1976 Fender Champ Amp Converted to Vibro Champ 2016 - Black
Description
No sales tax for US customers outside California.
The silverface Fender Champ is one of the most beloved small-studio and home-practice amplifiers ever made. At 6 watts through an 8" speaker, the Champ was designed to sound like a real tube amplifier at a reasonable volume level.. Recording engineers have known this for decades: the Champ is a go-to studio tool precisely because it breaks up naturally and musically at manageable levels.
This one measures 17" wide by 14" tall by 7.5" deep and weighs just 23 lbs 4 oz, so it's genuinely portable. The original black tolex is present and the cabinet — plywood construction, as Fender used throughout this period — is in very good shape. The grille and baffle are likewise original and very good. The steel chassis is in good condition and carries its original knobs and handle.
This particular Champ has been professionally upgraded to Vibro Champ specification — meaning vibrato has been added, with the controls mounted on the rear of the chassis in a clean, workmanlike fashion. The filter caps have been replaced with an upgrade set, which on a nearly 50-year-old amp is not a mod — it's responsible maintenance, and it means this amp is circuit-healthy and ready to work.
The original speaker has been replaced with a Celestion Eight-15 (G8C-15), an 8" driver, and it's in excellent condition — the Celestion is a well-regarded choice for this cabinet. The power and output transformers are both original Schumacher units (manufacturer code 606), with date codes of 631 and 6-29 respectively, confirming 1976 production. The rectifier is an RCA 5Y3, the power tube a Fender-branded 6V6, and the preamp positions run a pair of 12AX7s (Sovtek and one unidentified). The pots have been replaced as part of the upgrade work. Power cable is properly grounded. An aftermarket cover in good condition is included.
The amp runs perfectly and sounds killer - it has been upgraded throughout and is a killer improvement over the stock 70s Champ.
The hang tags look original, but they are actually reproductions made by the previous owner.
Specifications:
Weight: 23lbs 4oz
Case/Cover?: after market cover
Case/Cover Brand: unbranded
Case/Cover Condition: good
Dimensions: w17" x h14" x d7.5"
Watts: 6 Watts
Covering Material: tolex
Covering Color: black
Covering Original?: yes
Cabinet Material: plywood
Cabinet Condition: very good
Cabinet Repairs/Changes: n/a
Cabinet Original?: yes
Grille Material: ?
Grille Condition: very good
Grille Original?: yes
Baffle Material: particle board
Baffle Condition: very good
Baffle Original?: yes
Baffle Repairs/Changes: n/a
Chassis Material: steel
Chassis Condition: good
Chassis Original?: yes
Chassis Repairs/Changes: mods for upgrade
Knobs Original?: yes
Handle Original?: yes
Handle: yes
Date: 1976
Where Is Date Noted?: Serial#, codes
Speaker 1 Brand: Celestion Eight-15, G8C-15
Speaker 1 Size: 8"
Speaker 1 Manufacturer Code: ?
Speaker 1 Date Code: MA25
Speaker 1 Cone Code: n/a
Speaker One Condition: excellent
Power Transformer Manufacturer: Schumacher
Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
Power Transformer Date Code: 631
Power Transformer Original?: yes
Output Transformer Manufacturer: Schumacher
Output Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
Output Transformer Date Code: 6-29
Output Transformer Original?: yes
Choke Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
Choke Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
Choke Transformer Date Code: n/a
Choke Transformer Original?: n/a
Reverb Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
Reverb Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
Reverb Transformer Date Code: n/a
Reverb Transformer Original?: n/a
Reverb Onboard: no
Reverb Tank Original?: n/a
Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: Vibrato Mod
Pedal Included?: no
Pedal Condition: n/a
Pedal Original?: n/a
Rectifier Tube: 5Y3
Rectifier Tube Brand: RCA
Power Tubes: 6V6
Power Tube Brand: Fender
Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
Preamp Tube Brand: Sovtek, ?
Potentiometers Original?: no
Filter Caps: upgrade
Internal Repairs: Vibro Champ Mod
Power Cable: grounded
Documentation: n/a
Smells?: no
Accessories Included: non original hang tags
Additional notes: professionally upgraded to vibro champ; work appears to be excellent; controls on rear of chassis
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"Terrific studio or bedroom practice amp with plenty of volume. Don't be fooled by the Champ." - Reverb.com
"It can get clean but not like a Fender Twin. Basically it goes from clean but syrupy/thick clean sound to a nice vintage breakup distortion." - Gearspace
"I've always wanted one of these and it sounds even better than I hoped." - r/GuitarAmps, Reddit
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to .
Shipping Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. Vintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.
The silverface Fender Champ is one of the most beloved small-studio and home-practice amplifiers ever made. At 6 watts through an 8" speaker, the Champ was designed to sound like a real tube amplifier at a reasonable volume level.. Recording engineers have known this for decades: the Champ is a go-to studio tool precisely because it breaks up naturally and musically at manageable levels.
This one measures 17" wide by 14" tall by 7.5" deep and weighs just 23 lbs 4 oz, so it's genuinely portable. The original black tolex is present and the cabinet — plywood construction, as Fender used throughout this period — is in very good shape. The grille and baffle are likewise original and very good. The steel chassis is in good condition and carries its original knobs and handle.
