Champ 600 Owners Club

Absolutely 100% sure. Just boost Your signal and turn it down, or use an overdrive pedal. The nice thing with a tube power stage is that it will smooth
the already overdriven tone.

There are 2 input stages where the 1:st one controls the tone and the
second controls the volume. You overdrive the 1:st input stage, the second
stage will smooth the signal and not amplifiy it much and the output stage will
furher smooth the signal.

Cheers
L-zr

There is no need to overdrive the front end with a booster or other pedal. I can easily overdrive the power stage in my 5F1 configured C600 using just the pickups in my guitar. Power amp distortion is a completely different type of distortion and sounds totally different from preamp distortion.

Subsequent stages do not "smooth" the signal whatever that means. If they are operated within their design parameters they will simply amplify the signal more. If they are not, they will also distort the signal.

A tube or a valve has a fairly limited frequenzy range and overdriven signals contains a lot
of high frequenzy content. The closer to the output limit the harder it will get to follow
the signal. This will have the effect of "rounding off" or "smoothething" the signal.
Theorerically this is the same as filtering high frequenzy content. Just hook up an oscillosope an check for Yourself.

"Subsequent stages do not "smooth" the signal whatever that means. If they are operated within their design parameters they will simply amplify the signal more. If they are not, they will also distort the signal. "

The distortion You mention here is the "smoothing" i talk about and it work both ways.
A clean signal will be "hardened" if You like, and an already distorted signal will appear
"smothed".

Yes preamp distortion sounds completely different, but unfortunately this is not the 600´s forte.

Cheers
L-zr

A tube or a valve has a fairly limited frequenzy range and overdriven signals contains a lot
of high frequenzy content. The closer to the output limit the harder it will get to follow
the signal. This will have the effect of "rounding off" or "smoothething" the signal.
Theorerically this is the same as filtering high frequenzy content. Just hook up an oscillosope an check for Yourself.

"Subsequent stages do not "smooth" the signal whatever that means. If they are operated within their design parameters they will simply amplify the signal more. If they are not, they will also distort the signal. "

The distortion You mention here is the "smoothing" i talk about and it work both ways.
A clean signal will be "hardened" if You like, and an already distorted signal will appear
"smothed".

Yes preamp distortion sounds completely different, but unfortunately this is not the 600´s forte.

Cheers
L-zr

I received my degree in electrical engineering in 1976, back when tubes were still part of the curriculum. When did you get yours?

Just for grins and giggles, I tried your approach. I turned the amp down to about 5 and the guitar to 10. To get any kind of overdrive sound out of it (preamp or otherwise), I had to max out my E-H LPB-1. Even then the drive was barely audible. With the amp volume wide open and the guitar wide open I got great power tube overdrive with just the pickups alone. I know what I'll stick with. :cool:

Pull the chassis out and find the twisted pair of green wire that runs across the circuit boad. That is the 6.3 volt heater wire and is the source of most of the amp's hum. There should be enough slack in the wire to pull it away from the components on the PCB. You can try lifting it a little and moving it from side to side. That is usually all it takes to reduce the hum level. Worked for me.

moved the heater wire off to the side a little while I was installing the new Weber Ceramic speaker today. reduced the hum a little bit. thanks Bill

"I received my degree in electrical engineering in 1976, back when tubes were still part of the curriculum. When did you get yours?

Just for grins and giggles, I tried your approach. I turned the amp down to about 5 and the guitar to 10. To get any kind of overdrive sound out of it (preamp or otherwise), I had to max out my E-H LPB-1. Even then the drive was barely audible. With the amp volume wide open and the guitar wide open I got great power tube overdrive with just the pickups alone. I know what I'll stick with"

A few years later... With everything wide open both of mine sound horrible so I know I'l
stick with the sweet pot around 4-6 and overdrive the input.

Cheers
L-zr

I'm right with you, there. I love my CV50 Tele's neck pickup through the high input on the cranked 600. Squier Deluxe Tele through a Green Screamer into the low input is great, too.

Dang, that was supposed to say Squier Deluxe STRAT! That made no sense at all.

moved the heater wire off to the side a little while I was installing the new Weber Ceramic speaker today. reduced the hum a little bit. thanks Bill

Good to hear. :grin:

"I received my degree in electrical engineering in 1976, back when tubes were still part of the curriculum. When did you get yours?

Just for grins and giggles, I tried your approach. I turned the amp down to about 5 and the guitar to 10. To get any kind of overdrive sound out of it (preamp or otherwise), I had to max out my E-H LPB-1. Even then the drive was barely audible. With the amp volume wide open and the guitar wide open I got great power tube overdrive with just the pickups alone. I know what I'll stick with"

A few years later... With everything wide open both of mine sound horrible so I know I'l
stick with the sweet pot around 4-6 and overdrive the input.

Cheers
L-zr

That's cuz your's is stock and looks basically like this:

http://ampwares.com/schematics/champ_aa764.pdf

Mine looks like this:

http://ampwares.com/schematics/champ_5f1.pdf

BIG difference in gain structure and sound. :grin:

Close but not quite and then I don't see Your comparison making sense.

My point is just that I like it best the way it is, and someone wants tons of distortion
probably does better looking elsewhere.

For me this unit is a sidekick that I don't see any point in spending too much on.
That said I totally understand all the tinkerers out there that does it for fun. But
my original post was for the rest of us.

Cheers
L-zr

Close but not quite and then I don't see Your comparison making sense.

The comparison is simple and quite obvious: Fender in building the C600 made no attempt to replicate the sound of the amp as it was built in the late 40's/early 50's. Instead the design of the amp is a clone of the mid-60's Silverface Champ AA764 circuit. Totally different design, totally different sound. Compare the circuits. Except for the power supplies and a fixed tone stack, the C600 circuit is virtually identical to the AA764 right down to the component values.

http://ampwares.com/schematics/champ_aa764.pdf

http://support.fender.com/schematics/guitar_amplifiers/Champion_600_schematic.pdf

My point is just that I like it best the way it is, and someone wants tons of distortion probably does better looking elsewhere.

People that mod this amp are not looking for tons of distortion, at least I am not. Instead, people are looking for the sound of the early 50's Fender amps. That is easily accomplished with the removal and addition of a few simple parts. There is no need to change major components. Most people do change the tubes as the stock Chinese tubes are, quite frankly, crap. With those simple mods, the amp now appears as this:

http://ampwares.com/schematics/champ_5f1.pdf

For me this unit is a sidekick that I don't see any point in spending too much on.

With the exception of a solid state power suppy, I have modded my amp to look exactly like the 5F1 circuit. The only other change I made was to replace the two 0.02 mfd coupling caps with two 0.0022 mfd coupling caps to raise the -3 db low end roll off from 7 hz up to about 70 hz to prevent muddiness when using the amp with a larger than stock speaker. I even changed the power supply resistors to the same values as the 5F1 which changes the tube supply voltages to more of what they were in the 50's (Fender supply voltages are way too high in the stock amp). Ignoring the cost of a speaker and tube change (which most people do anyway), the total cost of components for the mod is maybe $15.

The net result is an amp that achieves probably 90% to 95% of the sound of a vintage Tweed Champ and gives a nice clean sound at low volume all the way to a sweet, cranked power tube overdrive at higher volume (but still at bedroom levels) with nothing more than a guitar plugged straight into the amp. Set the amp to 12 and control everything with the guitar volume control.

That said I totally understand all the tinkerers out there that does it for fun. But my original post was for the rest of us.

Cheers
L-zr

I certainly understand that, I just wanted to explain why I and others find the amp so moddable. Rock on! :grin:

By all means go ahead and mod away. I am just trying to help the ones who doesn't
want to. Find the sweet spot and use an overdrive pedal or booster.

Some people on this forum do indeed want to transform this unit into a distortion
monster.

Cheers
L-zr

I am sitting here reading this thread while I wait very patiently for the Fed Ex truck to pull to a stop in front of my house and watch as the driver comes to the front door with my new Fender Champion 600 amp from Sweetwater. I will greet him at the door and accept the package. I have been eyeing this model since they were on sale during the holidaze 3 years ago for the awesome price of 89 bucks and free shipping. However I could not swing the purchase due to Christmas expenses and taxes on the house and regretted it since. So now, over three years later...I await delivery.

I'll probably get mine from The Sound Exchange (http://soundexchange2.com/) here in town and redo the guts with hackworth1's
Boot Hill Amps Champ 600 to 5F1 Conversion Kit. (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/shock-brothers-diy-amps/295943-champ-600-5f1-conversion.html) I would just drive over there, and get it, while I take a listen to his other amps. (If he'll see me, I believe he works out of his house or garage. Not the first amp builder to do that, while making great amps!)

I think these sound better at around half volume with good drive pedal, not a clean boost pedal but an overdrive pedal like a Tubescreamer. I've used mine in the studio this way with great results.

I'll probably get mine from The Sound Exchange (http://soundexchange2.com/) here in town and redo the guts with hackworth1's
Boot Hill Amps Champ 600 to 5F1 Conversion Kit. (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/shock-brothers-diy-amps/295943-champ-600-5f1-conversion.html) I would just drive over there, and get it, while I take a listen to his other amps. (If he'll see me, I believe he works out of his house or garage. Not the first amp builder to do that, while making great amps!)

That's cool, but you can easily mod the stock PCB to an exact 5F1 circuit (less the tube rectifier) and get the same results for a lot less money. Drop the voltage out of the solid state rectifier and the difference in sound between the two is minimal.

Same here, I use a Bad Monkey at about half volume for distortion. Only mods are a decent 12ax7 and replaced the grill cloth. Sounds great to me!

Greetings

Read all 500 posts. Facinating.

Want to yank my speaker and grill cloth and install an 8" on a new baffle.

Points unsure of:

Planning to use a Weber Sig 8"

Q1 Regular or S? What is dif?

Q2 Will is fit with a JJ 6V6s?

Q3 Where do I source a small amount of speaker cloth?

Q4 Best baffle board material.

All the very best

Larry

Q 5 What mounting hardware for nw speaker to new baffle?

TIA

Larry

Picked up my second last week (sold the original a couple of years ago).

Really enjoying the stock sounds - came with a GT 6V6 and generic Chinese 12AX7 which sounded fine in conjuction with the stock speaker.

