good working condition, tech go through amp, repair any issues. The reissue will eventually sound warmer as the speaker fully breaks in. One can also upgrade/use other tubes for personal tonal/sound preference. Hand down...love my Fender Custom '57 Champ. Cheers.

[@stevenjcwi]

No doubt the Champ is a legendary amp. They sound incredible around halfway up the dial but like mush when they're cranked. The price on them is insane, though. For half the price or less, you can get a VHT Special 6 with essentially the same circuit, also hand wired, and with a 10-inch speaker, more tone control, and more features in general. I'd love to see you review one of those, or the Special 6 Ultra.

[@squirewinter7186]

Hi...looks like a kindred soul 😉...small world at times 🎶🎶🤙

[@jimihendrix3143]

You can build a homebrew version that sounds identical quite cheaply. I built my own 5e3 tweed deluxe. Probably only cost 4-500 Australian dollars, but I wasn't keeping track. The only expensive components are the transformers and valves (tubes to you Yanks out there).

[@slimturnpike]

You could also buy a Laney Cub 10 with vol, gain and tone. I also own a VHT Special 6 and the Laney smokes it. Haven't tried the Champ but from what I hear here, I prefer the Laney.

[@TempoDrift1480]

I run a pair of ultras with 4 8's and 2 12's. They're pretty kick ass amps.

[@jimmyrhoades650]

“The price on the 1959 hand wired Plexi is insane just get a DSL has way more features” 🤣🤣 how you sound. And Neil Young Joe Walsh etc etc are gonna have to disagree on the cranked thing lol but is this TGP like not every amp has to be for you bro. There are more differences like ss rectified, mfd, made in china. It’s a completely different amp, it sounds fendery that’s about it, not like a champ. And furthermore no one who loves tweeds are gonna look at that vht and want anything to do with it. 1,100 brand new for a hand wired, made in America vintage replica Fender amp, is a pretty okay price relatively speaking.

[@CradleRawk]

I'm on my second 57 Champ (the previous version - pretty much identical to this but with just 'Fender' on the badge, rather than 'Fender Champ', and built between 2009 and whenever they stopped doing them before this latest reincarnation). Let's get the price out of the way first - I bought both of them used, €500 (killer deal) for the first one, and about €750 for the second (good deal not in super clean condition though) - so the price isn't really an issue if you get them at prices that can be recouped on resale. I mostly play it on 5.5 with a nice Tele, volume rolled off to almost nothing on the guitar - and its one of the nicest fullest living room clean sounds imaginable - much better than guitar vol on full and amp vol on 2.5-3. At 5.5 with the tele's vol down, it sounds compressed but jangly - its fantastic. With my Les Paul I put it on about 3.5 or 4 and ride the vol and tone knobs and it sounds really cool, thick and smokey but clean. So far with my strat I can't get it to sound great without a pedal - except on the middle and bridge pups - my bigger amps bring out the best in the strat. I do have a KoT a Beano boost and a Bad Bob incoming, which may help there. For dirt I like the Boss TB-2W with the Tele and LP - no need for 'verb or delay with this amp

[@3Torts]

I'm thinking about getting a 2010 version. I already have a newer version. Are they identical in your view?

[@CradleRawk]

Just checked up online, they look to be all the same, just a different badge on the front panel

[@3Torts]

Appreciate the reply! @@CradleRawk

[@lomoholga]

These amp’s overdrive always sounds way too ‘fizzy’ to me. To each their own. Great playing as usual! More 9th and 13th chords!!!!

[@jlore6344]

Thanks, it was a very balanced review. I think this is the best review/demo of this amp that I have seen.

[@dicecreamman1739]

Shane I have given your guitar the name Tic Tac. Smooth and minty fresh!

[@losferwords10]

Got nice tones for its size. I picked up a 35 watt, 68 Vibrolux a few years back, and that is the cleanest amp I have ever owned.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I tried a 57 Champ in 2019 and it was superb. The notes feel like they are sucked out of the guitar. I was too weak to buy an amp without a tone control, so I bought a Princeton.

