[BayAreaBB]

I'm looking to pick up a vintage Fender tweed amp to use when I don't want to lug my whole rig around with me (Trio, MC2300, 2x12 etc.). I've been intrigued by the old tweed Fender amps. I'm looking for something that maintains clarity and does not break-up when driven, yet yields a nice warm tube clean sound. I believe (not that it weighs heavily on my decision) the Pure Jerry Theatre 1839 cover depicts Jerry using a Champ, but wanted to know from the experts out there - their recommendations and the differences between these 3 amps. Thank you.

[tigerstrat]

Tweed amps break the @%*& UP when driven, especially the tiny ones mentioned. My friend has a '59 Twin (!!!) and it breaks up too. WONDERFULLY, I might add. He's ga-ga over that amp. He's also got the '59 Bassman. These amps were not built for headroom. Oh, and you'll pay many thousands for a vintage tweed, probably FIVE figures.

I'm pretty sure the amp on that cover is a Harvard, but he ain't using it onstage, is he? He's just relaxin' having fun.

You might want to try to find an '82-'86 Super Champ of the Paul Rivera Blackface-revival era of Fenders. I love mine, and it can go anywhere between sparkly clean and raging overdriven warmth. Very collectible, but nowhere near as vintage as tweeds, browns, or blondes, they command around 1000-1200 these days.

[strumminsix]

Agree with TS.. None of the amps you've listed have headroom.

How much are you looking to spend?

What features are you looking for?

Are you dead set on vintage Fender?

[BayAreaBB]

I'm looking for something that is manageable to lug around, either in my backyard or other houses, small gigs, etc. 98% of the time, I'm playing clean Dead, with my desire being ample headroom. I'm looking at spending around $1000 and no, I'm not set on Fenders only.

[Django]

I have a 1973 Fender vibro-sonic reverb 2X10 and it is all about clean headroom and only 40 watts.
I was told pedal steel players covet it, Pete? Great amp, payed $185 for it. Guess when.

[Pete B.]

If it's a 2x10, it's probably a VibroLux Reverb (not a VibroSonic, Fenders "Pedal Steel amp").
http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/

[strumminsix]

I'm looking for something that is manageable to lug around, either in my backyard or other houses, small gigs, etc. 98% of the time, I'm playing clean Dead, with my desire being ample headroom. I'm looking at spending around $1000 and no, I'm not set on Fenders only.

Ahh, well for $1000 that changes things. Most of what you listed is out of your range.

What do you mean by manageable?

I consider mine perfect! 35lbs, clean headroom over a drummer, reverb, tube trem, etc. But it's out of your range.

[Django]

Man you are right Pete!
I am embarrased to mis-name my own amp.
It ain't light though...

[krzykat]

Joe's Garage
(Frank Zappa)



E
It wasn't very large
A B
There was just enough room to cram the drums
E
In the corner over by the Dodge
A B
It was a fifty-four with a mashed up door
E
And a cheesy little amp
A B
With a sign on the front said "Fender Champ"
E
And a second-hand guitar
A C# B
It was a Stratocaster with a whammy bar

G > A (x4)

E
We could jam in Joe's Garage
A B
His mama was screamin', his dad was mad
E
We was playin' the same old song
A B
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
E
Play it all night long
A B
It was all we knew, 'n easy, too
E
So we wouldn't get it wrong
A B
All we did was bend the string like

|-------------------------------|
|---7(b9)-7--7(b9)-7--7(b9)-7---|
|-------------------------------|
|-------------------------------|
|-------------------------------|
|-------------------------------|

Hey!
Down in Joe's Garage
We didn't have no dope or LSD
But a coupla quartsa beer
Would fix it so the intonation
Would not offend yer ear
And the same old chords goin' over 'n over
Became a symphony
We could play it again 'n again 'n again
'Cause it sounded good to me

We could jam in Joe's Garage
His mama was screamin', "TURN IT DOWN!"
We was playin' the same old song
In the afternoon 'n sometimes we would
Play it all night long
It was all we knew, 'n easy too
So we wouldn't get it wrong
Even if you played it on a saxophone

We thought we was pretty good
We talked about keepin' the band together
'N we figured that we should
'Cause about this time we was gettin' the eye
From the girls in the neighborhood
They'd all come over 'n dance around like

So we picked out a stupid name
Had some cards printed up for a coupla bucks
'N we was on our way to fame
Got matching suits 'n Beatle Boots
'N a sign on the back of the car
'N we was ready to work in a GO-GO Bar

People seemed to like our song
They got up 'n danced 'n made a lotta noise
An' it wasn't 'fore very long
A guy from a company we can't name
Said we oughta take his pen
'N sign on the line for a real good time
But he didn't tell us when
These "good times" would be somethin' that was really happenin'
So the band broke up
An' it looks like we will never play again

a capella
Guess you only get one chance in life
To play a song that goes like

Well, the years was rollin' by
Heavy Metal 'n Glitter Rock
Had caught the public eye
Snotty boys with lipstick on was really flyin' high
'N then they got that Disco thing
'N New Wave came along 'n all of a sudden I thought the time
Had come for that old song
We used to play in "Joe's Garage"
And if I am not wrong
You will soon be dancin' to the

I said the years was rollin' by, yeah
The years was rollin' by

thought this was fitting seeing how you were talking about "the champ"

**chords shifted after i submitted the post, but if you know the song you know where they go**