I have ordered:

GE JAN CG 6V6GT 6V6 GT
and a
Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 EH EH-12AX7

We'll see how it goes.

I got my speaker material in the mail yesterday as well as my 12AX7 tube. I am taking a break from trying to get the speaker material installed. The hardest and riskyiest part seems to be pulling all the darn staples. There are about 9 to a side and they are in deep. I had a slip with the screwdriver and stabbed by finger. If you do this, wear gloves!

Had to paint the outside of the baffel as they left that unpainted and with a dark speaker material it needs to be black. I had some acrylic ivory black artist paint and used it to cover the bare wood.

After I get it all back together and tested, I'll post some pictures. Trying to get this done before the wife gets back....or I'll face 10000 questions. LOL

Q 5 What mounting hardware for nw speaker to new baffle?

TIA

Larry

I used the same "t nut" mounting screws that were holding the stock speaker in. Screwed them into the 1/4" birch board I cut for the new baffle.

You could probably use 3/8" inch instead of 1/4" to allow more room for the t nuts to bite into it (mine stick out some but they are still gripping tight. Yes, I just said my tight nuts are sticking out.)

Q3 Where do I source a small amount of speaker cloth?

Q4 Best baffle board material.

All the very best

Larry

I used a Jensen MOD ceramic 8" so I don't know how a Weber will fit. I have heard that people really dig the alnico (either 6 or 8") in a champ600 though and now I'm wishing I had gotten one from Weber... I might try it sometime.

I used 1/4" birch from my local big box hardware store to cut the new baffle and I asked my wife for some of her quilting material to cover the speaker.

It has a slightly bigger and cleaner sound now compared to how it was stock IMO. Also put JJ tubes in there which was also a factor.

It only took about 20 minutes to install the speaker cloth and put the amp back together. I moved the two green heater wires up a bit and now the amp is even more quiet, even with the strat on positions 1,3 and 5! I am so pleased and it sound very nice now. I think I'll hold off on a replacement speaker for a bit, put in my NOS 6v6 when it comes in and give it a few days to settle in before doing anything else.

A few seconds after pulling the Chinese 6V6 I heard something small fall inside the amp. It turns out it was the plastic guide at the end of the tube that orients the tube in the socket broke off.

That tube is in the trash.

The NOS GE sounds good and the amp is all closed up now. No more mods in the immediate future are planned.

finished all the mods to my Champ 600 yesterday. this was my first attempt at modding an amp,and it went pretty smooth. bought the kit from alnicomagnet on ebay. took almost 2 weeks to get here from the U.K.,but worth the wait. a brief description of the mods:

the first three mods done were for noise and hum reduction:
AC to DC heater (filament) supply conversion
HT supply supply and voltage drop
re-positioning the output transformer

Voicing Mods:
change R26 to a 1K 2W resistor
change C4 to 1000uF/50V cap

Protection Mod:
fitting an H.T. Fuse

Standby Switch Mod

Pentode/Triode Switch Mod:
had a little problem with this one,but figured it out on my own.
Pentode 5 Watts
Triode 2 Watts

overall I'm very pleased with the outcome. between the cost of the amp ($80),the cost of the Weber speaker ($30) and the cost of the mod kit ($55),I'm into it for about the price of a new one,but with a better overall product I think. I'm also quite pleased with myself for being able to do this. never would have attempted this without all the input and help from this forum. thank you all.

a couple of pics:
stock Champ 600
http://www.wikizic.org/1-046-046927_2-Fender-Champion-600.jpg

my modded Champ 600
http://pages.uoregon.edu/jlund/Champ%20600/P1030484.JPG
lettering for the switches is a little tacky,need something better.

looking for an answer to a stupid question: can I replace my "boost" switch with a 1/4 input,and then use a simple pedal to turn the boost on/off instead of flipping the switch?

this is the mod I did to do the "boost" switch (copied and pasted from another webpage)
Removing R19 from the circuit. I only removed the end going to ground (thus taking out of the circuit) and sending that end to a switch so I can essentially have a "boost" switch for the amp.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6401117859_f135b006a3.jpg

looking for an answer to a stupid question: can I replace my "boost" switch with a 1/4 input,and then use a simple pedal to turn the boost on/off instead of flipping the switch?

this is the mod I did to do the "boost" switch (copied and pasted from another webpage)
Removing R19 from the circuit. I only removed the end going to ground (thus taking out of the circuit) and sending that end to a switch so I can essentially have a "boost" switch for the amp.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6401117859_f135b006a3.jpg

Yes.

thanks Bill. I found this one on the web. has an led to tell when its on/off.
will this work for me?
http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new-intro-modal/ehow/images/a04/ni/mv/make-onoff-guitar-pedal-led-800x800.jpg

http://www.ehow.com/how_4967135_make-onoff-guitar-pedal-led.html

thanks Bill. I found this one on the web. has an led to tell when its on/off.
will this work for me?
http://img.ehowcdn.com/article-new-intro-modal/ehow/images/a04/ni/mv/make-onoff-guitar-pedal-led-800x800.jpg

http://www.ehow.com/how_4967135_make-onoff-guitar-pedal-led.html

Not really. You don't need an input jack for your guitar. From your photo it looks like you have a DPDT switch wired up as a simple SPST switch. All you need is the pushbutton switch, one phone jack, a box, and a cable to plug into the phone jack you install on the amp. The phone jack on the amp will be an open circuit (the cap is disconnected), you plug the cable between that jack and the box and step on the switch. A battery and light is not really necessary.

Not really. You don't need an input jack for your guitar. From your photo it looks like you have a DPDT switch wired up as a simple SPST switch. All you need is the pushbutton switch, one phone jack, a box, and a cable to plug into the phone jack you install on the amp. The phone jack on the amp will be an open circuit (the cap is disconnected), you plug the cable between that jack and the box and step on the switch. A battery and light is not really necessary.

thanks again Bill.it's a diagram I found on the net. I did buy a SPST switch.

so I need this one:
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-guitar-amp-footswitch-under-8-5313395.html?cat=33

when I take the switch off and put the 1/4 input jack on the amp,will that mean that the boost will always be on,unless the footswitch is plugged in? will the footswitch at the link below work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OSP-Push-On-Push-Off-One-Button-Footswitch-/110665082761

or this Fender one?
http://www.amazon.com/Fender-099-4049-000-1-Button-FootSwitch/dp/B001L8NGJ2

Very cool, how did you find the voicing mods to change the sound?
finished all the mods to my Champ 600 yesterday. this was my first attempt at modding an amp,and it went pretty smooth. bought the kit from alnicomagnet on ebay. took almost 2 weeks to get here from the U.K.,but worth the wait. a brief description of the mods:

the first three mods done were for noise and hum reduction:
AC to DC heater (filament) supply conversion
HT supply supply and voltage drop
re-positioning the output transformer

Voicing Mods:
change R26 to a 1K 2W resistor
change C4 to 1000uF/50V cap

Protection Mod:
fitting an H.T. Fuse

Standby Switch Mod

Pentode/Triode Switch Mod:
had a little problem with this one,but figured it out on my own.
Pentode 5 Watts
Triode 2 Watts

overall I'm very pleased with the outcome. between the cost of the amp ($80),the cost of the Weber speaker ($30) and the cost of the mod kit ($55),I'm into it for about the price of a new one,but with a better overall product I think. I'm also quite pleased with myself for being able to do this. never would have attempted this without all the input and help from this forum. thank you all.

a couple of pics:
stock Champ 600
http://www.wikizic.org/1-046-046927_2-Fender-Champion-600.jpg

my modded Champ 600
http://pages.uoregon.edu/jlund/Champ%20600/P1030484.JPG
lettering for the switches is a little tacky,need something better.

the voicings are part of the kit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alnicomagnet-Mod-Kit-AA764-Champion-600-Gretsch-G5222-/360313570788?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL&hash=item53e45cc5e4

when I take the switch off and put the 1/4 input jack on the amp,will that mean that the boost will always be on,unless the footswitch is plugged in? will the footswitch at the link below work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OSP-Push-On-Push-Off-One-Button-Footswitch-/110665082761 (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335828755&toolid=10001&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FOSP-Push-On-Push-Off-One-Button-Footswitch-%2F110665082761)

or this Fender one?
http://www.amazon.com/Fender-099-4049-000-1-Button-FootSwitch/dp/B001L8NGJ2

Yes, the boost will always be on unless the switch is plugged in and activated. Either of those should work just fine.

Yes, the boost will always be on unless the switch is plugged in and activated. Either of those should work just fine.
thanks Bill

what about putting a knob (pot) on,so I can adjust the amount of boost I want?if so,what sort of pot should I use?

what about putting a knob (pot) on,so I can adjust the amount of boost I want?if so,what sort of pot should I use?

R19 is the fixed "midrange" control. The only reason you are getting a "boost" in gain is because you have partially disabled the tone stack. To get maximum boost in gain you need to remove the entire tone stack as I did. Adding a pot to your exisitng circuit will only act as a midrange control, not a boost control.

With my Blues Junior out of action until I can get it to the repair shop, I needed a little amp to plug the gap and fast!

Picked up this Champion 600 off ebay - it already has 2 mods - Sozo Capacitors and a Tung-Sol outout tube.

This thing sounds and looks great - I have a little jam once a week where I'm the only electric player so this is ideal!

I would like it to break up a little earlier if possible - what would be the best way to do that mod - Weber speaker perhaps?

Anyway, great little amp:cool:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/johnny_99_2006/SAM_1306.jpg

With my Blues Junior out of action until I can get it to the repair shop, I needed a little amp to plug the gap and fast!

Picked up this Champion 600 off ebay - it already has 2 mods - Sozo Capacitors and a Tung-Sol outout tube.

This thing sounds and looks great - I have a little jam once a week where I'm the only electric player so this is ideal!

I would like it to break up a little earlier if possible - what would be the best way to do that mod - Weber speaker perhaps?

Anyway, great little amp:cool:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/johnny_99_2006/SAM_1306.jpg

Have you tried a Tube Screamer (or clone) in front of it? My 600 sounds really sweet with my Green Screamer.

