$299 Tube Amp??? Fender, Super Champ X2. All voices demo'd.
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- Опубліковано 28 лип 2024
- Demo of the Fender, Super Champ X2, 15 watt Tube head. Played into my Blackstar 2x12 cab.
Guitar used, is my Sterling Luke guitar loaded with Dimarzio pickups.
I will be keeping this amp! It's really loud, has an excellent clean tone, some great rock tones and it takes pedals really well. I do wish that it had an FX loop though... Great little amp! And at $299!!! - Розваги
OK this is the demo that I had been looking for. Saw it a while back, really tipped the scale for me. I bought one! Thank you so much. Subscribed.
agreed most vids about the super champ though they may say good things the recorded sound just fails, and not doing anyone any favors
One of the best amp demos online, thanx much!!
Great job, Chris. So good I am pulling trigger on this one....been waiting till just now...........thanks again.
Man.. this is the best review of this amp. I have watched it three times now. I bought one after I watched it the first time. I wish you did reviews on other amps and guitars. Great job and thanks!!
I have a super champ xd combo. Through a Marshall 2x12. Very loud and clear for 15 watts. I love this little thing
I cannot believe the tones coming out of this Fender. Wow. Thank you for presenting this, and great playing.
Smokin riffage & great playing. Thanks, nice overview.
This is the best demo I’ve come across on the Fender Super Champ X2
that was a great review.
I bought the SCX2 head and matching 1x12 speaker to use when practicing or playing with friends in my basement and I really love it. I've been playing for many.decades and.have plenty of equipment that is sized right for larger venues but having a small amp with great tone without needing earplugs is a beautiful thing. I bought an android tablet when Fuse stopped working on my Mac and hope to be able to customize my presets with Remuda. .... a bargain at $3.
Looking forward to your next video when you demo your tweaked settings.
Thanks for the demo! Had to sell my Hot Rod Deluxe years ago been wanting a new tube amp and was shocked at how much it is now? This is closer to the price I paid in 1996 for the Hot Rod Deluxe and is more home friendly. You are a great guitar player by the way.
I like that little head! ,i bet its going to sound good through my 212 eminence legends! This would make a nice christmas present...
Since this is an affordable amp, it's hard to find someone who can really play and make it sound good! tks!!
I picked up a used Super Champ X2 combo a few weeks ago. I've made a few observations and there are a couple of points that need to be made. 1st: The Super Champ (in all it's configurations) was meant to be used with the FUSE software. The factory settings of the voices were just supposed to be baselines to get you started. The factory settings were meant to emulate the amps the voices are named for. That's why the Champ combo voice sounds small and boxy while the Fender Twin setting sounds huge with lots of headroom. The idea was for US to use the FUSE software to further tweak the amps sounds to our personal preferences. So if we wanted the Deluxe Reverb voice or a British voice to blend better with the clean channel, we could do that by tweaking the EQ settings and other parameters. Not using that software takes away a major part of the functionality of this amp. So now we are left with using only the voices that match well with the clean channel or using the amp as a pedal platform. You can still use the FUSE software to tweak your settings if you can get your hands on it and run it. But Fender doesn't support it any longer. 2nd: The combo version of the Super Champ x2 seems to have less dramatic differences switching between clean channel and the voices. Maybe that's because its always running through a 10 inch speaker and a small cabinet, so the bigger amp voices aren't reaching their potential. I'll have to plug into a 2x12 or 4x12 to test that out when I get a chance. I'm still glad I bought mine. I love the clean channel and I really like about 4 of the voices. That's enough to make it worth what I paid for it. For the most part the effects section is worthless to me. There are a couple of reverb settings and tremolo settings that are usable. I dislike the tap tempo button very much. This amp works really well with my Boss Blues Driver and Marshall Guv' Nor pedals.
Did you manage to source the fuse software. And did play around with it? Cheers
@@martynrandall7652if google fender fuse 2.6 you'll find it. The 2.7.1 version doesn't seem to like Windows 11 very much. I couldn't get it connect and I worked on it for 3 days and two IT degrees. Also, once you install and open, change the mids on all patches in Voice 2. They are all set to simmering like 9 on all 16 of them.
Excellent amp review a great playing. I’m buying one of these used tomorrow, you sold me on it. I have a 90w mesa 1x12 closed back cab already, hoping they pair up well.
This is a great demo. Such an awesome array of Fender amp sounds at a low price. Wish it came with a speaker cabinet. Your playing is fantastic as well.
@Nick Gurr Really? Where did you get it? I saw it on Sweetwater, but I thought it was only the head, from the photos.
