NAD! (Kinda) Fender 57 Champ RI HW

[Music&Chaos]

I have been helping care for an older friend of mine who hasnt been doing too well of late. They asked me to 'borrow'/take this one home indefinitely. I am honored.

I would be excited, but ya know, circumstances.

Still....

I played this amp several months back when he first got it and left my initial thoughts here: https://www.rig-talk.com/forum/threads/fender-57-custom-champ-handwired.335503/


Now that I have it at my place, I have had time to swap some tubes and am highly satisfied.

It really takes the amp from 'doesn't sound like they used to on recordings' to 'HELL YEAH'.

The stock Fender/Groove tube JJ mix is OK, not my favorite.

Put in a RCA blackplate in the front and a Delco/Tungsol NOS 6v6 in the output. Waiting on my RCA blackplate rectifier but damn did these tubes level this amp right up.

NOS glass in classic circuits just do the thing.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I did some swapping in and out with my new RCA 5Y3G blackplate and JAN blackplate, and the JJ rectifier that came stock. Interesting results!

I am plugging straight into the high input for this testing.

My 1st to try was a NOS NIB RCA branded tube -

The first thing I immediately noticed was the change in perceived volume of the amp due to less headroom. Much earlier breakup. Way clearer sound - very crisp. This tube reminds me of RCA long grey plates EQ wise - scooped. You get a lot of top end snap and clarity and the bass thump added, with a transparent midrange. Due to the added bass and treble, this creates the scooped EQ. With a tweed - this provides a ton of clarity, but I dislike how much top end is presented when pushed.


Next is the JAN 5Y3G -

This tube sounds nice - really nice. The overall volume drop happens again due to breaking up much more quickly than the stock JJ 5Y3S. I find that this tube feels really nice to play and everything has harmonic richness. When drive, this tube continues to hold tight in all fields, without letting the bass get too crazy and farty. Overall, this is my favorite tone presented - though I wish it did have some more headroom because there is still that drop in volume and headroom, which kind of reduces the in room 'thump'.


JJ -

This tube has the most headroom due to the way it interacts with the voltages of the amp. I find that I like the added headroom clarity and thump. The NOS tubes in the front end really helped open up the amp overall. The slightly rounded rfrequencies, and slightly brightened frequencies brought out by this tube work pretty well overall balanced together with the current speaker and everything. I like that extra volume/headroom, even though this amp is already loud.


I have a GE 5V4GA Rectifier Tube Black Plate w/ D Getter on the way to give a try - hoping it will bring the harmonic richness of a NOS while giving me increased headroom like the JJ 5Y3S.

 

[japetus]

That is awesome man, that is a sweet amp!!!

 

[guitup too]

Sorry to hear about your friend but congrats on the amp.

 

[VonBonfire]

Your friend got a first name? I'd like to add him to my evening prayers. I even got some new charcoal discs today so the incense smoke will be rolling later.

 

[Music&Chaos]

Your friend got a first name? I'd like to add him to my evening prayers. I even got some new charcoal discs today so the incense smoke will be rolling later.

Jeff. He has been the music minister over the congregation but is passing the torch now to another member. I most definitely appreciate the prayers.

 

[VonBonfire]

Jeff. He has been the music minister over the congregation but is passing the torch now to another member. I most definitely appreciate the prayers.

Thanks and you're welcome!

 

[Music&Chaos]

I went through a bunch of different output tubes for fun. When the rca smoked glass 6V6 went in - there was no competition. This tube is staying in. I have several 5V4 tubes I have tried and will write up some reviews tomorrow. Will also roll back through the 5Y3s I have on hand for testing with the RCA. I don't want the output tube running too hot and getting cooked to death, so the 5Y3 would probably be a smarter bet overall.

 

[The~Kid]

Great story man and glad to hear the amp found a happy/good home *_*