Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post

Telecashter · April 12th, 2007, 11:24 PM

My Champion 600 finally arrived today after an almost 2 month wait

Here is my review.....drum roll please.

Part 1: Fresh out of the box (stock)

First thing I noticed was my box had been opened and resealed, looks like it happened after it shipped from MF. The shipping label was cut down the middle of the top of the box. Everything seems ok though.

Second, it smells like gasoline. Not too bad but odd.

Third, it is a very nice cabinet for the money. Really looks nice in the living room of my shoebox of an apt.

Now for the important part, sound.

First off, it sounded very weak until the volume is set to 5, which seemed like the perfect setting, cranked it doesn't really have that sweet crunch you would expect from a Champ. Perfect size for a small apt though.

Between one and five it was very clean, but wimpy, colorless and sterile sounding. It had me wondering if a pedal might be needed to add some color.

Part two (Tubes)

I removed the stock tubes. Unlike a Pro Jr or a Blues Jr which has or at least used to come stock with GrooveTubes, the 600 came with 2 unmarked tubes that just day "Made IN China" on them. Looking at the 6V6 my limited experience from my old days of playing and owning Champs was that this is not a true 6V6. The metal case for the 12AX7, had some kind of goop in it that made it almost impossible to remove, I was in danger of ripping the socket out. The sockets are very cheap, but hey it's an inexpensive amp.

I replaced the tubes with a new Tung-Sol 12AX7 and a NOS Brimar 6V6 from KCA Tubes. One thing to note is the Brimar is a HUGE 6V6 and ir just a hair from actually resting on the speaker magnet. This might not be a good idea and I would recommend a normal size 6V6 instead.

The results with the new tubes? UN-FRIGGIN-BELIEVABLE!!
I am in shock at the difference different tubes made

The amp is fuller and warmer. A huge noticable difference in the bass response and reduction of shrill. Completely different amp to my ears.

Between one and five it is a clean but warm sound that is just perfect for this tiny apt. The crunch when turned up is pure Rock&Roll.

I am very happy right now. I am concerned about that tubes internal parts being so close to the magnetic field of the speaker. Any Tech heads have any insight to this? I seem to recall in one of my old SF Champs, my Tech talked me into removing the Weber Alnico for a Jensen Ceramic because of the proximity of the tube to the magnet. That was 10 years ago and I'm foggy to the specifics of why.

Part 3 ( speaking of the speaker )
I have a Weber 6" replacement speaker for this. The only one Weber makes and is intended as a direct replacement for original vintage Champions.

I havn't tried it yet, one of the speaker screws is directly behind the very small and cheap looking transformer. it looks like I can unscrew the 2 screws holding the transformer to get to the screw to remove the speaker....I'm just not in a mood to do this right now...i.e. I'm a little scared to try.

In the nxt couple of days I'll report back after I change the speaker, generally speaking I think this speaker is probably pretty good but if it's half the improvement the tubes were, this will be one sweet sounding amp.

So my review is this....Stock= mediocre but still very good for the $199 no tax/no shipping I paid for it. Invest in some good replacement tubes= a damn good amp that is perfect for my needs at this point.

Sorry for rambling, I hope this helps anyone considering this amp.

April 12th, 2007, 11:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Telecashter TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New york Posts: 33	Champion 600 arrived today. A review My Champion 600 finally arrived today after an almost 2 month wait Here is my review.....drum roll please. Part 1: Fresh out of the box (stock) First thing I noticed was my box had been opened and resealed, looks like it happened after it shipped from MF. The shipping label was cut down the middle of the top of the box. Everything seems ok though. Second, it smells like gasoline. Not too bad but odd. Third, it is a very nice cabinet for the money. Really looks nice in the living room of my shoebox of an apt. Now for the important part, sound. First off, it sounded very weak until the volume is set to 5, which seemed like the perfect setting, cranked it doesn't really have that sweet crunch you would expect from a Champ. Perfect size for a small apt though. Between one and five it was very clean, but wimpy, colorless and sterile sounding. It had me wondering if a pedal might be needed to add some color. Part two (Tubes) I removed the stock tubes. Unlike a Pro Jr or a Blues Jr which has or at least used to come stock with GrooveTubes, the 600 came with 2 unmarked tubes that just day "Made IN China" on them. Looking at the 6V6 my limited experience from my old days of playing and owning Champs was that this is not a true 6V6. The metal case for the 12AX7, had some kind of goop in it that made it almost impossible to remove, I was in danger of ripping the socket out. The sockets are very cheap, but hey it's an inexpensive amp. I replaced the tubes with a new Tung-Sol 12AX7 and a NOS Brimar 6V6 from KCA Tubes. One thing to note is the Brimar is a HUGE 6V6 and ir just a hair from actually resting on the speaker magnet. This might not be a good idea and I would recommend a normal size 6V6 instead. The results with the new tubes? UN-FRIGGIN-BELIEVABLE!! I am in shock at the difference different tubes made The amp is fuller and warmer. A huge noticable difference in the bass response and reduction of shrill. Completely different amp to my ears. Between one and five it is a clean but warm sound that is just perfect for this tiny apt. The crunch when turned up is pure Rock&Roll. I am very happy right now. I am concerned about that tubes internal parts being so close to the magnetic field of the speaker. Any Tech heads have any insight to this? I seem to recall in one of my old SF Champs, my Tech talked me into removing the Weber Alnico for a Jensen Ceramic because of the proximity of the tube to the magnet. That was 10 years ago and I'm foggy to the specifics of why. Part 3 ( speaking of the speaker ) I have a Weber 6" replacement speaker for this. The only one Weber makes and is intended as a direct replacement for original vintage Champions. I havn't tried it yet, one of the speaker screws is directly behind the very small and cheap looking transformer. it looks like I can unscrew the 2 screws holding the transformer to get to the screw to remove the speaker....I'm just not in a mood to do this right now...i.e. I'm a little scared to try. In the nxt couple of days I'll report back after I change the speaker, generally speaking I think this speaker is probably pretty good but if it's half the improvement the tubes were, this will be one sweet sounding amp. So my review is this....Stock= mediocre but still very good for the $199 no tax/no shipping I paid for it. Invest in some good replacement tubes= a damn good amp that is perfect for my needs at this point. Sorry for rambling, I hope this helps anyone considering this amp.