64 Fender Princeton deal...

[DMB Pedals]

I have an opportunity on a 64 Princeton non reverb for $700.

What do you think? It sounds great, even with humbuckers. I will be using it as a secondary amp in a stereo setup to compliment my british voiced amps.

What do you think?

[Walksta]

If you don't buy it, I will!!
But seriously, I think the chimy cleans of a princeton, barring the caps and tubes are good, will nicely compliment a slightly grindy british amp. I love doing that at home with a clean mesa boogie and a dirty class A amp, the sound waves work in a way not otherwise attainable with only one amp.
Try it with a delay pedal and you'll think you're working in a surround sound environment.
Good luck!

[mrface2112]

I've got a '65 Princeton Non-Reverb that i picked up for $500 a couple years ago. Mine's pretty beat up, but sounds amazing.

I'd see if you can get him down from $700 at all--it seems a little high to me, but if the amp's in immaculate condition, it might be a good price.

The nice thing about the Princeton NR is that it won't break up at all. It's like a mini-twin reverb, minus the reverb. probably one of the nicest "clean" amps i've ever played through, and IMO would be wonderful in a rig like you've got in mind.


cheers,
wade

[FenderAmpFan]

Kinda small for most needs IMO, a Deluxe Reverb is the smallest that will work for me. Unless you're recording, you almost cant even jam with a Princeton.

[ickywoods]

The nice thing about the Princeton NR is that it won't break up at all. It's like a mini-twin reverb, minus the reverb. probably one of the nicest "clean" amps i've ever played through, and IMO would be wonderful in a rig like you've got in mind.

I have a '78 and I was really surprised to find this out. When I bought the amp I thought I'd be able to push it and get some OD out of it and that's just not the case...like Wade stated above, it just doesn't break up. When I accepted that fact I just fell in love with the amp, it is as clean as a bell, and that's just what it does.

[mrface2112]

Kinda small for most needs IMO, a Deluxe Reverb is the smallest that will work for me. Unless you're recording, you almost cant even jam with a Princeton. This might be true for a Princeton Reverb, which starts breaking up around 5 or 6.

The Non-Reverb Princeton, though, is clean all the way up. Mine i can turn to 9 before i get any kind of break up at all. TOTALLY different amp than a "Princeton".

Suffice it to say, with a Weber 10A150 in it, I can (and have) gig with my Princeton NR, with a bassist and drummer. I haven't done any wattage measurements, but mine puts out some serious volume.


cheers,
wade

[mrface2112]

I have a '78 and I was really surprised to find this out. When I bought the amp I thought I'd be able to push it and get some OD out of it and that's just not the case...like Wade stated above, it just doesn't break up. When I accepted that fact I just fell in love with the amp, it is as clean as a bell, and that's just what it does. I had a similar reaction/experience when I got mine. I've since fallen in love with it as well.

It's the point/counterpoint for my 5E3. The two in a clean/dirty rig is fantastic. Of course, i rarely get to run that sorta thing, so i tend to use pedals with the Princeton. Speaking of which, it's a GREAT platform for dirtboxes.....

cheers,
wade

[Jahn]

if you played it and loved it, get it!

[soulloud]

If it is a 64 it could be a transition amp. If it has white knobs it is really a brown face amp on the inside. If so I would jump on it for $700. One of fenders best sounding amps.

[roadfilm]

If it is a 64 it could be a transition amp. If it has white knobs it is really a brown face amp on the inside. If so I would jump on it for $700. One of fenders best sounding amps.

I totally agree with this. I have a February 1964 transitional white knob Princeton (6g2). It's the one amp I'll never sell. They break up real nicely, almost tweed like, and it has a killer tremelo.

[Big_Daddy]

The average price for a '64 Princeton over the last 6 years on eBay has been $754. If you like it and want it, get it!

http://www.ampwares.com/amp.asp?id=73

[GibsonLives]

Hell, I paid $750 for my silverface Princeton Reverb, and thought it was a deal. You're talking pre-CBS, black (or, as previously mentioned, possibly brown) face. Personally, I can't buy a Fender if I'm not getting their sweet reverb in the deal, but to each their own. If it's in good shape and sounds good to you, pick it up. If you really hate it, hang onto it for a few years, and sell it at a profit. Best of luck.
Steve

[straightblues]

Buy it. That is a deal.

[traynor_garnet]

I run my SF Princeton (nonreverb) in stereo with my Marshall Class 5. AWESOME!

The Princeton won't distort and the "mini-twin" comment is bang on. It also loves pedals.

TG

[DMB Pedals]

I bought it boys and I love it!! I love the fact that it does not break up! So far at the house I have been running it alongside my BlackCat Hotcat and it has no trouble keeping up and both sounds are just unreal. Thanks for the input!