Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Fender Amp Discussion

Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal

User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

I just figured out that I have some Super Champ transformer sets. I've owned 2 Super Champs and enjoyed them, not so much that I'd spend $700-800 on an old one. Having the transformers makes it seem plausible to build one.

Has anyone made one of these or do you know of any DIYs ?

Here's the schematic:

http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20heav ... _super.pdf

I know the 6C10 is in $hort $upply but I think there may be replacement triple tiodes out there..........

Thanks
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

Found a layout, not sure how accurate, and better schematic.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
Cliff Schecht
Posts: 2629
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:32 am
Location: Austin
Contact:

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by Cliff Schecht »

I love the frickin' Super Champ (unfortunately so does everyone else). Fantastic amp if you swap out the stock speaker. Also the footswitch has a weird tone robbing effect because of how it's implemented, so I don't use those.

I have a good bud that has two of them if you need details from one. We've (I've) studied them a lot now and it's a fun circuit for sure, lots of tonal variations in there.

If I were to build one, however, I would dump the 6C10. Look at the Princeton II layout, it's the same amp with a mid knob and I think one other feature, but essentially the same thing without the 6C10.

I've never seen a chassis for one for sale by anyone so you'd have to go make that too. It's a very compact layout and probably wouldn't be a cakewalk to recreate. I'd give myself some extra room, but at that point just build a Princeton II!
Cliff Schecht - Circuit P.I.
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

Cliff Schecht wrote:I love the frickin' Super Champ (unfortunately so does everyone else). Fantastic amp if you swap out the stock speaker. Also the footswitch has a weird tone robbing effect because of how it's implemented, so I don't use those.

I have a good bud that has two of them if you need details from one. We've (I've) studied them a lot now and it's a fun circuit for sure, lots of tonal variations in there.

If I were to build one, however, I would dump the 6C10. Look at the Princeton II layout, it's the same amp with a mid knob and I think one other feature, but essentially the same thing without the 6C10.

I've never seen a chassis for one for sale by anyone so you'd have to go make that too. It's a very compact layout and probably wouldn't be a cakewalk to recreate. I'd give myself some extra room, but at that point just build a Princeton II!

Thanks for your feedback Cliff.

Dropping the 6C10 is a good idea as they are hitting $25 and up. I was thinking that the Princeton II or the Deluxe II would be good builds also as they use the same PT. I have 7 of the PTs. The Princeton and Deluxe use a different OT looks like same specs but rated at 20watts output versus 18 for the Super Champ. I can't imagine 2 watts making THAT much difference.

Looks like the Princeton II has it's own fan base:

http://www.stratopastor.org.uk/strato/a ... I_hub.html

Whatever, gets built doing it in a Princeton chassis seems and a 12" speaker seems like a good idea.
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
Cliff Schecht
Posts: 2629
Joined: Wed Dec 30, 2009 7:32 am
Location: Austin
Contact:

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by Cliff Schecht »

Would you be interested in selling one or a few of those PT's? I'd like one for myself and my buddy with two Super Champ's and a Princeton II might want one.

Also FWIW I'm really inclined to modify how the footswitch works in these designs or eliminate it completely. The current setup really fucks up the tone of these amps when you just plug in the footswitch, and you can tell it's because someone got too clever for their own good. It hurts the clean and dirty tones from these amps, makes them more shrill and thin sounding. Really quite annoying!
Cliff Schecht - Circuit P.I.
User avatar
rp
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:21 am
Location: Italy

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by rp »

The late Robert Quine was a huge fan, pretty sure that is what you're hearing on most of his music. The last of the real Fenders IMO even though it was Rivera and post Leo. They are certainly worth the money people want these days given they are hand wired amps, super small, and really loud and w/ great tone inside. Killer NYC taxi-cab amp. Ever look inside one? That's one hell of a tough build if you are going to keep the orig dimensions. Building in a big chassis or as a head defeats the purpose of this little honey unless you just have to have that exact tone. I don't regret selling off my vintage amps but I wish I'd kept that little fucker.
Last edited by rp on Sun Mar 17, 2013 10:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

Cliff Schecht wrote:Would you be interested in selling one or a few of those PT's? I'd like one for myself and my buddy with two Super Champ's and a Princeton II might want one.

