Update on my new Super Champ XD

[elenore19]

I chose this because it was 1, portable, 2, tube, 3, external speaker output.

So far. AWESOME. I just had the pleasure of cranking it up. This is my first tube amp experience. I've used a Vox Valvetronix hybrid, and although this is sort of the same deal, it has one channel that is all tube, and cranked it has an awesome warm tone. Can't get enough of it, except for I had to put earplugs in. Such a waste of good tone listening.


So, as far as the amp goes. It was only $300 which is quite a deal in my opinion.

A VERY bluesy amp. I know you guys will want sound clips. I can't really record, so here's a link to how it sounds.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aGMTrL0pGg

I don't use the effects channel, I just use pedals through the all tube(I think?) channel. (channel 1)

It sounds great. The clean is my favorite part. It has great attack. I'm used to Line6 spider II, which just is ripped to shreds by this little beast.

I realize this really isn't any great info on the amp. If you have questions, I'd love to answer them and hopefully that would give more info on the amp.

-Elliot

If I had to give an overall rating on this amp. I'd say 9/10. Only because I couldn't find a great metal distortion on this amp that wasn't uber gainy. If that makes sense.

 

[Gear_Junky]

hey, congrats! it's nice to see folks are starting to "come around" on this amp. I've had mine for about a month now (also just upgraded the speaker). Totally loving/digging it!

it's been discussed in great detail at agileguitarforum - including info/photos of a "line in" mod as well as speaker upgrades. By the way, the "line in" mod totally bypasses the digital preamp and folks use it to play through their POD or VAmp into the fully analog/tube power section of the SCXD (making it like a 15 Watt Atomic Reactor amp).

according to Mickey from that forum, who took the amp apart:

the amp has a fully digital preamp (both channels). The Clean Channel = Voicing # 4 of the modeling channel. Then the signal goes through the single 12ax7 (which is a 2nd stage preamp + phase inverter from what I read/heard, I'm not a tech) and into the power stage - the 2 6V6's.

This means that the SCXD is not REALLY like a VOX or any other hybrid amp, which only has a preamp tube and a solid-state power section.

The SCXD has power tubes in Class A/B design, which make all the voicings sound "tubey".

From what I read you need to be careful with pedals as far as overloading the digital preamp, but this would involve distortion pedals and others capable of a signal boost, so all the reverb/delay type pedals should not be an issue.

Me, I found a few of the internal effects pretty nice sounding. If I needed drastic effects, like tremolo/chorus/delay with more control I'd use pedals for that and still use the SCXD's internal reverb for ambience.

BTW, I got mine as a "blem" for $230 shipped from M123 and i didn't even find anything wrong with it

P.S. from what I read and also discovering myself - each of the 16 voicings is almost like its own amp, with different gain structure, etc. So you can't just set the EQ knobs and click through the voicings.

You almost have to treat each voicing like an amp, play with the Gain knob as well as the EQ knobs to find its sweet spot (for you). You may yet find that it has more useful sounds than you thought. Problem is: who has the time?

P.S. re: speakers - most people seem to think that the stock fender speaker, while very cheap, is surprisingly good sounding. However, most people say that an upgrade makes it even better. VERY easy to swap!

 

[elenore19]

Awesome! I might have to do that line in mod. Any chance you could link that for me?

I have a 2x12 external speaker cab with Vintage 30's. Although I haven't had the time to really try those out.

So the whole overloading the amp thing. How do you mean? I do use distortion pedals. Well. Overdrive pedals. Same thing in my mind, even though I know they aren't. And then eq pedal, fuzz, and delay.

So how would I overload it? If I make the signal a lot louder by like turning the level knob up on the distortion pedal making it so, when activated, makes the sound a lot louder?

Is there any way to know if I am overloading the amp?

Thanks so much.

It is an awesome amp. I really can't wait to open it up with my V30's.

-Elliot

 

[Gear_Junky]

The 2x12 should sound great, just make sure it's an 8 Ohm load (at least). By the way, if it's a 16 Ohm, let me know if it's adequately loud. I was told that a 16-ohm load would not sound as loud, but on the other hand it's 2 speakers. I was thinking about using another 1x10 cab with mine and running BOTH speakers, but the only way to make that work is in series, which will be a 16 Ohm for 2 8-ohm speakers (in my case).

re: overloading - that's what I READ, which by the way was an educated guess by that person. He said that he would expect the overloaded digital modeler preamp to sound bad (harsh, distorted, etc.). I tried doing it with a danelectro distortion pedal, but wasn't able to get any "bad" sound, although the built-in overdrives were just better sounding, so I gave the pedal away as gift. If it sounds good, then you're in good shape.

And yes, if you turn up the volume (output) of a pedal (before the amp) it may overload the preamp section. it can be good for an all-tube analog amp (that was the point of "overdrive" pedals) or it can be bad with solid-state circuitry (it shouldn't be damaging, though). Usually though, the way I understand it, distortion boxes overload their own circuitry to produce their effect ("gain" or "distortion" or "drive" knob) and then you adjust the volume (volume or level knob) to match the clean level.

The links are:

http://www.agileguitarforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=5206 (i started this one after I ordered mine)

http://www.agileguitarforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=5319 (started by another person who bought the amp)

http://www.agileguitarforum.com/viewthread.php?tid=4739 (this one started by Mickey who did the "line in" mod).

you should search the forum for "SCXD", you'll find the other "mod" threads.

They all have interesting info and some discussion on speaker models (there's no single consensus about speakers, though )

P.S. If you wonder about the optional footswitch - it is "special order only" and can be ordered through any Fender dealer (local Guitar Center, etc.). GC told me it's $24.95 MSRP and they would give me 30% "discount" (regular "street" price). I'll be ordering one soon.