Here is mine. New jensen mod 6" speaker, NOS westinghouse tubes, new grill cloth. Butter.

"You can be sure...if it's Westinghouse"

Heres mine. Got it for $90 a few weeks ago. No mods at all, I love it stock. Great amp.

127623

Let me preface this post by saying I don't have one, yet. I've been researching them for the last couple of months and these comments are based on what I've found (many of which are in this thread and others on TDPRI). As I've said before, I'm looking into the Bluesky636 build, if not a PTP 5F1 conversion.

I can't find the spectral graphs of the stock, Jensen Mod 6, the Weber Signature 6 and the Signature 8 speakers. The Mod 6 came across as very similar to the stock. The Webers made more of an improvement. I would be interested in how the WGS G8C sounds in a Champ 600. At $39, it's not much different in price from the Weber AlNiCo 8/8S.

The grill cloth change did free up the speaker for more tonal response. You can get quite a number of different colors to choose. My personal favorites are Wheat or Oxblood and tan.

The tubes can be good ones or the can be poorer ones, I've seen them vary from cheap Chinese junk to Groove Tubes. The JJs seem to be a popular choice.

Someone was using an MXR Micro Amp to boost the gain to push a little distortion with single coil pups. For them the humbuckers didn't need any boost.

There are a few different output transformers available, I know of Mercury Magnetics, Classic Tones and Musical Power Supplies. I would be interestred to see if and how the Clssic Tone 15 watt OT would hook-up and work with the PCB 5F1 conversion.

Just a few things floating around in my OCD brain.

Have you tried a Tube Screamer (or clone) in front of it? My 600 sounds really sweet with my Green Screamer.

Agreed, the tube screamer set as a boost sounds great to me, and with the gain about 1/3 to 1/2 up it makes a fine low volume amp too.

Have you tried a Tube Screamer (or clone) in front of it? My 600 sounds really sweet with my Green Screamer.

Thanks for the advice - I may check that pedal out!:cool:

Just got mine, I love it! Distortion pedal kicks it in the pants a little too hard though, so I was thinking of getting something like a tonebug OD or an original Ibanez TS

With my Blues Junior out of action until I can get it to the repair shop, I needed a little amp to plug the gap and fast!

Picked up this Champion 600 off ebay - it already has 2 mods - Sozo Capacitors and a Tung-Sol outout tube.

This thing sounds and looks great - I have a little jam once a week where I'm the only electric player so this is ideal!

I would like it to break up a little earlier if possible - what would be the best way to do that mod - Weber speaker perhaps?

Anyway, great little amp:cool:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/johnny_99_2006/SAM_1306.jpg

Use a higher gain pre-amp valve (tube).

I just posted this in another thread, didn't realize this club existed:

I just got one on Friday. Within 15 minutes of playing the 6v6 blew, but I was expecting poor quality tubes and replaced it with a JJ I had lying around. I don't have any spare 12a... tubes but will replace that when I can, not sure which specific tube I'll choose yet. I will also replace the grill cloth when I get around to it. I probably won't mod it beyond that.

I've got no hum whatsoever, but I am getting a buzz from something under the faceplate. I haven't taken it apart yet to figure out what is causing it, but it doesn't distract from playing it.

I am loving this amp. I've got a custom tweed champ 1x12, so I can get all the volume and sweet tone I want out of that, but I've never had it anywhere near breakup volume cuz it's too darn loud. It's so cool to be able to crank the 600 and not blow the windows out of my apartment.

It sounds fantastic with pedals. I'd really recommend a reverb pedal for cleans, it's pretty sterile without it but sounds huge with a nice reverb. Sounds great with a good fuzz pedal also.

I hadn't read anything about this amp and just bought it on a whim when looking for a cheap little low watt amp. After I ordered it I read through the 20+ page thread on it here.

I could not be happier with it. In fact, I put away my "real" tweed champ for the time being. We'll see how it holds up over time.

Glad you are enjoying the 600.

Have you tried a Tube Screamer (or clone) in front of it? My 600 sounds really sweet with my Green Screamer.

I used a Zvex SHO into an EH LPB-1 to cause overdrive frenzy when I first got my 600. This worked especially well when I used a 5751 as a pre amp tube.

Now that I have converted it close to 5C1 specs, I don't do it so much, because I really enjoy cranking it to 12 and playing with my fingers. The only drawback to this approach is that it seems to be very rough on the 6SH7 pre amp tube.

Just took delivery on a new Champion 600 amp. After reading all the complaints about the cheap speaker and the Chinese tubes, and all the mods everyone's making, I was worried I'd bought a "project." But to my ears, it sounds great.

Quiet. No hum. I crank it to 12 and use my Tele volume knob to control the gain, just like the user manual says. I put a pre-amp pedal in front of it for even more break-up. It's awesome. And surprisingly loud.

I have a 4 ohm 12" speaker from an old console stereo (one of those giant mahogany plywood monstrosities someone had left by the curb). Can't wait to get it into a cabinet and see how this little amp sounds through that.

Bottom line, I couldn't be happier with this purchase.

I am with you hipabilly. Everything just kind of melds into a sweet molasses when you keep the c-600 at 12 and let the guitar do the walking.

I agree with you Hipabilly. Easy to add in some great O.D. whenever thatway

Also, This amp really makes jazzmaster p'ups sing!

In September 2011, I bought my self a new, orange, G2150. I didnt like the way my Epi Valve special sounded with it so I traded it in for a Fender Frontman 212R (I paid the price difference) BUT, as I was looking at all the other amps I saw the new Champ 600 .....and I got infatuated and had to have one. I came up with the money by winning a bet at work where I sprayed my hair red, braided it like "Pippi Longstocking" freckled my face too, at work during business hours at an auto repair shop, also, Im a 49yrs old longhair so you can imagine the visual. but I won the bet and got my amp the same day. Ive replaced the grill cloth with Black, acoustically transparent felt, replaced stock speaker with a Jensen MOD 6/15 and replaced the tubes with JJ's I also use a Boss Blues driver, Behringer trem, Danelectro FAB chorus and a MXR carbon copy between my Gretsch and the amp, Its killer!

I forgot to mention that it was Halloween day

I forgot to mention that it was Halloween day

:) Awesome story.

Fender has taken the Champion 600 off its website and Musicians Friend does not list it anymore, either.

I believe production has been halted so the market would support that ugly Greta thing.

I am glad I grabbed one when I did.

I have a 5f1 ptp board from another project, can anyone tell me how it could be installed with out using tube rectification, I just want to stick to ss.

I have a 5f1 ptp board from another project, can anyone tell me how it could be installed with out using tube rectification, I just want to stick to ss.

Take the schematic for the power supply and duplicate it.

http://support.fender.com/schematics/guitar_amplifiers/Champion_600_schematic.pdf

By the way, PTP is literally that: components are wired point to point between the tube sockets, pots, switches, etc. PTP does not use a board. You either have an eyelet board or a turret board.

Thanks for the info.

By the way, eyelet board

Fender has taken the Champion 600 off its website and Musicians Friend does not list it anymore, either.

I believe production has been halted so the market would support that ugly Greta thing.

I am glad I grabbed one when I did.

I can't even register mine online. It's not even on their "gear" menu. Feels like an orphan now.

It's a great little amp. I'm getting all the tone I want out of it. I use a reverb pedal and tremolo pedal between my guitar and the amp, and that's it. If I want it to break up early, I use the "HIGH" input. I love it.

Funny that musicians friend doesn't have them anymore, that's where I got mine about 3 weeks ago. Must have gotten one of the last ones!

finished all the mods to my Champ 600 yesterday. this was my first attempt at modding an amp,and it went pretty smooth. bought the kit from alnicomagnet on ebay. took almost 2 weeks to get here from the U.K.,but worth the wait. a brief description of the mods:

the first three mods done were for noise and hum reduction:
AC to DC heater (filament) supply conversion
HT supply supply and voltage drop
re-positioning the output transformer

http://pages.uoregon.edu/jlund/Champ%20600/P1030484.JPG
lettering for the switches is a little tacky,need something better.

Well, I just receieved the MOD cd instructions,sans components. While I'm sourcing my parts I'd love to hear if the 1st three hum and noise reduction mods made a noticable difference from anybody out there who's tried em'!

By the way, while re-positioning the output transformer [to reduce a bit of noise] one of the leads just fell out of it!:shock: Fortunately,I had a 15w/4ohm transformer from my Super Champ XD [that I've since sold after installing a DR OT in it] and it works fine and sounds great.:cool: Its about twice the size and mass of the stock OT.I wouldnt have attempted it had it not been for the color coded wires that matched up perfectly.

Ok, I finally completed the 3 Alnico magnet noise reduction mods and fitted my amp with a line out and Carling on/standby/off switch and HT protection fuse. All I can say is wow,the amp has zero buzz and just barely audible hum when cranked. I can now line it out to the input of my Roland Blues Cube with no additional noise. Prior to the Alnicomagnet mods the line out was unusable at gig volume due to the added buzz and hum.
I didnt do the voicing mods,just left the stock tone stack, but for some reason it breaks up musically when dimed now,while before it was clean all the way up.Its still pristinely clean to about 9 on the volume.
Very happy customer here!:cool:

P.S. I sourced the parts myself, but it would have saved alot of time if I had just bought the kit.

I have it turned to about 2:00 and its about perfect :mrgreen:

I have it turned to about 2:00 and its about perfect :mrgreen:

At night, it certainly can do it.

At night, it certainly can do it.

A big reason I fell in love with it... Even though my house is air tight and I have a big yard so my neighbors are not all that close, still not worth pushing my luck because I do 95% of my playing from 2-5am :mrgreen:

I've had my C600 for about 6-9 months and bought it to mod it. Did the tone stack mod and grill cloth. I wanted to have a bigger speaker but not have to carry around an extra cab so I took inspiration from FezzParka and mounted my C600 chassis into an unloaded SCXD cab i got off ebay. I got a Weber Alnico Classic to mount and it sounds great! Alot louder and definitely gigable for what I do. As loud or louder than my AC4TV. Here's some pics.

Anyone install a reverb tank to their champ 600? Want to try it? Difficult?

Anyone install a reverb tank to their champ 600? Want to try it? Difficult?

