1956 5E2 Tweed Fender Princeton Amp.....in for a Stealth Overhaul
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- Опубліковано 23 січ 2024
- This video documents the circuit repair of a really nice, original 1956 5E2 Fender Princeton amp. All the old electrolytic capacitors were replaced by inserting new caps within the original cardboard tubes to maintain original appearance. In addition we do some investigation to determine the correct circuit ID, polish the corroded control panel, and provide an audio demonstration of the finished product.
Please note that at 26:00 within the video, I foolishly refer to Ajax Blue Molded capacitors as being "blue Astrons". I am eternally sorry for this gross error and apologize to Ajax for degrading their fine product ;)
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Hi Doug. Do you have any opinion/ argument using F&T caps over Sprague? I think we all agree that IC caps are low quality.
Colleagues disagree on stuffing caps for "original". Kind of misleading/ deceiving. Leo designed amps to be serviced knowing components wear out, so the whole nostalgia coveting community is just delusional to snub serviced amps as less valuable, IMHO.
IMHO, Sprague Atoms are grossly overpriced and of no better quality than capacitors that cost far less. I prefer to put my customer's money into the best quality components for the price, thus either MOD or F&T get the nod, unless they specify otherwise. There are conflicting opinions about virtually everything we do, from how to wire primary circuits to how to orient non-polar caps. I will do whatever the customer requests as long as it does not have a permanent or negative effect upon the chassis or circuit. I really love these old amps and will not willingly do harm to any of them. There is no deceit in "stuffing" caps when the process is not only documented in a worldwide video but also by a written statement attached to the amp. With regard to "nostalgia coveting", as long as it only involves their own amps and their own money, it's really not our business.....but I do think they're a wee bit silly to shun carefully, accurately serviced amps, especially when all the original components accompany the amplifier.
Great reply Uncle Doug. 🍺🍺
@UncleDoug
Thanks for your reply. I meant no disrespect to you and your services.
I've been inspired and schooled by your wealth of knowledge, your adherence to excellence and your sense of humor for over a decade. Still miss seeing Rusty. Love that you're a Hotrod/ Classic car wrencher also.
Best Regards
agree 100%... what good is a vintage amp that cant sing or burns up from neglect?
No problem, Steve. Good questions deserve straight answers :)@@stevebeck3164
Love it when a new Uncle Doug video pops up in my feed… and with a Princeton, no less!
Yes, indeed. Always good to hear from you, Brad :)
Same here, my whole day is made
So Brad you are saying this amp is better quality than a new gibson falcon 20? Lol. Sorry had to tease ya.
Uncle Doug and Brad are the reason I picked up working on these old amps again. Thanks so much for reviving my hobby!! Ya’ll are the absolute best!
Thanks, Cory :)@@coreybrown3572
My 1956 Princeton records so well that most engineers can't believe it . Don't let its size fool ya !!!
Btw, I'm still enjoying my DeArmond Tremelo that you repaired for me 👍
i would bet that yours is probably one of your prized possessions. I've had mine since August of 1988. the tube chart says August 1956. I routinely turn down offers for 5 times what I paid for it because I'm a player not a flipper. the next time mine changes hands will be at my estate sale. my bet is that your sentiments are similar, if not identical.
Glad to hear it, H. Our best to you all :)
Simplicity at its best. What a wonderful sparkle and tear that jr and princeton have together.
Yes, indeed, Butch :)
The amp sounds like butter. Bang The Gong never got my attention before.
Glad you enjoyed it, Zero :)
Always great to see you on here! Still the best when it comes to vintage amps!
Thanks, MP :)
Wow another great video from UA-cam's best amp technician thanks for sharing have a great day
Thanks, John. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Its great to see another video Uncle Doug. There is so much bad news at the moment. This will lower my blood pressure! ❤from 🇬🇧
Thanks, Peter. That's our goal :)
Great job stuffing that one funky cap. Looks really good.
Thanks, Ron :)
Great job Uncle Doug. You are not only a great amp tech, you are an amp taxidermist too lol. Have a good one my friend.
That's an interesting way to put it, Fid. I like it!! Thanks :)
That sounds great, Doug! I love the sound of the old P 90. Just the right amount of breakup.
Glad you enjoyed it, Ed :)
Thank you, again, Uncle Doug for another entertaining, educational, and insightful video. Ollie and Jack obviously enjoy their vintage guitars as much as you enjoy vintage amps. Hope this new year finds you prosperous and willing to teach us more. I’ve learned so much from you! -Dan
You're welcome, A13. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Always great and informative.
I don't want you to give away trade secret...but it's amazing how you remove and install caps into original tubes. Its a masterpiece!!👍👍👍
Wow....Thanks so much, Doc. Glad you enjoyed the video :)
Man that SG Junior is immaculate and sounds great. Ollie and Jack are so lucky to be the owners of such a beauty. Another great video, thanks again UD.😊
Glad you enjoyed it, PtC :)
Uncle Doug, you did a great job stuffing new capacitors into old tubes. I just completed a component update to an old Fidelity HF19 1961 record player, to make a video. I attempted to stuff the original aluminium can with three new replacement caps. It was a total disaster and I am so disappointed with my end result, both visually and audibly. I must have spent £50 on two new tubes, capacitors, resistors, stylus, rubber motor grommets and my time. I think I'll chuck it back into the bin where I found it, and not to attempt to emulate a true professional like yourself ever again. The trouble is, you make it look so easy and you always have a perfect sounding result. I am, as always, in awe of your productions.
Thanks so much for your very nice comments, Tim. I'm sorry your project did not meet your expectations but please don't become discouraged. Keep at it and your results will improve over time. Best of luck.
A new video! Thank you ,Uncle Doug!
Glad you enjoyed it, Josh :)
I LOVE seeing a well packaged amp, thanks for noting this Uncle Doug.
Amen, Tom. You're welcome :)
Another beautiful job! 👍
Thanks, TP :)
All things great ! Great video, great tone combo of SG and Princeton. Single P90 SGs can’t be beat! Great song choices with great performance. Uncle Doug never fails to deliver. Thank you for your work and generously sharing it for our enjoyment and education. I treasure every video.
Thanks for your very nice comments, Michael. We really appreciate them :)
That last cat. bypass cap restoration was work of art! You've really done a great job getting it nice-looking, even though it was almost actively resisting restoration, haha.
Thanks, KB. Glad you enjoyed it :)
You've outdone yourself again, Uncle Doug. The amp has very articulate and superbly balanced.
Your videos are always appreciated.
I hope all is well.
Thanks so much, Randy. I appreciate the kind appraisal :)
Nobel prize for @uncledoug THANKS
We graciously accept, Jorge. Thanks :)
Fender "If you can save a dollar". Realities of production. Nice little amp Doug!
Save a dollar, heck, they sought to save pennies and nickels. Thanks, Antony :)
Very good. I've gotten away from amplifier repairs for the last few years, mainly because I no longer have a place to play with guitars and old tube amplifiers. It feels good to at least watch you and others do that. Thank you. 👩🦳
You're always welcome :)
Great to see ya in 2024 doin' what ya do, bloke!
Kudos from Brisbane
At my age, it's good just to be seen, IX. Back at ya' from West Texas.
Fantastic video as always. Brightened up my gloomy morning here in the UK. Rich
Thanks.....glad to hear it :)
Finally, Uncle Doug! - from your three best golden retrievers in las cruces.
Glad you enjoyed it, Max, Trixie, and Timmy :)
Another awesome job Uncle Doug! thanks for sharing!!
Glad you enjoyed it, Andrew. Thanks for watching.
Man, that amp sounds great!
I'd record with that all day.
Thanks, Jim :)
Always a pleasure to see new content from you, Doug. This one is stellar.
