AmpTalk.com

[fendertwin]

I have a late 80's or early 90's black knobed Fender Champ 12. I have been thinking about getting a reissue 65 deluxe reverb. I don't have any experience with the deluxe. Anyone have any experience with both of these amps that they would like to fill me in on? I play old rock and roll and blues. I know the deluxe reverb has been used by countless. Is there much difference between the two amps in sound? Is the deluxe just a few more watts with a vibrato? Is it worth the extra money? Any helpfull info will be appreciated. Thanks!

[TimC]

fendertwin, I have a Super Champ from the 80's and a Deluxe from the early 60's. The Deluxe sounds much better. I havn't played through a Deluxe re-issue so I can't say if it sounds as good as the original. From reading the posts here by owners of the re-issue, I'm guessing it comes pretty close.

[fendertwin]

Is the super champ from the 80's a tube amp? I know fender made some champs that were solid state.

[TimC]

fendertwin, my Super Champ is all tube, point to point wired with a tube reverb. I think I could help the sound a heap with a better speaker. I bought this amp about '90 or so when I was drifting on to other hobbies besides guitars and amps. I never tried making it sound better, other than adjusting the bias. The clean channel is O.K., but the lead channel is typical pre-amp overdrive. Sounds just like one of those "real tube" distortion pedals.

[fendertwin]

Yes I know what you mean about the lead channel. I don't like the lead channel on my champ either. I use the clean channel only. Have you gigged with your deluxe reverb much? Do you have any volume problems with out mikeing it up for a small bar/club gig?

[TimC]

fendertwin, I don't gig at all. I may be too self-critical, but way back I decided that I wouldn't get up and perform before an audience unless I knew I was good. I worked hard over the years trying to get to that level, but didn't make it. I'm a good mechanic but a poor artist. I can fix a guitar or amp, but I don't think I hear music the same as a real musician.
My Super Champ has a two 6V6 power section and is plenty loud. In fact, when you crank it all the way up using the clean channel, it sounds good. I re-read your post, and realized you question was about my Deluxe. My Deluxe is the model without reverb. It sounds very warm at low volumes, then starts to break up about 7 on the volume. By 10, it has a good bluesy overdrive, but still good note definition. I'm running a Kendrick black-frame speaker in it.

[fendertwin]

Thanks TimC for your input. It was nice to get some responses from someone with experience with these amps. If there is anyone else who can answer my questions I have asked Tim please respond. This seems to be a pretty good place to get answers. I look forward to talking with more of you out there!

[TimC]

I edited my earlier post to add a little more info. Kendrick has some newer speakers that are supposedly better than the blackframes.

[Silvafish]

I think the original Deluxe is the classic Rock 'n' Roll amp. I've never owned one but I've played one. I remember it running out of steam at higher volumes. But cool when the drummer uses brushes.

Then I tried the Vicky Double Deluxe which I thought sounded fantastic but had some Parasitic Oscillation problems. I never bought it because of this, a friend did and he returned it a few months later, after Victoria Amp Co said there was nothing wrong with it. Because PO is a strange problem to have to track down and fix. Had it not had that problem I would have bought it. As I understand it, a lot of those tweed amps with chrome control panels have that problem. Not sure about the later Tolex models, don't think I've seen a 65 Deluxe but my guess is that it's black Tolex. Do you know does it have a chrome panel or is it a plastic/aluminum job?

Silva

[fendertwin]

The 65 had a black face. The reissue does as well. Black tolex with a black panel.