Fender '57 Custom Champ 5-Watt 1x8 Tube Combo, Tweed - Used
The '57 Custom Champ is Fender's hand-wired reissue of the original 5F1 circuit — one of the most recorded amplifiers in history. Five watts of Class A cathode-biased power through a single 6V6GT, a 12AY7 preamp tube, and a 5Y3GT rectifier driving an 8" Weber Special Design alnico speaker. The circuit is point-to-point hand-wired on a turret board using Fender Pure Vintage yellow coupling capacitors and Schumacher transformers, chosen specifically for their vintage tonal character — sparkly cleans and creamy, naturally compressed overdrive that responds directly to picking dynamics and guitar volume. A single volume knob, two 1/4" inputs (high and low sensitivity), and nothing else. Finger-jointed solid pine cabinet with lacquered tweed covering, oxblood Bassman grille cloth, chickenhead knob, and a vintage-style leather handle with nickel hardware. Made in the USA.
This one is in Very Good condition and functions normally with no issues. There is some marker or intialing visible on the top tweed cloth — see photos for reference. Any other wear is light and consistent with normal use. Amp cover included.
- Make: Fender
- Model: '57 Custom Champ
- Type: Hand-wired all-tube 1x8 combo amplifier
- Circuit: Original 5F1
- Power: 5 watts, Class A, cathode biased
- Speaker: 8" Weber Special Design, alnico magnet, 4 ohm
- Preamp tube: 1x 12AY7
- Power tube: 1x 6V6GT
- Rectifier: 1x 5Y3GT
- Channels: 1
- Controls: Volume only
- Inputs: 2x 1/4" (Input 2 at -6dB)
- Cabinet: Finger-jointed solid pine
- Covering: Tweed
- Grille cloth: Oxblood Bassman style
- Handle: Vintage-style leather with nickel hardware
- Dimensions: 13.5" W x 12.5" H x 7.6" D
- Weight: 15 lbs
- Country of origin: USA
- Modifications: None
- Includes: Amp cover
- Condition: Very Good
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
