Eric Clapton Vibro-Champ - Anyone Have One?

[daddyopapa]

Anyone have one? Do you like it?

And no "you can build a tweed champ kit for less than half that" or "I bought a 70s VibroChamp for $100."

I'll do the cost:benefit calculations, thank you.
I just want to know how this amp sounds.

[telex76]

I imagine you will have to look for reviews in guitar mags.
I'm sure it's well built and sounds great or can be made to sound great without too much trouble. If you don't mind spending the money, I'm sure you'd be pleased with it.

Most people on here know that sound can be had for alot less, so probably not much chance of reviews around here. Never hurts to ask though. Good luck. If you get one, let us know what you think. If money were no object, I'd get the whole Clapton line.

[daddyopapa]

Originally Posted by telex76

I imagine you will have to look for reviews in guitar mags.
I'm sure it's well built and sounds great or can be made to sound great without too much trouble. If you don't mind spending the money, I'm sure you'd be pleased with it.

Most people on here know that sound can be had for alot less, so probably not much chance of reviews around here. Never hurts to ask though. Good luck. If you get one, let us know what you think. If money were no object, I'd get the whole Clapton line.

You're probably right. Where can I get a turret board, non-PCB hand wired Tweed Champ with bias tremolo and a variable power output with a warranty for under $999?

[backline]

Originally Posted by daddyopapa

You're probably right. Where can I get a turret board, non-PCB hand wired Tweed Champ with bias tremolo and a variable power output with a warranty for under $999?

You can build one so easily, for so much cheaper, as to be almost stupid.
Does a single ended, 5 watt amp, really benefit from an attenuator.?
Is a Ferrari really worth several hundred thousand.?....of course not. But if you are Eric Clapton, for example, you can spend 3 million on a single automobile without even a care.
Guess it just depends are your mind set and your bank account.
Best

[eastsidecincy]

it seems they put EC on it and they can double the price :(

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by backline

You can build one so easily, for so much cheaper, as to be almost stupid.
Does a single ended, 5 watt amp, really benefit from an attenuator.?
Is a Ferrari really worth several hundred thousand.?....of course not. But if you are Eric Clapton, for example, you can spend 3 million on a single automobile without even a care.
Guess it just depends are your mind set and your bank account.
Best

Did you even read the OP's post?

[backline]

Originally Posted by tap4154

Did you even read the OP's post?

Yeah....did you read mine.
It is the same circuit that has been around for decades. Putting a celebrities name on it does not change the sound, or the simplicity.
Did I thoroughly answer you question.?
Best

[daddyopapa]

Originally Posted by backline

Yeah....did you read mine.
It is the same circuit that has been around for decades. Putting a celebrities name on it does not change the sound, or the simplicity.
Did I thoroughly answer you question.?
Best

I had stated in my OP that I don't want a lesson on how simple a tweed champ is to build. I know that. I've assembled partsocatsers and modded amps: a DRRI, a Traynor YCV40, I replaced the tone stack in my Champ 600 - I'm sticking a Weber 8" in my Champ 600 today. I just want to know how the EC VibroChamp sounds. I think it's a cool amp with cool features that seem to be unique for the price and I have a little amp fund so I thought it could be cool to just - for once - buy and amp and not mod it. I've heard the demoes but I like to balance actual end user's opinions with the guys paid to promote the amp. So thanks for the info but if nobody has tried this amp, it's OK if the thread slides off the bottom of the page.

[TheRumRunner]

I took the time to play (in store) each of the new EC series when they hit the shop close to me. The Vibro Champ was my least favorite. I was hoping for it to be a lower power 5e3, but it did not deliver the toggle switch type change in break-up I was expecting. As a small clean bedroom amp I think it excels. Not having an intensity control on the trem makes no sense to me. Sometimes I want a softer use of the effect and with the EC it's on in your face.

It's hard doing a comparo without discussing the value, so I'll leave that up to you, as you wish.

The EC Twin was exemplary.

DW

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by eastsidecincy

it seems they put EC on it and they can double the price :(

Actually they didn't double the price. They didn't even raise the price. The price is the same as the previous Fender 57 Champ. They added tremolo and the price stayed the same.

Fender 57 Champ Custom 5W 1x8 Tube Guitar Combo Amp $999.99

Fender Eric Clapton EC Signature Vibro-Champ 5W 1x8... $999.99



Anyway, I think they have one in stock at Willcutt Guitars so the next time I am there I will try it out and a post a review.

[tap4154]

Originally Posted by backline

Yeah....did you read mine.
It is the same circuit that has been around for decades. Putting a celebrities name on it does not change the sound, or the simplicity.
Did I thoroughly answer you question.?
Best

Yes I got it: You read his post but chose to ignore his request not to rag on the EC amp, and only reply IF you had played one.

[winny pooh]

Tweed champs (played a 58' & others) are too raw and crunchy for my taste and I dont like the speakers nor a tweed princeton with a 10". I prefer the cleaner & fatter sounding blackface & silverface models. Even if I had the cash I would not buy one. So much help I am.

If you do want that kind of amp then IMO pony up and get a low watt tweed swart with REVERBBBB! You can even get them w a 12" speaker. That is assuming you want the best amp rather than the best Brand. (insert smiley playfully sticking it's tongue out at you.)

http://swartamps.com/amplifiers.htm

[Pips]

So does anybody have one? I'm thinking about it - but they are expensive.

