When I bought this amp I was under the impression that this was a REAL tube amp with some modeling effects, but I read somewhere that because of the different amp settings it was considered a modeling amp. Is this true or is it more of a modeling amp hybrid where the main sound is real and the modeling is there for tweaking (like a digital EQ)?
Is the Fender Super Champ XD really a modeling amp?
-
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 12:12 p.m. audiodrome:
-
- Rated: 113 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 12:23 p.m. bonedaddy:
I think it works like this: The amp is a real tube amp. The effects are digital DSP effects. The modeling makes it hybrid. The new Line 6 amps by Bogner are the same way.
-
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 12:34 p.m. audiodrome:
So is the main clean sound "real" or modeled?
-
- Rated: 7 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 12:45 p.m. guitaryates:
I believe the famous BillM at the fenderforum.com has conclusively proven that the SuperchampXD uses a chip for the preamp and tubes for the power amp.
Here's his dissecting of the amp:
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=654379
-
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 4:36 p.m. audiodrome:
Thanks for that link - very informative! I'm not a real tech geek, but it seems like a glowing review for the most part. However, even after reading that, I still can't gather as to whether the basic sound I'm hearing is real or created digitally. It seems like he is saying that the sound is created digitally, which to me, is not really good news. If I wanted a digital amp, I would have bought a G-DEC series amp. I bought this thinking it was, for the most part, a Fender tube amp with some digital effects and modeling.
-
- Rated: 7 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 4:49 p.m. guitaryates:
Tube or digital, I think it's a cool amp. The sound is what matters, not how it's made.
I think it sounds much better than the Line 6 spider valve stuff. I would probably have one if it wasn't for getting a PRRI at a really nice price that I use for my practice amp now. That and the Fender price increase.
-
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 5:16 p.m. audiodrome:
Those Spider amps sound terrible - painful to listen to! The Super Champ XD really does sound a lot better than most modeling amps and it's a lot more versatile than your basic small tube amp would be, so I shouldn’t really complain. Most importantly, it sounds WAY better than my Sidekick 15!
-
- Rated: 17 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 5:23 p.m. Rock Lajoint:
Audiodrome, I have a Super Champ XD. I'm extremely happy with it. I'm curious as to why it's not good news to you if the sound is to some degree digitally created? If it sounds good, what's the issue for you?
-
- Rated: 326 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 5:47 p.m. Proteus:
It sounds as though it's definitely not a COMPLETE tube amp front to back - I don't know how you'd implement that with digital technology, unless you simply used the "chipset" to store settings to apply to various stages of the tube pre-amp and amp.
Which wouldn't get you the crazy variety you get out of the XD.
Among those tube amp aficionados who will even talk to you about hybridizing their tone-cookers (and for some, it has to be tube from input to output), virtually all will tell you it's far better to have a tube power section and solidstate/modeled/whatever preamp section than vice versa.
It's the power amp section where you get the gloss, glow, compression, and sag of tubes. So it sounds like the Fender engineers made good decisions.
The same kind of objections applied to hybrid amps like Music Mans, which had solidstate preamps and tube power sections. They sound just like tube amps to me...
Bottom line - if it sounds good, it IS good.
-
- Rated: 44 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 6:49 p.m. audiodrome:
I know - time to stop worrying about it and start enjoying it!
-
- Rated: 31 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 7:35 p.m. tonehound:
Well said, Proteus.
It is good. It gets even better with a larger cabinet and a 12" speaker...
-
- Rated: 25 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 7:52 p.m. farmerbrown:
I don't know how it works, but I sure enjoy mine, I play mostly the clean channel, I primarily use 2 different delays and and some tremolo.
-
- Rated: 3 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 8:29 p.m. CitizenCain:
tonehound, is that one of the Newell cabs? Everytime I see a SCXD in one of those cabs, my pulse quickens a little.
-
- Rated: 31 ↑
Mar 31, 2009 8:47 p.m. tonehound:
It is a Newell cab. Mighty fine.
-
- Rated: 14 ↑
Mar 3, 2010 4:26 a.m. RoseTattoo:
Hi Gretschies!
Sorry to necro an old post but I am sneaking back into the GDP after a long absence and didn't want to strike up a new thread when the old ones are so good. A kiss and a wave for all those lovely GDPers that helped me with my choice in '08 - I am still in love with my 5120 and it's time to buy a really nice amp to become his best buddy (some old hands may remember the peanuts and cola discussions that somehow related to my selection .... click here for a walk down memory lane: http://gretschpages.com/forum/electromatics/about-to-buy-my-first-guitar/13275/page1/ ) and the SCXD is the way I am leaning - I gave one a test run this arvo (that's 'afternoon' in Australian). I particularly like the tremelo effect, gets me a step closer to the psychobilly sound I am looking for but can't seem to achieve due to my extraordinary lack of talent.
My question is - is the conversion to the Newell cabinet something any newb can do or would it require a techie? Probably a daft question, but hey, why change now!? It's just so beautiful and old school....and... and beautiful... I want it!
xo RT p.s. Kudos to you all for keeping this great site going - especially Proteus, or Don Protleone, as I believe he is now called
-
- Rated: 27 ↑
Mar 3, 2010 5:07 a.m. garageink:
Rose, welcome back! as for your question I would think all it takes is a bit of screwdriver turnin'.
-
- Rated: 9 ↑
Mar 3, 2010 9:12 a.m. Bud_Friendly:
I built a matching cabinet, for the SCXD, with a 12" speaker from a Deluxe Reverb. Now I can get the best of both.
-
- Rated: 21 ↑
Mar 3, 2010 9:30 a.m. SnorkelMonkey:
Those Spider amps sound terrible - painful to listen to!
If you're just messing around at home they are not too bad but as soon as you put them in the mix in a live band setting they get totally lost in the mix. Then you have to mess with it to get it heard and that's when it starts sounding like ass.
I read somewhere that it has something to do with the POD like DI capabilities.
-
- Rated: 36 ↑
Mar 3, 2010 9:35 a.m. NJBob:
rhcole said Line6 is "Like 200 classic amps played thru the speaker in Darth Vaders helmet". I gave my Spider to a friends kid. What an annoying little box.
-
- Rated: 14 ↑
Mar 5, 2010 7:08 a.m. RoseTattoo:
Thanks Garageink! Nice to see y'all again too :) I dont trust myself...even with a just a wee turn of a phillips head....but its good to know that I dont need a serious techie to do the job.
cheers! RT
-
- Rated: 28 ↑
Mar 5, 2010 9:07 p.m. The Shetland:
JD Newell builds the cabs as a drop in for the SCXD.
You can get a 12 cab or maybe some other configs too. you can also pick which tolex to use and it's around 200-300 bucks. you still have to put a new speaker in and install the head, but it's not that hard...i'm somewhat of a noob, but this does'nt require and soldering, just a screwdriver...you can do it!
Instead, I just bought a Rajun Cajun speaker to replace the stock one and it is a whole 'nother world. Best $60 i ever spent on gear...easy...it's even easier to install.
The SCXD is a good amp and sounds good, but it's not a "great" amp...for $300 it's hard to measure up, but this little guy certain can get the job done!
I like it...
