64' Princeton Question

[Jeffj]

I recently picked up a 64' non verb Princeton that sounds killer. It might be the best clean tone I have heard. The question I have is considering the volume. This amp doesn't get very loud at all. I can run it on 10 here in the house & it is not overbearing at all. Compared to my Deluxe Reverb, I can run the DR on 3 & get about the same volume. I was told the filter caps had been replaced & all else was stock (including the speaker). The amp doesn't sound weak at all, it just isn't very loud. Also, it does not break up at all, which is actually a good thing for me, I just figured it would break up some. Is this normal for this particular amp? I am looking into a different speaker to preserve the original (which actually sounds very good). Will a different speaker get me a little more volume?

[Blue Strat]

A more efficient speaker will help. If you're using single coil pickups the amp may be doing what it's supposed to. With humbuckers, you should be getting some breakup at high volumes.

These amps lack a gain stage that the Reverb models have. That's where the difference in volume and overdrive comes in.

It's possible that one or more tubes is weak. Try swapping in tubes from the Deluxe and see if anything changes. Also try connecting the Princeton to the speaker in the Deluxe as an experiment.

[epluribus]

These amps lack a gain stage that the Reverb models have. That's where the difference in volume and overdrive comes in...



No kiddin'. I always thought they designed these things with unity gain so you'd get just the verb without the piggybackin' variables...

--Ray

Hmmmm Dept.: So OTOH I could tweak my verb circuit to double as an extra gain stage? Don't see why not. Hm...Hadn't thought about that...

[PRNDL]

>>I can run the DR on 3 & get about the same volume.

I think that's about right. The DR is 6L6 and the PR is 6V6.
Many like the PR for the lower power and smaller size.

[Blue Strat]

>>I can run the DR on 3 & get about the same volume.

I think that's about right. The DR is 6L6 and the PR is 6V6.
Many like the PR for the lower power and smaller size.

Actually, DR's use 6V6s. Rewind to my first response above.

[Jeffj]

Thanks for the info. I plan to try a different speaker to see what happens. I am blown away by the tone, just wasnt sure what to expect volume wise. The size & portability is great for this amp. It made my DR feel like a "big amp" after hauling it around.

[DSmith]

Your observations seem right for the Princeton and volume/lack of break-up.

IMO, if you are using the Deluxe clean with pedals at lower volume settings, you'll like what you hear with the Princeton running loud (6 and above) with pedals more...

A replacement speaker, Weber 10F150T, should get you more volume and a bigger sound. There's been recent threads about Princeton speaker recommendation, and the Weber is well received.

[Jeffj]

You are exactly right....I have been playing the amp this afternoon with my pedal board for the first time. With my Bad Bob clean boost, CS-2, & DM-2 this amp can get loud. Tone is just killer too. I really like how the 10" stays tight & focused.


Your observations seem right for the Princeton and volume/lack of break-up.

IMO, if you are using the Deluxe clean with pedals at lower volume settings, you'll like what you hear with the Princeton running loud (6 and above) with pedals more...

A replacement speaker, Weber 10F150T, should get you more volume and a bigger sound. There's been recent threads about Princeton speaker recommendation, and the Weber is well received.

[phsyconoodler]

The princeton has a cathodyn or split-load phase inverter and the gain is less than the Deluxe Reverb.The speaker ia also a big factor.I recently built a Princeton Reverb with a 12" C12N Jensen and it is very nearly as loud as a Deluxe.The only limiting factor here is the phase inverter.
There are some builders out there like Allen Amps that takes the PR circuit and uses a long tailed pair style phase inverter for more output,but not too many amps sound as good as the Princeton.The princeton also has no choke and that adds to the tone in my opinion.

[pula58]

Hi jeff,
See this post:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=309106

where I mention some mods for PR. The "Stokes mod" will increase clean headroom noticeably. Also, as others have mentioned, you could put-in a 12" baffel and put in an efficient speaker (a Weber 12F150 is nice). Then, your little PR will surprise you, and others. But, it will always be a PR and it is small and light and not a hugely powerful ampo. That being said, if I turn mine up to "5/10" it kills! Especially if I run the speaker output into an external cab that has more volume than the little PR cabinet. For example, if I run the speaker output into a 1x12 ear candy boia cab I have the amp takes-on a much fuller sound and can do pretty well at most blues jams I have been going to.

have fun, great amp!

Paul

[puls]

+1 on the weber speaker.
I've got a '69 princeton non reverb. The speaker was toast, replaced w/ the weber & am VERY happy w/ it.
FYI, if you ever want to get a spring reverb for that princeton, the Van Amps Solemate is hard to beat.

jwp