It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 5:52 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 5:27 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:27 pm
Posts: 3355
Location: Houston, Texas
I found an early 70's Fender Princeton (non Reverb) at a guitar shop in the area today. The guy at the shop let me try it out for a little while. It was scratchy pots, a two-prong power supply and what look to be 70's era tubes. Basically, it needs some TLC. It takes pedals fairly well but the overall EQ seemed pretty flat, even when I tried to adjust it. (Maybe that's why it took pedals well?) It has tremolo, and it worked. He wanted $400 for it. I think it needs about $150 worth of repairs and parts, but I dunno. Maybe I could try talking him down to $350? Would it be worth it? I have a friend who owns one (which he bought for $350), and I'm waiting to hear back from him. But if any of you guys have experience with these, I'd love to hear your opinions!

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:01 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
SF Princetons can be a real good amp. To me, it all depends on the condition of the trannies & cab construction. I know that Fender went to all particle board (really MDF, I believe) in the late 1970's or 80s. And that this changed the tonal response of the amp. Made them a bit more bass heavy and less lively (or deader --- and not Gratefully, either). :lol:

And when MDF starts to fall apart --- little can really be done, except patchwork and praying.

If the cab is ok. And the trannies are ok --- all other components, including speakers are readily available. I've redone several SF back to BF cosmetics. Including putting them into plywood cabs built for a 12-inch speaker. Very good results.

The circuitry of the Princeton was pretty much the same between 1964 and 1980s. With exception of the GZ34 rectifier found in earliest BF models. But, good NOS or low-hours 5U4GBs are actually easier to find. And you already know about 12AX7s and 6V6GTs.

Very good cap can replacecments are now being made. So, I'd say this is a good amp to pickup on bargain prices. Provided the cab and trannies are in good shape.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:23 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:52 pm
Posts: 292
prob sounds flat due to a crappy stock speaker.
IMO....worh it if a Princeton is an amp you are looking to have.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:44 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
mxvin wrote:
prob sounds flat due to a crappy stock speaker.
IMO....worh it if a Princeton is an amp you are looking to have.


+1

Most Princetons and Princeton Reverbs were equipped with an OEM Oxford 10J4......singularly unremarkable in both tone and timbre. OTOH, with an alnico CTS or a vintage Jensen C10R the sonic footprint is dramatically improved.

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:29 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 3:10 pm
Posts: 5646
Location: Gateway to the West
Retroverbial wrote:
mxvin wrote:
prob sounds flat due to a crappy stock speaker.
IMO....worh it if a Princeton is an amp you are looking to have.


+1

Most Princetons and Princeton Reverbs were equipped with an OEM Oxford 10J4......singularly unremarkable in both tone and timbre. OTOH, with an alnico CTS or a vintage Jensen C10R the sonic footprint is dramatically improved.

Arjay


No...+10K. Changing out to a CTS Alnico in Princetons from the Oxford makes a huge difference in thier tone. Best single thing I ever did to my 64 Princeton!

Good luck with your decision on this one Rebecca.

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:46 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:52 pm
Posts: 292
T2Stratman wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
mxvin wrote:
prob sounds flat due to a crappy stock speaker.
IMO....worh it if a Princeton is an amp you are looking to have.


+1

Most Princetons and Princeton Reverbs were equipped with an OEM Oxford 10J4......singularly unremarkable in both tone and timbre. OTOH, with an alnico CTS or a vintage Jensen C10R the sonic footprint is dramatically improved.

Arjay


No...+10K. Changing out to a CTS Alnico in Princetons from the Oxford makes a huge difference in thier tone. Best single thing I ever did to my 64 Princeton!

Good luck with your decision on this one Rebecca.


love those speakers. Have 4 in my BFSR and two in a BMR to Vibrolux combo....

Jensen P10Ns are also a sweet......


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 10:20 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
The 40-watt P10N is a bit of power-handling overkill in a Princeton, but yes -- they do sound mighty sweet as well.

8)

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 1:05 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sat Jul 03, 2010 2:18 pm
Posts: 6544
Arjay, you prolly already posted this... but who is a trusted tech to recone these precious speakers? I have a set of CTS alnico and Jensen P10Q sitting in boxes, just waiting to be reconed.

Thanks!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:10 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
I send mine to a couple of gals in Tucson, up near the Catalina Mountains. They've done simply great work for my CTS requirements (T2Stratman has one in his '64 Princeton). Have you tried Orange County Speaker Service?

Arjay

_________________
"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


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:07 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:52 pm
Posts: 292
BMW2002Ti wrote:
Arjay, you prolly already posted this... but who is a trusted tech to recone these precious speakers? I have a set of CTS alnico and Jensen P10Q sitting in boxes, just waiting to be reconed.

Thanks!


I have weber and OC recone speakers for me. P12Ns and CTS 10s. Both very good IMO...

I will write down the Tuscon ladies as well. Always good to check other places out that are recommended here.....:)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:08 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 12:52 pm
Posts: 292
Retroverbial wrote:
The 40-watt P10N is a bit of power-handling overkill in a Princeton, but yes -- they do sound mighty sweet as well.

8)

Arjay


Yep....gives a diff flavor and loves pedals.......


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:57 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
I own a '69 drip edge Princeton (No-verb). Its a fun amp. My son has it in his room. You're correct, it takes pedals nicely. Ours has a replacement speaker (Celestion G10-10), which I think has a nice voice. My son runs it through a Jet City 2 x 12 cab (Eminence drivers). It can shake the house.

I agree you should talk the dealer down for the work that's needs. Keep the vintage tubes if at all possible.These Princeton's don't seem to be as desirable, which is good for all of us. If the dealer wants to get the return on his investment quickly, you should be able to swing a decent deal.

I paid $350 for mine in Sept. 2009 (or maybe $325)..... off of Craigslist. It had been sitting there for nearly two weeks before I made my offer.

Image

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:44 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:27 pm
Posts: 3355
Location: Houston, Texas
Well, my friend ended up buying it today. I just bought a Telecaster and what I really need right now is a car, so it just wasn't good timing. The good thing is that now I can borrow it whenever I want! :)

_________________
Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
Instagram: http://instagram.com/beckslaird


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:42 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Nov 14, 2007 1:29 pm
Posts: 614
Location: SW Ohio
texasguitarslinger wrote:
Well, my friend ended up buying it today. I just bought a Telecaster and what I really need right now is a car, so it just wasn't good timing. The good thing is that now I can borrow it whenever I want! :)


Timing is everything. We've all let things pass by us for good reasons. But they always come back around.

Keep an eye out on Craigslist. These pop up occasionally and you should be able to get a good deal.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Silverface Princeton, Yay or Nay?
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:04 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:05 pm
Posts: 684
Location: Canada
Funny, a guy had one up for sale on my local Kijiji just last month. It was around a 1969 PR but with non-working reverb. He was asking over $900 for it and I'm pretty sure he got what he was asking because the listing disappeared within a few weeks.

I'd sure like to know where these $300-$400 Princetons are.

_________________
The ultimate Rolling Stones experience!
https://www.facebook.com/TheMainStreetExiles


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: