1x12 Princeton Reverb mod?

Jazzman301 · #1 12-01-2011, 06:11 PM

Just curisou if anyone had any knowledge of how hard it would be to mod a Priceton Reverb with a 12" speaker?

'Mike

rpguitar · #2 12-01-2011, 06:30 PM

You need a new baffle. But the problem is that some Princetons have the baffle glued on, making it nearly impossible to remove and replace. Others have screws. I don't recall the years of these specs, but Google will help you there.

I have a SFPR and I had a new cabinet made for it instead, with a 12" of course. I love the amp. Best $600 I ever spent. Been through 90 odd guitars but haven't bought a tube amp since I got the Princeton 10 years ago or so.

jorgemg1984 · #3 12-01-2011, 07:16 PM

You need this

Search Results

Do you already have a Princeton?

Jazzman301 · #4 12-01-2011, 07:48 PM

Not yet but my father in law might have a line on one. I need to check out he deluxe reverb in the local pawn shop for $575 or so. I think its a black face. I might go and check that out tomorow.

I really like the bottom end a 12" provides and the 10" speaker in the Princeton is a bit of a drawback for me. In fact its really the only down side I can see, at least for my uses.

'Mike

Little Jay · #5 12-02-2011, 12:51 AM

Check here: Princeton Reverb fenderguru.com. Fender amps, mods, modifications, vintage, maintenance, tubes, speakers, schematics, blackface, silverface, jens mosbergvik.

(scroll down to '12" speaker upgrade')

bananafist · #6 12-02-2011, 05:32 AM

Jeepers! I wish I could get an old blackface Deluxe Reverb for $575! Here in the UK they fetch between £1000-2000 ($1500-$3000). Go for it, even if it needs work. If its a no, buy it and sell it to me!!!

Jazzman301 · #7 12-02-2011, 08:19 AM

I am not sure the age. The pawn shop keeps odd hours which make it a challenge to get in and actually take a look at.

'Mike

jmstritt · #8 12-02-2011, 08:26 AM

Look carefully at that Deluxe Reverb. There is no way IMO that is an authentic Blackface. Most likely it is a reissue, which is still a fine amp, but not nearly as valueable or collectible as a Blackface. A real Blackface DR in good condition should reasonably fetch $1500-$2000.

Having said that, try it, see if you like it. If it is a reissue than the $575 price is a fair one, just dont let the shopkeeper pass it off as something it is not.

Also, keep looking for a Princeton. They are different animals and you may find that you prefer the PR. If you need a 1x12 you can get a 1x12 Fender style cab from mojotone (www.mojotone.com (No Affiliation)) for reasonable prices.

Jazzman301 · #9 12-02-2011, 08:49 AM

I don't plan on buying anything at the pawn shop YET. I want to write down the serial numbers and anything else I think maybe useful in dating the amp. AFTER I find out what it is then I will make a choice. If its a reissue...I am not willing to pay $575. Maybe $400 but I will open up with $325...haha See what happens. Whats the worst case scenario...he says no and I move on?
I know I really dig the sound of a Princeton. I played a silver face this summer and I just loved the warm sound it was giving me. Just wish it had a bit more bottom.

I can't seem to find out if the Princeton is a tube driven spring reverb like the Deluxe is. Anyone?

'Mike

rpguitar · #10 12-02-2011, 09:09 AM

An original Princeton Reverb is a fully tube driven amp, including the reverb.

Fender Amp Field Guide - best single resource on the net for Fender Amp specs:
The Fender Amp Field Guide

Remember that a Princeton also has a speaker jack, so you can plug in any cabinet you want. Not as portable obviously, but it's an option.

Also, don't be clueless about the market for PR Reissues. $400 is a low ball price. I just checked Ebay, and there's a recent one that sold for $610 and had 4 bids to get there.

Jazzman301 · #11 12-02-2011, 09:55 AM

Anythoughts on the Princeton Reverb II(the early 80s Rivera era with a 12") are these worth while. My limited knowledge says that Rivera stuff is good...
I found a PRII on ebay only at $500 with just 8 hours left..Might be worth it.

'Mike

AlohaJoe · #12 12-02-2011, 02:40 PM

I have a '65 PR that had a 12" speaker and baffle when I got it. I restored the 10" baffle and replaced the speaker with an AlNiCo Weber 10" that sounds fantastic and has a nice, tight low end. The PR does have a speaker out and I run a 12" extension cab if needed.

It's just my opinion, but the PR cab is small and sounds a little boxy w a 12" to me. if you find a nice vintage amp, I'd recommend leaving it alone and getting a deeper ext cab w a 12" or look for a Deluxe Reverb.

TruthHertz · #13 12-02-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

Anythoughts on the Princeton Reverb II(the early 80s Rivera era with a 12") are these worth while. My limited knowledge says that Rivera stuff is good...
I found a PRII on ebay only at $500 with just 8 hours left..Might be worth it.

