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Fender is rebooting its best-selling Champion family of modeling amps—prices start at $129.

Fender is rebooting its best-selling Champion family of modeling amps—prices start at 9.

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    Fender Champion II.     Fender Champion II.

Credit: Fender Champion II

Fender has announced the return of one of its best-selling guitar amps with the introduction of the reissued Champion II line.

The Champion’s lineage can be traced back to the late 1940s, when the original Champion 800 first appeared, which predated the now legendary Fender Champ. However, when Fender revived the Champion design over a decade ago, it did so with many modern changes.

These include onboard effects and several onboard amp tones, which have helped position the Champions as one of the most versatile and affordable combo amps on the market.

And they proved to be a hit: the Champion family has since established itself as a force in the world of entry-level amp models and is an early precursor to Fender’s more sophisticated modeling designs, as seen in the Tone Master line.

Now Fender has revised and expanded their proven lineup with three Champion II amplifiers, each rated at 24, 50, or 100 watts.

Naturally, there are a variety of amp features (more on those in a moment), but in general, each Champion II unit offers built-in reverb, delay/echo, chorus, tremolo, and vibratone effects that can be accessed and created using the versatile FX knob.

On the fly, delay time and tremolo speed can be adjusted using the easy-to-reach, if slightly awkwardly placed, TAP button on the front panel, while a versatile Voice parameter allows you to switch between Classic, Modern British and Hi. Gain modes.

They can be further enhanced with a range of built-in EQ controls, with each amplifier offering a range of gain, treble, bass and modification controls. They all also feature a USB port, a headphone output, and an auxiliary input jack.

It is noteworthy that both higher power amplifiers have two channels. While the Champion II 50 is a little more conservative in its control layout—only channel-specific volume controls and a single gain control can be found—the Champion II 100 is much more generous.

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Fender Champion IIFender Champion II

Fender Champion II

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Fender Champion II

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Fender Champion IIFender Champion II

Fender Champion II

It offers a two-band EQ for the first channel, a three-band EQ for the second, independent effects knobs on both, and tempo buttons on both sides. You can also buy an external foot switch to change channels.

“Champion II amps are versatile and can suit any playing style, be it rock, country, blues or even metal,” says Fender. “These amps deliver the clean, driven Fender tone of incredible British high-gain amp designs.

“No menus, no apps, just a familiar and intuitive interface that makes dialing tones easy.”

Champion II 25, 50 and 100 are now available for $129, $229 and $399 respectively.

Visit Fender to learn more.