Thanks, Keith :)
Great episode. Liked the playing at the end. That SG teamed well with that amp, real classic sound.
Thanks !! Glad you enjoyed it, Scott.
Beside the excellent "spruce up" journey - - UD, your guitar is BEAUTIFUL!! What a gem!
Glad you enjoyed it, Skip :)
I have a 54 Princeton that is in very good condition. It has been maintained as needed and sounds great. On occasion, I have allowed a few others access to it, and all want to record with it. It really sounds sweet with a good Les Paul pushing it
Sounds nice, P.
Hi Uncle Dough - Greetings from Ireland on St Patricks Day! - Thank you very much for posting your videos - You are truly a great teacher and I have learnt so much from you!
What a perfect day to hear from you :) Thanks so much. We're glad the videos are helpful and appreciated :)
Doug, you've got it all, good chops on a killer vintage guitar, plus the electronic know how and don't get me started on your hot rods!
Wow....thanks so much, TM :)
As always, another great chance to learn from Uncle Doug! I never knew caps could develop hemorrhoids! 🙂
Thanks, MJ. Yep, and Preparation H doesn't seem to help.
Since I've started building amps it's amazing to see just how simple the Princeton really is.
Simple always seems to be better, Mike.
I'm never going to stop thanking you for the videos and the encouragement you gave me last year. Largely due to what I've learned from you, I've successfully repaired a couple of my own on my own. Hope all's well in the workshop and life. Thank you Uncle Doug!
You're welcome, Sean. We're glad the videos have been helpful ;)
Jack and ollie's tools are quite impressive . After a bit of the whacky weed , my guitars usually show a little wear , theirs are flawless . Awesome vid as always UD , Thanks .
They are fastidious with their instruments......and their catbox, RJ :) Glad you enjoyed it.
That amp sure has a magic tone, your efforts were rewarded. It is great to see a technician with passion at work. These gems can live forever with your TLC. Well done, great posting.
Thanks so much, Keith. We're glad you enjoyed it.
Wake a welcome surprise.
Just finished watching.
Another great one Uncle Doug
Thanks, John. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Thanks Doug! Another beauty brought back to life and I always learn a ton watching these! Great job as always and thanks for sharing your vast knowledge with the rest of us. 👍👍👏
You're welcome, Kenin :)
Hello, UD, great to find a new video of your work!
I want to note that I was surprised about the result of the leak voltage test of the output stage coupling cap, since the tube seemed very reasonably biased. I guess the explanation is that the virtual DC resistance of the leaky cap forms a voltage divider with the input resistance of the multimeter (I guess that's about 20 Megaohms). That's 100 times as much as the grid leak resistor of the 6V6 according to the schematic, so, roughly, the faulting of the grid bias voltage would be only one hundredth of those 12.4 Volts that the MM showed - 0.1Volts. Seems negligible, but obviously that cap was not reliable and right to be replaced.
Great sound of the completed work, and good to take a step back to times when people were satisfied with a 5 Watt SE amp!
Greetings, Regald
Greetings, Regald, and thanks for all the nice comments. Glad you enjoyed it :)
I absolutely love this kind of tone demo at the end! I think it leaves us with a much more fundamental understanding of what the amp sounds like. Also just wanted to say what a huge inspiration and source of knowledge you've been over the years. I know I am but one of many who appreciates the hell out of what you do.
Thanks so much for your very kind words, Jim. We really appreciate them :)
Amp sounds great, Doug. And that SG Jr.... fabulous condition! Love it.
Thanks, Andy. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Uncle Doug - I miss seeing Rusty in your videos, his hair was perfect, and he knew how to relax. Now I too must carry on, without my hounds. It's great that vintage amps can be restored, and outlive us all. Keep up the good work...
It is a shame that our furry friends can't have the same life span we do. Will do.
I have a special place in my heart for old single ended Fender amplifiers. They have something special, definitely. Old Hawards are also nice.
