A tiny 5-watt, single-ended, 1x8 practice amp that became a secret weapon in recording studios. When cranked to full volume, the Champ produces a rich, creamy overdrive with natural compression. Used on countless classic recordings including Layla and early Clapton sessions.
On your modeler
Helix:US Small Tweed
Quad Cortex:Champ
Fractal:Tweed Champ
Kemper:Fender Champ
Boss Katana:Crunch Channel
Where to buy
Controls
Volume0 – 12
Recipes using the Fender Champ
See exactly how this gear is dialed in across different songs and styles.
Eric Clapton
blues-rock
Layla (1970)
Clapton's Layla Searing Lead Tone
One of the most passionate guitar performances ever recorded. Clapton's tone on Layla is raw, urgent, and biting: a Fender Stratocaster ('Brownie') through a cranked Fender Champ, with the tiny amp pushed to its absolute limits. The Champ's single-ended 5-watt circuit compresses and distorts beautifully when dimed, producing a thick, creamy overdrive with natural sustain. Duane Allman's slide guitar interweaves with Clapton's lead lines, and both guitars were recorded through small amps at high volume for maximum saturation.
HelixQuad Cortex
Dan Auerbach
blues-rock
Lonely Boy (2011)
Dan Auerbach's Lonely Boy Raw Garage Tone
Lonely Boy's riff is a raw, fat, garage-rock tone built on simplicity: a Les Paul Junior with a single P-90 pickup into a cranked small amp. The tone is warm, slightly fuzzy, and dripping with character from the amp's natural breakup. No fancy effects -- just a guitar, a cable, and a loud amp doing what they do best.
HelixQuad CortexBoss Katana
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