Fender Princeton Reverb or Super Champ XD?

[caspersvapors]

and by Princeton Reverb I mean most likely a used PRRI, which is still a bit more expensive than the champ

looking for a small Fender-y practice amp

[tsar nicholas]

Princeton!

cf Jim Campilongo

[capt4inslow]

considering that you could probably get 2 Super Champs for the price of one PRRI....

[DJ_61]

Are you kidding? The Princeton is so much more amp than the Champ.....

[musicographer]

Speaking of 'Small practice Amp' I use Fender Pro Junior.
I use it on stage sometime, mic out and return to 2x12 cab, sound so good.

[superswede]

Princeton!
But for playing around the house a small multitasking amp like the Champ XD is fun. But I sold mine and practice with my big amps instead

[jzero]

SCXD + J.D.Newell cab + 12" speaker

The Princeton doesn't have a master volume:
ick

[Joe_Black]

practice amp?...get a mustang.

[Seafoam Green]

Of those two, the Princeton without question.

[Joe L]

I once owned a SCXD and now a PRRI. The SCXD was a fun, nice sounding amp, which was extremely affordable. I now own a PRRI , which is in a completely different "league" when it comes to tone, but obviously at a higher price point. I prefer the tone of my PRRI over my TRRI, barring the obviously volume wattage differences. The PRRI is perhaps one of the sweetest sounding amps I have ever played over the past 40 years. Every one of my guitars (Strat, Tele, Les Paul, 335 etc.) all sound great through this amp.

[Darth Tater]

Both are great, but I preferred the SCXD.

Consider the price. For the price of the Princeton, you can get a SCXD, upgrade the stock speaker (a $30 Weber Sig works WONDERS!), AND get a good 1x12 cabinet for it.

[champster]

I own both of these amps and both do sound nice. I presently have my SCXD mounted in a cab with a 12" speaker which does help this amp sound much better. The PRRI definitely sounds much better all the way around. The PRRI has a sweet tone that the SCXD doesn't have, even with a 12" speaker. The SCXD does sound good but when I want the best tone I take the PRRI.

[capt4inslow]

Are you kidding? The Princeton is so much more amp than the Champ.....

I'm well aware that the PRRI is easily the better amp by far--but the OP has stated that it's a small practice-oriented amp....

[Bikedude]

I'm well aware that the PRRI is easily the better amp by far--but the OP has stated that it's a small practice-oriented amp....


This. For practice i would do the SX as there are more sounds available on tap. Someone else mentioned a Mustang which I think would also be good, and it would also sound nice if you ever wanted to take it on a gig. I would also consider the G-Dec for practice, as they are great with the included loops to practice with, and you can stick in an S Card with your own tunes or loops, and they actually sound nice too. The PRRI IMO is more of a one trick pony, and unless you have a bunch of pedals, you'll tire of it quickly in a practice room.

[soopajeanmi]

I owned both, and tried them side to side, even pluggued in the same cab.
The PRRI is just in another league, and with just a few pedals will crush the scxd in every area.

For the price, the scxd is one of the best amps I've ever had. It's a *great* fender amp style.

[Figaro]

I once owned a SCXD and now a PRRI. The SCXD was a fun, nice sounding amp, which was extremely affordable. I now own a PRRI , which is in a completely different "league" when it comes to tone, but obviously at a higher price point. I prefer the tone of my PRRI over my TRRI, barring the obviously volume wattage differences. The PRRI is perhaps one of the sweetest sounding amps I have ever played over the past 40 years. Every one of my guitars (Strat, Tele, Les Paul, 335 etc.) all sound great through this amp.

:agree

[shapeshifter]

:agree
I agree, too. Had the SCXD, which is really, really nice (and versatile) for the money, but the PRRI I have now is in a different league tonewise.

But it really depends, what you want. If you only need a small practice amp for homeuse that also can do really nice, different crunch/overdrive sounds at really low volumes, then the SCXD is probably a great choice. And you can alsways start to mod the thing, people put different speakers in it to increase the bass and volume so it can be used to gig with.

The clean tone can't really compete though, and the reverb and tremolo on the PRRI are just awesome!

But I can recommend both.

Reverend

[Chas]

I have a PRRI and it is a great amp. If you need to keep it quiet but want some drive, then you need a good dirt pedal with the Princeton. The PRRI will stay clean way up the dial. I run an OCD with mine and sometimes a Formula #5.

[caspersvapors]

Speaking of 'Small practice Amp' I use Fender Pro Junior.
I use it on stage sometime, mic out and return to 2x12 cab, sound so good.

Ive played one because of all the praise it received here. I wasnt really digging it, didnt have the Fender clean tone I like


I should also mention that I will not be upgrading to a 12" should I buy either

[JStotes]

I've owned a SCXD, and upgraded the speaker and tubes. Owned a Princeton and that was OK. I now have a Mustang 3 for my home practice amp and IMO it kills either of the other two. Gigging, probably not. Home and practice,...... nothing better.

