I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Fender over the years. When I’ve loved Fender, I’ve really loved them, and when I’ve hated them, I’ve really hated them. Right now, I’m really hating them. I’m just aghast at the prices they’re charging for their new gear! This Champ ’57 Reissue from the Fender Custom Shop lists at $1295 with a street price of $999! This for a 5 Watt amp with a diminutive 8″ speaker.
Make no mistake: The parts for this cost less than $400! This pricing is absolutely outrageous. Yeah, I’m familiar with its history, blah, blah, blah. And even though I’m no electronics dude, and couldn’t possibly construct an amp myself, I know a few manufacturers who build hand-wired amps with more power and GREAT sound for even less!
Take for instance, the Aracom VRX22. This is a hand-wired, 22 Watt amp that simply kicks freakin’ ass, and the head sells for $895! Then, there’s the upcoming release of the Reason Bambino. This is an 8 Watt amp that will sport that distinctive Reason sound. This head costs $699! It’s my next amp.
I’m sorry folks, this is the same issue that I had with the Fender Roadworn series of guitars. I’m not really in to reliced guitars, but there’s no way I could justify paying $999 for a freakin’ MIM guitar, especially when I paid less than $400 a couple of years back for my MIM Strat.
I suppose Fender’s production costs are much higher than the smaller run manufacturers, which is how they justify the price-point for this amp. But this amp is nothing special from my point of view. Lots of people have built 5F1-based amps. Look at the Valve Train Amps Concord. This is a 6 Watt point-to-point, hand-wired combo with a 10″ speaker. It sells for less than $500.
Go ahead, you can argue all you want about the classic sound and history of the Fender ’57 Champ reissue. But to me, Fender’s just again trying to trade on nostalgia. If that’s what floats your boat, more power to you – and mind you – I’m not questioning the quality or the tone of this classic. It has done much to contribute to the sounds of rock and roll. I just want to make it very clear that there are clear alternatives out there that may not have the name but undoubtedly have great tone, and watt-for-watt, and dollar-for-dollar have A LOT more value.
Note that I have the Champ 600 and it is one of my all-time favorite amps. But it has limited usability outside of my home studio. And that’s another thing that bugs me about the ’57 re-issue. It’s a hefty price to pay for an amp that would see limited if any use outside of my studio.
Like I said, if this floats your boat, and the price of this classic reissue, more power to you. For me, I demand a lot more value for the money I pay.
Recent Update
I’m still not sold on this amp, even though I have indeed played it, and it has some real vintage mojo. The sounds it produces are fantastic, but I still can’t justify buying it for the price Fender wants for it. Besides, I’ve seen some late-50′s originals that sell for the same price on EBay! I would buy one of those before I’d buy the re-issue.
I don’t think you should get angry with Fender, you should wonder at the stupidity of the people who buy these things. I agree that “relic”ed guitars are a waste of money, but lots of people buy them – like with the Andy Summers Telecaster.
People were complaining about the price, but my answer was, well, if you want an aged Telecaster, buy a new one, play it to death, and create some of your own memories. But no, there are idiots out there who feel that they are somehow enhanced by having a Telecaster that is aged in exactly the same way as Andy Summers’. And the same goes for any other guitar hero.
I remember Steven Segal bragging that he owns some huge number of Fender original Tweed amps, more than Eric Clapton or Keith Richards or someone. Well, presumably Clapton and Richards have worked out that they probably don’t need more than one, and in any case, they are probably more interested in what they can do with new equipment, than with relentlessly digging back into the past. Why brag about owning lots of old amps?
Don’t blame Fender for satisfying these urges – blame the gearheads who pay for them.
I do wonder at what you mention, but to me that’s a matter of taste. I don’t get the relic thing, and would rather relic it myself or buy a really used guitar. But if that’s what someone’s interested in and they’re willing to pay it, more power to ‘em.
What bugs me about Fender is the premium they’re charging for their gear now. They recently inflated their prices 40% on everything. I suppose it was a business move in the face of this economy, but it also brought their prices close to boutique prices. Fender’s no boutique manufacturer. Even “custom shop” stuff is somewhat mass-produced.
Of course, I do realize that Fender has a huge name on which it can trade, and people will still purchase their gear because the brand. And if it doesn’t bug people to pay $850 for an amp that cost less than $600 a little over a year ago (Hot Rod Deluxe), I have no problem with them buying the gear. That’s their choice.
Me? I’ll vote with my feet. I, for one, don’t buy into the value.
I agree with both of you. As my pappy used to say, “A fool and his money are soon parted”. Fender wouldn’t build an amp like this if they didn’t think they could sell it. If someone is dumb enough to plunk down that kind of money for an amp like this, then Fender is surely smart enough to take it. Hats off to Fender’s marketing department!
Watch what happens in about three months. It happened about the same time frame as their huge price increase. They’re going to have a “blowout” sale. Funny thing is that the sale prices will still be higher than their old prices.
Yeah, Fender marketing is pretty savvy. I have to hand them that.
Yeah, the masters of marketing. Quietly mark something up 20%, then advertise a HUGE 10% off blowout sale! Heckuva deal. The marketing scheme I love the best is the mattress seller that offers to beat any bonafide competitor’s price, and if they can’t beat it your mattress is free! Only a complete moron would fall for that. I’m sure they’ve given away lots of mattresses. Bwah ha ha ha ha !!!! Sorry….I digress…..
If your looking for a great deal and a quality built, great sounding low wattage amp check out the Blackheart 5 watt head and cab. You will be surprised at what you can get for a couple hundred bucks. I own one…….along with those high priced Fender amps. Alos check out Traynor YCV series amps. They are equal to any Fender.
Did a review of that amp at the beginning of the year. (http://guitargear.org/2009/01/17/gear-review-blackheart-engineering-bh5-112-little-giant-5-watt-combo/). Great value. I really dug its tones!
[...] Fender ’57 Champ Reissue: Are You Nuts? [...]
I guess I am nuts, because I think these amps are cool as hell. I’ve been agonizing over buying one of the Fender Champ 57 reissues since they came out. I’ve wanted one of these for the past 30 years, but couldn’t afford it. I played one at Elderly Instruments the other day and was very impressed. It’s a bad ass little amp. Today I received a coupon for 20% off my next order from Musician’s Friend, and I think I’m going to pull the trigger and get one. Someone talk me out of it… please!
Heh Michael,
Before you buy the $ 1000.00 Champ go check out the Black Heart Little Giant 5 watt Head and Cab, It might change your mind and save you a lot of money. About $ 700.00 worth of savings.
I do own a Fender Blues Jr NOS in Tweed and also the Blackheart so I understand…But I also have a hard time trying to decide which one to play. They both sound fabulous to my untrained ear…..Good Luck either way.
Michael,
I just scored a vintage ’58 Champ for $750 with all original parts, except a replacement speaker. Spent another $250 to have my amp tech check it over and upgrade the old speaker (mind you, I bought it to be a player). So for the same amount of money, I’ve got an original.
Like you, I’ve wanted a real Fender Champ for a long time, but I was always interested in the original. I’ve played the re-issue amp, and it’s great, but there really is something about the original that I’ve always loved. The cool thing is that I still totally dig my Champ 600, but it has a completely different sound!
In any case, if you’re considering getting a Champ, you might consider getting a vintage one. They can be had for around the same price. Mind you, the ones in pristine condition go for about $1500. LMK, if you want more information on the vintage ones. There are things to look for before you pull the trigger.