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Post subject: Beginner here help picking out vintage amp
Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 7:01 pm
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Hey how are you doing. I'm new to the guitar been playing for about 6 months and I just traded in a couple things i dont use anymore at guitar center.. I have almost 1k credit there and am interested in getting one of their vintage amps.. There's soo many to choose from and i dont really know where to start.. I like to play nickelback type stuff also big fan of eric johnson.. Mostly right now all i can play is bar songs and I'm not looking to gig just for home.. Here's a list of what they had to offer in my price range at guitar center. Would love some advice. Thank you guys very much in advance.

Vintage Fender Princeton silver face amp ~ 1299$
Vintage 1964 Fender Concert amp, black face. ~ 1295$
Fender Super Reverb, 1965 Reissue, 4 x 10" speaker ~ 1099$
Vintage 1965 Fender Concert 4x10 combo amp. ~ 995$
Vintage 1971 Fender Princeton Reverb, in great con ~ 1199$

Let me know what you guys think would be the best choice for me.. Or any input you can give me on these amps and if you think the prices are right. Thanks very muc


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Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2010 8:43 pm
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hey Tony, and welcome to the Forums.

For home, the Princeton Reverb is hard to beat and sounds great; from what I've read, minimal changes were done to Champs, Princetons and Princeton Reverbs after CBS bought them. I've got a Princeton and a Princeton Reverb at home and they're both great home amps - a little light for gigs.

The super reverb and Concert amps are also excellent amps, but with 40 watts, they're really, really loud -- probably too loud for home use.

However, a '65 Blackface concert amp for under a grand seems like a better deal - you may want to ask when the amp had its filter caps replaced - these are the electrolytic filter caps (under a metal cover on your head and help filter out noise from power. After 45 years, they go and would need to be replaced on any of these amps if they haven't been recently.

Same with power cord - if it doesn't have a newer 3-prong grounded power cord, that's also something you will need to have done.

If your credit only stays with you at GC, ask about both, and maybe they'll knock some dollars off.

So volume-wise, a Princeton or Princeton Reverb is great for your needs; the Concert price-wise seems even better.

Which one do you like the sound of?

Also, check around the paper and eBay for comparable amp prices in your area.

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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:43 am
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The prices did not say if those amps are originals. If they are not, the price is not a deal.

I never see a deals from a store. They are always more expensive than from a private seller.
I understand they have to pay for the rent etc, that's why they are not cheap

The most simple thing to check is if the speakers is not a "no name"replacement.".


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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:08 am
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Those are great prices if they're in good shape.
If the Blackface amps are in good shape grab one and you will not regret it,like was said,the filter caps should be replaced,but could have already been,somebody who knows what they're doing could look and tell.
The Princetons are a good small amp that can be cranked and still not blast you away,reverb is a good addition.
Here in Nashville at Guitar Center,a blackface Princeton Reverb is going for about $2500,a BF Deluxe Reverb $3000,BF Vibrolux $2500/3000! :shock:
To me there's nothing like the sound of a BF Fender amp that can be cranked at levels you can live with to play blues.....or if you're into Eric Johnson,the Concert might be what you want,it will have more clean headroom I would think,I've never played one.


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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:02 am
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if the 1971 Princeton Reverb is in nice shape that's a killer amp, really sweet and round, amazing reverb and beautiful tremolo.... breaks up nicely and its pretty cool if you're only going to play at home.

it can be used in a band context if your drummer is not very loud, so it's great for blues/country/jazz or some straight forward rock'n'roll :D

I'd forget about the super reverb and concerts if you're not going to play live and have a good back, hehe (huge, heavy and need to be played at volume).

they're amazing amps nonetheless, but you need them to push some air if you really want to a decent sound (definitely not dor use at home if you have neighbours!).


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Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 5:04 am
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the princeton reverb is great for home and small jams, awesome tone. the super reverb is great if you do decide to gig someday, again, awesome tone. best of luck, dutch. :)

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Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 4:04 pm
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Great tips you guys. I've been wanting to buy one but not sure where to look and what's the best. These tips give me some ideas. thanks a bunch


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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 4:17 am
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I too vote for the Princeton Reverb. Its great for home use and recording. Try it out with Volume on 8-to-10, bass on 5, treble on 2-to-3, reverb on 1.

Great clean tone with Volume around 5, treble on 5, bass on 5.


Another idea. Try out the Princeton Reverb ReIssue. They're about $900.00 and sound very close to the Blackface model.


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Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 2:10 pm
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just wondering, is this the same type of amp that Seasick Steve uses ?


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