[@Mr.D34]

I always appreciate your honest reviews Shane. So basically it doesn't sound too good at low volume or at high volume and definitely not so great with humbuckers 😀 The amp sounds good at a certain spot like you mentioned, i really liked the strat sound. Apart from being expensive i think that the real issue here is that it's not a versatile amp. I feel like this amp might be just for the Fender enthusiastic.

[@parkcitygolfer]

I know its been a minute since your post , but you might want to look up how many artists have used this amp to record with. This and the tweed deluxe are probably the most recorded amps of all time.

[@jguse2378]

That's a nice amp Set it to 5 1/2 with some pedals - EQ, reverb, Trem and maybe a little boost I have a Champion 600 Same amp just not hand wired I upgraded it with a new grill cloth, Weber speaker and Tung Sol's It's my main amp for home use

[@heymaker69]

Really great demo. The tone of the amp up and down the dial is great to my ears, BUT - and forgive me if someone else has brought this up - if only the tubes didn't rattle in response to certain frequencies! It was quite evident in the clean sounds that were demoed (from 5.17 onwards). I know small combo amps are prone to extraneous noises due to the proximity of tubes to the speaker, I had a similar issue years ago with a Tweed (pre-Hotrod) Blues Deluxe. That said, I have a '75 SF Bronco amp (re-badged Vibro Champ) that has no such issues. Surely there's a DIY fix other than running through a separate speaker cab, but that rattle wouldn't pass muster at any recording session.

[@greasymonkeyguitars9292]

I have a 1973 Bronco, and I agree, it's a fantastic amp and like you, no rattle issues at all. I've had mine over 22 years and I'll never let it go.

[@jeffreyradick6486]

Thanks for this review! I recently purchased an amp kit from a company here in the USA called Mojotone. It's supposed to be based on (or derived from, or in imitation of, or something) the Fender 50s "Tweed 5F1" amp circuit. I don't know what specific differences there are between what I got and the actual Fender amp, other than using a 12AX7 preamp tube instead of 12AY7. I hope when I get it put together it will sound half as good as this!

[@egotripband]

i have a point to point wired 22 watt Fender Deluxe Reverb (made by Dale Sherlock in Melbourne ) amp with valve rectification .incredible clean tones , but when it's cranked to 11 sounds like a Marshall stack AC/DC would be proud to use .

[@SeanAllocca]

Save your cash and get a Harley Benton (EU)or Stage Right (USA) 5 watt amp for about $130 and swap out the tubes for JJ's or Amp Dr. and you will get almost the same tones. Add in a $25 Behringer Digital Reverb pedal and you have an amazing home practice setup. I love mine setup this way.

[@countblue]

I just got that Harley Benton 5W/1W(with the integrated attenuator) for 80 EUR used but like in mint condition. It has a tone control and a celestion 8inch speaker and it sounds pretty much the same. Its the perfect pedal platform.

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

Or if you want something bigger with more wattage, the Bugera V22 is 400 with an amazing clean channel

[@marksvideochannel3592]

If you run a Joyo American sound into it you get a huge range of really good Fender tones as well. I'm amazed and stoked with my chinese champ clone with Joyo and a reverb pedal in front.

[@derektalasek795]

I own one, and in my opinion it's not very ice picky at all. It's warm as hell, could almost say it muddy. But it's exceptional for a default blues tone. this amp is wonderfully warm. It doesn't like the neck pickup on my strat, it's great for playing through the bridge pickup with a full, warm tone, and sometimes playing through the middle pickup. This amp is as much a sound effect as it is an amp. I love it for what it is! (My preferred volume setting is 4.5. And also, I cranked this thing once... it'll hurt your ears just fine if that's what you desire. My only criticism is the hum. This thing does hum and I'm not sure if it's due to the circuit design, or that I bought it used and it was shipped to me. But lately, I've noticed the hum creates a dissonance when I play the open low E and the open B strings. That's annoying, and I think I'll have to take it in. Bummer.)

