Are The Old Vibro Champs Really Worth $ 400.00? - Page 2

11 Gauge · August 2nd, 2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggieo

So, you do labor and cabinetry for free?!?!?! w00t!

Do you wanna pay for labor and a cab, or do you want to pay a tech to refresh, recap, retube, clean up, add a 3 prong cord, etc. etc.?

I might be partial to the Ceriatone stuff (they make a scratchbuilder's life a lot easier), but I think that their VC is a great deal, and a great option to the real deal.

Bluesbob · August 2nd, 2008, 06:56 PM

just go with a triple stack!

Big White Tele · August 2nd, 2008, 07:52 PM

Id buy every Blackface VC I could find for 400.00. I also think the Blues JR is a great amp as well, but different. Id say a BF VC at 400.00 is a steal.

DrewB · August 2nd, 2008, 09:31 PM

Ignoring the whole "vintage" thing, $400 is pretty outrageous for a VibroChamp, IMO. The examples of that model that I've heard have been very average sounding. I think that amp is screaming for reverb, and I'm not a reverb nut, by any means (I don't own an amp with reverb.). A Blues Junior offers a lot more performance, and you can always throw a tremolo pedal on it if you need it.

Tim Armstrong · August 2nd, 2008, 10:12 PM

I'd buy a Pro Junior before I'd buy a Blues Junior...

Cheers, Tim

eugenedunn · August 2nd, 2008, 10:31 PM

I'd buy a Champ before a Pro Junior.... (^_^)

ibobunot · August 2nd, 2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

I'd buy a Pro Junior before I'd buy a Blues Junior...

Cheers, Tim

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

I'd buy a Champ before a Pro Junior.... (^_^)

Nener Nener Boo Boo, IMHO, YMMV....

endzone · August 2nd, 2008, 11:09 PM

[quote=JimiBryant;1363439]
as far as value goes: I'd look for a Valco-manufactured
small combo (Supro/National/etc) before I'd go with a
Champ (unless it was dirt-cheap at a garage sale or
something) QUOTE]

+1. I totally agree. I had been looking for an old Valco or Silvertone for a year or so and finally got a Silvertone 1482 for way less than $300. They say it's a 5E3 circuit and now I know why everyone wants one. Plus, it's very giggable at 15watts. I used it today at practice and the whole band had a big grin on their faces hearing that old amp crank. Absolutely a killer amp. I don't know if I'll ever get my VC or my Champ out again. But, I doubt I'll get rid of 'em either.

Tim Armstrong · August 2nd, 2008, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

I'd buy a Champ before a Pro Junior.... (^_^)

Yeah???

...so would I!

Cheers, Tim

DH82c · August 3rd, 2008, 12:54 PM

http://cgi.ebay.ca/1965-FENDER-VIBRO...QQcmdZViewItem

The amp is worth around 400$ .. it is the COVER that costs the big $$$$

eugenedunn · August 3rd, 2008, 01:01 PM

Hey Tim!

Now the question is: "Would I buy a Silvertone 148x over a Champ or Pro Junior?"

(^_^)

pbenn · August 3rd, 2008, 01:23 PM

It's probably the speaker that's bothering the "overpriced" contingent, particularly if they are judging on personal experience of one amp, IMO.

The speaker-swappers seem to have this one covered.

FWIW, in 1999, at (the late great) SongBird Music on Queen W in Toronto, their range of normal s/f Camps, mint-to-sort-of-dog, was $399, 365, 315 (approx.--I bought the $399 '77 because it sounded the best and had ## speaker).

A sub-issue here may be s/f cabinet/baffle type....

Twangntweed · August 3rd, 2008, 02:19 PM

I've found Champs and VC's to be very limited--but they weren't meant to be anything but. Good for low-volume noodling at home or bring one to the studio, throw an SM57 in front and push it to its limit for some killer guitar tracks. I think they're worth more for their historical value these days than anything else. Fender hasn't made a proper tube Champ in almost 3 decades (the hybrids and higher-powered one's from the '80's don't count and neither does that crummy Champion 600). Just don't expect a Twin or even a Princeton and you should be pretty happy with it.

Tim Armstrong · August 4th, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eugenedunn

Hey Tim!

Now the question is: "Would I buy a Silvertone 148x over a Champ or Pro Junior?"

(^_^)

Absolutely depends on price, condition, and mojo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbenn

It's probably the speaker that's bothering the "overpriced" contingent, particularly if they are judging on personal experience of one amp, IMO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twangntweed

I've found Champs and VC's to be very limited--but they weren't meant to be anything but. Good for low-volume noodling at home or bring one to the studio, throw an SM57 in front and push it to its limit for some killer guitar tracks.

I had a Champ, it was a quite nice little home practice amp, and just barely loud enough for band rehearsal. Not particularly impressive-sounding, though. Mine even had an upgraded speaker.

(warning, oft-repeated Tim story coming up!)

