Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $1,318
High-end/Boutique
$300
$701+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "Fender '57 Custom Champ". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Fender '57 Custom Champ is a modern reincarnation of a classic, bringing the iconic tube amp sounds from the golden era of rock 'n' roll back to life. This 5W 1x8 tube guitar amp is a meticulous reissue of the much-loved original, renowned for its sweet overdrive, dynamic response, and ease of use.
This amp is no mere nostalgia piece. It features Fender's acclaimed 5F1 circuit, known for its heightened dynamic response and sweet-sounding tube overdrive. The 5F1 circuit, powered by a 12AX7 preamp tube and a classic 6V6 power amp tube, delivers the sought-after overdrive that has become a staple of recorded music.
And it's not just about the internals. The Fender '57 Custom Champ also sports a vintage look with a lacquered tweed finish, leather handle, and Bassman grille cloth, completing its classic aesthetic. The 8" 4-ohm Weber Special Design alnico speaker reproduces the classic tones at the top of the amp's volume knob, staying true to the classic Champ sound.
Key Features:
- Authentic 5F1 Circuitry for heightened dynamics and sweet overdrive
- 12AX7 preamp tube and 6V6 power amp tube
- 8" 4-ohm Weber Special Design alnico speaker
- Hand wired craftsmanship with modern sourced components for authentic vintage Fender tone
- Yellow coupling capacitors for sparkly cleans and creamy overdrive
- Vintage aesthetic with lacquered tweed finish, leather handle, and Bassman grille cloth
- 5 watt design for exploring the full range of available tones without overloading sensitive microphones or ears
- Solid pine cabinet for durability and resonance.
Owner's manual
Fender '57 Custom Champ User ManualProduct specs
| Type | Tube, Handwired |
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Total Power | 5W Class A |
| Speaker Size | 8" 4 ohm Weber Special design Alnico speaker |
| Preamp Tubes | 1 x 12AY7 |
| Power Tubes | 1 x 6V6 Power tube, 1 x 5Y3GT Rectifier |
| Inputs | 2 x 1/4" (high, low instrument) |
| Bias Type | Cathode Biased |
| Height | 12.5" |
| Width | 13.5" |
| Depth | 7.6" |
| Weight | 15 lbs. |
FAQs
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What are the tonal characteristics of the Fender '57 Custom Champ?
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The Fender '57 Custom Champ delivers classic Fender tweed tones with a warm, dynamic range. It excels at producing rich, harmonic overdrive when pushed, making it ideal for blues and rock styles.
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Is the Fender '57 Custom Champ suitable for home practice?
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Yes, with its 5-watt power output, the Fender '57 Custom Champ is suitable for home practice, providing great tube-driven sound at manageable volume levels.
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What type of speaker is used in the Fender '57 Custom Champ?
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The Fender '57 Custom Champ features an 8" 4 ohm Weber Special design Alnico speaker, known for its vintage tone and clarity.
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Does the Fender '57 Custom Champ work well with pedals?
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Yes, the Fender '57 Custom Champ takes pedals well, allowing you to expand its tonal palette with effects like overdrive, delay, and reverb.
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How portable is the Fender '57 Custom Champ?
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Weighing just 15 lbs with compact dimensions, the Fender '57 Custom Champ is highly portable, making it easy to transport for gigs or studio sessions.
Videos
five watt world
The Fender Champ, Five Watts of Famous Tones; or The Need for Tweed
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional sound quality; produces vibrant, inspiring tones
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Simple design enhances the unique characteristics of different guitars
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Offers surprisingly loud volume for its size, suitable for small gigs
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Responsive to nuanced playing dynamics and guitar controls
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Compact and portable, easy to transport for performances
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High-quality, sturdy build and materials
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Hand-wired with attention to detail, ensuring durability
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Takes pedals well, allowing for a versatile range of sounds
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Unique Class A circuitry provides distinct, high-quality sound
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Maintains value well, a good investment for musicians
CONS
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Some users report rattling at higher volumes
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Dark sounding pickups may not pair well with this amp
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Lacks tonal controls, limiting on-the-fly adjustments
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High price point may be a barrier for some buyers
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Requires time for the speaker to break in for optimal sound
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Absence of built-in reverb, necessitating external effects for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender '57 Custom Champ.
Build quality
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The '57 Custom Champ features a hand-wired circuit, ensuring durability and ease of repair, contributing to its long-term reliability.
Source
Features and functionality
Mods and upgrades
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The original 12AY7 preamp tube can be swapped for a 12AX7 to lower the headroom and increase distortion, enhancing tonal flexibility.
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A modified Tweed Champ with a 1/10 power switch and a 3-position gain switch offers more versatility for low-volume use.
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Pairing the '57 Champ with a Surfybear spring reverb pedal is recommended for enhancing its tonal capabilities.
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User experience
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Owners find that the '57 Champ excels in recording at low volumes, capturing a clean tone that highlights playing precision.
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Some owners struggle to find a satisfactory overdrive or fuzz pedal compatibility with the Champ, suggesting it may not pair well with certain effects.
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The '57 Champ starts to break up around volume level 4, achieving classic Champ overdrive at approximately 5.5, providing a range of tonal options.
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Use cases and applications
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Perfect for apartment use; comfortably loud at 4.5 on the volume knob but still allows for higher settings with lowered guitar volume to manage neighbor noise.
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The Champ's low-volume break-up is beneficial for those seeking strong tonal character without high output, though it can still get loud for apartment use.
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At 5 watts, the '57 Champ can hold its own in a jam session with bass and drums, despite its compact size.
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Comparisons
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When set to 5 watts, its volume is similar to the Fender Deluxe Tonemaster, though the Tonemaster is slightly louder due to more bass.
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The Tweed Champ has a more gradual and even volume sweep compared to the Tweed Deluxe, making it potentially more manageable at lower volumes.
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The '57 Champ's 8" speaker and smaller cabinet can make it sound "small" or "boxy," especially compared to the Vibro Champ's 10" speaker or Blues Junior's 12" speaker.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 9 Ratings
2228
its good
its a great amp i have the custom shop reissue its great but i wish it had a richer and heavier tone
Artist usage
Add artist
Los tres en vivo en Ramada Viña del Mar 2017 septiembre Alvaro usando el vox ac30 y el Fender '57 custom champ Los Tres live in Viña del Mar, Ramada 2017 , september Alvaro using the vox ac30 and Fender '57 custom champ
Waddy Wachtel is confirmed to have used the Fender '57 Custom Champ amplifier in conjunction with a Fender '57 Tweed Deluxe during the recording of Keith Richards' 2015 album "Crosseyed Heart." This usage can be visually verified in the documentary "Keith Richards: Under the Influence," specifically at the timestamp 22:55, available on Netflix.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender '57 Custom Champ, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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