revamp the Bassman or get a Champ/Vibrochamp?

appar111 · August 15th, 2007, 08:28 AM

I have about $300 that I'm thinking of putting into either a) my '59 Bassman 1x12 conversion (new baffle and a Weber 12F150B), or b) a 70's Champ or Vibrochamp.

I usually only use an overdrive pedal or two, and only very rarely gig out w/ friends. I've gotten used to the bigger sound of the Bassman, but the last Champ I heard (a 65 Vibrochamp) really had alot of mojo to it.

Which should I spend the $$$ on?

mr_hankey · August 15th, 2007, 09:05 AM

I've got both a Bassman ('64) (not the reissue, but a Bassman nonetheless) and a Champ ('75); and I must say they complement each other quite nicely.

Get the Champ. It's great for nice overdrive at reasonable levels, and it's very portable.

angerboy · August 16th, 2007, 09:30 PM

Get the Champ.

vic108 · August 17th, 2007, 11:33 AM

Get the Champ......

That way, with the Bassma AND the Champ, you got alot
of bases covered. One amp won't do it all.

zook · August 17th, 2007, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vic108

Get the Champ......

That way, with the Bassma AND the Champ, you got alot
of bases covered. One amp won't do it all.

What he said.

Winnie

bob · August 17th, 2007, 08:29 PM

Another vote for the Champ!

11 Gauge · August 17th, 2007, 08:49 PM

After cycling thru all of my amps tonight (one of which is a '67 Champ), I agree - get a Champ.

And for just under 3 bills, you can get one brand new, minus speaker and cab, from here:

http://www.ceriatone.com/index.htm

AND you can pick whether you want the BF Champ, tweed Champ, or VibroChamp.

I think this is really the way to go, as stock Champs usually have lousy speakers. And (IMO) an 8" upgrade is nothing to write home about, either.

JMO - but a Champ with a 12 could just possibly be one sweet sounding amp! You could score an Eminence Legend for around 40 bucks...

The Ceriatone stuff is top shelf and dirt cheap. I got a Marshall board this past Spring, and have been digging it ever since.

appar111 · August 17th, 2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11 Gauge

After cycling thru all of my amps tonight (one of which is a '67 Champ), I agree - get a Champ.

And for just under 3 bills, you can get one brand new, minus speaker and cab, from here:

http://www.ceriatone.com/index.htm

AND you can pick whether you want the BF Champ, tweed Champ, or VibroChamp.

I think this is really the way to go, as stock Champs usually have lousy speakers. And (IMO) an 8" upgrade is nothing to write home about, either.

JMO - but a Champ with a 12 could just possibly be one sweet sounding amp! You could score an Eminence Legend for around 40 bucks...

The Ceriatone stuff is top shelf and dirt cheap. I got a Marshall board this past Spring, and have been digging it ever since.

I checked into Ceriatone and they charge a fortune for shipping, unfortunately. That and they don't have chrome chassis for their champ kits-- only white powedercoated chassis.

$300 and I still have to buy a speaker and a cab? I'd rather pay $350 for a SF Champ on Ebay. I really thought Ceriatone was a great option until I started looking into the details and I just didn't like the options for the amount of $ I'd be spending.

So it's off to search for the right SF champ on ebay....

wish me luck!

August 15th, 2007, 08:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
appar111 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Ohio Age: 33 Posts: 1,276	revamp the Bassman or get a Champ/Vibrochamp? I have about $300 that I'm thinking of putting into either a) my '59 Bassman 1x12 conversion (new baffle and a Weber 12F150B), or b) a 70's Champ or Vibrochamp. I usually only use an overdrive pedal or two, and only very rarely gig out w/ friends. I've gotten used to the bigger sound of the Bassman, but the last Champ I heard (a 65 Vibrochamp) really had alot of mojo to it. Which should I spend the $$$ on?

August 17th, 2007, 11:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
vic108 Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mudwogweap, VA Age: 52 Posts: 947 9 Photos	Get the Champ...... That way, with the Bassma AND the Champ, you got alot of bases covered. One amp won't do it all. __________________ Guitars will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no guitars

August 17th, 2007, 08:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 2,898 10 Photos	After cycling thru all of my amps tonight (one of which is a '67 Champ), I agree - get a Champ. And for just under 3 bills, you can get one brand new, minus speaker and cab, from here: http://www.ceriatone.com/index.htm AND you can pick whether you want the BF Champ, tweed Champ, or VibroChamp. I think this is really the way to go, as stock Champs usually have lousy speakers. And (IMO) an 8" upgrade is nothing to write home about, either. JMO - but a Champ with a 12 could just possibly be one sweet sounding amp! You could score an Eminence Legend for around 40 bucks... The Ceriatone stuff is top shelf and dirt cheap. I got a Marshall board this past Spring, and have been digging it ever since. __________________

August 15th, 2007, 09:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
mr_hankey Tele-Meister Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Netherlands Age: 19 Posts: 237	I've got both a Bassman ('64) (not the reissue, but a Bassman nonetheless) and a Champ ('75); and I must say they complement each other quite nicely. Get the Champ. It's great for nice overdrive at reasonable levels, and it's very portable.

August 16th, 2007, 09:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
angerboy TDPRI Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Posts: 31 1 Photos	Get the Champ.

August 17th, 2007, 08:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
bob TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 14	Another vote for the Champ!