'Mike

Have one and I love it. It's like a deluxe, in that power range, but it's got the Princeton guts and an overdrive which I never use. I think this was Fender's answer to all the people that were taking Princetons and modding them into Boogie circuitry (as were the original Mesa Boogies). Yes, for me it's a 12 in Princeton with a little extra power in a slightly bigger cabinet. Still compact. Beautiful sound and hard to find.
David

Jazzman301 · #14 12-02-2011, 03:08 PM

I am watching that Princeton Reverb II very carefuly. It will be MORE than worth it if I can grab it up for reasonable money. I just wanted to make sure that the cleans were still that Princeton Reverb Clean and not something else completely.

'Mike

TruthHertz · #15 12-02-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

I am watching that Princeton Reverb II very carefuly. It will be MORE than worth it if I can grab it up for reasonable money. I just wanted to make sure that the cleans were still that Princeton Reverb Clean and not something else completely.

'Mike

Oh yeah, just took a peek. Too bad there's no footswitch. Good price. Be patient, bid real close to the end and put a big bid on it. Snipe that baby.
Good luck!
By the way, I did put a hemp coned Eminence in mine, it sounded fine as it was but now it's sooo sweet.
David

Jazzman301 · #16 12-02-2011, 03:45 PM

I am watching it like a mother watching over a sick child!

I am actually contemplating this or a really well priced Traynor YCV40W.
Traynor YCV40W Custom Valve 1x12'' 40 watt Guitar Amp Combo | eBay

I have heard good things about Traynor...and its made in North America...

I wonder if I don't get the PRII if this might be a reasonable thing to take a chance on...cheap enough. Hell if I don't like it I will just give it to the local high school for their Jazz band etc. My music teacher friends will certainly appreciate it.

'Mike

Jazzman301 · #17 12-02-2011, 05:43 PM

Down to the last 25 or so minutes...Hard to wait haha. I plan to wait until the last 2 or so minutes and see what happens. I am shocked only one bid has been put in thus far. Maybe those not in the square of knowing think its a less than amp...I just knew it was Rivera era and that Rivera makes/made great stuff.

'Mike

Jazzman301 · #18 12-02-2011, 06:09 PM

Damn...outbid at the last second. Someone must have used bid sniper or something. I was the highest bidder with 5 seconds left and bam out bid. Just went for a whopping $520...

'Mike

Greco · #19 12-02-2011, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

Damn...outbid at the last second. Someone must have used bid sniper or something. I was the highest bidder with 5 seconds left and bam out bid. Just went for a whopping $520...

'Mike

Too bad Mike.

Keep on lookin'/shoppin'/biddin'

Cheers

Dave

Jazzman301 · #20 12-02-2011, 07:34 PM

Thats rough sauce to be out bid and what I have decided is the perfect amp for me...Princeto sounds with a bit more wattage....Arg...haha

'Mike

TruthHertz · #21 12-02-2011, 10:18 PM

They got a good deal. That's what I meant bid high and close to the end. The bid will only go as high as it needs, never more. You place a bid of $700 on it and unless your competition does the same, you get it for a dollar over his best. Don't feel bad, they are out there. The economy is headed down the loo so someone else will be needing the $ soon, I'm sure.
I'll let you know if I reach that point myself!
David

Jazzman301 · #22 12-03-2011, 10:21 AM

Well I claim ebay bidder ignorance. That was the first thing I bid on. I never really paid much attention to ebay before and only yesterday created an account...so live and learn.

bmw2002 · #23 12-03-2011, 11:34 AM

You might also look for the non-reverb version of an old Princeton. I bought a 1970 SF off of ebay a couple of years ago for about $525 and simply use an external reverb with it. The early '70's models have the removable baffle so at times I will install a replacement baffle (Mojotone) with a 12" Weber California, or revert back to the original baffle and the ten inch speaker (I use a Tone Tubby 10"). Recently I've been using the 10". Total switch out time is about 15 minutes. In addition, as someone noted, there is an output jack so you can always plug in a 12" cabinet if you need a bigger speaker. Bottom line, don't rule out the non-reverb version, especially the early '70's SF's.

jorgemg1984 · #24 12-03-2011, 11:39 AM

Just as a side note I added a combo / head / switch to two of my combos. Very cheap and practical - I can use both as cabinets for my jazz head or with my 2x12 4 ohms (4 ohms is their minimum load so the only way to use those amps with the cabinet was adding this three-way switch). Or as regular combos. All amps should have this stock IMO.

hallpass · #25 12-04-2011, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzman301

Just curisou if anyone had any knowledge of how hard it would be to mod a Priceton Reverb with a 12" speaker?

'Mike

I think some silverface PRs have a glued baffle and you'd want a screwed in baffle. I was able to buy a 12" baffle for my PR reissue. Love it. Did a holiday jazz gig with it in a trio format last night.

Little Jay · #26 12-05-2011, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Check here: Princeton Reverb fenderguru.com. Fender amps, mods, modifications, vintage, maintenance, tubes, speakers, schematics, blackface, silverface, jens mosbergvik.

(scroll down to '12" speaker upgrade')

I was surprised to read in the link I posted above that apparently you don't even need a 12" baffle board. Here they promote that you can put a 12"speaker over the 10" hole and it will work fine... hmmm.... I would rather make a new baffle-board. It's easy enough, already did that once when I changed my Blues Deluxe from 1x12" to 2x10".