Need Help - Princeton Reverb Issues

[hathisisfunnyha]

So I just got a great deal on a blackface Princeton Reverb, and of course no good deal does not come without issues

But what is happening is basically the amp tops out at volume 2-3. Even at 10 it still sounds like its at 3. I removed and reseated all of the tubes and inspected them. They all look good. I also checked the connections and they look good. The reverb and Vibrato are working but obviously at a low volume

My first guess is that it needs a speaker recone just because I had a similar issue with another Princeton Reverb.

Any thoughts?
Any ideas before I bring it to my amp tech?

[sliberty]

May it's just a bad volume pot.

If you have another amp, or even just a speaker cabinet, try attaching the PR to your other speaker(s) and see if it behaves in a similar manner. If it does, it is not your speaker.

[Totally Bored]

What he said and swap out tubes and see if they are shot.

If not and you have the original 45 year old electrolytics in your amp then it may be time for a cap job.

[slider313]

The volume pot may have been replaced with a linear taper pot instead of an audio taper or as Totally Bored said,"If your electrolytics are 45 years old it may be time for a cap job."

[hathisisfunnyha]

how much does a cap job typically run?

[case4bass]

Take it in for repair......300+. New tubes, cap job, cleaning parts.
Don't play until it is done

[hathisisfunnyha]

yeah i am taking it in this morning

[hathisisfunnyha]

now safely in the hands of San Diego Sound. i hope they have good news

[mc5nrg]

If they replace the tubes, get the old ones back.

[hathisisfunnyha]

verdict was a recone and few caps need replacement.

all the vintage tubes are ok and I am getting the old caps back

still got a great deal on the amp

[Trebor Renkluaf]

My brothers Black Face PR does the same thing, but around 4. Actually his starts to break up around 3, by around 4 the volume is maxed out an you are just adding gain (distortion). Black Faced Fenders aren't know for having a whole lot of clean headroom, especially the small ones like the PR and DR.