You sound awesome. Man I'm fixing to by this amp you have sold me on it...going to pull the trigger this amp is perfect for me and my neighbors l o l keep shredding my metal brother
I just purchased this amplifier 2 weeks ago. The only thing I did was to put in a Celestion 10-30 Speaker and now I can hear the real voicings on the amplifier. I don't think there's any reason to make any other modifications. The Groove Tubes tested very well. I purchased a Fender Cover, and a new foot switch. I replaced 3 of the adjustment knobs with new ones (some were cracked) I love this amplifier. My X2 looks like new. This is an excellent affordable and lightweight amplifier: Fender did well in designing this little combo. Thank you for the VIDEO Chris Tompkins.
I played a gig with a band and the other guitar was using one of these and he showed me you can totally gig well with these.
I have the amp head version of this and it has been going strong since ordering it new around 4 or 5 years ago. Just endless tones from this amazing little hybrid amplifier. I predominantly play a '99 standard Telecaster through it. The neck pickup is stock but the bridge was swapped out for a Duncan Hot Rails. I almost exclusively play this thing with the voice selector on channel 3 having the gain dial on 10. Likewise I almost always keep the selector switch on the guitar in the middle position. The rest is in the hands.......
Thanks for a really good review 👍
I am using this amp for a duo I play in. I typically use the clean channel #1 with spring reverb. I only use 2 of the modeling setting ( 12 &15) depending on the amount of overdrive needed. Much like the guitar processors I have used over the years, they all have about a zillion different sounds my I end up using 2 or 3 of them in a real performance. Old school...guitar, a few stomp box pedals, and an amp. The software lets you customize these patches...but I tend to like it simple.
You're a good guitarist oh, damn nice little amp, I've got a combo I've never even used it that paid a hundred bucks for it I don't even know if it works but I'll tell you what after here in this sample today I'm going to try it thanks a lot good upload
Excellent...and I totally agree about the master volume....
Goes to show the choice in speakers makes all the difference ‼️🎼😎🎸🎶👍
Dude you could make any amp sound good!
Best Champ X2 demo by far!
Great amp! Very intuitive!
Just bought a combo used for $260, I wanted those fender cleans but I don't need to buy a princeton right now. I'll be adjusting the settings via the USB (I know it's not updated anymore but I can get it on my android via a different app) and I'll be upgrading the speaker / tubes eventually as well. Pumped for the real fender cleans finally.. Well, real enough for me.
EDIT: I am a huge Dallas Stars fan and that Pantera riff (cowboys from hell) is our goal song. You fucking nailed it!
I own one of these and push it through a Laney 2x12 cabinet with stock speakers. It gets EXTREMELY loud for what looks like a tiny, budgeted amp. It has that great fender brightness to it. Well worth buying!
Is the cab the 100 watt cub?
Really nice value tube amp head & combo the Super Champ X2 & X2 HD are. Reminds me of a tube version of the Champion solid state combos. I have the Fender Mustang I V2 20W solid state that is a pretty good amp in it's own right. This review really does demonstrate the versatility of the amp without pedals involved. Is it going to be underwhelming in comparison to a 50-100W tube head. Perhaps for a larger venue, but it does hold it's own in a right sized space. I feel that way as well with the solid state Mustang I V2 20W combo. It has it's place & uses.
Excellent demo. This amp is something of an overlooked gem in my opinion. Sure, it's not 100% tube, due to having solid state and DSP elements, but it sounds fantastic! Seriously tempted to get one!
I thought it had a tube preamp section as one of the channels , bypassing all the modelling?
all analog path though-that is what makes it badass
I have this running though my Marshall 4x12 with my Gibson SG.. The tones are unbelievable
I just bought one and I'm gonna be running a Gibson Les Paul with burstbuckers through a 4x12 marshall! Im excited!
I just ordered mine...thanks 😎👍
I appreciated the Jackyl riffing so much! Haha
Totally sold on one of these bad boys! Would be a fun addition for recording and just jamming…. And maybe even live!
I am pretty interested in this amp for a cheap alternative to home studio recording. I can run it into a cab and mic it into a console. Thank you for this video!
I just bought one of these amps a week ago and they are an amazing little tube amp for the money. Thank you very much for the concise and knowledgeable demo as I learned a lot about what my new amp is capable of. I very much appreciate that you took the time to explain all the features. Well Done !!
Can you use headphones?
No, the one I have does not have a headphone jack.
@@christophercarty675 No, the one I have does not have a headphone jack
Are you still liking the amp? I am looking for a bedroom volume tube amp.
@@craig.encinitas I do still like the amp, but don't use it much now. I bought two 100w Katana's to run in stereo and it is awesome.
