Californiaman Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Surfpup: I want to build an Uber-Champ. Where do I start? I like the idea of changing the tubes around like you did. The KT66 sound great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Surfpup: I want to build an Uber-Champ. Where do I start? I like the idea of changing the tubes around like you did. The KT66 sound great. Well, I didn't build it. A buddy of mine did. I just built the cabinet and did the tolex, handles, knobs, etc. And made . I keep telling him to build more and we can go into business, but you know how these techy, engineer types are... head in the clouds... too much solder fumes I think! That said, here's what he's told me... It's basically a hot-rodded Fender Champ circuit. He uses an oversize output transformer so that it can handle the variety of power tubes available to the octal tube socket: 6L6, EL84, KT66, etc. The reason it sounds so transparent - even while the gain is cranked is because of the simplicity of the circuit. It only has a few wires and a little tag board - no signal degradation. We did have to play around with a couple different rectifier tubes to get the right one, but know it's working great. I love the sound of the KT66 too. Kind of a good mix or the British and American tones I hear in my head. It rips a little more with the EL34 in it. I have not tried a 6L6. Not usually my cup of tea. I could probably convince him to build you one, CaliMan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Californiaman Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 I think I might like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I've got a '71 Champ my Dad found in a Church dumpster. He knew if it said "Fender" and had tubes I'd want it. Turned out the power light bulb was bad, the amp actually worked but sounded like crap. I hadn't been banned from the FDP yet and sent it to Naked Clarke in New Jersey and he brought it back to specs and put a Weber in it. It was one of the last things my Dad gave me before he died and is a very cool amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I think I might like that. If you're serious, hit me up PM, Cali. We can talk whether you want a head or combo or just chassis, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy R Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 I've got a '71 Champ my Dad found in a Church dumpster. He knew if it said "Fender" and had tubes I'd want it. Turned out the power light bulb was bad, the amp actually worked but sounded like crap. I hadn't been banned from the FDP yet and sent it to Naked Clarke in New Jersey and he brought it back to specs and put a Weber in it. It was one of the last things my Dad gave me before he died and is a very cool amp. Very cool man! Sorry to hear about your father. Gotta love dumpster finds. Here's mine: Late 30's Kalamazoo in the original case.... Amazing what people throw away. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thundergod Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 You found THAT on a dumpster? Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.