Interesting how Princetons have become the amp of choice for so many. When Mike Campbell was asked what the best amp was he replied without delay, "Fender Princeton.....Reverb." Well played, John Nathan.
It’s funny that Mike said “Fender Princeton”, then paused, and whispered “Reverb” because it was an interview with Reverb. Mike actually used the normal non-reverb Princeton. They apparently have a little more clean headroom than the reverb version.
Mike Campbell actually said Princeton Reverb ....non-reverb. With the Les Paul I think it would sound better if you plugged it into channel 2. I just ordered one and the price keeps going up because everyone wants one. However I am seeing various UA-cam videos explaining how the filters and other things need to be done to the amp because it is made a bit cheaply. I am spending $2000 Canadian dollars on one and that sort of disappoints me that I might have to spend more to get it up to speed.
I really like the Greer Lightspeed into the Princeton for a low gain edge of breakup vibe. The Princeton also excels as a jazz amp with humbucker guitars.
Yay! I love the '65 PRRI - my first 'grown-up' amp (ignoring my Orange TT). I picked up a Fender Special Run PRRI with a 12" creamback a couple of months ago. Sounds lush, especially when the volume is set around just above 4. It gets quite brash as you crank it. But it has clean headroom for days and you have to get all your gain from pedals if you're playing at bedroom volumes. Incidentally, I completely agree with your observation in relation to volume, tone and gain, it is crazy loud above 6 and doesn't give up the goods until you approach 7. That's why I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mesa Boogie Mark V:25. Thanks for all your inspiration for the Mesa John - you've really helped sell it to me. I can't wait to hear what you manage to coax from the PRRI. Congrats on the purchase. BTW, in terms of pedal you have to try a Barber Gain Changer SR or Nobels ODR with the PRRI - both work really well. It also works really well with Muff-type pedals and RAT circuits.
I love the sound of this amp, and your playing showcases that perfectly. I'm still having trouble choosing my next amp though.. For most of my playing this amp would to the trick but I sometimes fancy playing around with a bit more gain through pedals. If this amp isn't versatile enough for both of these types of playing what would be a better option in this price class? A Hot Rod Deluxe IV perhaps? The Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb seems like a good fit but I'm seeing tons posts about the noise floor being unacceptably bad. I've been at it for weeks but I'm constantly running into dead ends.
I setup mine on the edge of break up and use the volume and tone knobs on my guitars and am able to control it all that way. A JHS Sweettea is a great overdrive that has two channels and pairs extremely well with this stellar amp!
Just bought my first Princeton Reverb, the 12 Inch in Bourdeux Wine Red. It should be here on Saturday, I also got a Night Light Attenuator I am hoping to use with it at Night time.
I have found that both my BluesJr, and Princeton exhibit that spikey high end at higher volumes that are not audibly pleasing. I also like to plug in my new amps into my computer and run a loop of songs all day and night for a few days. It really seems to loosen up the speaker and cuts down on the sharp, high end. It doesn't go away but lessens it as the speaker breaks in. As an experiment, pull the speaker out cable and plug it into a 2x12 cab. You'll get a completely different tone without the sharp high end.
@@johnnathancordy BluesJr as it can adjust the preamp gain. I usually set it on 7-9, then adjust the volume to taste. Depends on HB or SC, but you get the idea. The Princeton for clean tones, but I wish the speaker was larger. The 10 inch speaker is too small at volume. It's too stiff. IMHO
@@loopie007 yeh I feel you, into a 2x12 it's a big sound. I've only messed around with a blues junior in a practice room, I think you're right it has a spongier saggier feel? I also loved that....maybe they pair nicely together?
I never knew this was considered a budget amp lol. They’re the best fender amp if you ask me, though. Really no need to get a Deluxe once they started micing amps up at gigs
The second cheapest amp in their catalogue in 1965 was all I meant really, the only thing they made cheaper was a Vibro Champ which was half the price!
@@johnnathancordy that's wild, dude. Super informative video, I had no idea this was the case. Keep up the good work, man, I'm a big fan. I dig the eric johnson style and dry british humor lol. Your channel helped push me to go ampless which has been the best decision I ever made. I have a lot of love for the Princeton, though!
I think the original Carlos Santana Mesa boogie was a blackface bass man (possibly tweed) which had an extra gain stage and 12 inch speaker, stuffed in a Princeton chassis as a bit of a joke They are great amps, I bought a vintage silver face for the same price as a re-issue a couple of years back, before people had caught on about how good they were. The silver face models are basically the same as the black face, but half the price, they survived the CBS take over unmutilated Also I use the second input, it’s a touch less spikey
It's surprizingly easy to make a 22 watt princeton if you study up on it. Deluxe power and output transformer and strapping the unused capaciter in the cap can and using a cz34 rectifier tube. It must be a handwired amp though I think. Go look at Rob Robinette. He explains everything. It true that Randall made his mark by hitrodding princeton reverbs. First 22watts, then 35, 40 50, 65 and up to 80watts! Carlos Santana went to hus shop with other guitarist took one look and said I can't play a princeton live. He tried it. I think a 65 watt rig and said wow this think boogies! He bought one and mesa boogie was on the map! They build complex ,difficult to repair amps now.