[gadgetfreak]

Here are some sound clips

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLsfct0sqUg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Lb3r...eature=related

[jipp]

look for a youtube video of them showing fender building one of these amps. its scary how fast and ruogh they are when building them. apparently the guy testing the amp before final boxing was doing something wrong too. im not sure what that was but all the gurus pointed it out. ill see if i can find the video. i was sorta surprised at how rough they were with it. and the assembly belt. at any rate. good luck on finding a review.
chris.

[Gringo13]

I have the EC Vibro Champ and I dig it. I got a good deal on it and didn't look back. The wattage selector is pretty awesome for home use. It's not like an attenuator. At home, I use it for everything... can get pretty loud, even on 1 watt, so I use pedals to drive it. For shows, I run it on 10-11 in series with the Bassman set fairly clean on about 4. I elevate the Champ a little and the distortion is easily heard.

I think better deals can be had if price is a main concern, but that wasn't the OP's situation. Also, mine is built extremely well, so I doubt they beat it up too bad in the factory. And yes, I felt like a snob getting mine.

[OaklandA]

It's funny that people will slag this amp on the basis of price but will gush over a Victoria 518 at the same price...

[Del Pickup]

I've looked at these amps on the web and the main music chain store in NZ has a couple in stock at prices which are LOWER than the prices on the original 57 Deluxe and Champ amps! So Fender and their retailers aren't actually cashing in on EC's name here at all.

If I had the cash I'd be looking at getting one of them.

[sydney]

I bought one from MF for $849.

I am strictly a home noodler and was looking for a small tube amp to play in our living room. I first tried an AC15 which I liked but found it to be a little bright for my tastes. I also found it needed to be cranked to loud for living room playing... I sent it back to MF.

I then tried a NOS Blues Jr... a very different sounding amp compared to the AC15. I liked it as well but it did sound somewhat boxy to me... but I did prefer the Fender tone of the BJ over the AC15 and I probably would have kept it had it not died on me after 3 days. I sent it back to MF.

At this point I thought what the hell... MF has such a great return policy why not take a chance and spend the extra cash for the EC Champ... if it doesn't work out... I'll send it back. I've had it for about 3 weeks now and have no intentions to return... it's a keeper.

The variety of tones you can get from this simple amp is incredible. It is very responsive to the volume and tone controls on my guitars. The Low power mode is perfect for playing at home. The tremolo is very pulsating... it's fun to play around with but an intensity control would make it a lot more useful. The low end is surprisingly good for a small 8 inch speaker. I actually preferred the low end of the EC Champ's 8 inch speaker over the 12 inch speaker in the AC15... at least at living room levels.

There's not much to it... it's a very simple amp but appears well built. I have no complaints regarding the build quality.

Is it over priced? Maybe. Are there less expensive alternatives? Yes.

I have no desire to build an amp... I just want to play my guitars.

Frankly I'm reluctant to post about my purchase because of the "snob" connotations associated with Fender's custom amps... so I didn't bother creating a NAD post.

I can afford to spend this kind of money on this simple little amp... and hope that all of you at TDPRI find yourself in a position to afford whatever gear you desire in the future.

All the best.

Sid

[Pips]

Originally Posted by sydney

I bought one from MF for $849.

I am strictly a home noodler and was looking for a small tube amp to play in our living room. I first tried an AC15 which I liked but found it to be a little bright for my tastes. I also found it needed to be cranked to loud for living room playing... I sent it back to MF.

I then tried a NOS Blues Jr... a very different sounding amp compared to the AC15. I liked it as well but it did sound somewhat boxy to me... but I did prefer the Fender tone of the BJ over the AC15 and I probably would have kept it had it not died on me after 3 days. I sent it back to MF.

At this point I thought what the hell... MF has such a great return policy why not take a chance and spend the extra cash for the EC Champ... if it doesn't work out... I'll send it back. I've had it for about 3 weeks now and have no intentions to return... it's a keeper.

The variety of tones you can get from this simple amp is incredible. It is very responsive to the volume and tone controls on my guitars. The Low power mode is perfect for playing at home. The tremolo is very pulsating... it's fun to play around with but an intensity control would make it a lot more useful. The low end is surprisingly good for a small 8 inch speaker. I actually preferred the low end of the EC Champ's 8 inch speaker over the 12 inch speaker in the AC15... at least at living room levels.

There's not much to it... it's a very simple amp but appears well built. I have no complaints regarding the build quality.

Is it over priced? Maybe. Are there less expensive alternatives? Yes.

I have no desire to build an amp... I just want to play my guitars.

Frankly I'm reluctant to post about my purchase because of the "snob" connotations associated with Fender's custom amps... so I didn't bother creating a NAD post.

I can afford to spend this kind of money on this simple little amp... and hope that all of you at TDPRI find yourself in a position to afford whatever gear you desire in the future.

All the best.

Sid

Sam thank you for your input, I have a couple of small amps for home use and want to get a Fender, I've wanted a champ for years and I suspect I will be pulling the trigger shortly.
Also I think these amps are not being priced any more for the EC logo - I should careless about EC! Thats what a high quality, hand built amp cost, the only question with gear purchases is, does it do it for me, clearly it does for you and I suspect it will for me.