Cheap amp that are great - Champion 20 by Fender

[so1om]

@so1om would make the argument that it is a modeling amp… That happens to model an old clean fender amp. (A discussion we have had about frontman’s a number of times).

The current champion line is a direct descendent of the FM’s.

Yes I am pretty sure it's a modeling amp that is programmed to one sound. It's the easiest and cheapest way to consistently have that Fender sound. it's almost stunning how close a Frontman at the right volume can be close to my tube Fenders. Plugging into it is all Fender, not just another solid state.

 

[so1om]

There were two releases of the Frontman’s, Mk1 is analog (Blackface/black Grill), Mk2’s are DSP (blackface, Silver grill). The exception is the Mk1 212DSP, which was the only DSP in that series, and was the model adopted for the Mk2 line, and current champion line.
I remember the MK2 212DSP, was a good 4 lbs lighter than the Mk1 212R. I picked up a Champion 100 in a local shop, it was even lighter (there are some reviews that the current 100 cabs are flimsy)!

We were talking (at least I was) about the Champion 20, which what I was addressing.

I had a Fender Bullet Dynatouch 150, which was one of their earliest entry level DSP’s, and it was a phenomenal sounding practice amp. I put a switched speaker out jack on it, and it sounded just as good as my later FM212R (though the effects were not as flexible as my later 212DSP).

Even with op-amps, Fender did a great job emulating their own clean sound from previous generations, which is tuned for guitar frequencies, just like the tube amps, and discrete transistors were... it’s not just clean flat eq amplification (like a PA/bass/keyboard amp). That in itself is a form of modeling/designing. You won’t get a FM25R to sound just like a Peavey bandit, or older Roland cube... close, but not a wash. It sounds like a Fender.

...and Hogwash was a bit much DYT?

Thanks for handling that.

 

[Dibs]

Hi all,

Great thread been very helpful.
Got a question, looking for a practice/begginer amp strictly for home use only. Narrowed it down to katana mini and champion 20.

Anyone used both and recommend which is the better way to go

 

[Angry Possum]

No Fender amps currently, but I have some other cool tube amps. I actually had a real 1966 Twin Reverb in the 80s. Sick amp. It's definitely worth bucks today, it was mint.
It's in the background. I'm playing a MIJ Ibanez Roadstar II.

 

[Blues256]

Hi all,

Great thread been very helpful.
Got a question, looking for a practice/begginer amp strictly for home use only. Narrowed it down to katana mini and champion 20.

Anyone used both and recommend which is the better way to go

Champion for Fenderish sound. With light metal sound (red settings u can play grunge and rock like smashing pumpkins or soundgarden).

Wow i forgot about this thread. I still have Champ 20 !

Going Champ 50 or 100 for gigs next year. Will have new band soon