Some basic Champ questions??

[D_Schief]

1) Other than the obvious, is there any significant difference between a VibroChamp and a Champ, e.g., power, headroom, tone?

2) Is there any significant difference between the blackface and early silverface Champs and VibroChamps?

Much thanks y'all!

[JohnnyCrash]

Originally Posted by D_Schief

1) Other than the obvious, is there any significant difference between a VibroChamp and a Champ, e.g., power, headroom, tone?

It's been often said the VibroChamp has a little bit less headroom, so it breaks up a little earlier. I don't know how true this is, since I only have a plain old Champ (that I absolutely love).

Originally Posted by D_Schief

2) Is there any significant difference between the blackface and early silverface Champs and VibroChamps?

Much thanks y'all!

Some Fender amps got gutted by CBS (the BF to SF transition). The Champ is one of the amps that got spared, so they're the same... it's too simple to mess with I guess :)

[Marky D.]

But they all have some of the same basic character. I've owned a BF Champ, BF Vibrochamp, SF Champ, and Tweed Champ.

Here's a summary what I observed:

BF Champ: nice clean sound - doesn't overdrive as easy as the others. A cap job might help. Sounds good w/ Weber Alnico sig. speaker. Someone hacked a hole in the back so in put in a variable negative feedback. Still have this one..

BF Vibrochamp: A little dirtier than the BF champ - nice sound from the stock Jensen speaker. Maybe more "lively" sounding than the regular champ, though I didn't A/B 'em.

SF Champ: This one was a screamer, more gritty - used to blow harp through it..

Tweed Champ: Woody, darkest sounding of the 3. Weber ceramic signature and bright cap on vol. pot gives it more crispness and crunch.

The biggest difference (I think) is

1. The condition of the tubes and caps. and
2. Efficiency and type (alnico vs. ceramic) of the speaker used.

Another observation: Champs sound great w/ a Holy Grail reverb!

[eggman]

Howdy,

My '68 Vibro Champ (w/ ri Jensen AlNiCo speaker) is my "Get yer Ya-Ya's Out" amp! She's raunchy with my Teles, but gets overpowered by my ES-335. Serious fun-factor.

Eggman