Ah, but I also had a 2x12 4-ohm cab (that I bought from Paul Honeycutt to use with a Traynor YBA-1 Bass Master head), and after reading an article in which Ry Cooder talked about great amps hiding behind crappy little speakers, I figured I'd do a little experimenting. After scrounging the right adapter from Radio Shack, I hooked up the Champ to the speaker cab.

Ry was RIGHT!!!

Fire-breathing dragon jumped out of the cab!

We had a wedding gig that weekend, and while I did bring my Musicman HD130 just in case, I played the whole gig through the Champ Stack, and it kept up with the rest of our 5-piece band, and I had the most amazing, juicy, rich tone ever!

Of course, I never did that again (we didn't gig a lot, and I got a Traynor YGM-3 Guitar Mate that I liked, then the band broke up and I sold the Champ along with a lot of other stuff I should have kept... Because I AM an idiot!), but I'm absolutely gonna build a Champ circuit in a headbox and go there again some day...

Cheers, Tim

BradKM · August 4th, 2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by BradKM
The vibrato, which also adds a bit of gain.

With all respect - really! - particularly in view of a recent trend in the amps area for people to get all p/o'd and quit -

I never before heard that the VC had more gain than the Champ -

are you sure you are not confusing it with the Princeton versus the Princeton Reverb as to which I have always heard the PR has added gain?

I thought the VC circuit - if the tremelo was "off" was identical to the Champ?

You are likely correct.

I've heard that the Vibrochamp benefited in a similar fashion several times, but haven't done any side-by-side comparisons.

Rocks · August 6th, 2008, 04:11 AM

I have a '73 vibro-champ thats almost mint, got it for $80 last year at a flea market. Changed the speaker to a Weber AlNiCo and its sounds great. Some times I plug it into a 4x10s cab and it really sounds incredible.

winny pooh · August 7th, 2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocks

I have a '73 vibro-champ thats almost mint, got it for $80 last year at a flea market. Changed the speaker to a Weber AlNiCo and its sounds great. Some times I plug it into a 4x10s cab and it really sounds incredible.

You make me sick

DMace · August 7th, 2008, 10:44 AM

In short, No. I'd save up a little extra cash and get a Princeton Amp (non-reverb): a vastly superior amp for not that much more. However, you really can't go wrong buying any vintage Fender, because even if you pay too much, it's going to keep going up in value.

Scott S · August 7th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMace

In short, No. I'd save up a little extra cash and get a Princeton Amp (non-reverb): a vastly superior amp for not that much more. However, you really can't go wrong buying any vintage Fender, because even if you pay too much, it's going to keep going up in value.

Yep, just like houses!

- Scott

petebradt · August 7th, 2008, 12:00 PM

THere's really no secret to determining the value of any guitar or amp - it's worth exactly what someone else is willing to pay for it, on the day you want to sell.

IT's just as simple as that.

popthree · August 7th, 2008, 12:51 PM

i got my champ for 180 shipped to my door. that was the going price at the time. that was .. uh... i think 8 years ago.. maybe 9. anyway... i'm glad i bought it. i wont sell it. its useful to me. i think it sounds great. i'd have a tough time coughing up 400 for one today though. even if i didn't already have one. neat little amp but there are lots of nice amps for 400 bucks... so unless you just 'gotta have it' i'd probably go for something more flexible... or wait till you find a sweet deal on a champ for less. 400 is a bit high, IMO.

oh wait.. you already got one.....

377 shipped probably aint too bad of a deal. good thing is.. if you want to sell it later, you can probably get your $$ out of it without much trouble.

ojaverde · August 7th, 2008, 01:55 PM

What is the difference in the circuits between the tweed , blackface and silverface champs vibrochamps? Is there a pronounced difference in the tone between them?

DMace · August 7th, 2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ojaverde

What is the difference in the circuits between the tweed , blackface and silverface champs vibrochamps? Is there a pronounced difference in the tone between them?

Big difference in tone between tweed and blackface/silverface. From what I've read and heard myself, there isn't much of a difference between the blackface and silverface though. The circuits of Fender's smaller amps (champ, princeton, deluxe) didn't really change much from blackface to silverface, or so says Dave Hunter from Vintage Guitar Magazine/Guitar Player magazine.

August 2nd, 2008, 06:56 PM	#42 (permalink)
Bluesbob Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East Suffolk L.I. Posts: 1,049 20 Photos	Why not... just go with a triple stack! __________________ What, me worry?

August 2nd, 2008, 09:31 PM	#44 (permalink)
DrewB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 1,079	Ignoring the whole "vintage" thing, $400 is pretty outrageous for a VibroChamp, IMO. The examples of that model that I've heard have been very average sounding. I think that amp is screaming for reverb, and I'm not a reverb nut, by any means (I don't own an amp with reverb.). A Blues Junior offers a lot more performance, and you can always throw a tremolo pedal on it if you need it. __________________ There is no substitute for Sound Pressure Level

August 2nd, 2008, 10:12 PM	#45 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,517	I'd buy a Pro Junior before I'd buy a Blues Junior... Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

August 2nd, 2008, 10:31 PM	#46 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 55 Posts: 789 37 Photos	I'd buy a Champ before a Pro Junior.... (^_^) __________________ Ono Boy says "good n' swampy....."