Are you talking about installing it INSIDE a Champ 600 cabinet? Waste of time in my opinion. Squeezing in the tank would be hard enough. Where would you propose to put the electronics and controls for a reverb?

I use this with mine:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRV1/

I also use it with my 59 Bassman clone. Works just fine.

Are you talking about installing it INSIDE a Champ 600 cabinet? Waste of time in my opinion. Squeezing in the tank would be hard enough. Where would you propose to put the electronics and controls for a reverb?

I use this with mine:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/FRV1/

I also use it with my 59 Bassman clone. Works just fine.

Yeah, i saw a youtube vid where a guy did it.

Yeah, i saw a youtube vid where a guy did it.

You talking about this guy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbP0Q6op_pw

He never says how he did it in either of his two videos except to say its an "electronic reverb tank" which says to me he wired up a pedal or something and stuck it inside. There is no spring reverb tank inside the amp. :roll:

You talking about this guy?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbP0Q6op_pw

He never says how he did it in either of his two videos except to say its an "electronic reverb tank" which says to me he wired up a pedal or something and stuck it inside. There is no spring reverb tank inside the amp. :roll:

Yeah, he threw me off by saying tank. A mini reverb tank possible or available? Just throwing stuff out there.

Played mine through my 15" bass speaker the other day... Run my tele's neck pickup through it. Best blues tone I ever heard out of that thing!

Yeah, he threw me off by saying tank. A mini reverb tank possible or available? Just throwing stuff out there.

Clearly you do not understand what is required to implement a reverb in an amp. In addition to the tank, which contains only the springs, you need driver and receiver circuitry and controls. There are digital reverb units available, but they still equire a certain amount of circuitry. Trying to fit all of that into a C600 is a waste of time and money, IMHO. You are better off just using an external pedal.

http://www.accutronicsreverb.com/

Played mine through my 15" bass speaker the other day... Run my tele's neck pickup through it. Best blues tone I ever heard out of that thing!

I regularly play mine through an external cab with a 12" Celestion. :grin:

I put my 600 chassie in a cab with a 12" speaker and it is lovely.
This little amp pumps out some serious bass.
140843

Straightneck that's pretty cool! I bet it sounds great! wouldn't mind some more pics. Where's the chassis?! ..and what's up with the backwards guitar? ;)

Here is a pic of the back,my intentions was to topmount the chassie but put it in the back.That way i can remove it without traces if i want.I have a Tayden True Brit 25 watt speaker in this cab,very nice,likes to be pushed hard.
141457

Here is a pic of the back,my intentions was to topmount the chassie but put it in the back.That way i can remove it without traces if i want.I have a Tayden True Brit 25 watt speaker in this cab,very nice,likes to be pushed hard.
141457

Thats a great looking little setup!

The amp is much cooler in this cab,of course,better ventilation.I asked my wife,how does it sound?To much,she says.:grin:Yeah,it is a lot louder.
I was looking for a 6" Weber for the stock cab but i think it is a waste,
the cab is to small,rattles and all with high volumes.

Got mine a couple of days ago. It already had a weber signature 6 installed and I got the almicomagnet kit for 10 euros. I will decide later whether to do that mod. Cheers.
Pete

My 600 is fading in volume and has lost its sparkle?Is the tubes going south?
Or my hearing has taken a beat,yes i have been spanking the amp pretty hard.

My 600 is fading in volume and has lost its sparkle?Is the tubes going south?
Or my hearing has taken a beat,yes i have been spanking the amp pretty hard.

Im guessing the power tube. Single ended amps are hard on them.

Im guessing the power tube. Single ended amps are hard on them.

+1

Especially if it is the original cheap Chinese tube.

Plinky is a word that comes to my mind,no sustain,no clarity.I have a Tung-sol 6V6 in the amp right now.I have to order a new power tube,maybe a JJ 6V6 this time.Thanks Davo.

Plinky is a word that comes to my mind,no sustain,no clarity.I have a Tung-sol 6V6 in the amp right now.I have to order a new power tube,maybe a JJ 6V6 this time.Thanks Davo.

I have a JJ 6V6S in mine. Sounds great.

Plinky is a word that comes to my mind,no sustain,no clarity.I have a Tung-sol 6V6 in the amp right now.I have to order a new power tube,maybe a JJ 6V6 this time.Thanks Davo.

The JJ isnt a bad tube, I bought a pair of saratov's, and like them quite a bit.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-TESTED-SARATOV-6P6S-NOS-60s-MATCHED-DUO-6V6-6AY5-587-TUBES-REFLECTOR-PAIR-/300780875400?pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item4607efee88

I had been looking to find an inexpensive extension cabinet but didn't want to pay for the expense. Friday night I found a pair of Sansui SP 2500 speakers from the 70's sitting in my living room, I thought wow these ARE NICE! but i didnt want them in my living room I asked my step to put them away and see said that a friend had given them to him but he has no use for them, asked me if I wanted them. I of course said yes! I quickly examined and tested them only to find one of them has a blown woofer, I can replace that, but I remembered my Champ. I hooked them up along with my Dano and Dano Reel tape Echo and.....yea Killer Sound! I am Happy! I dont know why it came out side ways but you get the picture!

Awesome what size are the speaker?

12" woofer, 2, 6" midrange and 2, 4" tweeters. Big sound!

Im guessing the power tube. Single ended amps are hard on them.

Has that something to do with the lack of a standby switch?I read somewhere that,a amp without a standby switch when turning it on the tubes get high voltage at once and that is not good for them.With a standby you warm them up a bit first and then go from standby to full power?

I have a JJ 6V6S in mine. Sounds great.

A JJ is in my 600 now.I like it,good tube.

Has that something to do with the lack of a standby switch?I read somewhere that,a amp without a standby switch when turning it on the tubes get high voltage at once and that is not good for them.With a standby you warm them up a bit first and then go from standby to full power?

The need for a standby switch has been a long and continuing subject of debate. Many excellent amps have standby switches and many do not. The bottom line is, if your amp has a standby switch, use it. If it doesn't, don't worry about it.

Thanks,bluesky.I just rock on then.

I'm in. Got one yesterday. Love it! Great little amp! I got it new and do not plan on modding it. i love it just how it is. I don't understand why fender discontinued them? Was it because they introduced the Greta and the excelsior?

I'm in. Got one yesterday. Love it! Great little amp! I got it new and do not plan on modding it. i love it just how it is. I don't understand why fender discontinued them? Was it because they introduced the Greta and the excelsior?

Probably.

They need to get rid of the Greta and bring the Champion 600 back! (Maybe with new grill clothe and the tone stack modified to 5E1 or 5F1 specs like Bill's/bluesky636's.)

They need to get rid of the Greta and bring the Champion 600 back! (Maybe with new grill clothe and the tone stack modified to 5E1 or 5F1 specs like Bill's/bluesky636's.)

There is no tone stack in the 5E1/5F1. :cool:

Has that something to do with the lack of a standby switch?I read somewhere that,a amp without a standby switch when turning it on the tubes get high voltage at once and that is not good for them.With a standby you warm them up a bit first and then go from standby to full power?

On the standby I dont think so. There is evidence that the "problems" with hitting the tube hard before it has warmed up is probably not an issue in guitar amps. High voltage radio station power tubes-yes.

Besides that though, just keep your guitars volume down for 10 seconds, and roll up your volume and you are good.

One thing about these amps with a small cab-they are hostile to tubes. I did the "tweed" R19 mod recently and the amp was clearly much louder. I still dont get rattle or microphonics, but its much louder now. I also leave the back off the amp. The velcro strap in the back of the amp gathers up the cable fine when I take it around the house.

Ok.I did the R19 mod a while ago and i feel it sounds so much smoother with a pedal,i have a Blackstar HT-Drive,very musical pedal btw.The cab i have the 600 in is just wonderful,
absolutely no rattles or noise.It is like well tuned car,just fun and inspiring to drive.

Exactly! :mrgreen:

(Should have put a smiley in there.:roll:)

I guess I'm in. I bought one last week. I ripped out the grill cloth and put in a piece of an old burlap potato bag that was in good shape. The color matches well and I can now hear the speaker clearly. I'm going to leave the original tubes in for now. I ordered and received the components for the Billy Penn mod, unless someone here has tried it and it's not a good thing. I can always put the original parts back in if I don't like the results.

I guess I'm in. I bought one last week. I ripped out the grill cloth and put in a piece of an old burlap potato bag that was in good shape. The color matches well and I can now hear the speaker clearly. I'm going to leave the original tubes in for now. I ordered and received the components for the Billy Penn mod, unless someone here has tried it and it's not a good thing. I can always put the original parts back in if I don't like the results.

Just to put it out there, you can find old pulled vintage 6v6's for 5-10 bucks on ebay at times. They sound better than most new production to me.

Thanks Davo17. I found a beer flat in a flea market here with 35 old tubes of various makers and types for $30. Some were shot, but so far the good ones (GE, RCA, Sylvania) have totaled over $200 in value so far. There was a second flat that I went back to get, but it was sold. Lots of amp guys here so you have to be quick.

Thanks Davo17. I found a beer flat in a flea market here with 35 old tubes of various makers and types for $30. Some were shot, but so far the good ones (GE, RCA, Sylvania) have totaled over $200 in value so far. There was a second flat that I went back to get, but it was sold. Lots of amp guys here so you have to be quick.

Wow that is a dream score! :cool:

@Davo17: "I did the "tweed" R19 mod recently and the amp was clearly much louder. I still dont get rattle or microphonics, but its much louder now."
What exactly is the R19 Mod?

Clip one end of the R19 resister to lift it off the board. Makes the amp sound louder and clearer. Gives it a more tweed sound like the original.

@Davo17: "I did the "tweed" R19 mod recently and the amp was clearly much louder. I still dont get rattle or microphonics, but its much louder now."
What exactly is the R19 Mod?

It removes the hardwired tone stack. As I understand, its like having treble, mid, and bass controls set on 5. Most amps I know dont sound good that way. Since that tonestack eats alot of gain, its much louder without them.
I like the change-and I am using a vintage alnico speaker in it. I do have a Jensen mod around I might throw back in to listen to later.

