Fender Deluxe reverb or Princeton reverb

[Bill Ashton]

My unconsidered opinion would be to get a kinda ratty SF Princeton (not reverb), which will do cleans up to full volume, replace the baffle and put a 12" speaker in it, and then use a reverb pedal and overdrive (such as a Fulltone OCD) for your effects. Minimum dollars, maximum flexibility...and mobility around the house :wink:

 

[gilded]

Bill,

There is a subtle difference between Princetons and Princeton Reverbs. The Reverb models have half of the Reverb tube dedicated to extra gain, so all things being equal, they sound a lot better than non-reverb Princetons.

I used to like DR amps better than PR amps. Then my ears blew up. As matters now stand, I can hear the 10" speaker in a PR better than the 12" in a DR. Neither amp has a lot of headroom.

To me, either amp is a relatively safe investment. A guy could get his money back if he needed to sell it, etc.

One of the best sounds I've gotten in years is a Strat with vintage plus pickups into a mic'd '68 silverface Princeton Reverb.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Gilded, I understand that completely, that is why I noted that a Princeton sans reverb has clean headroom all the way to its max volume.

Having had said amp, I sadly moved her on when it became apparent she sounded virtually identical to my Guild 66-J...I wish we knew back in the mid-60's growing up that the Princeton was such a loud, clean amp...perfect for the garage-band, basement and birthday party playing we jr. high school rats were doing at the time...hard to get clean British Invasion stuff out of a tweed Champ :lol:

Knowing that the OP would be using the piece for home, clean with your choice of pedals might be better than trying to run the Princeton Reverb at its sweet spot all the time. I do agreed it is a very nice amp, but the two are very different.

True story: Shortly after I got the Princeton, a nearly immaculate PR appeared in local store. It had a problem, which turned out to be a bad rectifier tube, which I and the store manager found out by subbing in my original Fender branded 5U4...well we could not come to an agreement over trading my Princeton for the PR, but he asked if he could keep my 5U4 for a day or so until he had a new one come in. Foolishly I said OK. That afternoon he sold the PR with my tube in it...and as he was a friend, I know and believe it was a mistake, but I was furious...all he could do was give me the Chinese rectifier his mother-ship had sent in. Looking back, I probably did not lose anything in my sale, but at the time felt the vintage vibe of my late 60's Princeton had been besmirched...

 

[drc]

I just bought this amp-

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261107374265?ss ... 1439.l2649

Not to many people have good things to say about them, but I will see for myself.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Excellent! Page Default, he will let you know everything you must about this amp. It is of a power soemwhere around a PR...but much more "vibe." Hope she works out well for you.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Cool! That Guild amp looks really clean. Let us know what you think.

 

[drc]

thanks I reached out to Default already about it. I figured for $200 it was worth a look-see.

 

[Bill Ashton]

So...6 weeks out, tell us about the Thunder 1

 

[Fixit]

DR Blackface for me :!: I have a 66 BF and a 70's SF both are very good but the BF has the edge and is my fav.

 

[drc]

I ended up getting a Electroplex Rockect 22, its crazy awesome! I suggest everyone get a Electroplex!
http://electroplex.com/
Don (the builder) is a great guy, he'll bend over backwards to make sure you are satisfied.

I bought mine from a local up and coming shop here in the Minneapolis area.
http://eldiabloamps.com/
Alan the store owner does all my setups and is a fun guy to chat with. If you are in the Minneapolis area give him a try, he does your setup while you wait!, how cool is that!

 

[drc]

So...6 weeks out, tell us about the Thunder 1

it came in fast and left just as fast.. it was in great condition though, but it just wasnt what I was looking for.