Fender Super Champ '83 vs modern boutique amp?

GeorgeHayduke · 11th December 2009, 05:05 PM

So, I've been looking for the perfect low watt recording amp. (Haven't we all

)

I tried the Vox Night Train and some of the new Fenders. I'm not sure I've quite found 'it' yet.

So, there's a '83 Super Champ for sale for around 1000 bucks, and I'm considering it, but it's quite a drive from where I live. I'm not a collector, this is for recording use, but I want good tone. Is that amp übercool as the rumor has it, or .. ? (I could get spency in NOS tubes..)

I've been looking at small boutique amps, but the problem is trying one here in Europe.

What would you pick? Something classic fender like the Champ or one of the new amps built specifically for recording at low levels?

(I use a Tele, need it mostly for modern rock/electronica, not heavy)

FFTT · 12th December 2009, 07:32 PM

Super Champs are cool little amps, but Sheesh you guys get hosed on overseas acquisition prices.

In that price range, I'd look at the

Reeves Amps Custom 6 or 12
The Emery Sound Superbaby
Red Iron Amps 5 watter.
and for a bit more Fendery headroom,
the Allen Amps Sweet Spot.

Flogger59 · 14th December 2009, 02:30 PM

The Super Champ is nice, but not $1000 nice. You could buy a Mesa or two for that kind of money.

BudgetMC · 14th December 2009, 02:38 PM

I've got a Super Champ of similar vintage, and it almost never fails to earn compliments from other guitarists. Great creamy overdriven tones, and pretty good on low-volume clean sounds.

A $1000 in Denmark, eh? I got mine for $100 in '88.

js1 · 15th December 2009, 02:38 AM

The Super Champ is essentially the same circuit as the Princeton II (which I have). It's a good amp, but not so good as to keep me from ripping it apart and turning it into something else. I agree that $1,000 is high.

js

11th December 2009, 05:05 PM	#1
GeorgeHayduke Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 1,659	Fender Super Champ '83 vs modern boutique amp? So, I've been looking for the perfect low watt recording amp. (Haven't we all ) I tried the Vox Night Train and some of the new Fenders. I'm not sure I've quite found 'it' yet. So, there's a '83 Super Champ for sale for around 1000 bucks, and I'm considering it, but it's quite a drive from where I live. I'm not a collector, this is for recording use, but I want good tone. Is that amp übercool as the rumor has it, or .. ? (I could get spency in NOS tubes..) I've been looking at small boutique amps, but the problem is trying one here in Europe. What would you pick? Something classic fender like the Champ or one of the new amps built specifically for recording at low levels? (I use a Tele, need it mostly for modern rock/electronica, not heavy) __________________ “This is the most beautyful place on Earth. There are many such places.” Edward Abbey Desert Solitaire

12th December 2009, 07:32 PM	#2
FFTT Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: A stoned throw from ground zero Posts: 4,145	Super Champs are cool little amps, but Sheesh you guys get hosed on overseas acquisition prices. In that price range, I'd look at the Reeves Amps Custom 6 or 12 The Emery Sound Superbaby Red Iron Amps 5 watter. and for a bit more Fendery headroom, the Allen Amps Sweet Spot. __________________ Don't look at me in that tone of voice

14th December 2009, 02:38 PM	#4
BudgetMC Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Ameliastan Posts: 2,514	I've got a Super Champ of similar vintage, and it almost never fails to earn compliments from other guitarists. Great creamy overdriven tones, and pretty good on low-volume clean sounds. A $1000 in Denmark, eh? I got mine for $100 in '88. __________________ Budget MC Productions: Where Economy and Dignity Meet. http://46Long.blogspot.com http://myspace.com/46long http://cdbaby.com/cd/46long

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14th December 2009, 02:30 PM	#3
Flogger59 Gear Head Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 62	The Super Champ is nice, but not $1000 nice. You could buy a Mesa or two for that kind of money.

15th December 2009, 02:38 AM	#5
js1 Gear addict Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 441	The Super Champ is essentially the same circuit as the Princeton II (which I have). It's a good amp, but not so good as to keep me from ripping it apart and turning it into something else. I agree that $1,000 is high. js