Fender’s early lap steel models, first introduced in 1946, are held in the same regard as the company’s groundbreaking electric guitars, helping establish many of the construction techniques and electronic designs that would define Fender instruments for decades. By the late 1950s, the Champ had become Fender’s main student lap steel, evolving from the earlier Champion models with refined cosmetics and a more modern feel.
This 1963 Fender Champ lap steel follows the classic features that shaped the model’s identity. It retains the bevelled body edge and sleek slab construction, paired with the recessed peghead and mid-body spaghetti logo that became signatures of the Champ design. Its original Fender single-coil pickup delivers the clear, focused voice these steels are known for. This example includes the integrated fingerboard with position markers and fixed string-through layout typical of the period. This lapsteel is internally and externally original, and includes a gig bag.
This lapsteel has been given a full service by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty.