Also FWIW I'm really inclined to modify how the footswitch works in these designs or eliminate it completely. The current setup really fucks up the tone of these amps when you just plug in the footswitch, and you can tell it's because someone got too clever for their own good. It hurts the clean and dirty tones from these amps, makes them more shrill and thin sounding. Really quite annoying!
Cliff

In your experience does the Princeton II have the same foot-switch issues?

I was planning on selling off 5 sets of the transformers. Angela has the OT for $60. I find their prices vulgar. I was thinking $60 + shipping for a PT / OT pair.
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

rp wrote:The late Robert Quine was a huge fan, pretty sure that is what you're here on most of his music. The last of the real Fenders IMO even though it was Rivera and post Leo. They are certainly worth the money people want these days given they are hand wired amps, super small, and really loud and w/ great tone inside. Killer NYC taxi-cab amp. Ever look inside one? That's one hell of a tough build if you are going to keep the orig dimensions. Building in a big chassis or as a head defeats the purpose of this little honey unless you just have to have that exact tone. I don't regret selling off my vintage amps but I wish I'd kept that little fucker.
I've had 2 and I wished that I'd kept them. Yes, I've been in them and it's cramped but possible. My problem is that I'd be neater with the lead dress and that may mess with the tone. I could make a board set from the layout.

Right now I'm kind of leaning towards the Princeton II. Bigger chassis and no 6C10. Still a mess inside but more room. Having a 12" speaker could be nice, you can get a Princeton box with a 12" for under $200. Or do a hardwood cabinet, even do head only.

There were some dudes in Canada making aluminum fender chassis, anyone remember who they were?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
User avatar
rp
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:21 am
Location: Italy

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by rp »

So the Princeton II is a good amp? Very much like the SChamp? Something to grab if found cheap?
User avatar
rp
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:21 am
Location: Italy

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by rp »

BTW I think the SC is much better wired then the later silver faces. Not sure how much one could improve given the tight quarters.
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

rp wrote:So the Princeton II is a good amp? Very much like the SChamp? Something to grab if found cheap?
Read Cliff's contributions earlier in the thread.

Cliff knows ALL!
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
User avatar
M Fowler
Posts: 14036
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:19 am
Location: Walcott ND

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by M Fowler »

There were some dudes in Canada making aluminum fender chassis, anyone remember who they were?
http://www.seasidechassisdesign.com/

He will make custom size chassis as well. I've had many Princeton, Bassman and Tremolux chassis built.
User avatar
dreric
Posts: 964
Joined: Mon Dec 01, 2008 3:15 pm
Location: SF East Bay

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by dreric »

M Fowler wrote:
There were some dudes in Canada making aluminum fender chassis, anyone remember who they were?
http://www.seasidechassisdesign.com/

He will make custom size chassis as well. I've had many Princeton, Bassman and Tremolux chassis built.
Thanks Mark!

I'm always impressed with your builds, who do you like for face plates?
Eric
1949 Zenith, Zenith Toggle Recoil, Zenith 55 & 440
User avatar
M Fowler
Posts: 14036
Joined: Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:19 am
Location: Walcott ND

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by M Fowler »

Thanks Mark!

I'm always impressed with your builds, who do you like for face plates?
Thanks, I either design my own using FrontpanelExpress.com, or buy from vendors, or have Colossal whip me up a design to send to BNP lazers.

Mark
User avatar
rp
Posts: 2528
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 4:21 am
Location: Italy

Re: Anyone interrested in the Super Champ?

Post by rp »

dreric wrote:I just figured out that I have some Super Champ transformer sets.
dreric, any chance you know the unloaded sec voltage on the SC PT? And if the OT is 8K or 6.6K? Never know if I might get possessed to build one.
Post Reply