Fender Super Champ is being retired

[DCT]

Hi all, I am new here and this my first post.
I am getting ready to retire my mid '80s SC.
I bought it new and it has been my only amp for
for the past 25+ years having replaced its EVIL big brother.

This great amp has served me well and I am hesitant to replace it
but the shortage of 6c10 ( I have 2 spares ) and high cost of maintenance
is making me look at my options.
I am 60 years old and started playing in 1959.
My preliminary search has uncovered three possible replacements:
DR Z MAZ 18 JR
Chicago Blues 18
Jaguar JR 17

The guitars I will use are a 1987 Les Paul, 1959 Melody Maker and a midi Godin
Freeway SA ( straight guitar thru one amp and the midi using a GR33 thru the PA or
a SWR Basic Black ).

Any insight on these or maybe an amp I should consider would be appreciated.
I am not interested in a modeling amp or solid state at all.
18 watt and 1-10 or 1-12 config would suit this old mans back just great.
I know the ultimate decision maker is my playing thru these amps, I am seeking
your input to make me aware of options I may have over looked.
Thank you
Dave

[Steve Conner]

What style of music do you play? What are you looking for out of the amp, do you crank it to 11 and rock out, or play cleaner, jazzy stuff? I'm guessing you want to rock, if your short list is all 18 watters, but I have been surprised before.

A tube amp will always have higher maintenance costs than a solid-state one because the tubes wear out and need replacing. This should really be done by a competent technician who can check that the replacement power tubes are operating within spec. But if you have any experience of DIY electrics it's quite easy to do it yourself.

[riz]

DCT, my Vibro Champ was made about 5 years after you started playing, and I must say, after new caps, tubes, and speaker, is enjoying quite an active "retirement"! When I bought it, it barely worked... With a little routine maintenance, your amp will be good to go another 25 years.

[tubeswell]

Hi DCT and welcome to the forum.

So you are thinking of spending up to $1750 on this Chicago Blues Box Kingston 18 / Butler 18 1x12 Tube Amp instead of $50/6C10? (Hmmm, well I guess those are odd-ball tubes - for much less money you can buy 2 x 12AX7 and get 4 equivalent triodes). You sure you haven't just got a mild case of GAS there? ;-)

You could probably pick up a vintage DR or PR for less than $1750 (and a PR has a similar topology to the Superchamp - minus the 6C10 and the most of the fancy circuit switches) and you can still have 6V6s. And if you stick with this forum, you can eventually learn how to maintain it. :-)