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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Fender Champions

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Harkey
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Joined: Jun 13, 2023
Posts: 4
Central WA
United States
Link Posted on Jul 25 2023 12:35 AM

Looking to get a budget amp just for bedroom practice. Maybe to jam with a friend once in awhile. At the moment I’m looking at the Fender Champion 20 or 40. Any experience? Any other suggestions for something in the similar price range?

I’m not using any pedals yet. I’m fairly new to playing and slowly switching out my initial gear set up for something more surfy as I’m starting out.

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LittleKahunaCraig
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Joined: Jan 09, 2008
Posts: 386
Orange County, CA
United States
2 News Pins 4 Calendar Pins 2 Download Pins 2 Contributor Pins 1 POTD Pin 1 Map Pin
Link Posted on Jul 26 2023 01:24 AM

Harkey,
What amp do you have now? You are probably better off acquiring a reverb tank or surfy bear classic to go with your existing amp. That will get you much farther along to the surf sound than a low end fender amp that you will outgrow rather quickly…

—

Craig Skelly

Little Kahuna
www.littlekahunamusic.com
The Breakaways
The Curl Riders

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Tqi
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Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins
Link Posted on Jul 26 2023 03:01 AM

-

Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 16:27:12

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Samurai
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2243
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine
3 News Pins 2 Map Pins
Link Posted on Jul 26 2023 06:45 AM

I would say that in this price range some Katana mini or Nux mighty air are much better for bedroom practice, but that’s just me.

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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WoodyJ
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Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1544
Bethlehem, GA
United States
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Link Posted on Jul 26 2023 09:45 AM

If you can handle $579, IMO a new Vox AC10 is the best bang for the buck amp out there.

I'm mostly a Fender amp guy, but a musician friend turned me on to the AC10 a few years ago and mine is still with me and always will be. It is a perfect studio amp, only 10 watts, but it is an all-tube amp that you can play quietly or louder than you can imagine, plus, it also has a decent onboard reverb. If there is a Guitar Center or another music store that handles Vox gear, try one out. I don't think that you will be disappointed!

Until recently, new AC10's were around $400, but like everything else, the new ones have jumped up cost-wise. There are some very nice used ones out there like this one....

https://reverb.com/item/71682263-vox-ac10c1-custom-10-watt-1x10-guitar-combo-2015-2019-black

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
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The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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Surf_Skater
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Joined: Sep 06, 2012
Posts: 1300
Lawrenceville , GA
United States
11 Security Pins
Link Posted on Jul 26 2023 10:27 AM

Look around for a used Peavey Bandit. I have the 65 watt version and it has a great sounding real spring reverb. You can usually find them for under $200.
Sounds great at bedroom levels and loud enough to play with a drummer.
Avoid the Katana for Surf. It has one of the worst digital spring reverbs.The plate, hall and room reverb aren't bad though.

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futureboy
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008
Posts: 115
East Coast
United States
Link Posted on Jul 27 2023 09:06 AM

I highly recommend the Universal Audio Dream 65 pedal and a Headrush 1x10 speaker if it is within your budget. It can get loud enough for rehearsals and small gigs. You can run the Headrush into a PA if you need to be louder.

You can run the Dream 65 straight into your recording interface if you need to record demos, etc. The pedal takes dirt well. Super portable rig if you want to go ampless.

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