Fender Champion insight wanted

Glen Fitzjerrell · Post by **Glen Fitzjerrell** » 25 Aug 2010 7:17 am

Long time lurker, first time poster... I just bought this guy off of eBay--

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWAX:IT

It's got a 3 day return policy, so I figured for the price, why not? I can see that it has non-stock tuners on it (why not use brand-new Klusons?), and it looks like it isn't MOTS yellow, but just...yellow.

Any chance this could be some form of Fender knock off? Any clue on the year of manufacture? Did I waste my money here?

Thanks for the insight, you guys rock.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 25 Aug 2010 8:05 am

I'm no Fender expert, but I am suspicious to the things he leaves out in the description. Like they make a point of stating it has an original style cap, but fail to mention the new pots. The white wire on the pickup and output jack looks too white and the jack might be new too.
This seller has sold / does sell vintage parts and as such its entirely possible that this is a parts guitar that had been cannibalized for the vintage Tele parts.

Michael Robertson · Post by **Michael Robertson** » 25 Aug 2010 8:40 am

Congratulations on your purchase. I like it.
Weather it is all original or not, I wouldn’t get all wrapped around the axel about it.
I am guilty of second guessing myself far too often as well.
Plug it in fire it up and have a good time with your new axe.
If in the future you discover it is all bogus, oh well, lesson learned.
But you still have a nice steel to whack on.
Who knows it may become your “go to” guitar.
Just my two cents worth.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 25 Aug 2010 8:49 am

Plug it in fire it up and have a good time with your new axe.

Michael certainly makes a good point. If it sounds great and makes you smile, then thats all that really matters.

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 25 Aug 2010 9:29 am

I'm thinking the pickup, pots, jack, wiring and knobs are non-original. It would take an in hand inspection to tell for sure on the pickup and knobs.

I bought a guitar, a '53 professional D8, from this seller a few years ago. It was a good transaction and I was quite pleased. I would say from my dealings he is well educated about lap steel guitars and may be guilty of omiting facts from the listing he knows about this instrument. Your call on a return.

Johnny Collins · Post by **Johnny Collins** » 25 Aug 2010 9:28 pm

That's a nice looking rig. It may have a few newer parts, but overall it looks to be pretty darn vintage. IMHO If it sounds good..it is. Cheers, JC