[RockDC]

I own 2 Super Champ XD's... I would take a Princeton over it but the reason why I chose to have 2 SCXD's instead is the fact that the SCXD weights quite a bit less and I can leave one of them at church and one to take anywhere or leave at home.

[RockDC]

The SCXD still has to be at 2-3 to sound awesome depending on the pickup output

[Windup 43]

I owned both, and tried them side to side, even pluggued in the same cab.
The PRRI is just in another league, and with just a few pedals will crush the scxd in every area.

For the price, the scxd is one of the best amps I've ever had. It's a *great* fender amp style.I've had both and while the PRRI is in another league w/ cleans, the SCXD took dirt pedals much better.

[retro]

I've had both and while the PRRI is in another league w/ cleans, the SCXD took dirt pedals much better.

In my experience it depends on the speaker...and I actually like the stock Jensen. Very sweet once it starts to break in...but......did not like pedals that much. I agree.

However, a G-10 vintage took mine to another level....Still great cleans but amazing overdriven. Od, fuzz, anything I throw in front of it works really well now.

SC's, P90's buckers......

Probably selling my Marshall.....I don't use it anymore.

Amazingly versatile amp with a speaker change.

Preferred the Vintage over the G10 Greenback and that's an amazing 10 inch speaker too.

Was going to try some other's but there just isn't a need anymore.

[Flyin' Brian]

SCXD + J.D.Newell cab + 12" speaker

The Princeton doesn't have a master volume:
ick

This is it!

[AJD91]

Having owned both, there is no comparison. The SCXD is exclusively a bedroom amp. That's all it's meant to be. All of the features are cool, but ultimately pretty weak and cheesey. I played through mine once and immediately sold it off. But if all you need is a practice amp, you can't beat the SCXD for feature/price.

The Princeton sounds great at low volumes and can also be a bedroom amp but has the capability for much more. It's also very one-dimensional, but if blackface cleans are what you want at lower volumes, this is the amp for you.

But if a practice amp is all you need, just spend practice amp money and get the SCXD.

[caspersvapors]

In my experience it depends on the speaker...and I actually like the stock Jensen. Very sweet once it starts to break in...but......did not like pedals that much. I agree.

However, a G-10 vintage took mine to another level....Still great cleans but amazing overdriven. Od, fuzz, anything I throw in front of it works really well now.

SC's, P90's buckers......

Probably selling my Marshall.....I don't use it anymore.

Amazingly versatile amp with a speaker change.

Preferred the Vintage over the G10 Greenback and that's an amazing 10 inch speaker too.

Was going to try some other's but there just isn't a need anymore.

really a g10 huh? nobobdy ever mentions that speaker with this amp

[Windup 43]

In my experience it depends on the speaker...and I actually like the stock Jensen. Very sweet once it starts to break in...but......did not like pedals that much. I agree.

However, a G-10 vintage took mine to another level....Still great cleans but amazing overdriven. Od, fuzz, anything I throw in front of it works really well now.

SC's, P90's buckers......

Probably selling my Marshall.....I don't use it anymore.

Amazingly versatile amp with a speaker change.

Preferred the Vintage over the G10 Greenback and that's an amazing 10 inch speaker too.

Was going to try some other's but there just isn't a need anymore.Interesting, I'd love to try it w/ that speaker...

[ProToneThinline]

The SCXD is exclusively a bedroom amp. That's all it's meant to be.

I call BS on that. ;)

I've gigged my SCXD numerous times, and it's done a great job. It really shines with the volume up around "7" (just like a Princeton, it needs to be opened up a bit........).

That having been said, there's something "magic" about traditional blackface circuits (and even early silverfaces, too). In reality, my two favorites are the Princeton and the Vibrolux. If price isn't an issue, a Princeton is magic. Is price is an issue, an SCXD is a great value. Plus the additional features make it a little more convenient. I use my SCXD as my "grab and go" practice amp. I can leave my pedalboard at home with the SCXD. Are the effects great? No, but they're certainly workable in a rehearsal situation. Does it sound quite as good as a Princeton? No, but it's really close, and sometimes more convenient.

So ultimately, I guess the best answer is to buy both...........

[twangbanger]

Another vote for the Princeton, just a sweet sounding amp and takes pedals well.

[carbz]

I've had my SCXD for over a year. It has upgraded tubes, tranny and speaker and I'm consistantly blown away with how good that sucker sounds. I currently use voice # 4 which to me works best for both clean and OD tones. I also use a drive pedal for higher gain stuff. With the upgraded speaker its more then loud enough to play with drums and my favorite thing is the built in echo. No matter what rig I play through echo is a must and the echo in that thing sounds far better then plugging an echo through the front of an amp. Never played a PR and really have no interest. I tried one the the Mustangs and its drive sounded kind of fake to me. I'll stick with the SC.