This particular Champ has been professionally upgraded to Vibro Champ specification — meaning vibrato has been added, with the controls mounted on the rear of the chassis in a clean, workmanlike fashion. The filter caps have been replaced with an upgrade set, which on a nearly 50-year-old amp is not a mod — it's responsible maintenance, and it means this amp is circuit-healthy and ready to work.
The original speaker has been replaced with a Celestion Eight-15 (G8C-15), an 8" driver, and it's in excellent condition — the Celestion is a well-regarded choice for this cabinet. The power and output transformers are both original Schumacher units (manufacturer code 606), with date codes of 631 and 6-29 respectively, confirming 1976 production. The rectifier is an RCA 5Y3, the power tube a Fender-branded 6V6, and the preamp positions run a pair of 12AX7s (Sovtek and one unidentified). The pots have been replaced as part of the upgrade work. Power cable is properly grounded. An aftermarket cover in good condition is included.
The amp runs perfectly and sounds killer - it has been upgraded throughout and is a killer improvement over the stock 70s Champ.
The hang tags look original, but they are actually reproductions made by the previous owner.
Specifications:
Weight: 23lbs 4oz
Case/Cover?: after market cover
Case/Cover Brand: unbranded
Case/Cover Condition: good
Dimensions: w17" x h14" x d7.5"
Watts: 6 Watts
Covering Material: tolex
Covering Color: black
Covering Original?: yes
Cabinet Material: plywood
Cabinet Condition: very good
Cabinet Repairs/Changes: n/a
Cabinet Original?: yes
Grille Material: ?
Grille Condition: very good
Grille Original?: yes
Baffle Material: particle board
Baffle Condition: very good
Baffle Original?: yes
Baffle Repairs/Changes: n/a
Chassis Material: steel
Chassis Condition: good
Chassis Original?: yes
Chassis Repairs/Changes: mods for upgrade
Knobs Original?: yes
Handle Original?: yes
Handle: yes
Date: 1976
Where Is Date Noted?: Serial#, codes
Speaker 1 Brand: Celestion Eight-15, G8C-15
Speaker 1 Size: 8"
Speaker 1 Manufacturer Code: ?
Speaker 1 Date Code: MA25
Speaker 1 Cone Code: n/a
Speaker One Condition: excellent
Power Transformer Manufacturer: Schumacher
Power Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
Power Transformer Date Code: 631
Power Transformer Original?: yes
Output Transformer Manufacturer: Schumacher
Output Transformer Manufacturer Code: 606
Output Transformer Date Code: 6-29
Output Transformer Original?: yes
Choke Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
Choke Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
Choke Transformer Date Code: n/a
Choke Transformer Original?: n/a
Reverb Transformer Manufacturer: n/a
Reverb Transformer Manufacturer Code: n/a
Reverb Transformer Date Code: n/a
Reverb Transformer Original?: n/a
Reverb Onboard: no
Reverb Tank Original?: n/a
Tremolo Or Vibrato Onboard: Vibrato Mod
Pedal Included?: no
Pedal Condition: n/a
Pedal Original?: n/a
Rectifier Tube: 5Y3
Rectifier Tube Brand: RCA
Power Tubes: 6V6
Power Tube Brand: Fender
Preamp Tubes: 2 x 12AX7
Preamp Tube Brand: Sovtek, ?
Potentiometers Original?: no
Filter Caps: upgrade
Internal Repairs: Vibro Champ Mod
Power Cable: grounded
Documentation: n/a
Smells?: no
Accessories Included: non original hang tags
Additional notes: professionally upgraded to vibro champ; work appears to be excellent; controls on rear of chassis
Excerpts from real online end-user reviews:
"Terrific studio or bedroom practice amp with plenty of volume. Don't be fooled by the Champ." - Reverb.com
"It can get clean but not like a Fender Twin. Basically it goes from clean but syrupy/thick clean sound to a nice vintage breakup distortion." - Gearspace
"I've always wanted one of these and it sounds even better than I hoped." - r/GuitarAmps, Reddit
Be sure to check out the other cool guitar related stuff on our site!
The largest vintage & used guitar amplifier selection in Northern California
Fender electric guitars - vintage & used
Gibson electric guitars - vintage & used
Vintage & Used Effects Pedals
Shipping Policy
By completing your purchase you are agreeing to this shipping policy. Shipments require signature on delivery, no exceptions. Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely. If there is damage, retain all packing materials intact, photograph them immediately, and send the photos to .
Shipping Amplifiers: We take additional precautions to prevent common shipping damage. Depending on the amp, this may include removing tubes, pulling the chassis from the cabinet if heavy transformers present a drop risk, or removing heavy speakers that could crack baffles in transit. Reassembly is required on delivery — we label everything clearly. These measures add to shipping costs but reflect hard-won experience. Vintage amplifiers (20 years or older) are sold as-is — all amps are tested in our shop upon intake and again before shipping. We cover shipping damage but cannot be responsible for the failure of vintage components in instruments that are 20 to 50-plus years old.