Once you try a stereo rig it is tough to go back. THe Fender super champ x2 is a great choice for a bedroom tube amp and has nice effects as well.
Thanks for the demo, I thought about the circuit this amp has Clean by passes the DSP and the dirty side with amp selection is to hard to match based on the eq settings. So What I did to make the power tubes to actually being pushed the sweet spot I connected guitar into transparent overdrive dropped the gain right down, use the pedal volume to actual control the overall volume of the amp and use the pedals tone and lightly use the overdrive. Add a compressor and bingo I switch between the clean to dirt. On the dirt channel experiment with voicing and the gain knob only remember the cal vol is on 10.
The twin voice is amazing
I’m buying this after watching this. Funny story, I actually have the cab for this to use with my Peavey 6505 piranha mini head but it’s been largely disappointing. Can’t beat the celestion in the cab though!
I bought it, lol! The clean is the cleanest clean I’ve probably ever used and I’ve owned alot of amps. It’s so good I’ve been taking up jazz a little. I have a killer setup with a Fender evil twin for dirty tones and this X2 for clean. It’s a marvelous pedal platform. Really a good little amp and an absolute steal for the $! Thanks for this review, it was instrumental (pun intended) in my decision to buy this amp!👍
Love this amp my goto amp since 2015 light weight played many gigs
Powers a 4 ×12 its loud
I love this amp! Unpretentious, great clean tones, so easy to use the very powerful Fuze software. Just the most versatile amp for home studio use.
wow i have this and never plugged it into my 212 gonna try i have the combo
Nice review!
Nailed the Whitesnake riff!!!
Great job mate for me the best review ive seen on this amp. The way you backed the gain down then wacked it back up great playing by the way. Hopefully picking a head version up in a couple of days.
How is it 3 years down the rd? Cheers
Great vid!
Really torn between this and a Strymon Iridium. I can only record direct.
I just bought one of these. Someone was selling one across town from me for 100 bucks on Marketplace!
JACKAL yesss sir
Sounds amazing!! Kinda wish it also had a master volume, that would help out tremendously,
It kinda does already with main Volume on left (by the input) and then you got Gain / Volume just to the right of that. Pretty sweet little amp! And not expensive too. Winner!
@@Dogsrule777 main volume on the left only controls the clean channel volume.
I don’t know how you’re recording the amp but it sounds amazing in my headphones. Like I’m in the room.
Also, you should show yourself wailing on the guitar. Good video!
Oh good!! Thats what I'm going for!! It's simply the microphone in my Samsung S9+ cell phone.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Wow, that's a decent cell phone mic for sure!
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear This was recorded with an S9? Wow! I think you just inspired me to get this amp and use my S20 to make videos of all kinds of stuff. Excellent video, sir.
it uses op amps and also tubes for output via xformer,,, this is hybrid sound
Nice review. I've been looking for a 15 watt all tube had and wasn't really aware of this one. Looks like Fender may have already dicontinued it, sadly. I'd really like to see how this is put together for serviceability reasons. I probably would have bought the Bassbreaker 15 Watt head already but every tech that has reviewed it showed how was a nightmare, requiring a huge amount of disassembly for simple repairs or service. Hoping this one isn't as bad. Have you ever opened yours up or had it serviced? I'd love to find a video showing how is to get in side and do basic service.
I have one, with Fender 12 inch cab. Love it
Had a JC 120. Sounded awesome, but too LOUD, and heavy.
Play my Stratacoustic though it.
great demo
10 thumbs down? fin assholes
I have this amp and use it mainly for recording. You mentioned you where going to do another video with pedals. I can’t seem to find it, I’m very interested in that one.
Fuse replacement software: Remuda/sc , for Android only.
I just found it, I don’t have that funky little amp. I wish I did😂
You gotta turn off Cabinet emulation on channel 2 (with FUSE software) or put some sterile speakers on the cab.
Muy bueno gran amp👍😁✌
Fender quit supporting Fuse. I recommend Remuda for anyone looking for an alternative. Remuda does the same thing, it's just supported.
I installed an old version of fuse and it still works luckily.
Pro trick: watch movies on Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies lately.
@Roy Derrick yea, been using Flixzone} for years myself =)
@Roy Derrick definitely, I have been using Flixzone} for years myself =)
@@caspiancaspian1154 nice try gomer
Hello, I can turn it on without connecting anything to the 8 ohm output and make it sound only by line out or USB.
after 5,20 we finally hear clean ch 1
Nice sounds! Is its clean tone comparable to a Princeton?