[@PaulKirtley]

They hum.

[@cowhidemusic8904]

For what it is worth, I dime my kit built 10 Watt tweed vibrolux with a 2x10 cab and a set of Jensen C10Qs and it sounds better than any pedal!

[@intheblues]

Those amps sound fantastic cranked. I like the black-panel fender amp tone cranked more than anything else they make.

[@camilo1455]

Which kit did you get? Is that Mojotone? I had an old Vibtolux in the 80s, kind-a want it back.

[@jocknarn3225]

Awww m8; ur havin' way too much fun .. gr8 presentation. Mine's a 1977 Black tolex, silver-faced, toggle-switched Champ just had really expertly checked thru & serviced by my tech in Carlton (NSW not Vic). Bigger-sounding than ur Tweed but am now fan of Champs!

[@donhancock1721]

"That kinda tone exposes all my faults" made me laugh. This was my first amp 50+ year's ago, I don't think I tried playing on anything less than 10.

[@jonasjacobsen9702]

Sounds great! I'm gonna definitely buy one!

[@iTrove]

This is my first amp, and yes it does season well. I find w/ peddles and the Vol at 4-5 and vol / tone varied daily, at least for a silver sky. Nice sounds you were getting there. All 3 sound great!

[@atomfaust]

I own a Silver Sky and considering this amp. Does it make a good pedal platform?

[@iTrove]

@@atomfaust I like mine allot, had it a few years now as my only amp and it is broken in. Getting better tones all the time and almost always have it set on just below 4. It tends to run hot in temperature and I have replaced the tubes twice in 3 years as a precaution, but maybe not necessary. The SS sounds lovely without pedals but I use 2, almost always have the caitlainbread topanga on and the D&M Drive on about 50% of the time depending on mood. It seems to take them OK, but really doesn’t need them since it has broken in… that said…. I am looking for my second amp just because marketing seems to be working on me. Maybe a princeton or the magnatone next. Hehe

[@iTrove]

Edit to above: I should say I still only have the one guitar, the SS which is also getting broken in, I use these at home together and noodle for my own entertainment usually several hours a week, I don’t record and I have never taken either out of the house. For me.. it is great, but has me wondering what else I would enjoy. Not sure I would ever sell either unless I needed food on the table.

[@realjumper]

It would be interesting to compare this with the Artist TweedToneV 5 Watt Valve amp, which costs a hell of a lot less. Diminishing returns maybe?

[@Eagleburger90]

I would like to see that. Tweedtone v is a rocking amp.

[@ja88ott]

I was thinking the same... I'd like to know thoughts between them both, especially due to big $$$ difference.

[@nesta8518]

Yeah, same comment before I read this. The 20 watt artist amp looks nice at $600 too. I’ve got a Mesa boogie studio .22 (from about 1990), so I never need a new one.

[@timkoster8468]

Similar, the Joyo Sweet Baby 5. I have this one and absolutely love it!

[@donatopera4520]

why not marshall origin 5c ?

[@craigdonovan5068]

Dude that solo was fing brutal well done son

[@texasbootlegger3752]

Nice review Shane. I just cannot justify spending 1200 for a bedroom amp. Too many good amps available for under 300 for a practice amp.

[@intheblues]

I can't justify this either, mate. It was a fun little amplifier to try out though. :)

[@texasbootlegger3752]

@@intheblues Personally, I think the Vox Rythrum 5 is one of the best practice amps on the market! Of course this is just my opinion!

[@DMSProduktions]

It's nice, certainly good clean. You said it was quite 'bright'? It sounded quite DARK to me! Maybe it was the miking! It sounded ok cranked, but kept clean, with an od pedal was fuller sounding! (Still a tad dark to me tho!) Nice 1 Shane! \m/

[@DavidHBurkart]

Thanks Shane!! It's a great choice for a music room and for capturing those simple vintage Fender tones & working through your pedals. Whether the price point is worth it is totally subjective, but it does fill a niche... I have had this in my Sweetwater cart on several different occasions. If I can work the right "demo" deal, I just might push "buy now" 😂😂

[@derektalasek795]

I bought mine used off of Reverb for 75% of retail price. Still expensive!! And I still wonder sometimes if I should have spent the money on it lol.