August 2nd, 2008, 11:09 PM	#48 (permalink)
endzone Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Louisiana Age: 52 Posts: 1,627 37 Photos	[quote=JimiBryant;1363439] as far as value goes: I'd look for a Valco-manufactured small combo (Supro/National/etc) before I'd go with a Champ (unless it was dirt-cheap at a garage sale or something) QUOTE] +1. I totally agree. I had been looking for an old Valco or Silvertone for a year or so and finally got a Silvertone 1482 for way less than $300. They say it's a 5E3 circuit and now I know why everyone wants one. Plus, it's very giggable at 15watts. I used it today at practice and the whole band had a big grin on their faces hearing that old amp crank. Absolutely a killer amp. I don't know if I'll ever get my VC or my Champ out again. But, I doubt I'll get rid of 'em either. __________________ *I'm Makin Progress*

August 2nd, 2008, 07:52 PM	#43 (permalink)
Big White Tele Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Canadian Rockies Posts: 238	Id buy every Blackface VC I could find for 400.00. I also think the Blues JR is a great amp as well, but different. Id say a BF VC at 400.00 is a steal.

August 3rd, 2008, 12:54 PM	#50 (permalink)
DH82c Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Montreal Age: 38 Posts: 130	http://cgi.ebay.ca/1965-FENDER-VIBRO...QQcmdZViewItem The amp is worth around 400$ .. it is the COVER that costs the big $$$$

August 3rd, 2008, 01:01 PM	#51 (permalink)
eugenedunn Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Age: 55 Posts: 789 37 Photos	Hey Tim! Now the question is: "Would I buy a Silvertone 148x over a Champ or Pro Junior?" (^_^) __________________ Ono Boy says "good n' swampy....."

August 3rd, 2008, 01:23 PM	#52 (permalink)
pbenn Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Age: 52 Posts: 585	It's probably the speaker that's bothering the "overpriced" contingent, particularly if they are judging on personal experience of one amp, IMO. The speaker-swappers seem to have this one covered. FWIW, in 1999, at (the late great) SongBird Music on Queen W in Toronto, their range of normal s/f Camps, mint-to-sort-of-dog, was $399, 365, 315 (approx.--I bought the $399 '77 because it sounded the best and had ## speaker). A sub-issue here may be s/f cabinet/baffle type....

August 3rd, 2008, 02:19 PM	#53 (permalink)
Twangntweed TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: New Jersey Age: 38 Posts: 28	I've found Champs and VC's to be very limited--but they weren't meant to be anything but. Good for low-volume noodling at home or bring one to the studio, throw an SM57 in front and push it to its limit for some killer guitar tracks. I think they're worth more for their historical value these days than anything else. Fender hasn't made a proper tube Champ in almost 3 decades (the hybrids and higher-powered one's from the '80's don't count and neither does that crummy Champion 600). Just don't expect a Twin or even a Princeton and you should be pretty happy with it. __________________ Low string rumbles & chickin pickin' free of charge!

August 6th, 2008, 04:11 AM	#56 (permalink)
Rocks Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Age: 47 Posts: 676	I have a '73 vibro-champ thats almost mint, got it for $80 last year at a flea market. Changed the speaker to a Weber AlNiCo and its sounds great. Some times I plug it into a 4x10s cab and it really sounds incredible. __________________ Rocks Rocks Blues Guitars

August 7th, 2008, 10:44 AM	#58 (permalink)
DMace Tele-Holic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 532	In short, No. I'd save up a little extra cash and get a Princeton Amp (non-reverb): a vastly superior amp for not that much more. However, you really can't go wrong buying any vintage Fender, because even if you pay too much, it's going to keep going up in value.

August 7th, 2008, 12:00 PM	#60 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,423 12 Photos	THere's really no secret to determining the value of any guitar or amp - it's worth exactly what someone else is willing to pay for it, on the day you want to sell. IT's just as simple as that.

August 7th, 2008, 12:51 PM	#61 (permalink)
popthree Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Age: 43 Posts: 2,810 45 Photos	i got my champ for 180 shipped to my door. that was the going price at the time. that was .. uh... i think 8 years ago.. maybe 9. anyway... i'm glad i bought it. i wont sell it. its useful to me. i think it sounds great. i'd have a tough time coughing up 400 for one today though. even if i didn't already have one. neat little amp but there are lots of nice amps for 400 bucks... so unless you just 'gotta have it' i'd probably go for something more flexible... or wait till you find a sweet deal on a champ for less. 400 is a bit high, IMO. oh wait.. you already got one..... 377 shipped probably aint too bad of a deal. good thing is.. if you want to sell it later, you can probably get your $$ out of it without much trouble. __________________ don't taze me bro !

August 7th, 2008, 01:55 PM	#62 (permalink)
ojaverde TDPRI Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: san jose ca Age: 44 Posts: 79	What is the difference in the circuits between the tweed , blackface and silverface champs vibrochamps? Is there a pronounced difference in the tone between them?