Bluesky636 did a circuit rebuild on his C600. Essentially turning it into a 5E1/5F1 hybrid with a strong tweed tone. See his posts from the Champion 600 Upgrades (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/95897-champion-600-upgrades.html) thread.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/3690423-post669.html
and
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/3771472-post675.html

I think this is a better, though more complex mod than the C19 lift.

Bluesky636 did a circuit rebuild on his C600. Essentially turning it into a 5E1/5F1 hybrid with a strong tweed tone. See his posts from the Champion 600 Upgrades (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/95897-champion-600-upgrades.html) thread.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/3690423-post669.html
and
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/3771472-post675.html

I think this is a better, though more complex mod than the C19 lift.
Id say its "better" if you are trying to turn the amp into something its not.

These are affordable fun little amps that are easy to mod, thats its point, IMO.

I love this little amp. I am sure the answer to the question I am about to ask is in this thread somewhere but, can anyone recommend a good replacement speaker? The speaker is my only issue with this amp. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The Jensen Mod 6-15 is probably the most popular. According to some sonic testing, they are nearly idneticle to the stock speakers. The Weber Signature Series Alnico and Ceramic 6 speakers are popular too. If you can do some wood work, smaller magnet 8" speakers will fit with the speaker C/L moved to the lower left (as viewed from behind). the Alnico speakers give a very vintage tone. WGS has the G8C to add to the mix.

@southwoodgtars: one of the first things to consider about the sound of you Champ is "what exactly do you not like about the speaker?" the least expensive fix would be to replace the speaker grill cloth. that gold blanket that they come with serves more to produce a muffled attenuation than a clearer representation of the speaker out put. even if you go ahead and replace the speaker, also consider replacing the grill cloth with an acoustically transparent cloth, even burlap looks cool!

The main reason I was thinking about replacing the speaker is that it gets kinda farty. I really would rather not mess with the grill cloth. I like the way it sounds at lower volumes but, when ya crank it it farts out and sounds a bit harsh. Otherwise great amp! Thank you to y'all for helping me out. Its very much appreciated!

part of the farty sound actually comes from the speaker cloth....i found a black piece of felt at Walmart for 20 cents, its acoustically transparent, how can you tell? hold it between both hands and blow through it, if you dont encounter any resistance, then it wont impede the transfer of sound wave either. It really does clear up the sound of the amp.

What MadJack said. I experimented and hooked it up to the 4 ohm 8" in my VCXD and it really speaks. WGS has the 4 ohm for $39. I have a few of their speakers and they are all have been as advertised. Good luck.

Did the R19 mod and It is louder but the break up is around 5 now, very crunchy. Maybe its because of the JJs i have in it and the Jensen speaker. The cool thing is that even the speaker cab i use with it also growls nicely.

I haven't modified mine,I use a Behringer v2 with it,can really get all the v2 stuff here,not fighting any other effects,turns out the v amp is way cool,lotta stuff for not many bucks,
"a guitar is like a woman,gotta play her to make her moan"

http://i769.photobucket.com/albums/xx333/furtherpale/IMG_1638.jpg

i know its badged gretsch... may i join? i have my 8"weber sig s on the way, oxblood grill cloth, and ill use this

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230844547343?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

to badge it.... my own little tv tweed.... vox ac4 on the way to mirror the hotrod deluxe/ac30 combo i used 10 years ago... but at home

I would have gotten that amp but there where none available. electronically, its the same as the Champ 600.

just finished playing my Hot rod Gretsch through a Danelectro Reeltape echo into my Modded hot rod Champion 600 (Jensen speaker, JJ's 12AX7, JJ's 6V6, R19 mod) and DAMN this little thing growls!!! No need for any type of over drive needed!!!

Hi! I have been a "member" for a while. I've done the following mods:
- Oxblood speaker cloth
- Jensen speaker
- TAD tubes (6v6 and 12ax7)
- Lifted R19 and R7 (with a switch for both)

I am very happy with the amp, but I have decided to add an extension cabinet in order to get even sweeter tones and higher volume when needed. I will install a beefier OT from musical power supplies and an on-on-on switch, which gives me the opportunity of selecting between 4/8/16 ohm load. The cabinet will be an open-backed dovetail jointed pine cabinet with matching tolex and styling. :)

I got a couple of questions for you guys:
1. Should I use the 5K or 7K primary resistance for my new OT10 SE output transformer?
2. Any tips for a GOOD 12" speaker to match the cabinet? Loud is good, but the most important thing is to get SWEET "tubeish" tones at clean/medium breakup. Think BB King or SRV's "Lenny". Sort of...

ok, whats the R7 lift? might as well know now befor I install jack on R19.....

Can someone explain the r7 and r19 mods please? Thanks.

Hey need help, my 600 stopped producing sound so I figured all the tweaking was the reason. So I put a factory fresh board in and still have no sound. It powers up tubes light but nothing comes out. Any suggestions?

Um Speaker leads on. I bought mine used but shipped with care. Neg lead was dangling....

Yes..... And if you put your ear up to the speaker u can hear a faint static

Hey guys, had myself a 600 for a few months now. Bought it for a bit of fun and to possibly help in recording and turned out to be the amp that gets the most used time.

I actually just posted a video up on the mighty Youtube of some sounds I got from it.

I plan to mod it with a Jeson speaker and new tubes and then do like a before and after video.

7hG2tNjYE1A

Nice demo Freethenoise! I have been looking at 5 watt amps lately. The part you did with the Verbzilla gave me a good idea of how good the amp sounds with some reverb mixed in. I just use a touch of reverb, but you got the point across.

Nice demo Freethenoise! I have been looking at 5 watt amps lately. The part you did with the Verbzilla gave me a good idea of how good the amp sounds with some reverb mixed in. I just use a touch of reverb, but you got the point across.

Thank you very much.
Yeah, my idea with using the reverb with this amp was to try and make a huge sound from it. That and Mayer does love to pour on the reverb.
Thank you for your kind words!

Want to sell my Champ 600 on kijiji in Toronto.

No chassis mods but jj's a weber alnico 6 and acoustically transparent grill cloth.

Few minor nicks.

$150?

Thanks L

163848



163848

Really like my champ 600 /stock. few questions. I've never changed a tube how hard is it to do on the champ 600? How? Also I'd love to get or make an ext cab for this little guy..can you recommend a inexpensive but decent cab(4ohms). I have two 4 ohm amps so a cab that could work for both of them would be great..!! Thank you. I saw someone on this thread built an awesome cab but that would be above my abilities...

Really like my champ 600 /stock. few questions. I've never changed a tube how hard is it to do on the champ 600? How? Also I'd love to get or make an ext cab for this little guy..can you recommend a inexpensive but decent cab(4ohms). I have two 4 ohm amps so a cab that could work for both of them would be great..!! Thank you. I saw someone on this thread built an awesome cab but that would be above my abilities...

I am not sure about the tubes however with the cab what are you looking for? 4 ohm speakers are not all that common. Weber makes a nice inexpensive 4 ohm 8" speaker for like $25. If your willing to go 210 or 212 you can always get 2x 8 ohm speakers and wire them in parallel will give you 4 ohms. That would be the way I would go if I was going to do an extension cab.

Bedroom rig, pedals are DOD stereo flanger and Danelectro Reel Echo

I always wanted to try one of those Reel Echos. I've left my C-600 totally stock as well. someday I would like to try an Ext cab for it, and my Excelsior , as well. I've had more expensive, very nice amps before, but anything more than two knobs these days just makes me yawn. I guess I am getting older and lazy.
A 2-10" would be sweet!

Tele, Ive run my Exy and 600 (with a old Sansui SP 2500) together, now thats an ear splitting combo!

i am in! found mine for 5usd at a garage sale under a pile of rags a few years ago, she is a '52. :)http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/axepics/photo-64.jpg

Sun of a beach!

i am in! found mine for 5usd at a garage sale under a pile of rags a few years ago, she is a '52. :)http://i1209.photobucket.com/albums/cc383/axepics/photo-64.jpg

You, Sir, SUCK!:shock:

(Incredible score!)

i am in! found mine for 5usd at a garage sale under a pile of rags a few years ago, she is a '52. :)

I'll offer ya $50!

You, Sir, SUCK!:shock:

(Incredible score!)

Why thank you! I think... :)

It is the eye in the temple of tone here for sure. I have actually played a few gigs with it mic'd up too. Sound guys trip out to get the little guy bombing the system... :)

I'll offer ya $50!

That is a sturdy offer, but it is not on the chopping block just now. Since you were the first though, I will bear that in mind down the road... :razz:

I recorded this with my iPhone. my hot rod GreTsch thru a DOD flanger, Danelectro Reel Tape Echo and out of my modded 600. Jensen speaker, JJ tubes and the R19 lift. its the natural distortion from the modded amp. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUVPd0gYEUQ

That sounded pretty good , Mike. Even for just a quick little jam. Really impressed with the how the i-phone records, perfect for quick song ideas or practices. Your amp sounds great.

Thanx Tele! Yea the iPhones a trip. I record rehearsals too and they just sound right. I dont know what apple has done but they did it right. I will be recording the Exy next, again prolly just a short lil jam

Hmm. I thought it's about time I chimed in. (think I posted this elsewhere a while ago but might as well put it in here too. I've had mine for a couple of years. Never was too happy with the sound. So last year I got bored and made a larger cab, rehoused the chassis in it and fitted a Jensen C8R speaker and no she rocks! Tubes are JJ 12ax7 and RCA NOS 6v6

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk13/mhainz/DSC_0190a.jpg
http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/kk13/mhainz/DSC_0195a.jpg

Thats purty!

Thats purty!

+1

Wow, nice!! The chassis angle is interesting to see mounted like that, and it seems convenient for tube access as well.

I just picked up a Champion 600 today off of Craigslist for $100. The guy I bought it from got it as part of a guitar and amp deal and didn't want to keep it. It's been modded and he told me the original owner sent it to Fargen amps for one of their mod kits. I'm still trying to confirm this because according to their website the switch they install is 3 way and this one is 2 way. Plus I'm pretty sure the OTs are stock. It still sounds amazing though! Pretty good for $100 right? Def a keeper. :grin:

Next I want to replace the grill cloth and swap the tubes with JJs.

Yea, you scored...show off! Congrats!