BTW, that SG Junior is exactly what I crave for. I own reissue SG Special, and it's great guitar, but Juniors are simply mire alive and can growl like no other P90 guitar. Great match for the amplifier demo. Both simple things with great sound. Sadly, even original SG Juniors are very expensive here in Europe. I wish I had organized someone to get me one like 20 years ago from the USA. They were still dirt cheap and plentiful. They are still cheaper than here, but people understand that these are awesome guitars and price has gone up.
Thanks for sharing, 9W :)
@UncleDoug Dear Uncle Dough, Thank you for all of your generosity by giving us all great material and for teaching us so many things. Even when I knew stuff, your way of looking at the issues made me think critically and adapt my way of approaching some things. You are the real treasure. Doing real knowledge transfer and teaching people to become better. I am a person who also helps others, especially younger people, to learn things, and I am often send them to watch your channel and learn about things. For example, a friend of a friend is building hus first amplifier. I have had to explain to him that he can't just turn it on without biassing a fixed bias push pull amp. But instead of learning him just how I do it in that particular scenario, I have sent him links to all of your biasing videos and told him which one is his case. The idea behind it is that he learns not only how to bias his amps but to "infect" him by introducing him to different topologies of the power end of the amplifiers. So he can see a cathode biased amplifier and then say, "Let me see what is that" and learn about it. Or wait a single ended amplifier, what is that. So he learns about all of it.
I have helped my friends all over the world to fix their amplifiers for free. People who love music and want to know how to help them self. All in hope this knowledge about tube guitar amplifiers doesn't die within a few generations. Thanks for everything!
Thanks for sharing, 9W. Best of luck with your students :)@@NINEWALKING
Oh hey, thank you for sharing the way to calculate the expected speaker rating. I have a few OTs that randomly came out of old gear, so I don't always know what ohm rating of speaker to use 🤩 Uncle Doug to the rescue!! Also, great job on hiding the new filter caps.
Thanks, GF. Determining the winding ratio can eliminate all the impedance issues :)
Always a pleasure and I hope all is well...
"Jack & Ollie's" playing is better than ever and
Elvis sez "Hi" though he also emits a perfect "Meow"
and I dunno how he does it with such thin lips
Thanks so much, Jonny :) Regards to Elvis.
Thanks for another great video. I've learned so much from you and still watch your stuff almost daily! In early 2018 I built an 1176 blue stripe compressor as a hobby project with my Dad (still in my desk and used on recordings!) but didn't have a clue what was going on in the schematic. Six years later with a combination of a lot of reading and binging on your videos, I can read a schematic, make sense of so much more, and repaired two of my amps last year. Wouldn't have come half as far without your tutorials and repair videos. You're a national treasure Uncle Doug. All the best to you in the year ahead.
Thanks for the very nice comments, Sean. We're glad the videos are helpful :)
Another great one saved! Thank you, Uncle Doug.
Glad you enjoyed it, VC.
a new Uncle Doug video showing up on my feed always makes every other videos disappear in second.
Thanks Doug, once again, everything sounds so clear and evident in your videos.
Thanks, F......we're glad to hear it :)
As always, a very very tasty audio demo! Thank you Uncle Doug!
Glad you enjoyed it, G :)
Therapy! This is my Therapy!!! Thanks so much!!!
High praise indeed, Jorge. Thanks !!
Great job with the caps as usual,UD. Looking and SOUNDING beautiful !
Thanks twice, William :)
That amp was made to play Interstate Love Song. Fantastic tones.
Yes, it was. Thanks, NM :)
It's always a pleasure, and a joy, to see a new video uploaded by Uncle Doug.
I've learned so much, and enjoyed each and every video.
Thank you!
Thant's great to hear, A. It was our pleasure :)
Good to see you again! For the drop type capacitors you couldn't replace, only think I could think of is trying to take a mould, finding a capacitor that's smaller and using something like an air hardening coloured clay around them, it's a long way to go but if you're dead on keeping it original it might be the way to to
I don't think I've ever seen an amplifier with so little in it!