“very loud” did you try cranking the volume to max?
I'm looking at a Blackstar 112 or 212 for my HiWatt T20 head. Sounds decent!
That EQ difference really does suggest this is more of a pedal platform amp than a plug-n-play with the voices. They sound ok, for sure, and would be handy if you just want to practice at home without bothering with pedals - but I'd definitely be using pedals!
Thanks.
This seems to be an amp that was made to be a competitor with the Katana. It seems to be hybrid with the mixing of tube and digital technology, but instead of most hybrid amps it uses full tubes instead of a 1 watt mini tube. I may have to look into one of these
Oh, I'd have to say there is no competition... This is nowhere near as good as the Katana, IMO.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Just may be something I'd like to play around with, I do have a Katana.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear lol seriously ??? Katana is a toy ,,superchamp is a REAL AMP !
Great demo. But just wanted to know did you do the 2nd video of the amp with pedals? I tried to find it and couldn’t, thanks
"and now, on number 11........because its one more than 10, see....."
Will it break if I don't plug a speaker into it (blown transformer)?
Beginner inquiry here... This version of the X2 is a preamp that has to be pushed through a larger cabinet for output correct? The larger version of the X2 is a standalone (pre/post amp?) that can be played through without any other amplification equipment?
This is the "Head" version. The "larger" one is called a "Combo" amp. The difference is that the combo has a speaker built in whereas, the head version requires an external speaker to be hooked up to it. Speakers make a gigantic difference in the tone. And people usually prefer a speaker cabinet they can choose. However, they are Identical amps in terms of functionality.
I can’t decide if I wanna get the super champ x2 or the bugera v22 combo. What would you guys go with?
was there a 2nd video with the pedals?
Can I connect a 15" speaker to this head?
What speakers are in your Blackstar 2x12 cab? Really curious, love the tones!
Eminence Patriot "Swamp Thang" and Eminence "Texas Heat". Both are 150 watts and 16 ohm.
Thanks, Chris!
The only Fender amp models that I had ever bcught NEW like a 1977 Princeton Amp with 2 10" speakers and two Super Champ XD's with one 10" speaker they all suffered from the crapy quality stock speakers that sucked if you cranked up the amp. The amps are good, but the speakers truly sucked. If you want your amp to sound like 10 times better then check this out : The X2 is about the same amp as the Super Champ XD, but with the added USB option so you can actually downloand and store other voicings of one's choice off the web from Fender. One problem withe XD and the X2 is that the stock speakers only sound decent at low volumes to to being very cheap wimpy speakers. I finally found out that better quality 10" speakers can indeed make this amp actually sound SUPER at not only high volume, but all across the sound spectrum. Now at a nominal cost my 2 Fender Super Champ XD's sound like $1000 amps. I have 2 Super Champ XD amps. Great amps except for the wimpy 10" speaker that they come with so that Fender can cut costs, but at the expense of not producing a truly quality product. I also had picked up a used Fender Bassman 25 amp for $60 some time back. So the speaker in that Fender Bassman 25 amp had great lows and highs. So I removed it and replaced the Fender Super Champ XD speaker with the Fender Bassman 25 amps speaker which has a much larger magnet. It made a world of difference and now the amp is truly SUPER even when dimed. Next I will replace my other Super Champ XD with a Hartke Aluminum Cone 10" speaker from a Hartke 210 cab I have. Will move the other 10" in the cab to the Fender Bassman 25 Amp. The Hartke speakers turned out to be 16 ohm each. I had read that using a 16 ohm speaker instead of the 8 ohm ones would make the amp run cooler, but that the speaker would have less volume by about 3db. WRONG !!!. It acutally produces more volume than the identcal amp with the 8 ohm speaker installed. If you want a great amp upgrade your Super Champs speaker. You won't regret it.
Just saw this review. Thanks Chris for the voicing review etc. I have two of the XD models. One is the blonde limited edition. Like the installed presets on them a tad better. Have toyed briefly with the X2 combos in stores a few times. Have you used the USB for changing the modeling on this head at all? If so how did that work out? Pretty loud for a 15 watt amp, but if more is needed, just running the line out into a more powerful amp works great. Sometimes I run it out into my Hartke 3500 bass head hooked up to two EV12L speaker cabs and it sounds awesome but can get scary if you turn the volume on the Hartke past 2 or 3 since it's 240 watts at 8 ohms. Yeah!
Hi, did you do the second video on this amp? I haven’t found it yet. Thanks.
