Shrill high E on my 65 Princeton Reverb Limited Addition - Suggestions?

[John A.]

Try the second channel. Some Fender amps have a "bright cap" on the Channel 1 input; I don't know if that's the case with the Princeton. If so and if it's contributing to the problem, that's easily remedied.

PR is a one channel amp and does not have a bright cap. There are two inputs, and input 2 is lower gain, which might make the tone cleaner and less spikey, but not all that much so IME.

To the OP: overall, PR's are usually less bright and spikey sounding than the other Fender BF-based reverb amps. Two things come to mind for me (as a long-time, though now former, PR owner):

- "Flat" (or more accurately, least scooped) on a stock PR is with the bass and treble knobs both turned all the way down. It also doesn't have a mid control, so the way to tame trebles and emphasize mids is to turn the tone knobs all the way down and turn the volume up. It's a bit counter-intuitive, since on most amps, the middle position of a knob is neutral, but on a PR, that's not how it goes. If you haven't done so, try that.
- Weird distorted trebly spikes can be a symptom of a problem of some kind. For instance, if it has kind of a doubled/ghost high harmomic sound to it, that could mean bad filter caps. Other kinds of spikey, scratchy treble distortion could be tubes, a bad speaker, or some other bad component. Before bailing on the amp, maybe see if you can get a tech (or at someone with an ear for Fender amp problems) to have a listen. Maybe even post a recording here demonstrating how the amp sounds as you sweep through the range of the treble knob.

[John H. Power]

For what it’s worth, I’m also using an Eminence Lil’ Buddy in a Princeton and it sounds great (I also use the second input).

The 12 inch speaker?

[John H. Power]

I am using the 2nd channel. I am going to try the "flat" settings as described by another poster and see what happens.

[bluejaybill]

My head is spinning from all these suggestions but thanks for taking the time to give them to me. To try all these options sounds lke way more effort and/or money than I hoped to expend on what is, for all practical purposes, a brand new amp.

Sounds like it may be easier and more efficient to take the amp to an expert along with the guitar and have him figure out what to do.

I did lower the pole under the high E string and it did help.

It sounds to me like the guitar has a sound anomaly that is accentuated by the EQ of the Princeton, since you don't hear it on your other amp. It could be inherent to the guitar, a bridge issue, or a string issue. Try a heavier first string. Lots of folks on the forum go a gauge heavier on the first two strings. And check the bridge to see if there's a bad edge or something.

I wouldn’t go crazy on the amp until you make sure the guitar is right. You could also try plugging into a couple of other amps to provide information.

After that you could check out the amp. The quickest and easiest change is to put a great 12AX7 in the first spot. After that, a speaker swap.

But there is at least a possibility that you aren't bonding with the amp, or that it's just a bad match for that particular guitar. I have a great BF Deluxe Reverb, and unfortunately I don't really like it for jazz with my two arch tops, though it's great for my solid bodies and any other style. And I have another boutique Fender style amp that is great for one arch top and not the other; for that one I use an EQ pedal.

Good luck!

[Christian Miller]

The 12 inch speaker?

The 12” version is the Cannabis Rex


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[Sam Sherry]

My recommendation is to start at the very foundation.

> Adjust the knobs on the amp. Yeah, I know it's obvious but . . .
If that doesn't do it then

> Bring the guitar and amp outside -- eliminate the room!
> Move around while you play outside -- eliminate any laser-beam effect from the speaker
> Raise your high-E screw-pole 1/4 turn
> Raise your high-side pickup height adjustment by 1/2 turn (i.e. 1/64")
> Move your right-hand picking position
> Try one of the rounder edges of your pick
We have spent zero dollars so far.

If none of that helps:
> Thicken up your strings by one gauge
> Thicken up your pick by one gauge
We have spent under twenty dollars so far.

If none of that helps:
> Bring your guitar to a shop for a setup. Bring your amp. Don't leave the guitar until you've played it for the repairer so they can see what you want them to work on.
> When you go back to collect the guitar at the shop bring your amp. Test it out.
We're still working on the same guitar, same pickup, same amp, same speaker

At that point, if you aren't happy try plugging your guitar and your amp into some speakers at the shop.
If you don't find something you like try a couple of amps.

But the odds are overwhelming that nothing more than knob-twiddling, hand-moving, pick-twisting and minor pickup & pole adjusting will get you somewhere.
You've got perfectly fine gear. With the slightest bit of help you will be back to work.

All the best with your quest.