Fender Champion 600 mod... advice needed..

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labbi

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Hi everybody,

I have spent the last couple of weeks (in my sparetime) searching www.
trying to get an picture of which modifications is available for my fender
champion 600. I am inexperienced in ampdesign as such, so I am confused about where to start and where to stop..
So I am asking if someone could please help and give me a hint about which direction I should go..
I have looked at the Mercury Magnetics mod, but it?s not available for europe. But in my inexperienced ears changing the powersupply is a good point to start to get a better responding amp. And a larger speaker as well.
I don?t wan?t a screaming amp, but better tone and a more "organic.."
distortion I would very much appreciate.
Thank you in advance..

Best,
Labbi
 
DaveWW modded his, not quite sure what he did, but it was quite extensive including adding Powerscaling. He's a regular poster so I'm sure he'll be along with some words of wisdom soon :wink:
 
Hi thanks for your reply :D
I have read that thread on powerscaling including the links provided,
but I could also see that he did some other modifications.. lots of small switches.. To be honast I got even more confused.. I have even started contemplating buying books on the subject.. and then I started thinking.. hmm.. if I spend that much time on something like that.. wouldn?t it be more clever in a way to work some more and buy the stuff instead..!?

Hmm.. maybe.

:roll:
 
Hi,

The mod's I did on mine are mostly shown here

Jensen Speaker and valves - recommended

http://www.watfordvalves.com/product_detail.asp?id=1916

Various voicing mod's and a pentode triode swith etc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alnicomagnet-Mod-Kit-AA764-Champion-600-Gretsch-G5222_W0QQitemZ360129629498QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_MusicalInstr_Amplifiers_RL?hash=item360129629498&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1683|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

Plus a JohnA home made attenuator followed by the Power Scaling mod which is covered already in a thread on this site.

I'd definitely recommend the first 2 if you want to do them. If you want a bigger speaker I'd suiggest using a seperate Cab. The amp itself is not easy to modify due to space limitations. I did the mod's I did for fun really and agree that you'd be better off buying another amp. The power scaling mod although I did get it to work is not easy and does sound good but also does some strange things.

Dave
 
Hi Dave,

Thanks a lot for your reply, it?s very kind of you to share your knowledge on the subject.
It looks exciting, and I also have this "stupid" attraction towards diy- projects :) bcause it?s fun (when it works)
I will spent some time looking into the different articles and threads you have provided, and if I decide to move on with the project, maybe get back to you fora bit of hands on experience/ knowledge ?
I would like a beefier transformers, maybe from a fender champ, since I understand from reading different articles on the subject that transformers do a lot to the way an amp responds to your playing in terms of dynamics and responce..
Another thing.. I just happened to look at the scematics for a badcat minicat.. it looks almost too simple.. ****.
:eek: http://www.schematicheaven.com/newamps/badcat_minicat.pdf

best,
Labbi
 
The article that got me going was this one
http://www.300guitars.com/diy/diy-hot-rodding-the-new-fender-champion-600/
I just like to try out new things. Today I've fitted Lindy Fralin Pafs in my LS125SEB. They sound really great but now I'm tempted to try these as well :lol:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200326944231&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab%3DWatching
Or maybe these
http://www.rsguitarworks.net/rsstore/product_info.php?cPath=47_61&products_id=393
Shear madness really considering I only play at home but great fun (when it all works that is).

Dave
 
Hi,
It was that same article that made me aware of the different mods available.
I am looking into fitting a larger output trafo as well. Hammond 125DSE.
I read different things about this trafo, some good some bad..
Anyway I think it will take some time before I am ready to do the mods.
You said the power scaling acted funny.. is that the issues you allready adressed concerning overheating of the mosfet?s ?
cheers
Labbi :)
 
labbi said:
You said the power scaling acted funny.. is that the issues you allready adressed concerning overheating of the mosfet?s ?
cheers
Labbi :)

Yeh, it does work very effectively but cuts out if you turn both the master volume and power scaling down too low. Part of this is I guess just a delay while the adjustment settles the rest is I guess if you turn it too low it just doesn't work. So the controls do work but behave a little strangely:-?

Dave
 
I got a Gretsch 5222 with the same board layout.In fact it's the same amp.Sounded terrific before.I changed the speaker to a weber signature 6" and found a guy named alnicomagnet in ebay uk dealing with mod kits .I contacted him and got the complete parts and a cd with all important instructions and a lot of useful information,wiring diagrams and so on.Mod kit includes a standby function I missed before and reduction of the bloody hum that started already when turning the volume poti at 9.
Last step was to bring the sound more to a vintage Fender.You can choose between several vintage amps depending what parts you change.I bought 2 better tubes and was very impressed about the result
 

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