Alternative to a 57' Champ?

WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 966
United States

Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:06 AM

Folks, I was wondering if there are any alternatives to a Fender Champ with similar specs and low wattage, without the hefty price tag. Or, if you think dropping 1k for a Champ, is completely justifiable, I am all ears.

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CrazyAces

Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4052
Nashville, TN.
3 News Pins

Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:32 AM

For my ears I prefer the little Supro Super series amps.
1-6V6, 1x8 speaker like a Champ but generally speaking a much clearer sounding amp. Less compression than a Champ.
I had a '56 Champ and it was great but I found these Supros much more versatile.
You can find these vintage amps for $300 - $400 in the US.

Also, while I love tube amps as much as most players I'm surprised at how well my Quilter 101 (non-Reverb model) captures most of the character of my small, vintage amps.
The head plus a small cab would still be less than the '57 Champ.

Cheers,
Jeff

—

http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 03 2018 11:50 AM

I have a copy of a supro spectator that my pal at Cave Valley amps built and I love it. He tweaked a few things and added a slightly larger cab and a 10" speaker. Meant to be like a Champ but less woofy and chewy

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 03 2018 11:52 AM

Or Vintage47 amps of course. Their suitcase amp is great

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 03 2018 05:03 PM

Not sure if this works, hope so

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 03 2018 05:05 PM

Here's a link to the supro spectator copy Andromeda Link Wray fumblings https://youtu.be/D_WrDY2n14M

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Tqi

Joined: Dec 07, 2014
Posts: 1222
2 Security Pins

Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:39 PM

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Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:08:05

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Tailrocker

Joined: May 09, 2018
Posts: 63
Morgantown, WV
United States

Posted on Jun 04 2018 08:09 AM

Silverface Vibro-Champ? Then mod away.

No, I don't think modding a silverface amp is blasphemy. YMMV.

And I can second the Supro idea; I recently tried out an old 16T. Awesome both clean and howling.

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LinkJr

Joined: Mar 13, 2015
Posts: 30
United Kingdom

Posted on Jun 04 2018 09:39 AM

That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar?

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jdmcduders

Joined: Jan 14, 2013
Posts: 137
Indianapolis, IN
United States

Posted on Jun 04 2018 10:25 AM

Gibson made a 5W version and they reissued it a couple years ago. It can be found cheaper than the Fenders on a used market.

There's also the Epiphone Valve Jr.

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2675
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Jun 04 2018 10:59 AM

I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo.

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:40 AM

LinkJr wrote:

That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar?

Thanks for that! It's a sound I spend a lot of time looking for. The cheapo pickups in my cheapo guitar are GFS Surf 90s. They seem to work best for me. Prefer them to TVJones TArmonds, dynasonics, filtertron and even the new supro pickups. All seemed muddy ortoo mid range strong in comparison with these nasty fellahs

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Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:40 AM

LinkJr wrote:

That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar?

Thanks for that! It's a sound I spend a lot of time looking for. The cheapo pickups in my cheapo guitar are GFS Surf 90s. They seem to work best for me. Prefer them to TVJones TArmonds, dynasonics, filtertron and even the new supro pickups. All seemed muddy ortoo mid range strong in comparison with these nasty fellahs

Top

Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM

Stormtiger wrote:

I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo.

That is a thing of beauty!

Top

Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM

Stormtiger wrote:

I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo.

That is a thing of beauty!

Top

Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM

Stormtiger wrote:

I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo.

That is a thing of beauty!

Top

Vince_Ray

Joined: Aug 26, 2015
Posts: 252

Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:42 AM

Why are my posts doubling up? Sorry if I'm repeating myself, unintended

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WaimeaBay

Joined: Jul 05, 2006
Posts: 966
United States

Posted on Jul 02 2020 12:47 PM

Im going to bump this since i still haven't decided.

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Stormtiger

Joined: Dec 12, 2006
Posts: 2675
Ventura, CA
United States

Posted on Jul 02 2020 04:17 PM

Well I sold the Supro and my Champ a few months ago. Pretty much all Quilters for me now.

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 148
Michigan
United States

Posted on Jul 02 2020 04:35 PM

Tqi wrote:

The $200 Champion 600 RI from a few years back?

This is a good suggestion, and there are Gretsch versions of the same amp too (5222 maybe?).

I'm not opposed to the idea of $1k for a Fender RI if you've got the money, but you can get a used tweed Deluxe RI for $1300 or $1400 and that's way more amp. Also, at that price range you're approaching a Swart.

I know you might not want more amp than a Champ, but if you're playing clean I think the bigger cab and speaker can be nice. Just throwing it out there. But if you want a Champ get a Champ. Don't let a chump like me sway you.

—

Neptune Trojans

Last edited: Jul 02, 2020 16:40:17

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WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 966	Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:06 AM Folks, I was wondering if there are any alternatives to a Fender Champ with similar specs and low wattage, without the hefty price tag. Or, if you think dropping 1k for a Champ, is completely justifiable, I am all ears. Top
CrazyAces Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4052 Nashville, TN.	Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:32 AM For my ears I prefer the little Supro Super series amps. 1-6V6, 1x8 speaker like a Champ but generally speaking a much clearer sounding amp. Less compression than a Champ. I had a '56 Champ and it was great but I found these Supros much more versatile. You can find these vintage amps for $300 - $400 in the US. Also, while I love tube amps as much as most players I'm surprised at how well my Quilter 101 (non-Reverb model) captures most of the character of my small, vintage amps. The head plus a small cab would still be less than the '57 Champ. Cheers, Jeff — http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 03 2018 11:50 AM I have a copy of a supro spectator that my pal at Cave Valley amps built and I love it. He tweaked a few things and added a slightly larger cab and a 10" speaker. Meant to be like a Champ but less woofy and chewy Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 03 2018 11:52 AM Or Vintage47 amps of course. Their suitcase amp is great Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 03 2018 05:03 PM Not sure if this works, hope so Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 03 2018 05:05 PM Here's a link to the supro spectator copy Andromeda Link Wray fumblings https://youtu.be/D_WrDY2n14M Top
Tqi Joined: Dec 07, 2014 Posts: 1222	Posted on Jun 03 2018 10:39 PM - Last edited: Feb 02, 2024 14:08:05 Top
Tailrocker Joined: May 09, 2018 Posts: 63 Morgantown, WV	Posted on Jun 04 2018 08:09 AM Silverface Vibro-Champ? Then mod away. No, I don't think modding a silverface amp is blasphemy. YMMV. And I can second the Supro idea; I recently tried out an old 16T. Awesome both clean and howling. Top
LinkJr Joined: Mar 13, 2015 Posts: 30	Posted on Jun 04 2018 09:39 AM That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar? Top
jdmcduders Joined: Jan 14, 2013 Posts: 137 Indianapolis, IN	Posted on Jun 04 2018 10:25 AM Gibson made a 5W version and they reissued it a couple years ago. It can be found cheaper than the Fenders on a used market. There's also the Epiphone Valve Jr. Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2675 Ventura, CA	Posted on Jun 04 2018 10:59 AM I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo. Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:40 AM LinkJr wrote: That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar? Thanks for that! It's a sound I spend a lot of time looking for. The cheapo pickups in my cheapo guitar are GFS Surf 90s. They seem to work best for me. Prefer them to TVJones TArmonds, dynasonics, filtertron and even the new supro pickups. All seemed muddy ortoo mid range strong in comparison with these nasty fellahs Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:40 AM LinkJr wrote: That's a great Link Wray sound from that Supro amp Vince, if you don't mind me asking what pickups have you got in the twin tone Guitar? Thanks for that! It's a sound I spend a lot of time looking for. The cheapo pickups in my cheapo guitar are GFS Surf 90s. They seem to work best for me. Prefer them to TVJones TArmonds, dynasonics, filtertron and even the new supro pickups. All seemed muddy ortoo mid range strong in comparison with these nasty fellahs Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM Stormtiger wrote: I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo. That is a thing of beauty! Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM Stormtiger wrote: I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo. That is a thing of beauty! Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:41 AM Stormtiger wrote: I traded a Silverface Bassman head for this 60s Supro 1616T and a few other pieces of gear. I'm not sure what it is worth now but I use it more than any other amp. It has a 6 x 9 Rola speaker and about the same power as a Champ, 6V6 power tube, also has a nice tremolo. That is a thing of beauty! Top
Vince_Ray Joined: Aug 26, 2015 Posts: 252	Posted on Jun 04 2018 11:42 AM Why are my posts doubling up? Sorry if I'm repeating myself, unintended Top
WaimeaBay Joined: Jul 05, 2006 Posts: 966	Posted on Jul 02 2020 12:47 PM Im going to bump this since i still haven't decided. Top
Stormtiger Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2675 Ventura, CA	Posted on Jul 02 2020 04:17 PM Well I sold the Supro and my Champ a few months ago. Pretty much all Quilters for me now. Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 148 Michigan	Posted on Jul 02 2020 04:35 PM Tqi wrote: The $200 Champion 600 RI from a few years back? This is a good suggestion, and there are Gretsch versions of the same amp too (5222 maybe?). I'm not opposed to the idea of $1k for a Fender RI if you've got the money, but you can get a used tweed Deluxe RI for $1300 or $1400 and that's way more amp. Also, at that price range you're approaching a Swart. I know you might not want more amp than a Champ, but if you're playing clean I think the bigger cab and speaker can be nice. Just throwing it out there. But if you want a Champ get a Champ. Don't let a chump like me sway you. — Neptune Trojans Last edited: Jul 02, 2020 16:40:17 Top

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Alternative to a 57' Champ?