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Post subject: Supersonic vs. '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:58 am
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Hello again. I posted last night about auditioning the Princeton and the Blues Deville and had a question about the reverb. Thanks so much for the input. After playing each last night, the Deville has gone back. What has come home for comparison is the Super-sonic. Any thoughts comparing that to the Princeton? Thanks.


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Post subject: Fender Princeton vs. Supersonic
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:18 am
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Hi. The first big difference between these two amps is output. I' not sure what purpose your amp needs to cover. The Princeton Reverb RI for instance is a sweet sounding 15 watt, all tube, amp. They have been an go to amp for many decades for recording, rehearsals, and even gigs. The Supersonic on the other hand is a 60 watt very heavy, loud amp. You should pick the amp that will cover your needs. A trip to Guitar Center will be a valuable thing. They may give you a lesson booth booth to compare these two very different amps. When you post again, why don't you describe the playing environment(s) that your amp will need to cover. You may wind up with an amp that rates between the two power. The Vibrolux Reverb reissue is a high quality fine sounding amp. Good Luck.


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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 11:18 am
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Princeton reissue compared to a Supersonic???? I can't think of two more opposite amps (well except for a Champ vs a Twin Reverb :lol: ). It's apples and oranges. Vintage vs modern. Or more like David vs Goliath.

It depends on what you want to use the amp for. Playing at home or Madison Square Garden?

The Princeton is single channel 15 watt with a 10" speaker. Good for playing in a small room with a very quiet drummer or throw a mic in front of it. You won't get much clean headroom either way. For use as a bedroom amp it's great.

The Supersonic is a beast due to 60 VERY LOUD watts and a 12" Celestion Vintage 30. Two channels. Clean channel has two selectable voices (Vibrolux or Bassman). Dirty channel has cascading gain (two gain controls). I tried out a Supersonic combo last week and almost bought it (loved cranking the Bassman setting), but decided to read some reviews first. Glad I did, it has too much firepower for me. Just do a search here on 'Supersonic' and you'll see comments from owners that it's not an amp for home use unless your neighbors are deaf. I would only be able to play at about "1.5" on the volume dial and the true character of the Supersonic doesn't appear that low. It sounds great, but I don't play out enough to justify it so I passed on it. If you want to be heard a mile away and still sound good get the Supersonic.

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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 12:35 pm
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I have a Supersonic combo and like the previous posters said, it is a great amp but very powerful and sounds best when cranked up at least half way. That is full band, stage level volume and way too much for home use. The Burn channel is master volume so you can get decent overdrive at lower levels, but the Vintage channel really comes to life when cranked up. You can lower the output a bit with lower gain preamp tubes, which I have done. I play in a 4 piece blues\rock band and the SS is plenty loud.

If you are primarily a home player, then the SS is overkill and the Princeton would be a better choice. I'd love to have a Princeton also, just wish I could afford one. Its a lot of money for a little 15 watt amp.

Hope this helps.

DC


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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:00 pm
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Thanks for the replies. I know that the two amps are quite different but, unfortunately, I can only afford one of them and I can get either for the same price. I am really interested in what you think of the differences in tone, build quality etc. and if you could have only one of the two, which one would it be. I play mostly at home, but I want an amp that is going to be the most versatile. Thanks again.


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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:11 pm
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2327 wrote:
Thanks for the replies. I know that the two amps are quite different but, unfortunately, I can only afford one of them and I can get either for the same price. I am really interested in what you think of the differences in tone, build quality etc. and if you could have only one of the two, which one would it be. I play mostly at home, but I want an amp that is going to be the most versatile. Thanks again.


Like these guys said, the Super-Sonic is far too much for playing at home. You need to crank it to get the best out it and if you are going to do that then I hope you have a glazier near by cos your windows are gonna go.

I'm in the process of saving for a Super-Sonic as I do play out a lot in very loud bands but I will never use it at home. Currently I own a DeVille 410 and that never gets played at home either for the same reason. I keep it in the bands rehearsal studio.

At home it's simple, I use a Champ 600 and my pedal board as I don't want to deafen myself for no reason.

Unless you have a drum kit or a crowd to be playing over the Super-Sonic will be too much. I'd go with the Princeton if I were you. Simply go and try them and you will hear the difference.

Both these amps are well built and sound great but why would you drive a Formula 1 car to the grocery store? They are both tools for different things.

Best of luck!

CC

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Post subject: Which amp for home playing.
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 1:53 pm
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You might want to look at the Super Champ XD or Vibro Champ XD amp. They are tube amps. For home use they are ideal. If you want a quality Fender to invest in for life, I would go with the Princeton. Good Luck.


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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 2:03 pm
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Another vote for the Princeton. Or how about its big brother the Deluxe Reverb reissue? I don't want to throw more choices at you, but the Deluxe Reverb can be tame enough for home use, yet keep up with a band if you ever get the chance. Best of both worlds. And it has the classic Fender reverb that you want.

But if the amp will strictly be for home use, the Princeton is the winner here. You're gonna love its tremolo!

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Post subject: "Which Fender Amp Do I Want?"
Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 2:20 pm
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I will second that Deluxe Reverb vote for sure. I used to take mine over to a friend's house and put a TS9 Tube Screamer in front of it. Beautiful tone through the stock 12" speaker. It's full of tubes & Fender knows how to use each and every one of them I see The Deluxe Reverb Reissues on eBay go for $600. A very good deal. 22 watts when cranked at a gig breaks up nicely.The Vibrolux takes the guitar into a different volume zone. Loud. Happy Shopping.


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Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 4:13 pm
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I agree about the drri.Much more versaitile than the prri.You can play it at home and at gigs.I have yet to have to mic mine.We dont play in huge places ,but if I need more oompf,thats why they make Bassmans for.


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