are there comparables to the 80's super champ?

[skeksis]

I really like the *idea* of the 80's super champ (fender/rivera). Never played one, though. Champ sized cabinet with around 18w 6v6, 10" speaker, reverb, fender voice. Essentially, I'm talking about moderate power in a very compact package. I suppose a Pro Jr isn't too far... neither is the PRRI. But the MV and an option of gainier tones appeals to me. And the champ size, too. Anyway, budget and scarcity have me a little leery about 'em, but I wonder if there's anything else on the market in that niche?

[postjob62]

Well, I can think of at least one.

But I'm afraid to post about it until my asbestos underwear is out of the wash.

[Wally]

Take a look at Rivera Amps. Paul Rivera was instrumental in the desing of the Super Champ and the rest of that line. I believe the Chubster might fit your bill. Of course, you could just get a Super Champ, right?

[skeksis]

Originally Posted by Wally

Of course, you could just get a Super Champ, right?

Seems reasonable enough :-)

a few minor problems - I'd like to play one before I buy (most I've seen were on the ebay); I'd rather not pay $800-1000+ unless I'm 100% in love w/ it; I'm doubtful one will show up on craigslist anytime soon.

I'll do some research on the chubster.

[fauxsuper]

Try a Peavey Classic 30. Not all that much more weight than a Super Champ. Under 40 lbs. The other guitar player in my band has one, and I've played through it. It's not voiced like a super Champ, but you can get plenty of usable tones out of it, and it has enough headroom to play clean rhythm with a fairly loud drummer. I had a Super Champ in the 80's and I loved it, but you could only get a clean sound out of it at low volume by running the output in to a larger efficient speaker.

You can pick them up used as great prices, and since it's a commodity type amp you can always sell it for about what you paid.

[maggieo]

How about the Champ II in the TDPRI classifieds?

[Hoodster]

It's not the CHubster from Rivera but rather the CLubster 25 that is the evolution of the Super Champ -- i.e. 2X6v6, 1X10, tidy little 30 pound package that totally whoops ass.

I own one and it totally rocks. Search the archives for the word Clubster and you'll see a lot of my prior posts. I also owned an original Super Champ as my main amp for many years, which I ran through a 2x10 cabinet. I can tell you that for the same price or less than a vintage Super Champ, the Clubster 25 is far superior. The only areas where the original is superior it is tube driven reverb and *possibly* slightly more authentic Blackface clean tones at lower volumes. But the Riviera Clubster is so much more versatile and gig-worthy I don't think there is any comparison. Because actually if what you're looking for is amazing Blackface reverb cleans at bedroom volumes you should be looking at the Princeton Reverb Reissue instead.

PS--it is slightly possible I will be selling my Clubster due to two other new amp purchases, so send me an e-mail if you're interested.

[playon]

Star Nova

[Hoodster]

The Star Nova is not a very valid comparison -- it is just 5 Watts in a single ended 6V6 configuration, which is not going to give you the Blackface PR/DR tones of a Super Champ or Clubster 25.

[skeksis]

ok, wally? anyone?

I've found one locally - it's a showroom condition 'pro series' w/ oak cab, ev speaker, cover, and footswitch. perfect working order, too...

BUT the guy's looking for around $1000. am I crazy for considering it?

[pedenphoto]

Is it worth it? Hmmm Let's see. Regular Super Champs sell routinely for $800.00 plus in serviceable condition. You have now located an equivalent one much more rare and in good condition for $200.00 more and you can test it? If we have learned anything about vintage it is that true vintage in time (not overnight) tends to go up in value as opposed to new which tends to loose value the minute it goes out of the shop. I hope by now you have already pulled the trigger on this one. If you don't ,send me the phone number I will. Peden

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by skeksis

ok, wally? anyone?
I've found one locally - it's a showroom condition 'pro series' w/ oak cab, ev speaker, cover, and footswitch. perfect working order, too...

BUT the guy's looking for around $1000. am I crazy for considering it?

Those are rare and will hold their value, and probably continue appreciating, but personally that's more than I'd want to pay for an SC as a gigging amp. Have you considered any of the small Rivera combos or Mesa's discontinued Subway Rocket series, all of which mine the same territory at about half the price?

[markw51]

Would it be foolish to say: Super Champ XD? $320 at your favorite music store?

[Wally]

There were only 100of those oak cab SC's built,IIRC. IF I had the change for it and it was very clean, I would go for it. The last oak cab SC I heard of selling was sold on ebay quite a number of years ago..7-8 years??... for $900, IIRC. IT was complete with footswitch, maybe an extra cab...and it was David Gilmour's amp.
That price you are looking at is the bottom of exc cond value.

[Geoff738]

Originally Posted by Wally

There were only 100of those oak cab SC's built,IIRC. IF I had the change for it and it was very clean, I would go for it. The last oak cab SC I heard of selling was sold on ebay quite a number of years ago..7-8 years??... for $900, IIRC. IT was complete with footswitch, maybe an extra cab...and it was David Gilmour's amp.
That price you are looking at is the bottom of exc cond value.

The footswitch - does it come with one or not.

I'm not an expert in this by any means, but my memory is that the footswitches themselves are required for certain functions (could be wrong about that), and that they are not interchangeable with other models (that I'm much more sure of). I've heard that the footswitches alone for these things go for princely sums on ebay.

Hopefully others better informed can chime in here.

I'd say if it has the footswitch and you like the amp (I personally am not crazy about them, but that's just me) - I'd definitely go for it.

Cheers,
Geoff

[Wally]

The footswitch does allow one to turn the reverb on and off. OTherwise, it does not 'expand' the functions of the amp beyond making switching in and out of the LEad fucntion easier.

[crawdad]

Using the footswitch also weakens the tone of the clean channel somehow.

[rangercaster]

how about this? http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/p...RWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

[Singin' Dave]

If you can hang with EL84's, +1 on the Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket, which will run you ~450 or so used.

[Wally]

I like the Mesa Subway a the Studio .22+ even more. I do not however find them comparable to the SC. The SC does some tones that those Mesa amps don't cover.
Ex: very good BF reverb tones, very realistic tweed deluxe tones. I also liek the high gain in theSC more. YMMV...but the market seems to agree with me. For instance, I have sold MEsa 22+ at market price comparable to the SC soem years back when they were both worth about $450. The Mesa is still at that value, the SC has risen. ONe is a good amp while the other is a great amp, imho.