All user reviews of 4/5 for the Fender Champ 25

Hybrid amp- solid state pre-amp, tube power amp. This is far less common than the 12AX7 tube in the pre-amp section, but this setup results in much better tube distortion, once you find a way to overdrive the power tubes. 25 watts. Good selection of controls, well laid-out.

Two instrument inputs, effects loop (on the SE version, only) and headphone out.

Another smaller amp with the much-desired 12-inch speaker. When you get to step up to a 12, bass and volume are much better.

UTILIZATION

Great cleans. I mean, GREAT cleans. Stupid distorted sound- the amp should have been designed to go from almost no distortion, instead the distorted channel starts at the higher end of most blues and rock guitarist's taste, and goes up- WAY up- from there. Don't use the distorted channel unless you play metal, thrash or other over-the-top styles- use a pedal, instead.

SOUNDS

Having two inputs- low and high Z- the amp works just fine with single coil guitars and humbucker-equipped ones. If you want usable, controllable distortion, you MUST use a pedal- I got good results with an Ibenez Tube Screamer, but your taste may differ- if you like the pedal, you will like what it does to the sound of this amp.

Clean channel is to die for- think vintage black face Bassman- country-western players who don't want to lug around a heavy amp will love this one. Distortion channel is just hateful.

This amp's reverb does not play well with others- using it and the reverb from a multi-effects pedal causes noises that will drive everyone- you included- from the room. You have been warned.

OVERALL OPINION

Nicest thing about this amp is it's clean tube tones and 12-inch speaker. This amp goes cheap, these days- think of this as a budget-priced Fender Super Champ XD on steroids- more power, bigger speaker and cab, only thing missing is the DSP effects, which most of us can live without. By rights, this amp should be selling for $200, but they often go for much less. At the going prices, grab one when you get the chance.

This amp is one of the amps that had a hybrid technology where you have a solid state preamp section and a power tube output section. You have a preamp tube for the phase inverter and then two power tubes.

I believe that Music Man amps did amps like this in the 80's and it was pretty successful. This amp takes the tone of the vintage champ amps from Fender and adds a modern twist of tone shaping and features.

UTILIZATION

Output 25 Watts
Rectifier Solid State
Preamp Solid State
Phase Inverter 7025 (?)
Power 2 x 6L6GC
Speakers/Load 1 x 12"/8 ohms
Effects Reverb, Channel Switching
Config Combo
Control Panel Black forward facing w/ white labels, controls numbered 1-10
Front Conrol Layout Normal: In, In, Treb, Mid, Bass, Mid Shift Sw - Drive: Vol, Gain, Treb, Bass, Contour - Master Vol, Reverb - Effect Out, Effect In - Line Out - Standby Sw, Power Sw
Rear Conrol Layout Fuse (1A)
Knobs Black round, unnumbered
Cabinet 17 1/2" x 20" x 11" (44.5 x 50.8 x 27.9 cm)
Cab Hardware Black Strap handle, plastic corner protectors, glides
Cab Covering Black Tolex
Grille Black grille cloth
Weight 38 1/2 lbs. (17.5 Kg)

SOUNDS

The tone is Fender by all means. I like the tone of most American made Fenders and though it is solid state in the preamp and the power amp tubes do cover up the harshness of the solid state tone.

I always like Fender amps with a good Fender Stratocaster or a Fender Telecaster. They just go perfect with one another. One thing that bugs me on this amp is the effects loop on the front panel. Any amp that does this like some Peavey's just bug me. Having multiple cables running in the front of the amp plus a mic if you are using it live just looks tacky.

OVERALL OPINION

You can find these amps on the used market for right around $200+, which isn't that bad for a decent sounding hybrid combo amplifier. These amps were still made in Southern California which is a plus.

I would recommend this to any one who needs a good practice amp and doesn't want to break the bank to buy it. I suggest trying ti out first before buying because the voicing may not be your thing.