TylerLannan
50 posts
Jan 20, 2009
5:30 PM
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I just recently purchased one of these lil guys and I keep reading that people who own them have stand by switches and line out jacks. Mine doesn't have these features. Did I get a lesser model? Or are these mods that people did post manufacture? If so where can I get the mod kits and should I attempt the install myself or take it to a shop and have them do it? Thanks for any help. Any other cool things that can be done that I haven't mentioned are also welcome. Thanks again
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*you can only keep what you have by giving it away*
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Thunderfromheaven
16 posts
Jan 20, 2009
6:00 PM
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This is a cut and paste from another forum but answers your questions-
My main amp is a fender champ 600 with the wax/foil tone stack caps, better tubes and weber speaker from-
https://www.specialtyguitars.com/champ-upgrade-kits.html
I have also fitted the following kit off ebay-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=360108967316
This kit removes the hum, allows a standby switch, internal fuse and also allows you to select a 2w or 5w mode. On 2w you can crank it up and get better tone at lower overall volume. Easy to instal kit actually and makes the amp better for home use.
I use a sonotone cm10 mic, they are indestructable, cheap and sound great. Available off ebay, mine was $36 USD mint in box with the stand. Here are the specs
http://www.roger-russell.com/sonopg/sonom.htm
I am looking at a Boss dd-3 pedal but at the moment plug into an AXL thin amp and then feed the champ from there. There are loads of effects on the thin amp, it sounds awesome on its own and really gives control of the champ. with reverb, flanger etc.
The best part of this amp though is I can plug my ipod into it using the RCA inputs and play Adam's lessons or music through the amp. The music volume is controlled by the ipod and the harp mic by the amp. Great for playing along to lessons etc as I can select the volmes i want and just play along to music and both sounds come through the amp together. Would be good to busk with if you are on your own.
I got mine for $100 US in a lap top bag, it is great to practice on and as it has a cigarette lighter power lead as well as the mains one, I can run it off a portable battery jump starter for up to 9hrs at a time!
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/AXLThinAmp.html
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GGiles
16 posts
Jan 21, 2009
5:08 AM
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I have a Champ .... great amp for the price!
Read your manual ... the line out is inside. You have a line that runs from your speaker to the board ... it plugs in with a standard output jack. Just disconnect it and plug in a larger speaker (make sure it matches the specified Ohm rating)
As to the stand-by switch you do not need one for this amp. Flick it on and let it warm up for a minute.
DO NOT DO any mods to your amp until you've played it for a while. The stock speakers are okay ... they need to be broken in. All of the other "kits" you can buy for it cost AS MUCH AS the amp itself ... maybe more. They also change the sound ... if you like the sound why mess with it ... if you don't, go for it. The hum issue is hit and miss. Try different tubes first the stock tubes are bad. I did change my speaker out for a Jensen MOD 6 ... and I cannot hear any difference ... sounds the same as the stock. I may try a Weber but that's as far as I'll go in moding it and if I don't like it I can switch it back. The kit mod, once it's done ... it's done. Unless you add MORE mods to by-pass what the kit does!
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Thunderfromheaven
17 posts
Jan 21, 2009
12:00 PM
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GGiles is correct about the standby switch and speaker they are a preference issue as are all the other mods.
My weber speaker also sounds like the stock one.
I guess buying a mod kit you have to be cautious about how good at electronics the guy is who you get the mod off and how it it will sound for harp. Most of them are for guitar.
The mod that is of value for me personally is the Triode/pentode switch...I am not an elecronics whiz but at home I could only ever turn the amp up to 3-4 due to my family not hearing tv downstairs so i was not getting the better sound/tone found at higher volume. I can now use a switch and select from a 5w to a 2w amp letting me achieve the sound/tone? I want but at less overall volume...less complaints works well for me.
You do need some soldering skill to mod them and it is a hunk of useless junk with no warranty comeback if you kill it.
I have 3 different mikes they all sound totally different through the amp and that is an other avenue to explore to easily change your sound if you dont want do surgery on your Champ.
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