I did this one:
ua-cam.com/video/AGVSR45J-HY/v-deo.html
fuck I regret selling my head & 1x12 combo so bad, but the HD500 I bought is so much easier to deal with at live shows. as far as jamming out at home, this was such an AMAZING plug & play amp
Never seen a champ head n cab before....cool may I ask is this new or a reissue?
I have no idea if the model itself is a re-issue but, it was new to me. :)
Does the reverb work on the Fender super champ x2 when the effects are turned off, that is, it turns off only when it is muted? That's how it works for me, maybe it's a malfunction?!
It's been too long... I cant remember. Sorry.
Would this make a good amp for surf rock stuff in the style of Dick Dale?
Maybe? I don't really dabble in that realm...
Yes, Fender clean channel (CH1) plus lots of built in (spring) reverb. The older Super Champ XD Combo is also good for that.
This amp would sound divine with Celestion V30s.
I have this amp through a Fender tweed cab with a Celestion V30 and the cab back open. It sounds great.
What speakers? I love mine through Greenbacks
Eminence, "Texas Heat" and "Swamp Thang".
Hi Chris, the Super Champ X2 or Silverline for gigs? Which has a better tone? Thanks
Silverline. The Super champ X2 is not loud enough to play at band volume. I just recently discovered this, when I tried to use this amp in my band. Cranked to 10, it fart's like crazy and is nowhere near loud enough. I was extremely disappointed. My 15 watt PRS MT-15 is beyond loud enough and this 15 watt amp, doesn't have 1/4th of the power. It's confounding really... :( So, yeah... Silverline. Plenty of power there.
Own three X2 combos. PLENTY loud enough for bar gigs unless your band considers the louder we are the better we are like many. The X2's line out to your PA for bigger indoor venues or outdoor shows will benefit the audience and your ears.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear Thanks Chris for taking the time to reply, much appreciated.
@@roaddog7542 Thanks for your input, our band in not that loud. Chris makes the amp sound so good!!
Road Dog That’s exactly right. I never understand when people say you can’t gig with a small amp. That’s what a mic or line out is for. I have a friend that plays with a big country artist and he doesn’t have a amp, he runs a Helix.
Ya dude! Like a totally fucking rock out man! Narly!
Does this amp have preamp tubes,power amp tubes or both?
It's got preamp tubes and power tubes, with a solid state rectifier.
Both. 12ax or 12at7 (if you want to lower the volume and add more headroom), and 6v6 in the power section. You STILL Need a speaker connected to this, even if you play silent out to something else.
I have the earlier SCXD, suspect the X2 is similar. The service manual for the XD shows full wiring schematic. The 12AX7 is used as a phase inverter just before the 6V6 power tubes. The ac signal levels suggest that it does provide a little amplification. The pre-amp section is solid state op amps with some input from the DSP chips (effects and amp voicings). The gain control operates the op amp section, which indicates that the distortion is created in the SS section. Don't worry about all that detail it's sounds great!
Still using your Super Champ X2?
Can you use with a 16ohm speaker?
Yes. But, the volume is far less than useable in a band.
Good Blues-Amp, has trouble and bass !
Would this work for church gigs?
No idea. Not "in the know" for church music.
Which drivers is that Blackstar running?
Eminence, "Texas Heat" and "Swamp Thang".
I think Santa is bringing this little puppy in his bag this year. A friend is building me a 29x19x14 cab this weekend. Basically a mesa rectifier 2x12 copy. My plan is to load it with a couple of Jensen C12N or C12Q's. Not as powerful as those Eminence...
😸
I’d love to hear this through an Orange 2/12” cabinet. Too bad the cabinet is over $800....
I have an Orange 2 x 12 and it sounds killer!
which mic u used
Samsung S9+ phone mic. Nothing fancy.
@@ChrisTompkins-Music-And-Gear chck out ftom 32,00 below band...and gtr play...
😊😊
May actually include a foot switch. Though only if your local guitar shop owner is cool like mine, shoutout to him
Great Review The Sound & Most of All The Playing. Nothing Worse Than Someones PLAYING SUCKING? 🙄 Thanks For A Great Unbiased Review. I Mostly Appreciate Your Excellent Playing 🤗😁 Tanx Chris.
Ps: I Found With The Computer Fuse Software I Can Control The EQ Differences With A Middle Adjustment? Also Very Useful Cabinet, Fx, Tweaks Can Dial Each Channel To Match Closely. I Have Both The Head Version & Combo Love Them For The Money? One Of The Best Options For Recording & Tube Preamp Into Protools 12.8 With 11 Rack Sounds Awesome. 😁
Calling it a 299 dollar amp is totally misleading, that's without a speaker cabinet.
Pls stop breathing in my fckn ear
Everything sounds exactly the same