Nice. Very common upgrade for these is a 12" speaker, either Eminence or Celestion, addressing some of the boxiness and bass issues of the 10". Some argue it has a "sweeter" sound than many deluxe reverb reissues, by which I think they mean less mid scoop? Anyway, in an age of modelers and near infinite options, maybe small combos will quietly and cleverly become to 2020 what the Marshall stack was to the 1980's.
@@johnnathancordy Throw a clean boost (RC Booster) or a low-gain pedal (JHS Morning Glory or a Greer Lightspeed) in front of your Princeton and you'll know.
@@johnnathancordy Don't sleep on that Greer pedal, either. Try a Southland of his, too. He makes incredible stuff. They're EQ'd to a very sweet place. Give 'em a listen on here.
@@johnnathancordy My gain stages for the Princeton (I also blend this with an AC15): * Xotic RC Booster (Primary clean or for slamming into other pedals, second channel for stand-alone hair around the edges) * J Rockett Archer Clean * Morning Glory * Lightspeed * Origin RevivalDrive (Good crunch on one side and dimed roar on the other) * JHS Crayon (Set to sputter, a la Beatles Revolution-y but crazier)
I have a 68 RI Princeton and I go back and forth on it every time I play. It has wayyy more bass, even with Lollar blondes I need the bass on 1. Sounds really nice in stereo with a brighter amp though. Also, bluesbreakers seem to like Princetons. Or maybe Princetons like bluesbreakers. Just try it.
Johnny, I'm in the same boat! I bought the 68 RI,because I thought it would be cool to have it next to my 65 RI. On its own,its really bass heavy,but in stereo with the 65,it's awesome. I go back and forth,trying to decide if I want to keep it,or sell it.
Hey Corey, I wanna know what’s your opinion between tweed champ deluxe rev Princeton... Since some jazz player like Julian Lage use a 1960 champ but I also heard deluxe reverb is frequently used as well. Just curious for modern jazz, do those fender amp have they own pro/con? Or just the taste of tone depend on everyone’s like
Hey! I've actually never played a champ or a deluxe reverb! The champ has much lower headroom as I think it's a 5-8 watt circuit traditionally? Deluxe reverb is 18-22 or something like that I think so much more clean headroom, making it an ideal candidate for jazz!
I have a Super Sonic 22 combo, I'm thinking of replacing it with a Princeton. I only use the clean channel of the amp, with different pedals (Morning glory, Amp11 and delay and reverb). Does the Princeton sound better clean? I only use it in a room, so lower power would be an advantage, but I've never had a 10 inch speaker. Do you recommend a replacement?
How do you like the princeton-sound and feel, compared to a modeler like the helix? Have a helix, and want a princeton myself. Thanks for making videos like this:)
@johnnathancorfy hi johnnathan! Incredible that tone you achieve! I was wondering if the performance of the torpedo also depends on the quality of the audio interface, is there much difference to use it with a focusrite than with an apollo twin for example? thanks for your time!
Great video! How would you describe noise floor of this amp? No guitar plugged, just the amp - does it hiss with volume past 5-6? Does reverb add hum? Feedback will be very appreciated! Thx
How do you like the Two Notes Captor X? (assuming that's what it is). I've heard it's attenuation options are very limited, but I'd be interested in one just for silent playing with a tube amp through headphones. How would you compare your experience using this Princeton and your other tube amps with the Captor X versus using a modeler rig, using the same playback system?
I really like it actually, as you say the attenuation options aren't great (not why I got it) but for silent playing it's really nice once you get it matched up with the right speaker!
one of the better blackface circuits, IMO, but still held back by the 10" speaker and too-small transformer. modern designs that "fix" those issues are, again just IMO, easily the best of the 6V6 amps. in stock form I find the PR has too little headroom even for at-home playing.
also your boogie history is maybe? slightly off. by the time Mesa made it to production amps the Mark I wasnt really a princeton, and the pre-prod amps were a hodgepodge. while one might have been a hacked up princeton, the next might have been a tweed bassman stuffed into a tiny cabinet. really just depended on what amp you gave them to hack up. side note on tiny cabs; my Mark II is the same size as a Princeton Reverb and weighs an astronomical amount with an EVM12L. At least 70 lbs (not exaggerating)
@@johnnathancordy that is interesting. I may have it wrong. hard to square that as I feel like Ive seen some early amps that are definitely not princeton circuits, even if they have been stuffed into princeton cabs, but then I may not be recalling things correctly.
