What's a Good Replacement Amp for a Superchamp X2?

[Randypttt]

I ask because I anticipate my X2 head will hose at some point. I started with an XD that died at 3 yrs. Got another through the warranty, and discovered the X2, that was offered as a head, introduced almost the same year. Had that 3 years before it went down but was unable and apprehensive about replacing it.

Had a Mustang but was driven crazy with all the tweaking. Have a Champion 40 but it's a bit disappointing.
What I want is a small amp/amp head that offers modeled Fender sounds with or without all the Metal crazy stuff. I've got pedals for those. The Fender Reissues of the Deluxe and Twins are way too much moola and too loud.

What I've researched are the Joyo amps; the Tweedy and Bluejay, Boss Katana 100w (only one that comes in a head). The prices are right but doing this on the internet lacks the hands-on experience. And I'm not sure I'm hearing Fender sounds, only clean ones.

I love my X2. I love how it's pretty much plug and play without a lot of dialing in. It may last another 10 years (I'm 71) but its history tells another story. I've read plenty of complaints about these amps along with praise. My luck hasn't been keen on these. And there's no warranty coz they don't make them anymore.

So, is my research sound or are there other options I don't know about? Thanks for any info you might have.

 

[Dismalhead]

Budget?

I've got an XD combo, it was my main amp for five years or so but now I've gone pedalboard/tube amp. From my experience the X2 and XD have the best Fendery cleans that you don't have to pay a thousand bucks to get. Can't think of any other amp that comes close.

I know a lot of people are happy with the Roland Cubes, but I don't know anything about them. You may want to look that direction.

Another option is a Supro 1606. It's a stupid simple, 5-watt tube amp. Built to last, 1 6V6 tube, no EQ or effects. They sell for around $800 new, but I've seen them used for as low as $500. Think of it as a Champ on steroids. Not quite Fendery sounding, but nice in itself with great breakup. It'll get as loud as your X2 no problem.

 

[Chiogtr4x]

Fender Frontman 25R ( with better speaker upgrade)

Has a great clean Fender tone, a good ( useable Lead Channel too now, with speaker change- (it lost the 'fizz'), real Spring Reverb, plenty of volume. My main gig amp now. ( trio for me)

 

[bls82261]

Buy another X2 or two and keep as backups. I just bought a minty one for $200 last week.

 

[archetype]

Buy another X2 or two and keep as backups. I just bought a minty one for $200 last week.

I'd do this, too. You can unscrew and slide the brains out of your spare SCX2 and put them into your original one with its broken-in speaker.

There are various, good-sounding amps that are relatively inexpensive, but none of them are a direct replacement for the Princetonish tone of Channel 1, or Fender tones in Channel 2.

My 2012 SCX2 went 8 years before the USB interface died. I'm just too unmotivated to resolder the connector, but it's still a fine-sounding amp.

If you want a 'new' amp, a Champion 50XL is inexpensive and uses what's basically the same DSP preamp as the SCX2.

 

[timbgtr]

If you want to spend the money, Quilter Aviator Cub replaced my SCXD, which I sold after too many expensive reliability problems. I have a Champion 40, with a Cannabis Rex. It’s OK in a pinch but doesn’t satisfy my BF Fender yen.

 

[Mondaysoutar]

I was going to suggest an Aviator Cub man

 

[Randypttt]

I was going to suggest an Aviator Cub man

Yeah...unfortunately money is an object. But thanks everyone for your contributions. I thought those Joyos might be the answer,but I don't hear any Blackface tones and most of the youtube folk are bent on showing how "Metal" they can be. I got 2 multi-fx boxes for that.

If you want to spend the money, Quilter Aviator Cub replaced my SCXD, which I sold after too many expensive reliability problems. I have a Champion 40, with a Cannabis Rex. It’s OK in a pinch but doesn’t satisfy my BF Fender yen.

My Champion 40 doesn't quite cut it. I stuck the brains in an old (?) X2 head cab and plugged it into an old Polytone cab with a nice Jensen in it. Still no go.

Any other low-cost ideas?

 

[lefty73]

If you get most of your dirty joy from pedals, a Tech 21 Trademark 30 or Trademark 60. Next tier down would be a silver- or red-stripe Peavey Bandit.

 

[RoscoeElegante]

Traynor Quarterhorse.
https://reverb.com/p/traynor-dh25h-quarterhorse-microamp-25-watt-stompbox-guitar-amplifier
(Not affiliated w/ seller.)

A useful and reliable critter, indeed. Play it through efficient speakers and you've got fine oomph on tap....

Or an Ibanez TSA15H.
https://reverb.com/item/64830031-ibanez-tsa15h-tube-screamer-15w-tube-guitar-amp-head
Fine Fender-ish cleans, great pedal platform. Keep the Boost on.
(Not affiliated w/ seller.)

 

[Hoodster]

If you want to spend the money, Quilter Aviator Cub replaced my SCXD, which I sold after too many expensive reliability problems. I have a Champion 40, with a Cannabis Rex. It’s OK in a pinch but doesn’t satisfy my BF Fender yen.

How would you compare the Quilter’s BF cleans to those on the SC and C40?

 

[schmee]

Yeah...unfortunately money is an object. But thanks everyone for your contributions. I thought those Joyos might be the answer,but I don't hear any Blackface tones and most of the youtube folk are bent on showing how "Metal" they can be. I got 2 multi-fx boxes for that.

My Champion 40 doesn't quite cut it. I stuck the brains in an old (?) X2 head cab and plugged it into an old Polytone cab with a nice Jensen in it. Still no go.

Any other low-cost ideas?

I would just get another XD/X2. They still sound like a tube amp on the clean setting and all the SS options do not.

You may find a hand wired homebrew Brown or BF Deluxe for reasonable cost and maybe that would be an option. Another option is a home brew Harvard. All 3 of these are clean good sounding tube amps.

Most of the asian amps run the risk of having short lives also IME.

 

[archetype]

I'd do this, too. You can unscrew and slide the brains out of your spare SCX2 and put them into your original one with its broken-in speaker.

There are various, good-sounding amps that are relatively inexpensive, but none of them are a direct replacement for the Princetonish tone of Channel 1, or Fender tones in Channel 2.

My 2012 SCX2 went 8 years before the USB interface died. I'm just too unmotivated to resolder the connector, but it's still a fine-sounding amp.

If you want a 'new' amp, a Champion 50XL is inexpensive and uses what's basically the same DSP preamp as the SCX2.

Oops. I see you basically figured this out, already.

BTW if you want a 12" speaker, the SCX2 brains should slide right into the Champion 40 cabinet. You just need to drill new chassis mounting holes.

 

[timbgtr]

How would you compare the Quilter’s BF cleans to those on the SC and C40?

Well worth the premium to me,
including speaker upgrades on both the SCXD and C40.

 

[timbgtr]

How would you compare the Quilter’s BF cleans to those on the SC and C40?

PS. I should say that the QAC is louder and lighter, both of which are valuable. I also got it 15% off the original price of $599, so I paid only $510 compared to the current $699.

 

[PhredE]

Ever considered getting a Quilter Superblock US (head) and then rig a jack on your SC to reuse it's speaker?
Superblock are running about $300 new.
Maybe a used one to save a few bucks??

 

[Killing Floor]

Black face sound? Get whatever and put an Effectrode Blackbird in front.