5F1 Champ Value Pack Parts List

The Fender 5F1 Champ is a classic tweed circuit: one 12AX7, one 6V6, one rectifier and a single volume knob. It is a small, cathode-biased single-ended amp, and it is the amp behind a surprising number of famous studio guitar tones.

This list follows the popular 5F1 layout by Rob Robinette, with every part linked to our Australian store and notes for building on 240 V mains. This Value pack uses Evatco & Generic Branded capacitors which are used by techs all over Australia and work perfectly well. If you wish to have the best options, choose the 5F1 Champ Premium Pack Parts List which will included premium capacitors and an upgraded output transformer.

5 W single-ended Class A
12AX7 preamp
6V6GT power valve
5Y3GT rectifier
Cathode biased (no bias adjust)
1 volume, 2 inputs

Important Product Information: This is a Component Pack, NOT a Kit

The 5F1 Champ pack contains a collection of individual parts to save you time when sourcing materials for a build. It does not include instructions, step-by-step assembly guides, or build support from Evatco. This product is intended strictly for experienced builders and technicians.

What this list does not include

This parts list covers the amplifier chassis and electronics only. It does not include the cabinet or the speaker. Those depend on whether you build a small original-size Champ cabinet or a larger one, so choose them once your cabinet plan is settled. See our speaker recommendations below.

Safety first

Valve amps run at lethal voltages, and the filter capacitors can hold a charge after the amp is switched off and unplugged. Read our valve amp safety notes before you start, and have your mains wiring checked by a qualified person before first power-up.

Building in Australia: 240 V notes

Most 5F1 layouts and schematics online, including Rob Robinette's, are drawn for 120 V North American mains. Please read these points before you order or wire anything.

1. Use a 240 V power transformer

A US 120 V-only transformer (such as the Hammond 290AX) will not work safely here. Use the Hammond 291AEX, which has a multi-tap 120 / 220 / 230 / 240 V, 50/60 Hz primary. Wire the 240 V tap and insulate the unused primary leads individually with heat shrink. Follow the Hammond wiring diagram for your transformer, as lead colours vary.

2. Australian mains wiring colours

Rob's layout uses US colours (black = hot, white = neutral, green = ground). In Australia:

Brown = Active (replaces "black / hot")
Blue = Neutral (replaces "white")
Green/yellow = Earth (replaces "green / safety ground")

The fuse and power switch must both be in the Active line. The earth wire goes to its own dedicated, star-washered solder lug on the chassis, close to where the mains lead enters, and is never removed.

3. Fuse rating and type

The 2 A fuse shown on US layouts is for 120 V mains. At 240 V the primary current is roughly halved, so a slow-blow fuse in the 500 mA to 1 A range is typical for a Champ. Check the transformer datasheet and your schematic before deciding. Use a slow-blow (T) fuse, not fast-blow, so the switch-on surge does not blow it.

Fuses come in two common sizes: 3AG (6.3 × 32 mm) and M205 (5 × 20 mm). Make sure the fuse matches your fuse holder.

4. Power switch and mains lead

Rob's layout uses a volume pot with a built-in power switch. For 240 V we recommend a separate toggle switch rated for 240 V AC. Check your chassis has a hole for it, or drill one. Use a 3-core, earthed 240 V mains cord with a proper cable gland for strain relief.

5. Expect slightly higher voltages

Australian mains often sits at 240 to 250 V, so B+ and heater voltages can read a little higher than on US-drawn layouts. That is why we list 500 V filter capacitors below rather than the 450 V or 475 V parts shown on the original layout.

The parts list

Reference numbers (R1, C1, V1 and so on) match Rob Robinette's 5F1 layou. Always check values against the schematic and layout you are building from, as versions and mods differ and Rob may change his.

Chassis, board and hardware

Ref	Qty	Part	Evatco product
—	1	5F1 tweed Champ chassis, pre-punched	5F1 Chassis Tweed Champ Style
—	1	5F1 layout turret board	5F1 Turret Board
V2, V3	2	Octal (8-pin) valve sockets for the 6V6 and 5Y3	Fender-style octal ceramic socket
V1	1	9-pin valve socket for the 12AX7	9-pin sockets
—	2	Octal valve retainer clips	Clip-type octal tube retainer
—	2	M3 and M4 (6 pack)Screws, nuts and washers	Screws & washers
—	4m	Solder lugs for ground points (one dedicated to mains earth)	Locking earth solder lugs
—	2	10mm Rubber grommets for transformer leads through the chassis	Rubber grommets

Transformers

Ref	Qty	Part	Evatco product
PT	1	Power transformer, 240 V primary, 325-0-325 V, 6.3 V CT and 5 V heaters. Ground the 6.3 V centre tap.	Hammond 291AEX
OT	1	Single-ended output transformer, 5 W, 5 k / 8 k primary (use the 8 k tap for a 6V6), 3.2 Ω secondary. Pair it with a 4 Ω speaker. ( you can purchase the 1760C )	Hammond 1750C

Valves

We provide and recommend JJ for this amp, however if you wish to consider other options in the future, try our Fender Champ retube kit, which includes a range of tubes you could use.

Ref	Qty	Part	Evatco product
V1	1	12AX7 preamp valve (both triodes used: V1A preamp, V1B driver)	JJ 12AX7 / ECC83S
V2	1	6V6GT power valve	JJ 6V6S
V3	1	5Y3GT rectifier for the classic tweed sag	JJ 5Y3S

The tubes selected are the ideal items for this amp, however, if you have been told to try other tubes in the first-stage valve, try our V1 Preamp Tube Simulator compares gain and character. For more on rectifiers, read Understanding Rectifier Tubes.