Hi everybody,
i'm new here and i'll be happy to share my thoughts about that little champ 600 :)
Mine is modified with a weber alnico speaker, JJ tubes, OD capacitors, some switches and a L-pad attenuator.
I just posted a vid on youtube showing the tones i get from it. I'm pretty satisfied, now i need to improve my playing !

Y8dBPJSVFvs

All feedback appreciated, and i'll be happy to aswer questions regarding my mods

I just scored a Champion 600 for $100 and already had a Jensen MOD speaker and JJ tubes in it as upgrades. Fun little amp for sure!

Just picked up a used Champion 600 for $75. Needs a new power cord but already has JJ Tubes in it!

While i have it on the bench for the new cord... Let the mods begin!

nasdak,
I thought you got a great sound out of the C-600. Really nice lows, and everything else sounds great too. Your Strat sounds mighty mean going into that Purple Haze. Heavy. The attenuator does that!? I use a pedal to get that sound. I may have to mod the sumbitch. I miss having a Strat around sometimes. I think you have something going with the way you naturally phrase your parts. twang on!

Ok Just got my 600. First impression is that it the tone is rather dark (vs high presence /bite)? I'm comparing to my Hot Rod deluxe. Will new tubes give it more treble / bite? I have a sovtek 12ax7 in the basement I could try.

Update: put in a sovtek 12ax7wxt and it sounds brighter and crunchier. I've got Twang Kings and I love that bright/bite. Nice tube tone fo sho. Really nice for playing blues.

Is your amp new, DCtwanger, or did you buy it used?

About two hours after getting the 600 home, replacing the power cord turned into this.

New grill cloth made from leftovers from a Tweed Deluxe build.

Next up. Circuit mods.

A couple days ago scored this Campion 600 for $100, and already had a Jensen MOD in it and JJ tubes. I have to say I an not a fan of the MOD speaker, as it gets muddy and farts out a lot when cranked. Am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Weber 6" Signature speaker, partially ribbed and replacing the grill cloth with something similar to the old vintage Fender brown grill cloth.

Question: is there a noticable, beneficial difference in replacing the baffle with the 1/4" birth that most people do? If going that route, would it just make more sense to upgrade to an 8" speaker?

(Sorry my pic is with a Strat!)

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh275/sbparker01/photo-11_zpscca2eed3.jpg

Is your amp new, DCtwanger, or did you buy it used?


Used but in great shape. $110 on ebay. Put in the Sovtek preamp tube and orded a JJ power tube. Loving this little beast.

I was asking cause speaker break in for my C-600 came on around 6 months after brand new purchase. Not as great as an old Jensen,Utah or Rola, but the stock speaker isn't too shabby.

Question: is there a noticable, beneficial difference in replacing the baffle with the 1/4" birth that most people do? If going that route, would it just make more sense to upgrade to an 8" speaker?

As far as I know they replace it to fit the 8" speakers.

I have to say I an not a fan of the MOD speaker, as it gets muddy and farts out a lot when cranked. Am thinking about pulling the trigger on a Weber 6" Signature speaker, partially ribbed and replacing the grill cloth with something similar to the old vintage Fender brown grill cloth.

I'm using the Weber AlNiCo Signature 10 with my Greta, a great match. I like they way it compresses the tone and breaks up. Many others have said the AlNiCo Signature 8 goes great with the C600. At $43.00 it's a good price for an AlNiCo speaker.

As far as I know they replace it to fit the 8" speakers.



I'm using the Weber AlNiCo Signature 10 with my Greta, a great match. I like they way it compresses the tone and breaks up. Many others have said the AlNiCo Signature 8 goes great with the C600. At $43.00 it's a good price for an AlNiCo speaker.

I can confirm the 600 does sound great with an 8 inch weber alnico sig 8.
Much more open and less flubby.

Fantastic little amp I love it. Got a fondness for stuff with no bells and whistles hence the tele and pro jr as well.
Use the champ everyday great for country and rockabilly with slapback .Can t rave about the champ enough .
When I started playing a very long time ago I was under the impression that the bigger the amp the better the sound ,how wrong was I .

When I started playing a very long time ago I was under the impression that the bigger the amp the better the sound ,how wrong was I .

Just about everybody else was under the same impression for quite some time. We used to play through stacks in little clubs.:lol:
The stage volume was incredible, but if the bassist and/or other guitar player were playing through full Ampeg SVT, what else you gonna do?

The C-600 is my favorite recording amp. That little bugger allows for great EQ and room sound possibilities. Putting a Micro Amp or fuzz through a C-600 and sticking a mic in front for recording or P.A. will get you as big as you want.

Can you really fit an 8 inch speaker?

Hmm. I thought it's about time I chimed in. (think I posted this elsewhere a while ago but might as well put it in here too. I've had mine for a couple of years. Never was too happy with the sound. So last year I got bored and made a larger cab, rehoused the chassis in it and fitted a Jensen C8R speaker and no she rocks! Tubes are JJ 12ax7 and RCA NOS 6v6



I think that looks really sharp! Well done sir!

G'day guys.
I thought it about time to introduce my C600 to the Champ 600 owners club.
I used the Fargen Full Hot Mods kit, Weber AlNiCo Sig 6 Partially Ribbed spkr and integrated a "Holy Grail" reverb pedal into it. She cranks pretty nasty all by itself ! "And" I use a Tube Screamer and a OD855 (same as TS but more drive) in front when I want over the top filth. I show it no mercy(within' reason), and she comes up trumps every time.
The tubes are RCA6V6GT Black Plate & Sylvania 12at7. I use the 12at7 to tame the gain down. If I use the Mullard 12ax7 it turns into a monster, "awesome". All tubes "were" 60's NOS.

The knob on the left controls the gain - that is a modified 1meg pot that I cut the end of the carbon trace so it goes open when fully dialed, same as R19 lift. Turned to zero it is "stock".

The knob to the right is connected to the "Holy Grail" and controls the reverb. (That's the "holy Grail" pedal bottom left sprayed black & connected through chassis to the input which is all modified as well, hand wired with cc resistors and a good pot ).
The black thing bottom right is an AC/DC transformer connected to the master on/off switch via the grey "shortened" extension lead.

Admittedly I have spent up on this baby, but I have a job that pays well (lucky for me):grin:


http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/amp-central-station/164144d1359618714t-champion-600-upgrades-dsc00719-jpg (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/amp-central-station/164144d1359618714-champion-600-upgrades-dsc00719-jpg)http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/amp-central-station/153566d1353993164t-champion-600-upgrades-dsc00714-jpg (http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/amp-central-station/153566d1353993164-champion-600-upgrades-dsc00714-jpg)

The reason I have a 12at7 is that when I play my Gibson Byrdland it doesn't get out of hand, as I play a lot of controlled feedback stuff (she'll howl like a buffalo on the warpath & sing like a violin or flute) with that axe - 'da Nuge style. :twisted:

I'll do a tone/sound sample soon with the "Byrdie" and a Strat.
I will do a pre-tube comparison also.

So I've had my Champion 600 for a few days, and it came with the Jensen MOD speaker. I honestly think this speaker sucks. I also had a MOD in an old Vibro Champ and it sucked in that amp too. Needless to say, I am not a fan of the MODs. Is there a 6" speaker thats a direct replacement that wont require a new baffle like the Weber Alnico Signature 6 does that sounds better than the MOD?

I put a Weber Signature 6 in my Gretsch G5222 no problems.

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photogrillcopy.jpg.html

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photo-1copy.jpg.html

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photo-2copy.jpg.html

Or at least not as many problems as I did posting a photo of it.

take two...

Weber Signature 6, in Gretsch G5222, no baffle mods.

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photo.jpg.html

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photo-1copy.jpg.html

http://s15.photobucket.com/user/snoglobe/media/photo-2copy-1.jpg.html

Hmmmm...

largest pic 49 kb

640x607

put in photobucket link

seems to fit all the paramaters

doesn't work.

time to go play guitar

later.

:)

Here's Snoglobe's pics:

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/snoglobe/photo.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/snoglobe/photo-1copy.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a384/snoglobe/photo-2copy-1.jpg

Thanks MadJack.

Looking at the photo now, I may have flipped the baffle on its side to offset the speaker to give more room for the tubes and transformer.

So I've had my Champion 600 for a few days, and it came with the Jensen MOD speaker. I honestly think this speaker sucks. I also had a MOD in an old Vibro Champ and it sucked in that amp too. Needless to say, I am not a fan of the MODs. Is there a 6" speaker thats a direct replacement that wont require a new baffle like the Weber Alnico Signature 6 does that sounds better than the MOD?

I have the Weber AlNiCo Sig 6 in my C600. No mods were required to fit, it screwed straight in with the existing screw holes.
There is about 7mm clearance between the speaker bell and the power tube (60's RCA 6V6GT Black Plate). Not sure about the JJ's or other readily available tubes (I think the bottles are a tad longer), never used 'em nor will I. NOS tubes only for me. :grin:

PS:- The Weber is a great little speaker and worth more than the $48 I paid for it new IMHO.

Aussie thats a sweet little amp, i look forward to hearing any sound clips.

Trying to upload now.
Uploading to YouTube 1st but that will take 340 minutes so I killed it.

I'll do a shorter demo this weekend and have another crack at uploading.
http://ts3.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4850827194401690&pid=15.1

Hello,
I hot roded my champ (new caps, new tubes, bright mod and tweed mod, attenuator, weber 6" alnico sig) and i really like the beast it's become ; that being said, i begin to wonder if it doesn't deserve a bigger speaker.

I have 2 options : fit a 8" in it, or build a 12" cab (i only have a 16ohms 12 cab that won't do the job).

Any thoughts or advice on that ? Which 8" would you advice, or wich 12" for a cab ?
(if building a cab i'd like to make it 8 Ohms so i can use it for any future head i'd buy)

Thanks !

Does anybody who changed out the original grill cloth prefer it over the material they now use?

Does anybody who changed out the original grill cloth prefer it over the material they now use?

