Fender 57 Custom Champ und Custom Deluxe

review
FENDER ’57 CUSTOM TWEED CHAMP & DELUXE
114
Guitarist september 2016
that’s instantly familiar and very responsive.
The Deluxe’s volume controls are
interactive because of the way the circuit is
designed, so there’s a wide range of tones
to be had with different combinations, and
you can jumper the inputs as well. The
reworked volume control pot tapers also
help to make the Deluxe more controllable
at higher levels. This amp nails many classic
lead sounds, which is hardly surprising as it
was often used to record them. From Larry
Carlton’s epic Kid Charlemagne and Don’t
Take Me Alive solos on Steely Dan’s Royal
Scam album, to Billy Gibbons’ trademark
‘edge of the pick’ harmonic squeals, this
Deluxe reproduces legendary tones with
great authority, and plenty of volume to
handle small club gigs.
The Champ’s single 6V6 output valve
produces a massive overdriven sound, with
pure Class A sweet harmonics and almost
endless sustain when fully cranked. The
truncated frequency response of the eight-
inch Weber loudspeaker means the Champ
can sound a little ‘boxy’ – it’s all midrange
and not a lot else – but this translates into
a superb recording tone that needs little or
no EQ to punch through a mix. Add some
reverb and you’re into Rocky Mountain Way
territory very quickly. The Champ sounds
great with slide and if you want some greasy
blues harp sounds, it’s great for that, too,
proving surprisingly versatile for an amp
with just one control.
Verdict
It’s taken a long time for these legendary
amplifiers to reappear in Fender’s
catalogue. Together with the Custom ’57
Pro and Twin, they’re part of a quartet that
promises unearthly tone for all who want
to experience the thrill and fun of owning
a real vintage amp, without the pitfalls and
fragility of 60-year-old electronics.
The Deluxe
reproduces tones
with great authority,
and plenty of volume
to handle small gigs
3
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GIT411.rev_fender.indd 114 04/08/2016 17:52