It gets too time consuming and expensive to pursue original appearance too far, P. I try to maintain a happy medium :)
@@UncleDoug for sure, where does it end, like the old type resistors, they don't make them that way any more, and sure to can buy old stock, but how long are they going to last once they start getting juice!
@@phonotical I guess it's best to maintain a degree of common sense when seeking the best quality restoration
Wow. Of all the amps I've seen you work on, this one might have the most balanced tone, and the sweetest break-up. What a lucky fella he is to own this amp.
Thanks for your nice comments, TJR :)
Little amp sounds great! Good work Uncle D. The old P-90 on the SG easily distorts the amp. As always... thanks
Thanks, Clarence. Glad you liked it :)
Hey Doug. For future reference, Astron is in the process of opening back up with vintage-correct Astron caps
Thanks for the info, JC. Let's hope they are priced reasonably and work well.
Such a sweet sound . Great job . Wish I could afford one . Had a 72 Princeton years ago and had to pawn it . Sad 😭
Glad you enjoyed it, 777.
Beautifully quiet. Especially for a SE amp. You know what might be fun, seeing you scratch build a preamp with eq and output to amp and DI.
Thanks, Aaron. I don't build or work on partial amps or modern effects.
Hey UD, thanks for sharing a real gem with us and for taking the time and care to explain exactly what you are doing every step of the way so everyone can keep up ( especially me! ).. all the best as ever and great to see you uploading again, Paul in the UK. God bless.
You're welcome, Paul. We're glad you enjoy our video style :)
Hi uncle Doug, I've been watching your channel for about eight years or so when I first started my hobby working on vintage guitar amplifiers and testing equipment. Your channel has been absolutely invaluable to my learning and it is the absolute basis of everything I now know in the Field. Thank you for that! I wanted to let you know I've just posted my very first UA-cam videos on my channel @ldonrutton. They are about a U-TEST-M Model 2500 standup drugstore tube tester I've just finished restoring. Posting the videos is a tribute to you, while they are not educational like yours yet, I hope to get there and share back. Thanks again so much and best wishes!
Thanks for the very nice note, Ron. It's great to hear that you've progressed to posting your own YT videos. I will check it out :)
Another fine video addition to your great body of work! Glad to see it!
Thanks, Eric :)
Wonderful restoration and great video, really enjoyed watching and learning. Also thankyou for responding to people’s questions and comments with such grace and maturity.
Thanks for your very nice comments, Peter :)
Uncle Doug thanks for the great concert at the end of your great video as always! The Waiting tugged at my old leaky heart a little
Glad you enjoyed it, M216 :)
Uncie Doug, it's great to see you alive and well!
I feel the same, CC. Thanks !! :)
Nice to watch a Uncle Doug video with breakfast but now I have to get dressed and downstairs to the shop, got a customer coming to pickup a guitar. Thanks Doug. Cool SG Jr, love those and LP Jr too.
Glad you enjoyed it, Martin :) Thanks !!
Always a good day when a new Uncle Doug video shows up! Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Michael. Will do :)
Great video! I like the break up / overdrive on that amp. Glad to see you're keeping your chops up! Sounds great. As always, thanks for the video and effort!
Thanks so much, IR :)
Hi Doug, Jupiter Condenser makes a great copy of the red paper foil Astron capacitors Fender used during the “tweed era”. They are nearly clone correct down to the labels depicting a 400 volt rating just like the originals; however, they are actually rated at 600 volts. While a bit pricey, they might be just the ticket for a Fender tweed amp in need of it’s leaky yellow astron caps replaced.
Thanks for the tip, Hiatt. I'll look into them.
Neat old circuit sounds great. The result looks even better. Thank you for the look over the shoulder of a master.
Thanks for joining us, Andrew :)
Sounds great........i appreciate your skill. thanks doug!
Thanks, Lee :)
Here is Australia there is a lot of resentment of the US as a world leader. Something that has worsened over time.