[ickywoods]

Love my Princeton, it works great at home at low volumes and when I need a grab and go combo to jam with it fits the bill for that too. The Princeton gets my vote.

[caspersvapors]

Interesting, I'd love to try it w/ that speaker...


I have an Engater tweaker + 112 cab as well and Im considering just switching out the 16ohm g12h in there to a 8ohm g12h or something else. That way I can use the 112 cab for both the princeton and the tweaker

[retro]

really a g10 huh? nobobdy ever mentions that speaker with this amp


Interesting, I'd love to try it w/ that speaker...


There were a couple of Tonequest articles that talked about about the G10 Vintage and other 10" speakers for the PR.

One about Jim Campilongo and the other on a PR and 10" speakers for a PR. With a nod to Jim once again in that section on the G10.

Here's quote from the TEN INCH TONE section of the PR article....

Links to the articles below that....need to scroll down on the first PDF link to find the TEN INCH TONE piece.

This is the same 60 watt speaker referenced by Jim Campilongo in the March 2010 issue mounted in his sil- verface Princeton Reverb. As Jim noted, “It compresses really nice... it’s mellower... kinder and gentler [than a Jensen C10N]
and it gets this great ZZ Top sound. I can crank it a little more and it’s just right. I also use the Celestion G10 if I want to do a Chet Atkins or Jimmy Bryant sound because it’s warmer.” And we couldn’t agree more. Played at lower volume, the G10 is a very warm and detailed speaker with good treble presence that
is slightly rolled off and less piercing compared to a typical Jensen, with full, rich lows and strong, robust mids. Cranked, the G10 produces a thick, heavy tone – big and imposing. Excellent with brighter single coils, but also endowed with enough treble bite for humbuckers. Outstanding, and no, it won’t turn your Princeton into a Marshall. Well, maybe.

http://www.tonequest.com/images/TQRApr10_Proof.pdf

http://www.jimcampilongo.com/presskit/TQRMar10_Campilongo.pdf

[monkmiles]

I presently own both and agree with the quote below. Side to side, the PRRI sounded fuller/fatter. But the SCXD is a great amp too, especially for the money.

I have an efficient/sensitive 12" speaker (Eminence Lil Texas which is also a very light weight one) in my PRRI which makes it perfect for gigging and easy to tote around.

The SCXD I use for small jazz gigs. Haven't tried it with a drummer yet though.

I owned both, and tried them side to side, even pluggued in the same cab.
The PRRI is just in another league, and with just a few pedals will crush the scxd in every area.

For the price, the scxd is one of the best amps I've ever had. It's a *great* fender amp style.

[caspersvapors]

after playing em both side by side today I think Im gonna go with the SCXD.

For a bedroom practice amp it has way more features and sounded great.

The PRRI did have a tremendously lush reverb and while the tone was bigger, it was a bit sharp to me. But I realize that its probably cause the speaker is brand new.

Ideally I would love to own both, Ive always wanted a princeton but I think the SCXD fits my needs better even though I WANT TO HAVE a princeton more.

this blonde SCXD is pretty tits though right?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Super-Champ-XD-Guitar-Combo-Amp-106074982-i1559667.gc

[shapeshifter]

Can't really go wrong with either.
Have fun!

[teleman1]

The plethora of tone makes the XD a cool amp. But you kid yourself if you think it has better clean tone, reverb or tremolo. And that's with a real PR or the PRRI.

And the speakers MUST be broken in to compare anything fairly.

[xtian]

New SCXD in the house. The first thing that I noticed, playing quietly so as not to bother the family, is the noise floor (hiss) which is higher than my Tweaker or even my JCM 800. Never heard anyone mention that.

Also, on channel 2, voice 1, with the gain dimed, I'm hearing some ugly clipping when hitting power chords hard. Not a pretty distortion. Can anyone confirm?

[fjblair]

Modelers are noisy especially on high gain settings in my experience.

[DArmstrong]

As for the hiss, in my SCXD it was is in the line out too. That's why I returned it after only one day. I liked the amp cranked up live but couldn't see recording via the line out with that hiss there.

[earthlydescent]

It doesn't matter what mods you do to a SCXD, you're not going to come close to the tone of the PRRI.

[xtian]

It doesn't matter what mods you do to a SCXD, you're not going to come close to the tone of the PRRI.

No doubt. But this XD cost $175, and I can't find a PRRI for under $700.

[fjblair]

It doesn't matter what mods you do to a SCXD, you're not going to come close to the tone of the PRRI.


I disagree. Of course it will never be a PRRI but bone stock it comes reasonably close. Not sure what the mods are about.