I´m considering a purchase of this machine. It´s a solid state cheapo thing but I was pleasantly surprised by what it could produce in terms of an at least decent sound and volume.
Now I wonder, anyone of you know any serious reasons *against* buying this amp? The price is extremely important to me, so I´m not on the market for a Sonny JR or whatever the boutique amps are called.
(Please no replies on the lines, "It´s solid state, thus worthless", "Good players sound good through whatever amp they´re using", "Work on your tone" etc.)
My thoughts are: If an amp has a sound you like and does what you want it to do and is within your budget then just buy it. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks of it. You're the one playing through it. If you find you don't like it further down the road for whatever reason, then you can always sell it on.
I had the solid state Fender Amp that was the Champion 20 (smaller speaker) without the effects - basic small amp I used when tuning those Yamaha CP-70 Electric Grand Pianos back in the day....was surprised at how good it sounded for harmonica - not loud enough for stage jam situation, but just fine at low volume situations. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Jun 30, 2019 11:19 AM
I have one of those little VOX AD15VT modeling amps and I like it. It's too small for anything beyond home practice but I imagine one of the bigger models would work just fine. Even without playing it, I would be comfortable putting a Champion 40 in the same "work just fine" category. I think Mic choice is important with those modeling amps. My Shure 57 works good, but not bullets or crystals.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Jun 30, 2019 11:37 AM
Thank you for the input here. I will probably proceed with this amp.
@Joe-L: I´m not seeking "approval". I´m soliciting opinions based on knowledge and experience that exceeds my ten minute trial session with the amp in question in a music store -- always a somewhat stressful procedure. That´s not so strange, is it? Also, I´m a very lo-tech type of guy and I frequently use this forum for more informed opinions on the various gadgets you can buy to improve your sound. Many folks here are very generous with such info, and I´m grateful for it. I can play a little, but in that is my beginning as well as my end when it comes to the harmonica.
I recently bought the 20 version as a backup amp for on the road. It actually sounds fine for harp and guitar. Not great but absolutely fine. I would gig with it. Light as love, several preset sounds and effects. And it is cheap. Can't really go wrong.
@Little Roger: That sounds promising -- and of course I´m aware that it´s no Holy Grail, but still.
@timesitight: No, it´s intendend for gigging. As it stands today it´s a question of a machine of that type (price, size, weight etc) or a Joyo AS or Harp octave pedal straight to PA. I´m down to the bare necessities. We have a sort of "open purchase" clause (I´m in Sweden), so if it turns out terribly wrong I should be able to return/exchange it. (But of course, then it starts all over again ...)
There’s an epi valve Jr on eBay right now for 95$. I think you would like that amp mic’d into the PA better than the amp you are considering, or the bugera v5 is 199 and some players on the forum like them, with the headphone jack available as a line out.
Based on my experience owning a Champion 20 and playing a Champion 40 owned by my jamming buddy Dave:
Pros: Solid state reliability, very nice tone for harp with ample bottom end (even with the stock speaker), good volume, plenty of options for voicing and effects, handy headphone jack for practice at home, line out if you need one.
Cons: reduced cool factor due to solid state, limited ability to customize the tone with the built-in EQ knobs (hard to reduce the treble as much as you might want).
I would absolutely gig with this amp - just get yourself an EQ pedal or Kinder AFB+ and play it loud. Would probably sound even better with a speaker swap to a Weber or Cannibis Rex.
@rogonzab: those 2 clips you posted are me playing my Champion 20, and I'm playing with my buddy Dave, who might have been playing guitar through his Champion 40, I don't recall.
In playing both amps side by side, it seemed to me that the 40 has more harp-friendly mids and bass vs the 20, which must be the 12 inch speaker as I believe the circuits are the same.
Thank you guys. Solid info here and much appreciated. Of course I had listened to those two YT-videos -- but that´s not easy for you to know! --, still I´m struck by the scarcity of harp/Champion combinations? Is it solid state anxiety?
Must be solid state amp anxiety - they are definitely good for harp, and I would buy the 40 watt version if I didn't already have a Bassman RI to cover my big/loud amp needs.