Great playing, great video. Not for break-up and humbuckers eh! Someone has to have a talk with Ronnie Wood then. ua-cam.com/video/UtD8_iEgNvA/v-deo.html.
Try some Celestion speaker models w the Torpedo. They can really enhance the balance of the frequencies. One of my favorites of all time.
Good spot, I think this video I'm (digitally) using a C90!
I'm picking up my first Princeton tomorrow and this video has gotten me so insanely stoked.
Ah hope you enjoy it Bobby! Let me know how you get on
Interesting how Princetons have become the amp of choice for so many. When Mike Campbell was asked what the best amp was he replied without delay, "Fender Princeton.....Reverb."
Well played, John Nathan.
There's quite a lot to like, I think the simplicity is top of the list, and the reverb and tremolo are really cool I think?
It’s funny that Mike said “Fender Princeton”, then paused, and whispered “Reverb” because it was an interview with Reverb. Mike actually used the normal non-reverb Princeton. They apparently have a little more clean headroom than the reverb version.
Mike Campbell actually said Princeton Reverb ....non-reverb. With the Les Paul I think it would sound better if you plugged it into channel 2. I just ordered one and the price keeps going up because everyone wants one. However I am seeing various UA-cam videos explaining how the filters and other things need to be done to the amp because it is made a bit cheaply. I am spending $2000 Canadian dollars on one and that sort of disappoints me that I might have to spend more to get it up to speed.
I really like the Greer Lightspeed into the Princeton for a low gain edge of breakup vibe. The Princeton also excels as a jazz amp with humbucker guitars.
The Lightspeed makes everything better!
Yay! I love the '65 PRRI - my first 'grown-up' amp (ignoring my Orange TT). I picked up a Fender Special Run PRRI with a 12" creamback a couple of months ago. Sounds lush, especially when the volume is set around just above 4. It gets quite brash as you crank it. But it has clean headroom for days and you have to get all your gain from pedals if you're playing at bedroom volumes. Incidentally, I completely agree with your observation in relation to volume, tone and gain, it is crazy loud above 6 and doesn't give up the goods until you approach 7. That's why I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mesa Boogie Mark V:25. Thanks for all your inspiration for the Mesa John - you've really helped sell it to me. I can't wait to hear what you manage to coax from the PRRI. Congrats on the purchase. BTW, in terms of pedal you have to try a Barber Gain Changer SR or Nobels ODR with the PRRI - both work really well. It also works really well with Muff-type pedals and RAT circuits.
Wow that reissue sounds damn good, it takes a great player and you do some great playing
Niiiiiiiice !! That tone is gold...
I'm digging it!!!
@@johnnathancordy You better !! :P
My favorite amp. I love my 79. Ts9dx on + and the foot switch for the tremolo with the reverb between 5 and 7
Oh man, sweet tones today. Thanks!
It sounds brilliant! "Guitar Fingers" has grown up!
That intro!!! What a player
That intro was really beautiful. Nice tone too
I love the sound of this amp, and your playing showcases that perfectly. I'm still having trouble choosing my next amp though.. For most of my playing this amp would to the trick but I sometimes fancy playing around with a bit more gain through pedals. If this amp isn't versatile enough for both of these types of playing what would be a better option in this price class? A Hot Rod Deluxe IV perhaps? The Fender 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb seems like a good fit but I'm seeing tons posts about the noise floor being unacceptably bad. I've been at it for weeks but I'm constantly running into dead ends.
I love mine and I have a Cream Celestion Alnico speaker in it . It’s awesome
I setup mine on the edge of break up and use the volume and tone knobs on my guitars and am able to control it all that way. A JHS Sweettea is a great overdrive that has two channels and pairs extremely well with this stellar amp!
Just bought my first Princeton Reverb, the 12 Inch in Bourdeux Wine Red. It should be here on Saturday, I also got a Night Light Attenuator I am hoping to use with it at Night time.
I have found that both my BluesJr, and Princeton exhibit that spikey high end at higher volumes that are not audibly pleasing.
I also like to plug in my new amps into my computer and run a loop of songs all day and night for a few days. It really seems to loosen up the speaker and cuts down on the sharp, high end. It doesn't go away but lessens it as the speaker breaks in. As an experiment, pull the speaker out cable and plug it into a 2x12 cab. You'll get a completely different tone without the sharp high end.
Which do you prefer out of the blues junior and the Princeton J?
@@johnnathancordy BluesJr as it can adjust the preamp gain. I usually set it on 7-9, then adjust the volume to taste. Depends on HB or SC, but you get the idea. The Princeton for clean tones, but I wish the speaker was larger. The 10 inch speaker is too small at volume. It's too stiff. IMHO
@@loopie007 yeh I feel you, into a 2x12 it's a big sound.
