Pierson Tweed Champ Combo

This amp was made in November 2006, it features one volume knob, an Celestion Alnico Blue with the larger tweed cabinet. The versitily of this amp comes in the volume control, your guitar and your fingers. As you increase the amps volume, the gain increases without losing defination or tone. This amp has one volume knob, two input jacks and an on/off switch, and that is all you need. The 5-7 watts of pure class A power is loud enough to gig in small clubs or coffee houses, for larger venues it will need to be mic'd and run through the PA. This amp is perfect as is, I wouldn't change a thing.

As I play this amp, I realize that I am clearly in a higher level of tone. I have owned many respectable tube amps in my lifetime, and this one clearly is the elite of tube amps. The tone is full, complex, chimey and keeps full note definition. Other tube amps have a shrill character in the upper mids. Pierson amps have a nice rounded three dimensional tone. The distortion is power tube overdrive, think Cream, Layla, and early Allman Brothers, not really a metal amp. I have all the usual culprits as far as guitars go, Strats, Gibson hollowbodies, and PRS's, any of those sound killer through this amp. The PTP, handwired construction keep this amp quiet and noise free. The solid pine tweed cabinet has a nice resonant tone that sounds and feels like a natural reverb. One word to describe the tone would be Heavenly.

Mr. Pierson stands behind his products. The build quality and components are absolutely the best. I have 100% confidence in Mr. Pierson and his amps and I would definately gig this amp without a backup.

Mr. Pierson answered my questions promptly and gave expert advice on tube selection, speaker/cabinet options, and construction materials. He was very helpful and kind, and even put a cream colored knob on it for me. I made it a point to keep my emails brief, and he was very cordial answering all my questions. He even followed up a few weeks after delivery, and I appreciated that very much.

I have been playing for 25 or so years. I own or have owned just about every guitar and amp. Currently I play a couple of PRS's, an old Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson ES135, but my favorites are a couple of beater guitars I found in pawn shops and customized. If it were lost or stolen, I would immediately replace it, because now I can't live without it. I absolutely love this amp (as does my wife) and liker her, I wouldn't change a thing. I looked at Victoria, Valve Train, and Orchid amps. Those are awsome amps, but Pierson goes the extra mile in materials and construction, and you get exactly what you want. When you purchase a Pierson amp, you are getting the personalized touches of a true craftsman. The best way to describe the playing experince is that its like stepping into a higher level of tone, simply amazing.

The amp was made in November of 2006. The amp is a clone Fender Tweed Champ with an upgraded cabinet and speaker. The cabinet is a larger Tweed Deluxe combined with a 12' Celestion Alnico Blue. The amp is single channel with 2 inputs,normal and bright, one control that is for volume and tone. The amp is said to have between 5-7 watts of power. It is all hand wired and uses the best components available . It has NOS tubes that are of very early vintage. It is primarily an amp for the studio or for rehearsing but I wanted a "house amp" (I play gigs at private parties in clients houses)and Ludo noted the choice of speaker/cabinet would accomodate that very well. It comes with a lifetime warranty(Ludo Pierson's life). I gave it a 10 rating because it is designed for simplicity and tone and it met my goal. It's main feature is it's ability to produce clean sounds to varying degrees of overdrive with a turn of the volume control or your guitar and hands. Tone right from the start. Sorry, no metal here except for the chassis and speaker.

I've used the amp with LP Standards, LP Custom, Fender Strat & Teles and PRS's. I combine the amp with a Keeley DD3 and it makes the amp/guitar shine and adds that bit of shimmer that is in my tone. I have not used any pedals as the tone is right enclosed in the amp/guitar and your hands. All sound great with the PRS exhibiting the more tonal qualities probalby due to the Rosewood neck and hot pickups. It has the full,rich and sparkly tones that one would expect from a vintage Fender amp. As you turn up the volume a very smooth overdrive begins to appear. As you continue to increase the volume it gets into classic distortion and keeps the notes well defined. No metal distortion as that is not what it was designed for. The bottom line on this amp is it will reproduce whatever goes into it. If you don't like what you hear you might consider taking some lessons on playing clean or getting a new guitar.

The amp is well built that I do not think it will break. It is built beyond great and Ludo takes a lot of pride into the quality and workmanship. I still give it a 10 due to the quality build, only 3 tubes and the unit will not get abused. I will get some more tubes as this is probably the only weak point.

Ludo Pierson communicated regularly during the build of the amp. He answered all my questions and was very in tune to my needs and tonal request. There is no doubt that he is dedicated to producing a superior quality amp. He guarantees his amps for as long as he is alive. I have no doubt that he will do whatever it takes to keep his customers happy and that is priceless.

I have been playing a long time (since 1971) and I am overjoyed with this amp. The amp was not intended to replace any amp I have but to add to my tonal arsenal (lot of marshalls). It is simple to use and sounds fantastic. This is a single 6V6 Fender Tone Monster and it is a great amp for playing small gigs or just enjoyment. If you are thinking of pure tone and simplicity, you would not go wrong with this amp or one of Pierson's amps. He does make other styles (bassman, deluxe, twin). I have no doubt that these sound as good or better than the vintage ones and they are built better. For the quality and tone, the amp is a super deal.

Made in 2005 this is a 2 input single channel, volume only, 5 watt amp. It is all hand wired and uses the best components available including military grade tube sockets. It has an 8 in. Jensen speaker. The circuitry is basically a clone of a vintage Fender Tweed Champ. It ships with NOS tubes. Mine came with tubes from the 50/60's. It is primarily an amp for the studio or for rehearsing. It comes with a lifetime warranty. (Mr. Pierson's life) I only give it a 5 rating because it has a specific use and is designed for simplicity and tone. It's main feature is it's ability to produce clean sounds to varying degrees of overdrive with a turn of the volume control.

