Fender Champion and Champ, difference?

David Dawson · Post by **David Dawson** » 12 Sep 2019 4:24 am

I am curious why there are Fender Champions and Champs, is there a difference and if so, what?

John Dahms · Post by **John Dahms** » 12 Sep 2019 4:36 am

Both were single coil, single pickup student models. Champion was first, made from ca. '49-'55. It had a pearloid (mother of toilet-seat) finish and a Tele pickup ans 3 on a plate tuners. Champ was made after and appeared "Stringmaster-like" in appearance with a plastic covered pickup and tuners in a pan as well.

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 12 Sep 2019 5:17 am

I have both the Champion and the Champ. My favorite is the
Champion due to the combination nut, tuner, snake-head setup.
Also, in my opinion the sound is a little better.

FENDER CHAMPION (yellow pearloid): c. 1952

C. E. Jackson

Allan Revich · Post by **Allan Revich** » 12 Sep 2019 6:03 am

Champ (1957)

C. E. Jackson · Post by **C. E. Jackson** » 12 Sep 2019 7:30 am

Here are my 2 Champs. Gruhn states there were white or black finishes by 1976.

FENDER CHAMP (ivory blond): c. 1958

FENDER CHAMP (black): c. 1976

C. E. Jackson

David Dawson · Post by **David Dawson** » 12 Sep 2019 1:08 pm

Thanks, John. Just one of those small curiosities.

David Dawson · Post by **David Dawson** » 12 Sep 2019 1:09 pm

Nice, C.E.