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Post subject: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:52 am
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I've got what I think is a 1979 Silverface Princeton. It seems to be completely stock. It stays clean up the way up the dial. It never breaks up. I don't even think this thing has ever been serviced. I got it about 15 years ago from a guy that pulled it out of his basement. He got it in his childhood as the original owner. It has mostly been sitting in my basement since then. I called a local tech and he told me I would want to Blackface it.

Should I bring it in to get serviced? At this point it sounds normal to me. Is it worth doing anything to even though it seems to be working fine?

Should I have it modded? Leave it stock? It's kind of a time capsule as is I think.

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 6:17 am
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Others more knowledgable than myself might want to provide their comments, but I don't know if that amp needs to be "blackfaced" as the circuit on those smaller amps were rarely dinked with by CBS. Meaning... your amp already has the same circuit as a blackface Princeton.

You might consider swapping out the speaker for a different tone - or to protect the OES speaker. Look for one that breaks up earlier. Or just add a overdrive pedal in front of the amp if you want some crunch.

I'd say leave the amp alone... swapping out the driver is easy and reversible... and will preserve the original. That's a common practice. I have a 69/70 dripedge Princeton No-verb. Its a great little amp. My son had it in his room for years and ran it through a 2 x 10 cabinet.


Last edited by phansford on Tue Jun 06, 2017 10:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 7:37 am
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I transformed my 1980 non-verb Princeton from a puny 12-watt training amp into this 2 x 12 powerhouse driving a pair of JBL K120's in a custom built Showman enclosure......

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I've gigged with it and it acquits itself quite well when matched against platforms with three times its power output. Like all of these non-verb models, mine stays clean all the way to ten so I rely on a Zoom Amp Simulator for various types of distortions and overdrive.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:01 am
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What other modifications did you do to the circuit? Did you just change the tubes?

I think what you did looks awesome, but I don't really want to mess with my enclosure. I already have a 2x12 cabinet loaded with 12" blue label fender speakers from a 90's twin.


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:21 am
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Do you have photos of the circuit? Should look something like this. BTW... quality CE cap can is available from Antique Electronics. :)

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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 8:44 am
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No, no pics of the circuit. I doubt this thing has been opened since the factory.


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:02 am
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jackspratski wrote:
No, no pics of the circuit. I doubt this thing has been opened since the factory.


This is usually a good thing. Just replace parts out of spec and dried up electrolytic caps --- and you'll be good to go for another bunch of years.

I would NOT mod the circuit. The amp will keep its resale value, being as close to stock as possible.

:mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 9:51 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
jackspratski wrote:
No, no pics of the circuit. I doubt this thing has been opened since the factory.


This is usually a good thing. Just replace parts out of spec and dried up electrolytic caps --- and you'll be good to go for another bunch of years.

I would NOT mod the circuit. The amp will keep its resale value, being as close to stock as possible.

:mrgreen:



+100 what BMW2002T said keep it stock, as long as it has not been molested
Nice specimen of an Amp looks pretty clean from the outside. Take off the top back panel and lets see what tubes are in there :wink:
enjoy it
mud


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 11:50 am
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It's got an RCA rectifier, a pair of Raytheon 6V6GTA's, and a mix of vintage pre-amp bottles.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 12:02 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
It's got an RCA rectifier, a pair of Raytheon 6V6GTA's, and a mix of vintage pre-amp bottles.

Arjay


Was that stock when it was released
mud


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Tue Jun 06, 2017 1:40 pm
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It very well could've been but I have no idea -- I'm likely the umpteenth owner.

:lol:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:14 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
It very well could've been but I have no idea -- I'm likely the umpteenth owner.

:lol:

Arjay


Oh I was asking the OP jackspratski about what came in his
mud


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Wed Jun 07, 2017 9:45 am
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Likely a similar array -- Fender was still using quality USA-made glass back then.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton (non Reverb) - Should I mod it?
Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:44 am
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jackspratski wrote:
I called a local tech and he told me I would want to Blackface it.

Should I bring it in to get serviced? At this point it sounds normal to me. Is it worth doing anything to even though it seems to be working fine?

Should I have it modded? Leave it stock? It's kind of a time capsule as is I think.


This article popped up on Reverb.... its about Princeton Reverbs and there is a section on blackfacing silverface PRs..... not sure if this would relate to blackfacing a non-verb, but the article made me think of your original inquiry.


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