[@sisdl15]

@@derektalasek795 How are you liking it so far? I've ordered a '68 Vibro Champ reissue on backorder but it's already been 5 months and they have a Champ in stock instead so tempted to go with that.

[@derektalasek795]

@@sisdl15 A Vibro Champ is a silver face style amp isn't it? I would think the '57 Champ would sound completely different. I love the '57 champ for what it is: a blues/rock machine. I also have an EL84 style 15 watt Bad Cat amp, it's wonderful for clean pure tones at low volume, but I was playing the lead part of Freddie King's Washout through it and it just wasn't hittin right. I plugged into the '57 Champ and bam 💥 sounded just like the blues. That's what the '57 Champ does. It's very warm and thick, and if you're really ripping it, it's got this extra bit of juice that can surprise you. If that's what your looking for, get it. I also like it for being hand wired and in a solid pine cab, but dang pricey lol.

[@RJBeatlefan]

I was reading something in another tab when that Flying V came on. I immediately switched to this tab to check out what that sweet sweet tone was!

[@bryanhenderson8807]

Great demo of a great amp. When I found out Clapton recorded the Layla album using an amp like this one, I was surprised. You can get a lot out of a low watt amp.

[@LRHutch]

❤Nice video and amp man. I built a 52 Princeton clone yep 5 watts but with a tone control and a 1 watt attenuator switch. I sound like I was a kidd again playing on one smiling from ear to ear. Have a good one.

[@sebb4787]

Great job! I hesitate to buy the new Fender 68 vibro champ 5w, or a 1w Supro Delta King, or a Harley Benton Tube 5, to play at home only. I wonder if the 68 vibro 5w is not too loud for a home use? I have a Fender Blues Junior lacq. Tweed but it’s really too loud, even at 20%!... what do you think? Thank You

[@rondavies2571]

Excellent review. Now I'm looking at the amp to try at the local dealer in Toronto. Would like to hear more of the "jazz" tone you achieved. Cheers.

[@erezklein5769]

I built an amp like this and played with a 70's Tele, amazing sounds, just like on the records.

[@4034miguel]

wow. what a beautiful timbre it has. Really enjoyable.

[@danschoenharl3856]

I think it is worth it. It is a great sounding amp. Both warm and bright, very touch-sensitive. I have dealt with some rattles on certain notes (even new tubes can be unreliable), but with a new (good) 6V6 power tube, all is well. I don't miss the reverb. Using it at church, they won't let me go past 3 and a half or 4. It still cuts through the mix. Using it at home I still stay around 4. But this one goes to 12.

[@danschoenharl3856]

P.S. A very nice pre-amp tube can improve the tone/change the gain response. The amp in this video seemed much lower gain than mine.

[@wfm210]

You make everything sound great. Nice to see the flying V

[@intheblues]

Thanks, Bill! Sadly the Flying V bit in the main got cut because the audio got corrupted somehow :(. I will revisit that down the track.

[@knicks4life635]

How does this compare to the Joyo sweet baby amp? The 57 champ is $1000 U.S. The joyo sweet baby amp is $250 stew Mac has a 57 tweed kit for $750. Outside of the Weber 8 what’s the big difference in price? I know the joyo isn’t in a pine enclosure & isn’t hand wired but an almost $750 price increase is bonkers IMO. I was thinking about getting the joyo sweet baby as a practice amp. Quick question should I go with a Fender Princeton 65 dsp or Fender Princeton chorus as a home practice amp both are $100 bucks a piece?

