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Fender Vintage Modified Vibro Champ XD Amp : Review

Fender Vibro Champ XD

A new reissue

During 60s and 70s the Champ obtained a great success. What made it famous was a mix of various features. First of all the small size and the tube tone with Tremolo. Now there is a new version. It includes all the features that made it famous, more some innovations, like a DSP with 16 effects and a speaker emulator. It delivers 5 Watts.

Front Panel

It provides only one channel, so is much simple and linear.

Controls

Gain

It adjusts the pre and the distortion level, except with the Voice 16 selected.

Volume

The overall Volume.

Voice

It provides a complete and versatile speaker emulator. Let's see which are the emulated amps.

Tweed (1, 2 and 3)

Blackface (4, 5 and 6)

British (7, 8 and 9)

Hot Rod (10, 11 and 12)

Metal (13 and 14)

Jazz (15)

Acoustic (16)

Effects

The DSP provides 5 types.

Vibratone

Delay

Reverb

Chorus

Tremolo

Treble and Bass

The equalization section provides two controls. High and low frequencies can be adjusted via these two knobs.

FX Level

The volume of the selected effect.

FX Select

Use this control to select an effect.

Conclusions

The first nice thing is the good quality of the sound at a low volume. Aim of a so amp, only 5 Watts, is with no doubt practicing. In this context, it is perfect. Tone is warm and the speaker emulator makes a good job, when you understand how to adjust bass and treble according to the selected amp. The clean tone is really fabulous. Warm and with class. It's surprising. But also with distortion you can obtain some excellent results. With regard to the effects, i used only reverb. It's good, but sure, just for practicing. But more you play and understand the controls, more you'll love this small jewel. For practicing, the Vibro Champ XD is superb. At the end i have to say that, considering the low price, Fender made an excellent job.

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