After I put the new grill cloth on mine, the original was sent into the garage for use as a nice rag http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo36.gif

OK, I've uploaded the original demo I.
I set the gain on full and reverb at 2 1/2, volume is at 5 1/2 as the meter on the cam was nearly hitting the end of the scale. 1st time I have played for a few weeks so I just doodled around a bit ! http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo14.gif Mistakes included.
Guitar is a gibson Byrdland.
There will be more to come as I get the hang of the Zoom Q3HD vidcam.
I'll use a Strat next time.

http://youtu.be/8bCUE1xx1dw

Andrew.

Sounds great! :D

I bought a used one yesterday and as much as I love it, I also want quicker break-up without having to put a pedal in front of it.

Do the R19 lift/mod. also switch tubes to JJ's that, my friend, will do the trick

Alright, I'm back in the club. I had one of these a while back, but let it go. Picked up a used one for a great price, and finally got it home today. My Strymon Flint pairs really well with this amp! Great spaghetti western tones.

Just curious if you guys are using EQ pedals or anything with this amp? I find it can be a bit dark.

With that said, I still love this thing and can't believe Fender discontinued it! I wish more of the modern mass production amps borrowed the old vintage 50's styling. They should re-release those cool old school Gretsch, Valco, and Airline amps.

I finally got one this last weekend, but I still trying to get it working. I haven't had too much time to work on it, except to put it together and put in fresh tubes. I will probably get the schematics out this weekend and start trouble shooting.

Do the R19 lift/mod. also switch tubes to JJ's that, my friend, will do the trick

I am on it. I will let you know how it turns out.

Just curious if you guys are using EQ pedals or anything with this amp? I find it can be a bit dark.

.

I will crank it with an MXR Micro Amp and either pull down the volume knob for country stuff, or leave it up for Stones (very Gimme Shelter with a Tele neck pup). I lso use a Fish n Chips EQ or a Treble Booster of some sort. Lots of times I just crank it by itself, fiddle my plank's knobs.

I finally got one this last weekend, but I still trying to get it working. I haven't had too much time to work on it, except to put it together and put in fresh tubes. I will probably get the schematics out this weekend and start trouble shooting.
Check for a blow resistor, if it has been modded and the tone stack has been simply clipped to remove it without completing the circuit there is a resistor that will blow at full volume. I can't remember the exact resistor, or the what needs to be done to the tone stack (though I think a .022 cap gets put into the circuit) It has been about a year and a half since I modded mine.

Edit: http://akavalve.blogspot.com/2009/01/fender-champion-600-tone-stack-test.html

I lso use a Fish n Chips EQ

How do you like the Fish n Chips pedal?

I got a chance to play the amp some more yesterday and I got some great sounds with my Way Huge Red Llama, good for Black Keys stuff.

The Llama, Flint, and Carbon Copy are a great match, which is good because these are my favorite pedals.

.... if it has been modded and the tone stack has been simply clipped to remove it without completing the circuit there is a resistor that will blow at full volume.

This is news to me, and Ive done the r19 lift thing some time ago. Can you elaborate?

This is news to me, and Ive done the r19 lift thing some time ago. Can you elaborate?
I shouldn't have said will, but can. Like I stated above, it has been quite a while since I have even turned mine on, nevermind mod it. I believe the resistor on mine that blew was R8 100k 1/2 watt, that is the plate resistor for the 2nd half of the 12ax7. I replaced it with a 2 watt. R8 is right near the junction point to the tone stack and 340Vdc. Removing that path to ground may have allowed AC to pass and pop the resistor...I don't know, I just know enough electronics to be dangerous lol. I do know this though a lot of posts on the net indicate possible OT failure from just lifting it, a lot of people say put a bypass cap in.


Also removing the NFB gives this amp some more balls R7

I shouldn't have said will, but can. Like I stated above, it has been quite a while since I have even turned mine on, nevermind mod it. I believe the resistor on mine that blew was R8 100k 1/2 watt, that is the plate resistor for the 2nd half of the 12ax7. I replaced it with a 2 watt. R8 is right near the junction point to the tone stack and 340Vdc. Removing that path to ground may have allowed AC to pass and pop the resistor...I don't know, I just know enough electronics to be dangerous lol. I do know this though a lot of posts on the net indicate possible OT failure from just lifting it, a lot of people say put a bypass cap in.


Also removing the NFB gives this amp some more balls R7

Ok I will look into that, and consider it preventative.
On R8, what do you mean by balls? Bottom end? I have a vintage alnico in mine and would like just a bit more bottom.

Disconnecting the NFB will give the amp a kinda raw sound at low volume, but if you dime the volume, it don't sound so great. So if you do want it, you might consider putting on a switch. That's what I have and it gives you the best of both worlds.

R8 is the plate resistor that blew on mine, MadJack should look at that one. R7 is the negative feedback resistor. It just makes the whole circuit a little more stable, or linear.

This is news to me, and Ive done the r19 lift thing some time ago. Can you elaborate?
Here is a post I found right here on TDPRI http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/95897-champion-600-upgrades-3.html#post1093956

Another http://www.tdpri.com/forum/amp-central-station/95897-champion-600-upgrades-3.html#post1094621

I've been looking at the schematic, and reading up on some threads, it may not have been R8 that popped, maybe R11 or R12. I'll have to open her up and look.

Edit: ok opened the amp up, the resistor that blew was R10, I replaced it with a 5W ceramic. Also I removed R18 and R21 to use the traces to them for the coupling cap. I forgot how good this thing sounds. I just plugged it into my old 84 Squire Bullet that I have retrofitted with GFS Neovin's and their active preamp. The preamp has a pot that can dial in 25db of gain...Perfect combo for this amp. Turn the amp up just to before break up for nice cleans, then dial in some gain..heaven.

I didn't get the time to work on it yet. I was finishing my pedal board and installing a 9 v dc jack on my Vox 847 (not the a model) Wah-Wah Pedal.

One thing to note, the amp came with two PCBs, one with the Bluesky636 5F1 modded board and a stock board with the C19 lift mod. Neither board is working. I do get a very faint hiss from the speaker when its warmed up and the volume is turned up, but I have no signal is going to the speaker. This isn't saying R10 isn't burnt on both boards, but I'm going to look at the input jack/volume break-away and the transformers first.

I didn't get the time to work on it yet. I was finishing my pedal board and installing a 9 v dc jack on my Vox 847 (not the a model) Wah-Wah Pedal.

One thing to note, the amp came with two PCBs, one with the Bluesky636 5F1 modded board and a stock board with the C19 lift mod. Neither board is working. I do get a very faint hiss from the speaker when its warmed up and the volume is turned up, but I have no signal is going to the speaker. This isn't saying R10 isn't burnt on both boards, but I'm going to look at the input jack/volume break-away and the transformers first.
Yeah if your getting some kind of sound, I would also look at the break away first.

Picked up a lightly used champ today.

Excellent shape overall.

Gt it home and plugged it in...decent tone, but a bit quiet.

Cracked it open, and found a non-name Chinese 6v6 and a sovtek preamp tube.

I bought electro harmonix tubes on the weekend, and put those in and then replaced the grill cloth with a brown t shirt.

Much clearer sound, and using my modded ds-1 and a madbean thunderous boost and its got a really nice sound. I've got a mullard preamp tube on order and will try and find a tung sol this weekend and play with tones.

Thinking about the r19'mod.....I might try that as well.

i think the speaker needs to be replaced...not sure I like the breakup on the stock...I was looking at the late breakup Weber signature alnico.....

So far it seems like a good little amp.

Guys

I recently joined the club, thought I needed a Champ for general noodling about the apartment and came across one, somewhat cheap. Already done the usual, replacing the Chinese tubes with a Sovtek 12AX7LPS (I know, long-plated preamp tubes have a tendency to become microphonic in combos, that hasn't happened to me yet) and the ubiquitous JJ 6V6. I'm pondering the tone stack lift as a next step, and reading the schematic this is what I'll want to do, I thought I'd ask you about it as a means to gather external validation.

Lifting the tone stack to me looks more involved than just lifting the ground on R19, I'm reading the schematic and C1 and R21 are still in series with the signal path I think - as if there still were a part of the treble control in the stack - my idea is, I'll take a DPDT on-on switch

1-common-2, common to TP2 (test point 2 on the Fender official schematic/layout, that's the point between V2A plate and the tone stack), 1 on the contact point between C1 and R18, 2 through a .022 capacitor to TP3 (past the stack towards the VOL pot)

3-common-4, common to R19 ground side, 3 to ground, 4 open.

switch "left" (1+common, 3+common), stack on, switch "right" (common+2, common+4) stack lifted and connection patched through coupling cap only.

Have I thought this through correctly?

Guys

I recently joined the club, thought I needed a Champ for general noodling about the apartment and came across one, somewhat cheap. Already done the usual, replacing the Chinese tubes with a Sovtek 12AX7LPS (I know, long-plated preamp tubes have a tendency to become microphonic in combos, that hasn't happened to me yet) and the ubiquitous JJ 6V6. I'm pondering the tone stack lift as a next step, and reading the schematic this is what I'll want to do, I thought I'd ask you about it as a means to gather external validation.

Lifting the tone stack to me looks more involved than just lifting the ground on R19, I'm reading the schematic and C1 and R21 are still in series with the signal path I think - as if there still were a part of the treble control in the stack - my idea is, I'll take a DPDT on-on switch

1-common-2, common to TP2 (test point 2 on the Fender official schematic/layout, that's the point between V2A plate and the tone stack), 1 on the contact point between C1 and R18, 2 through a .022 capacitor to TP3 (past the stack towards the VOL pot)

3-common-4, common to R19 ground side, 3 to ground, 4 open.

switch "left" (1+common, 3+common), stack on, switch "right" (common+2, common+4) stack lifted and connection patched through coupling cap only.

Have I thought this through correctly?
Your layout thoughts are correct and that would work, but in reality those 2 points you mention (the lines that TP2 and TP3 are on) are actually the traces on the PC board.

Hmm. So if the components are close enough to one another, lift them, solder the ends together, wire that to the switch and the switch back to the through-plating... nah, I'll have to take a closer look at it. Cutting traces is not for the faint of heart, though I've been known to do that... (added a screen resistor to my Vox AC4TV's output tube, to keep it from cooking)

Thanks for the validation, though. I'll try to make it work and post pictures for reference.

A DPDT switch to go between the stock (AA746 style/stock C600) tone stack and a modified (5E1/5F1) tone stack was my original idea for the C600.