Resistors

Ref	Qty	Value	Function	Evatco product
R1	1	1 MΩ	Input jack grid resistor	1 W carbon film
R2, R3	2	68 kΩ	Grid stoppers	1 W Metal Oxide
R4	1	1.5 kΩ	V1A cathode	1 W Metal Oxide
R5, R7	2	100 kΩ	V1 plate loads	1 W Metal Oxide
R6	1	1.5 kΩ	V1B cathode	1 W Metal Oxide
R9	1	220 kΩ	V2 grid leak	1 W Metal Oxide
R13	1	22 kΩ	Negative feedback	1 W Metal Oxide
R10	1	10 kΩ 2 W	B+ voltage dropping	2 W metal oxide
R11	1	22 kΩ 2 W	B+ voltage dropping	2 W metal oxide
R8	1	470 Ω 5 W	6V6 cathode (bias) resistor	5 W cement

Need to check a value? Our FAQs & Tools page includes a resistor colour code guide.

Capacitors

Ref	Qty	Value	Function	Evatco product
C1, C2	2	0.022 µF 630V	V1A and V1B coupling caps (outer foil to the lower-impedance side) Generic Metal Film	Metal Film 630 V
C3	1	16 µF 500 V	B+1 filter (first filter after the rectifier) Evatco Brand	Axial electrolytics
C4, C5	2	8 µF 450 V	B+2 and B+3 filters Evatco Branded	Axial electrolytics
C6	1	25 µF 50 V	6V6 cathode bypass Evatco Branded	25 µF 50 V axial
C7	1	25 µF 50 V	Optional V1A cathode bypass (more gain & bass) Evatco Branded	25 µF 50 V axial

Electrolytic capacitors are polarised. Double-check the orientation of every filter and bypass cap before power-up. See our capacitor guides for code and voltage help.

Controls, jacks and pilot light

Ref	Qty	Part	Evatco product
R12	1	1 MΩ audio (log) taper pot, volume	Alpha 1M audio Switch
—	1	Black Knob for volume pot (chicken-head for the period look)	Amp knobs
In 1, In 2	2	1/4" mono input jacks (Hi and Lo)	Switchcraft Type 11
Spkr	1	1/4" mono speaker output jack	Switchcraft Type 11
Light	1	Pilot light assembly & Green Jewel	Jewel bezels
—	1	6.3 V pilot lamp bulb (runs off the heater winding)	Amp dial lamp bulbs

Mains, fuse and wiring

Ref	Qty	Part	Evatco product
F1	1	Panel-mount fuse holder	3AG fuse holder
F1	2+	Slow-blow fuse, 500 mA to 1 A for 240 V (keep spares)	Fuses & fuse holders
—	1	3-core earthed 240 V mains lead	240 V mains cord
—	1	Cable gland / strain relief for the mains lead	Cable gland
—	1	Heat shrink for all mains connections and unused transformer leads	Heat shrink pack
—	3m	Hook-up wire for the classic vintage look	Vintage cloth pushback wire
—	1m.	Twisted heater wire (6.3 V and 5 V runs)	Heater wire
—	1	Bare wire for the preamp and power-amp ground buses	18 AWG buss wire
—	as req.	Speaker wire, jack to speaker	Speaker wire

Tools

Temperature-controlled soldering iron (40–60 W) and quality solder
Multimeter for checking voltages and continuity
Wire trimmers and strippers
Note: These chassis are steel, if you need to add a hole or modify the chassis, ensure you use steel drill bits and nail punch to reduce the chance of going off centre.
A variac or "bulb limiter" for first power-up is strongly recommended

Speaker and cabinet (not included)

The speaker and cabinet are not part of the parts list above. Your speaker choice depends on the size of the cabinet you build:

Original-size Champ cabinet: Jensen P8R

An 8" alnico speaker for the classic narrow-panel Champ cabinet. This is the traditional Champ sound: focused, bright and quick to break up, and the classic small studio amp tone.

Jensen P8R 4 Ω

Larger cabinet: Jensen P10R

A 10" alnico speaker for a bigger cabinet. You get a fuller bottom end and a little more volume while keeping the vintage tweed character. It is a popular upgrade for a Champ.

Jensen P10R 4 Ω

Match the speaker to the output transformer

The Hammond 1750C has a 3.2 Ω secondary, so use a 4 Ω speaker with it (both links above are 4 Ω). If you would rather use an 8 Ω or 16 Ω speaker, choose the multi-tap Hammond 1760C output transformer and wire the matching tap. Never run a valve amp without a speaker connected.

For the cabinet covering, our gold tweed authentic woven fabric and beige, brown and gold stripe grill cloth give the period-correct look. Our free Tolex & Grill Cloth Estimator works out how much to order. Add a Fender-style leather handle, chassis straps and feet to finish it off.

Learn more

Rob Robinette's How Amps Work is one of the best free explanations of valve amp circuits on the web. His detailed 5F1 layout (PDF) and annotated schematic are the basis for the reference numbers on this page. Remember his drawings are for 120 V mains, so apply the 240 V notes above.

Still deciding between amps? Read Should I build a 5F1 or 5E3?, see the 5E3 Tweed Deluxe parts list, or explore the Fender tweed evolution.