Guitar Review Ninja

Leave it to the tone-obsessed engineering staff at Ampeg to come up with the no-compromise, 20-watt, all-tube, point-to-point wired J-20 combo. Part of the Diamond Blue Lead Series, the J-20 Jet’s retro-styling is highly evocative of the ’60s in attitude, as well as tone.

J-20’s preamp section boasts not one, but three 12AX7 tubes, and its dual 6V6 output stage operates in fixed-biased mode. The end-result of all this “inner tubing” is a guitar combo with controllable vintage “crunch” along with Ampeg’s hallmark ease-of-operation. The simple Volume/Tone control setup makes it easy to quickly dial in just the right amount of edge for personal bliss.

With its point-to-point wiring, 5AR4 rectifier tube, 12-inch alnico speaker, and foot-switchable, bias-vary tremolo circuitry, the Ampeg J-20 is a no-compromise guitar combo ideal for even the most tone-obsessed guitarist.

Ampeg J20 Jet Guitar Combo Amplifier (20 Watts, 1×12 in.) Features…

RMS Power Output: 20W, Fixed bias, Class AB

Speaker: 1 x 12 in. alnico

Preamp Tubes: Tubes (3 x 12AX7)

Power Amp Tubes: Tubes (2 x 6V6)

Rectifier: Tube (5AR4)

Controls: Volume, Tone

Effects: Tremolo

Footswitch: Tremolo On/Off

Output: Dual 1/4 in. jacks

Dimensions (W x H x D inches): 20 x 17.5 x 9.75

Weight: 25 Pounds

Buy Ampeg J20 Jet Guitar Combo Amplifier (20 Watts, 1×12 in.)

I've been using a Peavey Nitro II, modded with a Gibson 500T in the bridge, but I only used the stock neck pickup with this amp. This amp is a great sounding little bastard, but after the volume goes past three, it starts to distort. It's very cool to use it at about 7, and turn down the volume on the guitar for a clean sound, then bring it up for a great power-driven sound. I would use this for recording any day!!!

The features are definitely limited in this amp, being that there are only three knobs. Volume, Tone, and Tremolo… YES! Tremolo – the god of the late fifties and early sixties! This amp has built-in analog tremolo that outperforms any pedal tremolo I have ever used. All I can say is wow…

Unfortunately, this thing just started crapping out. Just the tubes though, and they're old, so it's not that big of a deal. The cabinet is very rugged, able to take abuse, but the tubes are very exposed, can be quite a hazard. Won't rate this one, because this amp is THAT old.

Considering I got it at the Guitar Center green tag sale for $220 from 549, I think I got an amazing steal. But after hearing the sound, I think I would have paid full price if I had to.

Jared Kuolt (07/09/2002)

SWEET

Love this amp. I've had many many tube amps, this one is my favorite. WHY ? I wanted an amp with nothing, just volume and tone. I didn't want an extra channel for overdrive. I want an amp where its all tube tone without color. Then I can add what ever I want to shape the desire tone. This amp has amazing head room for a small 20 watt amp, an EXTRA PLUS. most definately a KEEPER and worth every dime for this point to point wired amp.

SRV from why ? (Nov 26, 2008)

A fun and affordable tribute to a rare and historic Fender amp. The new Champion 600 is a 5-watt tube amp with a 6 in. speaker and 1950 “two-tone†looks. Fender added a higher-gain preamp circuit to let the overdriven tone exceed that of the original, and they also added a choice of high- or low-gain inputs. Internal speaker jack enables use of a larger speaker cabinet.

Fender Champion 600 Guitar Combo Amplifier (5 Watts, 1×6 in.) Features…

Model Name: Champion 600

Model Number: 2330100000 120V USA

Series: Vintage Modified

Type: Tube Amplifier

Output: 5 watts

Ohms: 4 ohms

Speakers: One 6 in., 4-ohm Special Design driver with ceramic magnet (0073904000)

Channels: 2 (Instrument and Microphone)

Controls: Volume

Covering: Brown and blonde vinyl covering; vintage-correct 1950 “two-tone” cosmetics.

Weight: 15 lbs. (7 kg)

Dimensions:

Height: 11 in. (28 cm)

Width: 12 in. (31 cm)

Depth: 7.5 in. (19 cm)

Tube Complement:

1-12AX7A

1-6V6

(diode rectifier)

Accessories: None

Introduced: 1/2007

Buy Fender Champion 600 Guitar Combo Amplifier (5 Watts, 1×6 in.)

Not a bad amp

This amp stock is not that good, but it isn't bad either. When I bought it I knew I would change the speaker and cheap tubes. That is all it needs to become a very decent amp. I put a jj 12ax7 and tung-sol 6v6 and a weber alnico signature speaker in it, it changes the amps sound dramatically. I think that cost me sixty dollars. Also I picked the amp up as a scratch and dent and saved money that way. The amp sounds big on recordings and is fun to practice with too, and it looks cool. So it looks cool, sounds cool with a few changes and gets beautiful clean and crunchy sounds. You'll have to spend much more money to do any better, I have a gibson ga-5 and its a much louder amp and better overall sounding, but much more expensive. Not for metal, rock and blues players can appreciate this.

ampAddict from kent, WA (Nov 18, 2008)

"This amp is not a toy!"

I own it.

$199.00 is an reasonable price for an amp of this quality.

Very nicely put together. Looks like it is built to last. It seems heavy for its size. Dosn't feel cheap.

I've owned several Fender guitars, basses and amps over the past 30+ years and never needed to call Fender support. Their website provides many resources.

a customer from hawaii.edu (5/4/2007)