My other idea is to just complete the AA746 tone stack. This would be to replace R20 & r21 with a 250kΩ pot for a treble control and R22 with another 250kΩ pot for the bass control. Where to mount the pots is the next question, but I think I can make it happen. This would keep the gain and volume down like the stock circuit, but I'm more after a cleaner tone with this amp, my Greta is looking to be my dirty practice amp (or tube preamp for my Peavey VT with it's SS preamp, tube output hybrid design).

First things first, though. I have to take the time to troubleshoot my Camp 600 and get it working before those mods. I've got some time off this next week to work on it and at least figure out what is wrong.

My Champ mods: NOS preamp and power tubes, Weber sig alnico 6", and ripped out that dang "grill cloth" (or whatever it was intended to be) replacing it with nothing. Sounds pretty darn good for a $150 tube amp.

I've come to the right place.

I've come to the right place.
9QdY4gfR7iY

Exactly

Is the Weber alnico 6" really worth the extra $25 over the Jensen Mod 6?

I am about to pull the trigger and $50 plus 10 to ship the Weber vs $20 plus 6 to ship the Jensen is making me pause....

any comment?

Can't comment on the Weber, but the Jensen was a big improvement over stock for me. With that, when I do play mine it is usually plugged into one of my 2x12 cabs, that sounds awesome.

thanks for the feedback folks

Yes, the Weber alnico 6" is worth the money. I put one in my Champ 600 and it made a huge difference in warmth, depth, and transparency. I also put a Weber alnico 10" in a Fender Pro Junior, and that was well worth the money also. Go for it

Is the Weber alnico 6" really worth the extra $25 over the Jensen Mod 6?

I am about to pull the trigger and $50 plus 10 to ship the Weber vs $20 plus 6 to ship the Jensen is making me pause....

any comment?

Yeah mate, go the Weber. It is worth the extra, Jensen is in name only - not the same as what was made many years ago.
I will only buy Weber AlNiCo hand made speakers. My C600 has a 6" Weber Sig 6 AlNiCo. The tone is great. Sound sample below.

http://youtu.be/8bCUE1xx1dw

Weber 6" ordered. I went for the partially ribbed oe.

Thanks for your input folks

Weber 6" ordered. I went for the partially ribbed oe.

Thanks for your input folks

Good onya' Bman, I have the partially ribbed in my C600, you won't be dissappointed. I forgot to mention the Weber 6'' will fit perfectly using the "same" screw holes.
Just take it easy on a new speaker and let it loosen up & wear in before you go hard. http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo14.gif

I don't remember where I saw it, but there was a test conducted with both a Jensen Mod, Weber Signature Series and the stock Fender special. The Jensen tested out to be nearly identical to the stock Fender Special. The Weber tested to be more like the vintage speakers from the past and the characteristics that made them so pleasing.

As a side note, I'm using a Weber AlNiCo Sig 10 with my Greta which sounds really good, but to my taste is a bit too warm, as I have to run the tone control at full bright. I just ordered a Weber AlNiCo 10S for the brighter tone. Give me a couple of weeks after I get it installed for an update.

Good onya' Bman, I have the partially ribbed in my C600, you won't be dissappointed. I forgot to mention the Weber 6'' will fit perfectly using the "same" screw holes.
Just take it easy on a new speaker and let it loosen up & wear in before you go hard. http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo14.gif

Thanks Oz... I am a relative newbie to guitar, and am really enjoying the Tele. My Vox Pathfinder is a nice amp, but the lure of tubes was proving pretty strong. The Champion was $100 - although I did have to drive a while to pick it up - so its a cheap entry point.

I was looking at a VOX AcTV4 or a VHT Ultra 6 - but that's around $300 all in - my missus would kill me if I bought an amp that expensive. Plus I already have the Pathfinder and was hoping to get a different sound from the Vox.

I think the Champion will eventually evolve into a head for a Weber 10" alnco in a home-made cabinet....but that might take a while. I have no table saw or equipment to build such a beast.

Barry

Thanks Oz... I am a relative newbie to guitar, and am really enjoying the Tele. My Vox Pathfinder is a nice amp, but the lure of tubes was proving pretty strong. The Champion was $100 - although I did have to drive a while to pick it up - so its a cheap entry point.

I was looking at a VOX AcTV4 or a VHT Ultra 6 - but that's around $300 all in - my missus would kill me if I bought an amp that expensive. Plus I already have the Pathfinder and was hoping to get a different sound from the Vox.

I think the Champion will eventually evolve into a head for a Weber 10" alnco in a home-made cabinet....but that might take a while. I have no table saw or equipment to build such a beast.

Barry

No worries Barry. The C600 is a very modifiable little amp. For 5 watts they can crank it out with the right mods.
When I got my 1st tube amp (Laney LC30~great amp but "too darn loud" to crank at home) there was no going back to solid state. All the best tones and play response come from tube amps.
My C600 cost me about $300 here DownUnder and I've spent more than that to get it to the stage it's at. I love it, it will never leave me this side of eternity.

Cheers,
Andrew. http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo32.gif

I finally got around to troubleshooting my Champ 600. The OT's primary winding's are shorted out (DCR should read 240-250Ω, but reads OΩ) an there's no signal voltage going out to the speaker (should read 3.35VAC). I am getting the required 366/175VAC (372/179VC actual) on J3/J4(R11) respectively.

Champion™ 600 Schematic (http://support.fender.com/schematics/guitar_amplifiers/Champion_600_schematic.pdf)

Looks like a bad OT to me, how about those of you with electronics troubleshooting experience?

I'm looking at the Weber Magnetics (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/magnetic.htm) Part# W022905M (https://taweber.powweb.com/store/022905msch.jpg) and wire it for both 4Ω & 8Ω, with a second jack.

I didn't get a rear panel, so I've drawn one up and need to get some 3/8" birch plywood to make one. Sad part is I have enough 1/4" and 1/2", but no 3/8" and my Lowe's doesn't carry any 3/8" birch. We don't have any exotic wood shops, but I'm going to try the local cabinet shops.

I'll get it working soon enough.

The OT came in today and now it works. Have a bit of scratchiness from the volume pot, So I'll probably get a full size pot to replace it.

The generic speaker is alright. It does sound pretty big for an 8" combo. Not as big as my Greta with it's cab, but surprisingly big for suach a small amp. I hooked up my Greta's cab and liked the tone from it, so I'll get the Weber AlNiCo Signature 8S to go in my Champ.

I tried four different preamp tubes, a TungSol 12AX7, a JJ 5751, an Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 and an EH 12AU7. The TungSol sounded the best of the four. The 5751 and the 12AY7 both sounded too gritty when pushed. The 12AU7 was too soft and quiet.

I made a temporary back panel from 1/4" plywood I had. It did help a touch to control the speaker response.

(For now) I plan on doing the R19 lift and R7 lift mods on toggle switches.

Sounds great when played in stereo with my Greta and cab. Thick rich tones that surround you.

And the pic, because without out it, it didn't happen! :wink:

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/MadJack_2006/Amps/Champion%20600/P1020160_zps2d805d0a.jpg
Yes, the grill is burlap.

I scored a Chanp for $100 a few weeks back.

Changes so far:

Switched out stock tubes. Put in an Electroharmonix 6V6 and have experimented with preamp tubes - Tungsol 12ax7 - liked it. EHX - seemed a bit bland. Found an old NOS GE 12ax7 - nice warm sound. Thats the tube thats in there now.

I played it for a while with the back off. I put it back on. Sounds a bit different. I diid replace the speaker cloth with an old brown t-shirt, too.

Replaced the speaker yesterday with a Weber 6" partial-ribbed cone. Definite improvement over stock - the fartiness when overdriven is pretty much gone, and its louder now.

I bought the parts to do the 300 guitars mods - replacement caps and resistors, but just have not gotten around to it yet.

I am really liking the 600.

The OT came in today and now it works. Have a bit of scratchiness from the volume pot, So I'll probably get a full size pot to replace it.

The generic speaker is alright. It does sound pretty big for an 8" combo. Not as big as my Greta with it's cab, but surprisingly big for suach a small amp. I hooked up my Greta's cab and liked the tone from it, so I'll get the Weber AlNiCo Signature 8S to go in my Champ.

I tried four different preamp tubes, a TungSol 12AX7, a JJ 5751, an Electro-Harmonix 12AY7 and an EH 12AU7. The TungSol sounded the best of the four. The 5751 and the 12AY7 both sounded too gritty when pushed. The 12AU7 was too soft and quiet.

I made a temporary back panel from 1/4" plywood I had. It did help a touch to control the speaker response.

(For now) I plan on doing the R19 lift and R7 lift mods on toggle switches.

Sounds great when played in stereo with my Greta and cab. Thick rich tones that surround you.

And the pic, because without out it, it didn't happen! :wink:

Yes, the grill is burlap.

How ar you running this stereo?

Clipped R7 today, and Im digging the results.
The amp seems less congested now.
With the vintage jensen its still bright, but it stops short of harsh.
And the cleans are better-more present and lively which is good for low volume cleans. I can tell its going to record well.
It will be fun to sit down and try out some tubes with the new configuration.

How ar you running this stereo?

I use the output of my DigiTech DigiVerb to run stereo. One to my Greta (w/ cab), one to my Champ about eight feet over.

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j223/MadJack_2006/PedalboardV1_zps66422fbb.jpg
The DigiVerb is on the lower left corner of the board.

I see thanks

Replaced the grill cloth with what will be the 5F1 mod C600. I also ordered a full ribbed Weber speaker for it as well (since the last one I ordered went into the stock one :lol:). Just got to look into a nice set of tubes next...

That looks pretty good Lunchie http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo71.gif

That looks pretty good Lunchie http://mail.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/emoticons/emo71.gif

Thank you, I am not sure how much an improvement it will be over the stock cloth, the new stuff is rather thick as well. But it looks cool :cool::mrgreen:.

What about removing cloth altogether? Dust will get up in there

Got mine today and the first time I turned
it on, I had it hooked to an 8 ohm 1X12
and a 8 ohm 1X15.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/o553/tabdog2/5-18-7.jpg

Don't have any mods planned yet,

Tabdog