Hi guys. How come the Fender Champ '57 Reissue is almost £700? Surely, 
at 5w, this is 'just' a practise amp? And how does the Fender Champ '57 
Reissue compare to the Fender Champion 600 which is also 5w, sounds 
gorgeous and is only £120!

"John A." <john@nospam.invalid> wrote in message 
news:hbumvv$j96$1@news.eternal-september.org...
> Hi guys. How come the Fender Champ '57 Reissue is almost £700? Surely, at 
> 5w, this is 'just' a practise amp? And how does the Fender Champ '57 
> Reissue compare to the Fender Champion 600 which is also 5w, sounds 
> gorgeous and is only £120!

Hand built. At a guess point-to-point hand wired (no PCBs). High quality 
components. It all adds up :-)
The Fender Champion 600 is mass produced, probably in China (But ICBW).
As to how they compare, you'll have to try them out side by side and make 
your own mind up...

I wouldn't call 5w a "practice amp" really, it's more of a recording 
amplifier. Valve amplifiers need to be made to work hard to get the best 
tone out out of them. Low wattage amplifiers are ideal for recording because 
you can drive them really hard and not blow the windows or your eardrums 
out. And recording engineers love them because it minimises the risk of 
microphone damage to to high sound pressure levels.

If you want a hand built 5w valve amp and don't want to spend £700 on one, 
have a look at one of these (regulars on this NG will know what's coming 
next :-) ):
http://www.tipton-amps.co.uk/slasher.html

John A. wrote:

> Hi guys. How come the Fender Champ '57 Reissue is almost £700? Surely, 
> at 5w, this is 'just' a practise amp? And how does the Fender Champ '57 
> Reissue compare to the Fender Champion 600 which is also 5w, sounds 
> gorgeous and is only £120!

Hand-wired on a traditional circuit board (as opposed to PCB construction), 
made in the USA (instead of China or Mexico) and full of mojo?

Still, £700 sounds a lot. You can get the '65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue for £799.

"John A." <john@nospam.invalid> wrote in news:hbumvv$j96$1@news.eternal-
september.org:

> Hi guys. How come the Fender Champ '57 Reissue is almost £700? Surely, 
> at 5w, this is 'just' a practise amp? And how does the Fender Champ '57 
> Reissue compare to the Fender Champion 600 which is also 5w, sounds 
> gorgeous and is only £120!
> 

It has mojo, which costs £510 + VAT. The Champion doesn't have this option.

On Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:26:21 +0100, DaveBenj wrote:

-------------------8><
> If you want a hand built 5w valve amp and don't want to spend £700 on one, 
> have a look at one of these (regulars on this NG will know what's coming 
> next :-) ):
> http://www.tipton-amps.co.uk/slasher.html

And, re. the eponymous inspiration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppwcAokS360