You ever wonder how to get that “spaghetti western” sound from The Good the Bad and the Ugly and other westerns? Ever try to get that surf guitar sound too? Well that original sound came from a guitar amp called the Fender Champ.

These days you can get all types of amplifier simulators—some even come bundled with sound recording software like Garageband and these are fun. But there is nothing like the real thing. I have a Fender Champ Jr. and I absolutely love one knob on it - the Tremolo. It modulates the sound and gives it a wavy twang, long or short vibe depending on which way you turn the knob and what frequency you give it.

It’s really an unmistakable sound. It will remind you of tumbleweeds and deserts and dust storms and cowboy movies. I also like the way the Fender Champ because it looks cool. It’s an amp that I don’t mind standing next to at a gig. It has that nifty visual appeal going for it. So there you have it. It looks good and sounds good. What more do could you want?

I’ve had the rare and fun occasion of sitting down with a variety of amplifiers and different rare vintage guitars. I could have spent all day in there. But I think I will always come back to the Fender Champs. I just love them. (Cue dream sequence of me sitting in heaven with a rare vintage guitar plugged into a Fender Champ.)