I've used it with an ES 335 and a Stratocaster and both sound beautiful. It has the full,rich and sparkly tones that you would expect from a vintage Fender amp. As you turn up the volume a very smooth overdrive begins to appear. As you continue to increase the volume it gets into classic rock distortion realm and keeps the notes well defined. You won't get metal distortion out of it but then that's not what it was designed for. The bottom line on this amp is it will reproduce whatever goes into it in an audiophile fashion. If you don't like what you hear you might consider getting a new guitar.

I haven't had it that long to know about it's dependability but so far so good.

Mr. Pierson is readily available and is dedicated to producing a superior quality amp. He guarantees his amps for as long as he is alive. I have no doubt that he will do whatever it takes to keep his customers happy. If you want to ask him something here's his website. http://www.tubecellar.com/champ/index.html

I can't say enough about this amp. It is everything I was hoping for. It's simple to use and sounds fantastic. I've been playing for 35 plus years and been through alot of amps. This is as good as it gets for a 6L6 based shimmering Fender amp and it is an essential tool for any studio. The bottom line: If you're thinking of putting out the money for a vintage tweed Fender or a Victoria you owe it to yourself to check out a Pierson. I have no doubt that these sound as good or better than the vintage ones and they're probably built better. They look great too which means it has passed my wife's inspection and it has a dedicated place in the living room. I know this review sounds somewhat scripted but until 2 months ago I'd never heard of these amps. Here's another valuable website which actually lead me to Mr. Pierson. http://www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com

Built in 2005

This is a replica of the classic tweed champ so familiar on many classic recordings. It has a single volume control knob and the tone is run from the guitar. This amp will be used for practice and recording. Beautiful tube distortion at low volume makes this a recording amp dream.

I have used this amp with several guitars it sounds great with single coil or humbuckers. About half way up it has a 3d lush clean tone. Cranked up the 6v6 sings with tube distortion. Very sensitive to tube choice. Great harmonic content. Dead quiet, which is a testimony to the build quality.

This amp is not a gigging type of amp. The build quality is as good as it gets. Top quality parts and wonderful craftsmanship.

Communication was excellent, quick email turn around time. Ludo kept me appraised during the build process. A great guy that puts pride into his work. Im sure he would stand behind his amp as long as I own it.

I have been playing about 35 years. I own a Two Rock, DrZ Route 66, Fender black face Super and a Pro Reverb. This champ fits right in. It is the sweetest sounding champ I have played. There are alot of people buildings clones now, and some outstanding companies such as Victoria, but for my money I choose Pierson.

This amp was purchased new in 2004.

This amp type is a classic rock icon that has been used on more hard rock recordings than most realize. "Layla" was just one rock song recorded on these amps. Led Zep used to use a 10 watt Supro in the studio. Same thinking... use a small cranked amp with will not overload a great large diaphram studio mic and it will record "larger" than any 100 watt stack will sound. This amp has touch sensitivity and articulation in spades.

This is a classic Fender 5F1 Tweed Champ circuit. The amp was built by Pierson Amps. I had checked out about a dozen of these over time and every one was pretty spectacular. I finally had to break down and get one of these for my own.

There are only three "tubes" in the amp. 1 12AX7 handles the duties of the gain/tone stage on one side of the tube and the driver for the output tube on the other side of V1. As there are no tone controls (use the one on your guitar), there is no need for a tone recovery stage. This makes the amp VERY sensitive (in a great way) you choices for V1. If you want the amp brighter, just toss in an RCA 7025 or long plate GE. Telefunkens are bright too. You want it darker, a GT-12AX7M.

The output tube is a single 6V6. The rectifer is the proper 5Y3.

Typical champs put out 3-4 watts or so. Many have been re-speakered with 8 ohm speakers rather than the orignal 4 ohm speakers. This will drop the output. The Pierson Champ has a proper AlNico 4 ohm 8" speaker and it sounds great. Every one of these amp I tested had an output of over 5 watts and most of them 6+. All of the amps had a noise floor below 2.0mV which is MUCH more quiet than the originals.

NOS tubes are used throughout. Belton industrial octal sockets do not rattle as the original sockets and will last forever. The sockets are all top notch Switchcraft. The resistors are fresh carbon comp resistors and everything else is top notch including the cloth covered wiring.

The cabinet is really nicely done. I opted for a slight upcharge for a darker varnish as it makes the amp look a bit more vintage and has that smokey dive bar dive character. I know it's my imagination but the darker varnish also makes the amp sound even better!

I use this amp with all sorts of guitars.

Very touch sensitive as most of the great classic small tube amps that can be nicely overdriven.

The amp is VERY quiet. This may be due to very careful wiring and super solder work but may also be that these amps have a non-magnetic chassis of stainless steel.

These amps are pretty darn reliable but in the case of these they have upgraded parts and the construction is top notch.

I think the warranty is forever.

Pierson is a small shop where one fellow does it all. He answers emails in a flash and I think everybody thinks he is one of the very top builders in the business.

I have been playing since I was 8 years old. I am 56 now (in June 05 anyway).

I have a fair amount of geat and am in the music industry. My website can be found by typing Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting in Yahoo. (I don't know if they allow URL's here). There is more on my website on this amp and some others that I feel are some of the finest amps in the world.

Pierson also builds an amazing tweed deluxe. I have asked him to build be a low power tweed twin that might be ready early this summer. His delivery time on the champs and deluxe amps is a few weeks generally but those are some of his standard products where the tweed twins are something of custom order.