Fender Princeton Reverb Re-Issue Limited Edition

[vashondan]

I want the Knotty Pine version with the Cream Alnico BAD.

Attachment 60602Attachment 60601

That is one purty amp!

[cosmic gumbo]

Can you say more? Curious about what you're hearing. I mean i love the 10" ers. But this sounds pretty nice as well

This amp does sound sweet, almost like a deluxe reverb. The 10" will be less boomy in a bigger room, more responsive. Sound is subjective.

[ruger9]

This amp does sound sweet, almost like a deluxe reverb. The 10" will be less boomy in a bigger room, more responsive. Sound is subjective.

Definitely subjective... alot of people think PR's sound kind of small, and a 12" speaker is a must-do mod... makes them sound "like a bigger amp". Altho I could maybe see the 10" being less boomy for hollowbodies...

[lawson-stone]

This amp does sound sweet, almost like a deluxe reverb. The 10" will be less boomy in a bigger room, more responsive. Sound is subjective.

I love 10" speakers too. I have a 2 wonderful 10" cabs I use with my DVMark Micro 50 head. But this 12" CR seems not to be so boomy with B/T both on 4 or 5. I can roll back the bass if I need to. I wish I could quantify what I love about this amp, but I can't. I wonder also if the 12" speaker in the slightly smaller cab of the PR affects it?

[Max405]

”I wish I could quantify what I love about this amp, but I can't...”

And that’s the reason. In a nut shell, sound is so complex, why try and put it into words? Sometimes you just can’t.
Lawson, I said the same thing about my Princeton.
But the bottom is, it’s just right.
And it’s tweed! (Can you see I have a soft spot for tweed?)

[lawson-stone]

And that’s the reason. In a nut shell, sound is so complex, why try and put it into words? Sometimes you just can’t.
Lawson, I said the same thing about my Princeton.
But the bottom is, it’s just right.
And it’s tweed! (Can you see I have a soft spot for tweed?)

It's interesting to play this thing. I have now 3 tube amps to compare. The MOnoprice 5 Watt, the Monoprice 15 Watt, and the PRRI. The Mononprice amps perform way, way above their class. Both are amps that have a definite place in my life. I also am pretty sure that, unlike a lot of side-by-side tests Ive done that were too close to call, I think I could separate these 3 amps very cleanly. I like the Fender sound best, and I've isolated places where I play the same phrase on all three and oddly it's the 5 watt and the PRRI that fall together. Maybe it's the 6V6 power tube(s)?? The EL84s in the Monoprice 15 Watt do create a different tone, one that I like using with my Hagstrom I solid-body when I want to go all James Gang.

Anyhow, if anyone is looking for a gear distraction to keep you from just practicing more, tube amps are a really enjoyable rabbit hole to dive down!

[Stringswinger]

Lawson, welcome to the rabbit hole that is indeed the world of tube amps. I have owned a few (actually quite a few) including a PRRI. I like having a tube amp in my tool chest of amps. My PRRI came with an Italian Jensen 10 inch speaker and was a weak jazz guitar amp. I modified it with a Weber copy of the old Jensen C-10N, JJ power and preamp tubes and an American made output transformer Allen TO-20). By the time I was done, it sounded pretty good, but then I obtained a vintage Princeton (1964 Noverb). I put the same Weber copy of the old Jensen C-10N in and some JJ tubes and the difference was dramatic. The vintage amp is warmer and fuller (I have since replaced the Weber in the vintage amp with a JBL D-110f from the late 60's and I have sold the reissue).

I am sure that with the 12 inch hemp cone speaker, your reissue is probably better sounding than my reissue was for jazz. But the world of vintage Fender amps awaits you. It is a step up (better tone and lighter weight, not to mention more robust construction). Do not take my word for it, try one.

6L6 and 6v6 tube amps work well for jazz. EL84 amps (and I have had a couple) are best for rock guitar sounds.

Here is a pic of my keeper tube amp:

[Gitfiddler]

Lawson, welcome to the rabbit hole that is indeed the world of tube amps. I have owned a few (actually quite a few) including a PRRI. I like having a tube amp in my tool chest of amps. My PRRI came with an Italian Jensen 10 inch speaker and was a weak jazz guitar amp. I modified it with a Weber copy of the old Jensen C-10N, JJ power and preamp tubes and an American made output transformer Allen TO-20). By the time I was done, it sounded pretty good, but then I obtained a vintage Princeton (1964 Noverb). I put the same Weber copy of the old Jensen C-10N in and some JJ tubes and the difference was dramatic. The vintage amp is warmer and fuller (I have since replaced the Weber in the vintage amp with a JBL D-110f from the late 60's and I have sold the reissue).

