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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Fender Champion 600

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gdhow62
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Joined: Jun 22, 2014
Posts: 38
Wooster, Ohio
United States
Link Posted on Jan 30 2015 05:46 PM

I just got one of these little 5 watt Fender Champion 600's
image

Any mods that can be done to get a better Surf tone? Change tubes, etc.?

Don

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LosVenturas
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Joined: Feb 10, 2011
Posts: 443
Antwerp, Belgium
Belgium
3 News Pins 1 Calendar Pin 1 Download Pin 1 POTD Pin
Link Posted on Jan 30 2015 06:20 PM

Well,
I got a pretty 'decent' sound out of it by changing:

  • the grill cloth: the stock one was too thick in my opinion, kinda acted like a muffler. Now it has an oxblood cloth, a lot more 'transparant'.
  • Power tube: stock tube was a crappy chinese tube. Changed it with a JJ 6v6. Strong and clean tube.
  • preamp tube: again crappy chinese tubes. Changed it with a JAN 5751 tube.
  • Speaker: the standard fender 'special design' speaker isn't really what you're looking for. To be honest, in none of their amps. From the cheap ones to the higher price range. Now there's a 'late breakup' Weber speaker in which I like enough. Never tried the Jensen mod which is also available for this amp.

No further electronics changes.

Play the amp with fender reverbs, Danelectro Dan Echo or a Strymon Capistan. For some reason this amp goes very smooth with a Dan Echo (playing with a strat).

Anyway, those are my experiences.

You guys??

Cheers,
Andy

—

www.LosVenturas.be

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Samurai
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Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2283
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine
3 News Pins 1 Download Pin 2 Map Pins
Link Posted on Jan 31 2015 03:42 AM

I had one for several years as a bedroom practice amp
The only change I made is to switch the chinese shitty tubes for old 60th sovtek
Was pretty happy with it, sounded nice both in clean and overdriven with different pedals. I little dumb with reverb - guess the better speaker will change it

But to tell the truth recently changed it for Vox Lil night train with cab and never looked back.

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zzero
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Joined: Jul 09, 2010
Posts: 1153
Lillian Alabama
United States
23 Contributor Pins
Link Posted on Jan 31 2015 01:26 PM

Several years back I had one. Ran it stock with a digitech reverb
pedal and a Squier Duo-Sonic. Nice little rig, sounded good and the neighbors didn't complain. I never changed the tubes or speaker out. Has crossed my mind to get another one and do some modding. Thumbs Up

—

Enjoying the surf,sun and sand!!

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ludobag
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Joined: Jun 05, 2010
Posts: 620
at south of
France
1 Map Pin
Link Posted on Feb 01 2015 05:32 AM

i have one and with a 15 of hartke bass amp it sound delicious

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SlacktoneDave
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Joined: Jul 01, 2006
Posts: 657
1 News Pin 5 POTD Pins
Link Posted on Feb 01 2015 01:09 PM

I've got a 1951 Fender Champion 600. It's kind of dark sounding, I use it mostly for rock type sounds. Athough, with my 1954 Princeton which is very HiFi in tonality,together I've recorded a lot of surf with them.

The original Fender 600 amps did not use a 12ax7 tube, they used a 6sj7 which cam in both glass and metal versions. I use mostly glass in mine.

image

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SlacktoneDave
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Joined: Jul 01, 2006
Posts: 657
1 News Pin 5 POTD Pins
Link Posted on Feb 01 2015 01:09 PM

double post!

Last edited: Feb 01, 2015 13:15:15

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normj
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Joined: Apr 26, 2010
Posts: 882
central Indiana
United States
1 Calendar Pin 2 Link Pins 14 Contributor Pins 1 Security Pin 1 POTD Pin
Link Posted on Feb 01 2015 11:29 PM

I have had a Champion 600 reissue for quite a while.

image

The first change I did was to replace the stock tubes. I used NOS RCA tubes. I like those, but doubt if this is worth the cost. I will use JJs on the next tube swap. The tube swap was well worthwhile. Did improve the sound.

The second change I did was to replace the stock speaker. I installed a Weber speaker. Weber has one that is a direct drop in. The speaker swap made an even bigger improvement to the sound.

The third change I did was to replace the grill. I used a piece of maroon Fender grill cloth. This made a small improvement.

As you can see in that photo, I am running the Champion into an old Fender cab to do some recording. That sounds amazing.

Last edited: Feb 01, 2015 23:31:11

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