Silver face Fender Champ-needs work, lots of questions

[Dtmenges]

Thanks for all of the feedback, it has been really helpful. I've been watching ebay prices to know that $225-250 is realistic so I'm not going to get rich. My goal is to return the amp to working condition for another generation.

The fuse was a 2 1/2 amp so the the 470 cathode resistor probably gave its life to protect it. I did find a youTube video (and some Google images) that showed the line cord as a 3-wire heavy duty cord so I think mine is original. The 2-pin plug is not original or safe and needs to go away.

I'm not a guitar player so I'll probably go with a speaker that is reasonably priced and close to the original. Again, not trying to get rich but I don't want to be upside down when the project is done. The Realistic is an 8 ohm so it can be repurposed in my ham shack.

Next step is to bench test the transformers. Once I'm over that hurdle the rebuilding can begin.

[Leo_Gnardo]

We used those white Mallory caps at Crown back in the '70s. Techs made a point to keep their faces away from them on first power up. Even new they tended to go off like an M-80.

I remember Crown's service bulletin that recommended changing out white Mallory's. Now I do the same when I encounter 'em in Fenders or anywhere else. Generally a good company Mallory, but everybody has some dud things they make.

Got a DC-300A lurking around here, the only one I've never been able to fix. One of these days I'll ask you for some help on that. Love those amps!