I am sure that with the 12 inch hemp cone speaker, your reissue is probably better sounding than my reissue was for jazz. But the world of vintage Fender amps awaits you. It is a step up (better tone and lighter weight, not to mention more robust construction). Do not take my word for it, try one.

6L6 and 6v6 tube amps work well for jazz. EL84 amps (and I have had a couple) are best for rock guitar sounds.

Here is a pic of my keeper tube amp:

Wow, that's a sweet looking BFP amp. Congratulations.

I too fell deep into the tube amp and Princeton rabbit hole. After price-to-tone comparison, long term value and depreciation, I dipped my toe into the vintage market, turning my back on the sexy looking reissue models entirely. Last year I scored a homely, used but not abused, great sounding '68 Drip Edge Princeton. It came with an Emi Legend that sounded killer, but I had a spare EV10 in the closet. It got the call and now lives happily in the old Princeton. OK.

Then last month I spotted an even more homely '68 Drip Edge Princeton Reverb priced below market. I took a chance and brought it home. After swapping out the well worn original Oxford speaker for an Emi Legend, the amp woke up as if it was fibrillated! It is VERY loud and has become my favorite 'little' amp in short order.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack. But these two 50+ year old little student amps have made me smile more than any amp should. They may need a bit of TLC going forward, but I have no plans to gig with them. Instead, they'll just keep me warm down here in my tube heated rabbit hole.

[lawson-stone]

Wow, that's a sweet looking BFP amp. Congratulations.

I too fell deep into the tube amp and Princeton rabbit hole. After price-to-tone comparison, long term value and depreciation, I dipped my toe into the vintage market, turning my back on the sexy looking reissue models entirely. Last year I scored a homely, used but not abused, great sounding '68 Drip Edge Princeton. It came with an Emi Legend that sounded killer, but I had a spare EV10 in the closet. It got the call and now lives happily in the old Princeton. OK.

Then last month I spotted an even more homely '68 Drip Edge Princeton Reverb priced below market. I took a chance and brought it home. After swapping out the well worn original Oxford speaker for an Emi Legend, the amp woke up as if it was fibrillated! It is VERY loud and has become my favorite 'little' amp in short order.

Sorry for the slight thread hijack. But these two 50+ year old little student amps have made me smile more than any amp should. They may need a bit of TLC going forward, but I have no plans to gig with them. Instead, they'll just keep me warm down here in my tube heated rabbit hole.

No apologies needed. I don't consider it a thread "Hi-jack" but rather an evolution. Evolve on!

[lawson-stone]

Nice! I’ve been tempted too but have told myself that I should get a Bassman if I’m getting a tweed since I wanted one since I started playing jazz.

What do you think of this amp vs. the Monoprice? A totally different class, I’m sure, but do they compare at all?


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Hey Rio,
I still have these two amps side-by-side and play them back and forth. Seriously, in the Monoprice 15 watt I have a JJ 5751 in V1 and V2, and a matched pair of Tubestore.com "preferred" 7189's in the power tube spots, and this amp is wonderful too. Volume at 5-7, I can turn the gain up to about 5 before it starts breaking up. The Princeton has a more sophisticated, complex sound, but the Monoprice stays kind of a "naughty" clean before it begins to break up. I love them both, and I play them both.

[gggomez]

Most of all Lawson congratulations on your playing i have always liked listening to you, you contribute a lot to the forum which I have not been tapping into much lately. So glad I have to hear how much you have developed. Super YOU make that amp and stringed wooden box with sound terrific.

[rabbit]

'Till now, I missed this.

Congratulations!

I want one too, and I already have three great amps!

Greedy wretch, I am.

[lawson-stone]

Most of all Lawson congratulations on your playing i have always liked listening to you, you contribute a lot to the forum which I have not been tapping into much lately. So glad I have to hear how much you have developed. Super YOU make that amp and stringed wooden box with sound terrific.

That's really encouraging. Thanks for that.

[lawson-stone]

'Till now, I missed this.

Congratulations!

I want one too, and I already have three great amps!

Greedy wretch, I am.

This is now my default amp. Maybe someday I'll get a Deluxe Reverb, but for now this Princeton Reverb scratches the itch.

[citizenk74]

Nothing inspires more practice/playing like a new-to-you amp, especially one like a Princeton in all its varieties. Congratulations, Lawson, and play it in good health!