Fender 5F1 Champ (1959)

Time to bust out the #notareissue hashtag!

Believe it or not, this is an original 1959 Fender 5F1 Champ. Yes, it really is about to turn 63 years old despite looking like a borderline factory fresh amplifier.

Fender's famous five-watt student model combo amplifier brings some serious tone in an incredibly compact and lightweight package. It's about as simple as a tube ampifier can get - a single-ended 6V6 power tube supplies about 5 watts of output through a single 8" speaker, all controlled by a single Volume knob that doubles as the power switch. If you look up "plug and play" in the dictionary, you'll see a photo of a 5F1...

As previously mentioned, it's just a spectacular example in every way. Word is that this was discovered in the corner of a closet having lied dormant for decades without use. A filter cap job and power cord replacement is the only evidence you'll find of any modern component here. The original tweed covering is in exceptional condition, as is the Oxblood grill cloth, leather handle, and back panels. The chassis is just as clean, with clear, legible, and unfaded lettering and no pitting or corrosion in the chrome plating. The original Oxford 8EV-29 speaker dates from the 2nd week of 1959 and sounds great with its original cone. Inside the chassis you'll find the original amplifier technician marker of Lupe on a small piece of tape affixed right in between the tube sockets for the rectifier and power tube. The factory tube chart looks like it just came off of a printing press, with absolutely zero fading, contact wear, or staining. The tube chart stamp of 'IC' indicates completion in March of 1959, which can also be found stamped on the inside face of the chassis itself, adjacent to the circuit board.

This 5F1 Champ represents the rare instance where collectability meets functionality. Safe to use and sounding killer, this might be the cleanest tweed-era Fender amp we've had come through the shop to date.