One of the reasons I still have a little faith in the USA is individuals like Uncle Doug.
He is like a "snap shot" of what makes the country unique and respected in this world.
Cheers 🍻
[14:11 Capacitor hemorrhoid 😁]
I'm sorry to hear that, PK. I think you'll find that the issues all reside with the "leadership"......not the people. I appreciate your kind words :)
@@UncleDoug ....sadly we have similar political and leadership issues in my country.
All the best
From what we see on the news, PK, the problem is virtually worldwide. I wonder how we let it happen?@@PetraKann
@@UncleDoug
"...the people get the leaders they deserve"
[Plato ~400 BC]
Sadly, only half the people make poor choices, while the other half suffers for their ignorance.@@PetraKann
Thanks Uncle Doug for another wonderful fixer vid!
Glad you enjoyed it, MM.
These purist that need to hide capacitors in old cases are a tiresome lot. Not criticizing your great work, but caps on amps need replacing and new caps should not devalue an amp! Great to see you again Uncle!
Sorry you feel that way, Dave. I tend to respect the judgement of my customers. The way I see it, it's their amp and they are entitled to have it serviced to their satisfaction.
@@UncleDougGreat video. Keep up the great work!!
As always,a great video. Good to see that you can keep an audience captivated by your common sense approach to servicing an amp.Cheers
Thanks, Froggy :)
best wishes in this new year thank you as always
Likewise, Paul.
I love these stealth repairs. I know it's a lot more work, but man, those circuits look beautiful!
Glad you enjoy them, Greg :)
Thanks again Uncle Doug , not many would care about a Stealthy Repair.
You Get It! 👍🏻
Stealth is our middle name, Jamie :)
@@UncleDoug 👊🏻
Back at you, Jamie 👊🏻@@jamiemorgan4146
Fantastic sounds from both.
Thanks twice, CH :)
Sounds fantastic! Awesome work. You rock, sir! Love the STP in the sound samples, good on ya!
We're glad you enjoyed it, Han :)
Always a class!!!
Thanks, VR :)
Thanks again, Uncle Doug.
You're welcome, Tim :)
Дуже дякую за цікаве відео Дядько Дуг! 👍🙂 Як на мене це шикарне рішення про заміну електролітичних конденсаторів. І старий вигляд радує гітариста і нова ємність в середині виконує свою роботу на 100%. Чудова робота від вас не в перший раз 👍🙂 З нетерпінням чекатиму на наступне відео. Завжди з повагою Володя" smih".
Величезне спасибі за твої дуже приємні слова, smih. Ми раді, що вам сподобалося наше відео.
I always look forward to your videos Uncle...have a good one!
That's great to hear. You too :)
Very nice work. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Thanks, AT. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Just another phenomenal video as always!!! Love the SG!!!
Thanks twice, Bert :)
Wow UD, the breakup on the SG Junior and the amp is really musical. Fantastic. Great work on the circuit too.
Thanks, W&G. Glad you enjoyed it :)
Perfectly done. The guitar is good too. I used to play "Last Time" on stage. You are forgiven . . . 😎
Thanks, Tony. People used to tell us that they hoped it would be our "Last Time" on stage also ;)
Great to see you Doug
Thanks, Phil :)
your knowledge is an inspiration!
Thanks so much, Julian :)
Well done Uncle Doug. Bless Your Bunions!
Thanks, David. How about my old aching back and knees ?
Another awesome video Uncle Doug!
Thanks !! Glad you enjoyed it VWM :)
I love that guitar and amp together. Sweet tones
Glad you enjoyed it, Noel :)
Good to have a new vid from ya, beautiful amp.
Thanks, YG :)
Great Scott Uncle Doug is at it again!
Great Caesar's Ghost.....yes, we are :)
Nice amp, and it even goes one louder than Nigel Tufnel's Marshall! 😁
Thanks for the video Doug.
Nigel tried to buy it but the drummer had an emergency (don't they always) and he had to leave ;)