Fender Champion 600 - Yay / Nay?

[mdjphillips]

For whatever reason, I'm quite interested in purchasing the Fender Champion 600 in order to have a little amp available in my bedroom that takes up little to no space.

I was just curious as to what the general consensus is in regards to the amp. For $180 CAD (including tax) it seems to be quite a fair price and as I'm presently satisfied with my pedals, I wouldn't oppose to having a little amp to plug into while I'm sitting in front of the computer.

Therefore, I would greatly appreciate if those who currently own the amp would share its pros and cons.

Thanks in advance!

[harpinon]

If you have a single coil guitar and like fendery tones, its great. If you like rock or metal....keep looking. BTW, if you like to play harp its my choice of amps.

[mdjphillips]

It would be used along with my Telecaster at bedroom levels. I'm more or less curious about its cleans.

[Squigglefunk]

I think they have nice clean tones

[Jaybird03]

" if you like to play harp its my choice of amps."
I agree on this point. However I believe that a couple of simple mods make this an even better harp amp and from what I have read a better guitar amp also. That would be to remove (or bypass) the fixed tone stack, opening up the tone a ton and changing the value of the coupling caps to increase the bass response. Better tubes help too. I like my little 600 for small lower volume venues and jams. I also replaced the stock speaker with a nice alnico from an old record player.

[BlackStrat_Fan]

Originally Posted by mdjphillips

It would be used along with my Telecaster at bedroom levels. I'm more or less curious about its cleans.

Then this would be perfect. I was playing a bunch of teles at GC the other day and thought, "what the heck?" I plugged in and turned it all the way up and had a blast. Not loud at all, and it forces you to use you tone knob and pickup selector for different tones, rather than turning EQ knobs.

Don't expect waves of tone and sound. This is basically a little amp that does the country twang thing great - in your bedroom.

[mdjphillips]

Awesome man, thanks. It sounds as though it's exactly what I'm looking for. I'm not concerned about the lack of available sound and tone as it would be mainly used at low volumes with a reverb and a loop pedal while sitting around at the computer. Not to mention, the size is perfect for my bedroom (and it looks kind of cool).

[papa taco]

Mine's stock except for tubes. It's a cool little amp, a bit cardboardy sounding but still has some character and a nice overall fendery tone. It's really picky about od's. In fact all of mine sound like crap through it except the cheapo danelectro daddyo. My fulltone 70 fuzz sounds awesome through it tho...in a super scary the amp is going to explode sort of way.

[sameoldbluesman]

I've owned a Fender Champ and sold it because I didn't like it. My roommate recently bought one (he loved playing mine and hated me for selling it) and I plugged into it the other day and was blown away. Plugging it into a 12" speaker makes is sound HUGE. You could easily gig with a champ using a 12" speaker cab. Expect to throw out the stock tubes, but that would be really easy and cheap (1 12ax7 1 6v6)
Do it, you won't regret it, especially for what you are looking for with your tele.

[mdjphillips]

I'm quite certain I have a few spare tubes laying around as I read the stock ones provided are a bit lousy. Let's hope I have time to stop by the store before seeing Harry Potter as the more I read about the amp, the more excited I am, especially considering it's pretty well cheaper than a single pedal.

[guitarslinger21]

Here's what a stock Champ 600 sounds like in a coffee house. This chick puts on an AmAZING show, btw. Gibson ES-125 straight into a champ 600.

[mdjphillips]

Thanks for the link man, but unfortunately, Youtube is blocked at work. I'll be sure to check it out when I arrive home. Thanks again!

[dleuen]

The Champ 600 a great little amp for what it is. I'd keep an eye out for a $99 USD deal at Guitar Center or look for a used one. Not sure if you can get that kind of price in Ottawa but they do go on sale from time to time.

[mdjphillips]

$99 USD would be incredible, although I highly doubt I would be able to track one down for that price in Ottawa. I believe it retails from store to store for $160 ($180 including tax), which is still quite fair.

[guitarcapo]

That tiny speaker is always a deal breaker for me.