[@bluesdog88]

Doesn't this amp feature on the Layla album? Have you ever loved a woman, bloody hell that is a classic

[@intheblues]

Yep, I mentioned it in the video. It's on some classic recordings, no doubt about it. :)

[@bluesdog88]

@@intheblues Busted not watching the whole thing lol

[@benlogan430]

A Bugera V5 or a Mono Price are good amps for the money. But, the hardwired, tube rectifier Fender Champ is on a different level. A Point to point hand crafted amp will last a lifetime. No comparison between the aforementioned ones and the Champ. Now the hand wired Harmony 8418 at $399($299 used) is close, but no real breakup.

[@trickfall8752]

If you get the chance try a '57 Deluxe. There's so many tones in that amp without even using a pedal. Also, I bet that Champ will darken up a bit as the speaker breaks in. I've got a 50's style Weber in my SF Champ and it's definitely not bright.

[@Madchris8828]

I didn't know you had a flying V. Very cool. Wanna own one of those one day.

[@oldmanlearningguitar446]

The old silver face Champ’s are also great clean if you want a similar experience and an appreciating asset as well.

[@MaxPower-js1sk]

I put my 335 through one today. It stayed clean really loud, but it got boomy after 4. It was so bassy. It would be perfect with a Tele. Better yet, get an Achillies Nyx from Labros at Achillies Amps. It’s a Tweed Champ with a Marshall OD switch, a bigger cab and speaker and an effects loop.

[@t-bone3657]

I chose the Fender Vibro Champ Reverb over this. Bigger/better 10” amp over an 8” with 6 setting knobs, not one. Plus, it’s about $300 cheaper. 😮

[@jamesstead4448]

A lovely little amp to use around the house. I am going to see how much they cost now...... Yes they do cost a bit. One for the future, I own a twenty year old Tele 50's reissue and would like to match that up with this amp

[@Darftwin]

As a lefty with severe GAS, it's not often that you save me money Shane, but I think you've helped me out on this occasion! Any chance of a '68 Custom Vibro Champ review?

[@RGMDG]

You have to really want "That sound" to spend that much money.. Nice playing and demo as usual Shane. Thanks

[@martin-1965]

Yeah, bought a Marshall Origin 5 on Shane's recommendation for 20% of the price of this Fender and it's awesome. Not quite my old 1970s Bluesbreaker for sure but damn great for recording, writing and practising. As you say, at over £1k GBP I couldn't see me buying that unless I needed it for my private jet between gigs for jamming lol (PS: do not have private jet)

[@dean-marr]

Got mine 2009 in Canada, paid 999, but I think its amazing. So worth it for me

[@HatefYaminiOnline]

That’s some sweet tone!

[@michaelmolloy5154]

Nice presentation......tele and amp with TS.........very nice classic rock sound

[@theoliviaarchives4794]

Pretty cool. On sale on Sweetwater now.

[@Robert-Smith]

Really like the videos keep up the good work. Could you tell me what room level is like in the sweet spot of the amp you described. Thank you.

[@seanylewl]

I definitely prefer the overdrive of the amp cranked over the maxon. Great video!

[@trushack]

It's still a little wooly even when it's clean, but that's what these are known and loved for and why they're killer studio amps. I'd love to add one of these to my collection.

[@cmkilcullen8176]

At trushack -Yes, wooly when "clean" is the perfect description for this amp. In my perfect world, a tone control on this, but then it would not be what it is. Pro Jr is not a perfect alternative imo..I tried...but no...because they are so much louder. Thinking about old vibro champ or new vibro champ custom...?

[@Bobuk666]

Lovely amps ! 👌

[@mikeco72]

Sounds great! Been wanting to get one of these champs. What are you running your guitar volumes at? Imagine it must be very reactive to your volume/tone controls with it having only one volume control?

[@qirico]

Gorgeous flying V

[@sassycat]

I would be curious to hear it with the 12AY7 and 6V6 swapped out with a 12AX7 and/or 6L6. Also, how would this compare with the 7W Fender Bassbreaker?

[@friedrudibega6384]

Classic tones! All of em. Man, Fender amps love a tube screamer. Does it have a speaker out? Bet it sounds great through a cab.

