Tweed Fender Champ Power Tube – 6V6GT
2009 November 11
The 1959 tweed Fender Champ is a 5 watt single ended Class A amplifier. That means that in addition to having one preamp tube, it has one power tube – the 6V6GT. The 6V6GT is a smaller glass form factor of the 6V6. The 6V6 is a beam-power tetrode, similar to its predecessor the 6L6.
Tweed Fender Champ Tubes (Left to Right) 5Y3GT, 6V6GT, 12AX7
Wikipedia has a great write up about all the details. Looking at the electronics, the 6V6GT is right in the middle. The 6V6GT on my amp was manufactured by Sylvania.
6V6GT manufactured by Sylvania
I found a great video tour of the 6V6GT on YouTube. The focus is a bit spotty, but it is an interesting clip nevertheless.
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Nothing sweeter than 6v6’s. From what I understand, Dumble tried to emulate the smooth breakup of Fender Deluxe 6v6’s and put that into a larger package: the Overdrive Special.
I still think Champs are the best recording amps ever made – listen to the “Jams” bonus CD’s from Derek and the Dominos Layla box set and you’ll agree. That’s all Clapton played on that album…Brownie through a Champ! Hard to beat that tone.
That’s a great tid-bit about the Jams bonus CD, I’m gonna check it out!