Hello all. First post here. My history; non-musical noob. Friend who makes guitars (I gots good friends) gives said noob guitar and says go get amp and learn. Nothing better going on in my life…so I do. Liked the 600 for its intended purpose…learning inside the house and not waking the dead.

Now the problem. Amp sounded good at dealer when played by staff (don't they always?). Slight hum when turned on. Happy me goes home and plugs guitar in. At volume settings 5 and above, a sizzle (sometimes rhythmic, mostly random but frequent) becomes audible through the speaker. Not there when guitar is strummed. While holding guitar and touching the cable plug (at guitar or amp) sizzle volume decreases by 1/2. Very annoying when not playing (I know…keep playing) as amp just sits there and goes zzzzzst, zzzzst, zzzzzst. Sizzle louder when guitar cable is in the “High” jack.

Not being a total D.A., I figured amp was picking up noise through single pick-up in guitar or something in house (bad ground). Went so far as to turn Main house breaker off but still had noise. Plug amp in at two different houses, same. Above friend plugged in six different guitars (singles and humbucks), same. He plugged in several pedals and found one that when plugged in all noise (even hum) disappeared. Plugged my guitar into 4 of his amps (various makers) and no noise (his amps don't hum either).

Took amp to local Fender service center and the owner of the shop said this “hum” & “sizzle” was normal with a tube amp that only has volume. Sounded hoeky to me. He would not send it back for replacement. So unless I want to drive around to another service center for a second opinion……I can not return amp to original dealer/store as it was purchased on “Clearance” with a “no refund or exchange” policy. Kick me, but I got it for $140 in N.I.B. and figure I saved enough to just about buy one of Mr. Frondelli's juice kits. Best laid plans….Yes, from now on I'll buy from some outfit that takes stuff back within 45 days…that is, until I know how to tear them apart and fix them.

To wind this tome up, I kinda bought the amp with the purpose of tearing it apart and educating myself on basic electronic thingamabuggery…but sort of wanted to start out with a good donor amp. Was looking forward to mod'ing it a la Frondelli…but now not sure if I should persue getting it replaced or just do what I intended to anyway.

So, I read the hum is due to lead dress. Got that covered. What says you all about the crackle/sizzle when plugged in? Normal for this type amp? I do not want to toss another $70(? for the mod kit) at the amp until I square away this noise issue (unless it IS normal or the mod. fixes the problem). To be truthful…I want to tear the sumab#tch apart and fix it. Just need ideas as to were to start.

Waiting with multimeter and soldering iron in hand….

Bill G.

l

Thanks for the reply John!

I forgot to mention I had already swapped tubes. All I could fing locally were “Mesa/Boogie” Power Tubes…they made no difference in the zzzzst noise. If it means anything…the “zzzst” lasts for about 4-5 seconds and has a period of 16 “zzzst's” a minute. I was hoping it was a ground issue as when holding whatever guitar that is plugged in; and then touching the metal end of the guitar cable, the “zzzst” sound is cut by 50-75%.

If there is no where else to probe/look for an answer…I guess I'll have to call Fender again as the service center guy said, “it was normal”. I'm dumb…but I ain't an idiot.

Thanks again,

Bill G.

What a saga! Keep us posted on what happens. I hope you get it straight so you can enjoy the amp and play some music for cryin' out loud already!

Hi my friend,

I try to understand what can happen with your Champion 600. I have one of those and I'm f”$kin happy of it. I changed my tubes for an  old 12ax7 Mullard ( a real sixtees ) in great shape and a JJ 6v6ES, I changed the speaker too (WEBER SIG 6). Thats terrific! Sound howesome and that amp don't have any hum or buzz. I now waiting for my caps and res US Made for the rest of the mods.

Have you ever tried another amp in the same plug than your Champion? I mean that you can have some problem with your home ground and it gose in the amp. That kind of trouble can make a lot of hum. I saw and ear it a lot of time. To be sure try it someware else ex: a friend's house. Another question: What guitar did U use? Do you use single coils or humbucker?

Good luck

Sebas

First of all, having a single volume control has no detrimental effect on the amp. There have been PLENTY of amps made like this over the years.

Secondly, while you cannot return that clearance amp to the store, it is STILL covered by the Fender warranty, and the Fender service center you brought it to SHOULD have told you that they can process the exchange of the amp as a warranty, since, in fact, there is NO actual service allowed by Fender on these amps. My recommendation is to call the service center and tell them that you are privy to Fender's exchange policy with the Champion 600. If you get nowhere with them, call Fender Customer Service, or alternatively, you may ship the amp here to us in New York with a copy of the purchase receipt to get the exchange happening.