[@romanp.4319]

I love this amp. Will buy it i guess, but one thing i dont get is. Everyone says „its been used by many famous guitar players“ blabla „many famous recordings“ blabla but the only example people have for that is Eric Clapton and especially Layla. So who are those other players and famous recordings?

[@rgrilo]

I built one myself (handwired by me was way cheaper) and it's my favorite amp.

[@fender4brad]

Sounds amazing under the hands of a pro player, not surprised there . Is it going to give me a real tweed tone at a reasonable volume with a Gibson? Never been happy with tweed pedals I’ve tried. I’d love the ‘57 tweed deluxe, but I know it would be too loud at the edge of breakup. I’d love to get a great blues tone without a lot of pedals. Great demo as always!

[@maccaholmes4854]

im using one at my gigs micd up now and its fantastic

[@Flatheadmedia1]

I love mine. I put a Jensen P8R in it, a set of NOS RCA tubes, added a SurfyBear Metal reverb pedal/tank and a JHS tidewater trem behind my usual pedal board for some nice clean silver/blackface chimey tones. Keep the volume on 4 (humbuckers, right on the edge of breakup) and you have a serious pedal platform. I have a Klone at the end of my gain staging pedals that I use to hit the front end of the amp hard to bring it into natural overdrive.

[@paoloorologi9220]

hello, nice video and I think I will pump it. I visited some music shops in Italy to buy it, because I noticed that the metal plate with the Fender 75 writing is missing on the back of the amplifier, perhaps they were not produced in the USA, however the cost is around 1500 €. I wanted to know what you thought. Thank you

[@seanbrooks2583]

i had one of these.. sent it back to sweetwater after 3-4 days. Just wasnt a fan of the tiny speaker. 1 years later i bought a 57 twin tweed reissue and i couldnt be more happy. Granted i have to use a attenuator with it.. but thats okay by me.

[@troytroy3066]

This amp in the clean tone, will truly tell if someone can really play the guitar well opposed to hiding behind a ton of effects and pedals. Long lost art 😂

[@eastbaystreet1242]

So painfully true. It picks up every tiny detail and makes my playing look even worse... but I love it for that honesty and clarity.

[@matthewhackett3429]

I snagged a Harmony 5watt 8418 Limited RI . More than happy with it. Can’t go wrong with a champ tho. Boss blues driver into fender champ/blues junior is a great desert island combination

[@eastbaystreet1242]

Absolutely (on both counts: the Champ and BJ). I don't follow rules well, so I even like my old ds-1 into the BJ (with the Eminence Humbolt Hempster speaker). Just fun, that's all any of this is for 99.999999 percent of us.

[@stephenkennedy7347]

Eric Clapton uses his Vibro Champ (his signature more sophisticated version of the Champ) on his "I Still Do" album which works very well except for a couple of songs where there was heavy post production effects that struggled to work. Miked with a single SM57 from what I saw on the video and no where near the centre of the speaker plus from what he said turned up full. I think you could get a lot out of the amp as a recording amp with pedals a lot of the time.

[@jameselliano1203]

For the price buy a usable amp which would be a tween deluxe. Diff in price might be $200.00. Plus you can play it at home and even gig with it. Great amp. Add a reverb box and it sounds better than a deluxe reverb.

[@cosmonaut9942]

That sounds amazing...great playing too! The problem is that the amp must sound small through that speaker in a room without using a mic.

[@markkosa1]

How does it compare to the Fender Vibro Champ? 5 watts 10 inch speaker and reverb....thinking serious of buying one.

[@spider5001]

Sounds amazing. I have an lp special also. Is the neck pup very dark on yours? Mine I can’t even touch the tone knob lol

[@cobeyc.b5946]

Why is it I feel like I’m watching this week’s forecast every time I watch a gear demo?

[@boxcarstewart311]

I bought the Champ 600 when the last RI was on clearance. The speaker is too small for OD and Fuzz. The 8in Weber is definitely a lusty upgrade! I just run my Champ 600 through an external cab if I want to get nasty without the volume. Can you unplug the speaker on this Champ and run through an external cab?