How is the Champion 600?

[teleowner0196]

I'm referring to the Fender Champion 600 5w tube amp

I've read reviews on this little amp from years ago, but I'm wondering from you owners of them how they've held up, and if they were worth what you bought them for.

Thanks

[AirBagTester]

They're pretty awesome! Don't know how long it will hold up... only had mine since Christmas. They were on sale then for $119 or so. Pretty cheap!

[WildcatTele]

I love mine, but I only use it for a living room practice amp clean. It has plenty of sparkle and character, definitely no frills but fantastic value for the money if you're looking for a good clean tube sound at practice volumes. I've heard a few complaints about the speaker, but I don't crank mine to breakup very often.

[JDRNoPro]

There are a bazillion posts about this little amp - both here and on other forums. Doing a "Search" will get you lots of info and comments. Also, check out the Champion 600 thread here under the "Amp Owners Club" subforum. If I'm not mistaken, Fender has now discontinued them so availability may be limited.

[teleowner0196]

Originally Posted by JDRNoPro

There are a bazillion posts about this little amp - both here and on other forums. Doing a "Search" will get you lots of info and comments. Also, check out the Champion 600 thread here under the "Amp Owners Club" subforum. If I'm not mistaken, Fender has now discontinued them so availability may be limited.

Thanks so much! But I was also looking for some current information from owners, to see how they've been holding up after I assume at least a year

[Bill Ashton]

Really have not played mine too much, but its a nice little amp. Not a "quiet' as one might think. A platform for mods if you are technically inclined, as it takes a bit of planning. Have not done anything to mine, but at some point I will change out the grill cloth and maybe the speaker...the little speaker is an acoustic-suspension type with a cloth cone edge, should be in a sealed cabinet...but seems to work fine as it is.

[Arbiter]

Mine is stock, save for the speaker. Like the "hi-fi" stock tone a lot. Size is right. Stays pretty clean loud, which is what I wanted.

Only "con" is that there is a small, constant (does not vary with amp volume) amount of low-level hum from the filament heater wires - they pass right on top of some componentry and they probably ought to be shielded.

[redfish]

Had mine since 2009. It's held up fine, including through two tours in Africa, with attendant fuse blowings (2? 3?)when plugged into a 220v outlet by a young boy. Changed the tubes. Definitely worth what I paid, which is more than the current price.

[jipp]

seems silly for them to end the run, seems like it is still selling well. i wonder what fender plans on replacing it with. just the new two amps, the ex, and greta.
im glad i do not have a whole lot of room. will keep my spending down. laughs. not that i have much to spend. laughs.
chris.

[tele salivas]

After two years, I still play mine all the time. I have various other amps, but this one has that sound that keeps letting you play for hours,and is perfect for home The stock speaker sounds a lot better after breaking it in. If you get one, I suggest cranking it as often as possible, pulling the guitar volume back to clean it up to taste. It'll loosen up in no time, smoothing out the initial fizz that might be there. No need for anything to be replaced yet, and I consistently play it pretty loud, relatively speaking.

[Lostinthe50s]

Love mine. Did all the mods... but the best one is still stuffing my Fender Bassman FBR-1 pedal in front of it. It's the only use I've found for that pedal. Baby Bassman baby!

[Del Pickup]

I use mine as much as I play through my 57 Twin!! The 600 is a brilliant amp - even stock as mine is.

I've had it for about 6 months or so and it's been fine. No reason to suspect any problems for the future other than tube replacements as required.

Best value amp ever!! And that's from someone who's got one of Fender's most expensive amps as well!

[Dellis]

I think it's a fantastic little amp. I don't like to push it to overdrive but clean, it's excellent, very responsive. The stock speaker suits the amp once it has had time to break in.

D.

[strat_tone]

I don't like the solid state rectifier and crappy stock speaker. It also has no loud clean tones. It has nice warm grit and for the price is quite nice. You can't add a tube rectifier without a new PT. both the PT and OT are nice and big and well built.

[tweeddeluxe]

Originally Posted by jipp

seems silly for them to end the run, seems like it is still selling well. i wonder what fender plans on replacing it with...
chris.

A $500 version of basically the same amp. This time it will have a Fender "special" speaker, premium covering and more exclusive sounding name.

At about $120 or less it's hard to go wrong.

[markw51]

One of my favorite amps but I modded it extensively, including installing real grill cloth. Stock it is too warm and dull for me. Now it really barks. If you like it as is or have technical skills, go for it.

[tele salivas]

Originally Posted by strat_tone

I don't like the solid state rectifier and crappy stock speaker. It also has no loud clean tones. It has nice warm grit and for the price is quite nice. You can't add a tube rectifier without a new PT. both the PT and OT are nice and big and well built.

With my humbucker guitars it breaks up a lot earlier, but with my single coils it stays clean until about 8 or 9 (out of 12), about 75% of the way up. But I've heard some variances have been noted, for whatever reason, and sometimes even in the same store, same guitar, just a different C-600 the shelf over.

[Pointmonger]

Originally Posted by tele salivas

With my humbucker guitars it breaks up a lot earlier, but with my single coils it stays clean until about 8 or 9 (out of 12).

Mine just loves the low-output pups of my CVC and CV BSB. I keep it at 12 and just tweak the guitar's volume down a bit and it stays pretty clean. I love that amp.

[tele salivas]

Originally Posted by Pointmonger

Mine just loves the low-output pups of my CVC and CV BSB. I keep it at 12 and just tweak the guitar's volume down a bit and it stays pretty clean. I love that amp.

That's my favored method as well.

[jkrischan]

I had one and really used it hard for about a year, I replaced the speaker and tubes and gave it to my father in law who runs his 50's esquire threw it. He loves it and the look on his face at Xmas was worth it. Great little amp for the money, wish they wouldn't have used the ss rectifier though