Fender Champion II 50 review – the best entry-level modelling amp on the market?
$229/£239, fender.com
If you’ve played a small venue or used a practice space in the last decade or two, you’ll probably have seen a humble Fender Champion amplifier sitting in the corner somewhere. And there’s a good reason – as well as being Fender’s most affordable guitar amp, the Champion offers versatility, portability, simplicity and solid tones, and they look good too. What’s not to love?
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But when we talk about Fender modelling amps, usually we’re talking about the mid-price Mustang range or the high-end Tone Master amps – the Champions are all too easily either forgotten or dismissed out of hand in the face of other more fashionable amplifiers.
Now however, Fender is looking to change the perception somewhat. As the ultra-affordable end of the modelling market becomes ever more competitive – thanks in no small part to the strides that Boss, Blackstar and Positive Grid have taken – the time has come to give the Champions a fresh look to bring them into the conversation for those looking to buy their first amp proper.
The Champion II series. Image: Press
Fender Champion II 50 – what is it?
As with most amps in the budget category, Champion II is a range of basic modelling amps that run the gamut from the purely practice amp-sized Champion II 20, through the 2×12, to the gig-friendly 100-watt model. Sat squarely in the middle is this 1×12 50-watt version – of course 50 solid state watts is hardly going to blow your head off, but it’s plenty loud enough in this age of low stage volumes and abundant venue PA systems – it’s also 10 watts louder than the amp it’s replacing.
All three amps are identical bar their power and speaker arrangements, and as with Fender’s much more expensive Tone Master range, simplicity and ease of use are the order of the day here. Like the previous Champion amps, you get two channels and four distinct amp voicings – modern and classic Fender, a British (Marshall) tone and the obligatory high-gain option – that can be selected at the twist of a knob, and there’s a channel select knob for each voice.
Also on board are a selection of basic effects, and these are once again contained within a rotary selection knob – offering an expanded palette that includes reverb, delay, chorus, tremolo, Vibratone and more. There’s a ‘modify’ knob to select the intensity of whatever effect you choose, while there’s a small switch to control tap tempo on the time-based effects, or select quarter or dotted eighth delay repeats.
Also updated for the Champion II is the connectivity – the addition of a USB-C port will allow you to download firmware updates for the amp should you feel the need. You also get the same 3.5mm jacks for an aux-in and headphones out. The headphone sounds should be improved this time as every amp voicing comes with a bespoke cab sim.
Looks-wise, well… it looks like a Fender black-panel amp, and that’s probably the biggest individual selling point of the Champion range. From a distance, most people won’t be able to tell the difference between this and a Deluxe Reverb, and that’s a fact that has sold many of these amps.
Image: Press
Fender Champion II 50 – sounds
Dismissing the Champion II as just a cheap amp in Fender clothing would be hugely disingenuous. Upon switching it on and plugging in, the sound quality straight out of the box is hugely impressive for an amp that costs less than a boutique distortion pedal.
The clean channel in particular is home to exactly what you would expect from a Fender amp – providing bright, articulate tones that are full of depth and character, and also a solid pedal platform.
The wide variety of onboard effects are equally impressive. The subtle and nuanced spring reverb just adds to the authenticity of the Champion II, while the more wacky modulation effects and filters encourage the kind of experimentation perfect for those looking to stumble upon something new.
I said there wasn’t really much difference between the Champion amps features-wise, but the 50 does have one drawback compared to its 100-watt big brother – a stripped-back tone stack with just bass and treble controls. The lack of a midrange EQ is noticeable, particularly when dialling in distorted tones. Without that extra option, the amp can sound a tad boxy and muddy, especially when used in a studio scenario. Nevertheless, the quality-to-price ratio of the Champion II 50 I discover is undeniable elsewhere.
Perhaps unsurprisingly the two Fender voices are the most usable here, with the Brit and High Gain modes perhaps a little bland… but the quality and authenticity of the Fender sounds really does elevate it in this price bracket.
Image: Press
Fender Champion II 50 – should I buy one?
It probably goes without saying that you’re not going to get Tone Master-level tones for barely a quarter of the price here – especially when Fender still very much wants people to buy Mustang and TM amps of course!
But that doesn’t detract from what an impressive entry this is in the market. It’s a modelling amp free from option-paralysis, and from the superfluous apps and features that most beginner guitarists (and quite a lot of more experienced ones too!) don’t even want. Put simply, it’s an amp that encourages you to spend less time menu-diving and more time playing the guitar.
When I think about the first cheap amps I bought when I was starting out, it really shows how far the entry-level side of the amp market has come. The Champion II is the bridge between the purity of a traditional amp, and the modern modelling amp, providing an affordable option for beginners and seasoned players alike.
What’s more, while the 3.5mm aux input is a bit dated, it’s rugged and reliable – and won’t suffer any connection failures. Combined with excellent low-volume performance, it makes it a perfect practice companion for players looking to play along to tracks and really sharpen their skills.
There are definitely some compromises here beyond Bluetooth streaming capability – not least the slimmed-down EQ stack, and the lack of an effects loop – but if you really need those things there are plenty of other amps in the Fender range that will offer all that and more.
For many players, the Champion II 50 will tick the boxes from both a sonic and usability standpoint – if you’ve just got yourself a new guitar and are looking for the perfect amp to pair it with, this is an impressive value option.
Fender Champion II 50 alternatives
Boss’s Katana range has reigned supreme over the entry-level amp world in recent years, and if you want more sounds and the ability to edit and tweak your sounds, the new Katana 50 Gen 3 ($299/£269) is a worthy option for another 70 bucks. Blackstar’s Debut 50R ($279/£189) is another stripped-down modelling amp that prioritises a few good tones over myriad sounds – it looks great too. If you want some British flavour to your small digital amp, Orange’s Crush 35RT ($299/£239) offers loads of vibes and great tones – even if it is a bit long in the tooth now.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
