Vintage 1953 Fender Champ...original owner

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 27 Feb 2017 7:34 am

I bought this little amp from the Cox Music Store in Seattle in 1953. It really sounds good after all these years in the closet. Mr Ken Fox checked it out and was impressed. He changed to a new "old power cord" and still has that old great sound. $1000.00 or it goes with me in the grave!
Bob StrumPicture file

Lavon Chappell · Post by **Lavon Chappell** » 19 Mar 2017 8:31 pm

pm and email sent Mr. Strum

Bryan Staddon · Post by **Bryan Staddon** » 20 Mar 2017 5:50 am

Hi Mr Strum!
If it goes with you, could you let us know your final resting place, and an approximate eta.
Just kidding, pretty sure you'll sell this beauty.its cooler than cool!

Steven Paris · Post by **Steven Paris** » 20 Mar 2017 1:13 pm

Just out of curiosity, what $$$ did you pay for the amp in 1953?

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 20 Mar 2017 4:05 pm

If I remember correctly, I bought the steel and the amp new for around $100.00!!

Steven Paris · Post by **Steven Paris** » 20 Mar 2017 4:09 pm

What was the steel--a Fender lap steel, or..????

Bob Strum · Post by **Bob Strum** » 20 Mar 2017 4:40 pm

6 string Champ ivory
Bob

admin · Post by **b0b** » 21 Mar 2017 6:25 pm

An unhelpful conversation has been removed. $:\$

Seems like a real good price for a vintage Fender tweed amp, Bob. It should be living in a recording studio somewhere, to get "that sound" on record.

I like that it has just one knob, "VOLUME", and that it goes up to 12. No need for a tone knob, because it has THE TONE.

Before anyone gets their panties in a twist again, I'm sure that Bob his always thought of this as his "Champ amp" because he bought it with his Fender Champ lap steel. The amp is clearly marked as a "600" in the picture, and was marketed as a "Champion 600". No deception was intended, I'm sure of that.

Scott Thomas · Post by **Scott Thomas** » 21 Mar 2017 6:55 pm

Reading the comments made me curious to learn more about the evolution of the Champ. I love Fender history, but didn't know about this.

It started as a cool looking two tone TV front model, then in '53 its look was changed to match Fender's other wide panel tweed amps. (This is the version for sale).

I've included this link. I hope the seller doesn't mind. According to the article, "this may be the most collectible amp in the Champ line":

http://uniqueguitar.blogspot.com/2011/0 ... champ.html

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 21 Mar 2017 7:50 pm

Wow, an amp that goes to 12! Nowadays the best you can find only goes up to 11, and even that's hard to find outside of the movies!

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Vintage 1953 Fender Champ...original owner

Vintage 1953 Fender Champ...original owner

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