I've only messed around with a blues junior in a practice room, I think you're right it has a spongier saggier feel? I also loved that....maybe they pair nicely together?
Sweet tone
Late to the show but damn that's some tasty licks. Subscribed!
I never knew this was considered a budget amp lol. They’re the best fender amp if you ask me, though. Really no need to get a Deluxe once they started micing amps up at gigs
The second cheapest amp in their catalogue in 1965 was all I meant really, the only thing they made cheaper was a Vibro Champ which was half the price!
@Gary Crook that's what I mean by turned into a classic - in 65 the dual showman was like over 5 times the price!
@@johnnathancordy that's wild, dude. Super informative video, I had no idea this was the case. Keep up the good work, man, I'm a big fan. I dig the eric johnson style and dry british humor lol. Your channel helped push me to go ampless which has been the best decision I ever made. I have a lot of love for the Princeton, though!
Top of the line STUDENT amp!
I think the original Carlos Santana Mesa boogie was a blackface bass man (possibly tweed) which had an extra gain stage and 12 inch speaker, stuffed in a Princeton chassis as a bit of a joke
They are great amps, I bought a vintage silver face for the same price as a re-issue a couple of years back, before people had caught on about how good they were. The silver face models are basically the same as the black face, but half the price, they survived the CBS take over unmutilated
Also I use the second input, it’s a touch less spikey
It's surprizingly easy to make a 22 watt princeton if you study up on it. Deluxe power and output transformer and strapping the unused capaciter in the cap can and using a cz34 rectifier tube. It must be a handwired amp though I think. Go look at Rob Robinette. He explains everything. It true that Randall made his mark by hitrodding princeton reverbs. First 22watts, then 35, 40 50, 65 and up to 80watts! Carlos Santana went to hus shop with other guitarist took one look and said I can't play a princeton live. He tried it. I think a 65 watt rig and said wow this think boogies! He bought one and mesa boogie was on the map! They build complex ,difficult to repair amps now.
Nice chops man
Nice. Very common upgrade for these is a 12" speaker, either Eminence or Celestion, addressing some of the boxiness and bass issues of the 10". Some argue it has a "sweeter" sound than many deluxe reverb reissues, by which I think they mean less mid scoop? Anyway, in an age of modelers and near infinite options, maybe small combos will quietly and cleverly become to 2020 what the Marshall stack was to the 1980's.
I've got a celestion gold on the way will see how that goes!
@@johnnathancordy how did it go?
Great tones!!! Hope that play along will go up on your Patreon page!!!
Got a reissue with a 12-inch Jensen last year. It was my first Fender amp. My toes have yet to uncurl.
Wait. Are curled toes good or bad?
@@johnnathancordy Throw a clean boost (RC Booster) or a low-gain pedal (JHS Morning Glory or a Greer Lightspeed) in front of your Princeton and you'll know.
@@carlsmithjr ooh the morning glory is a Bluesbreaker I think? Second person to suggest that. Will take heed!!!
@@johnnathancordy Don't sleep on that Greer pedal, either. Try a Southland of his, too. He makes incredible stuff. They're EQ'd to a very sweet place. Give 'em a listen on here.
@@johnnathancordy My gain stages for the Princeton (I also blend this with an AC15):
* Xotic RC Booster (Primary clean or for slamming into other pedals, second channel for stand-alone hair around the edges)
* J Rockett Archer Clean
* Morning Glory
* Lightspeed
* Origin RevivalDrive (Good crunch on one side and dimed roar on the other)
* JHS Crayon (Set to sputter, a la Beatles Revolution-y but crazier)
Electro Harmonix Glove works PERFECTLY with my LTD 65 Princeton re issue:)
Never got around to the factory farming conversation...oh well... but seriously, tasty playing and nice tone.
I have a 68 RI Princeton and I go back and forth on it every time I play. It has wayyy more bass, even with Lollar blondes I need the bass on 1. Sounds really nice in stereo with a brighter amp though.
Also, bluesbreakers seem to like Princetons. Or maybe Princetons like bluesbreakers. Just try it.
Johnny,
I'm in the same boat! I bought the 68 RI,because I thought it would be cool to have it next to my 65 RI. On its own,its really bass heavy,but in stereo with the 65,it's awesome. I go back and forth,trying to decide if I want to keep it,or sell it.
I turn up the bass on my 68, the bump is actually around 400hz so,if you turn the bass down it gets accentuated. Love mine
@@petevan
Hmm! I'll give it a try! Thanks
since you're soliciting pedal recommendations, for a PR I like the Rockett Blue Note, any decent klone, but most of all the Menatone Red Snapper.
Need to borrow a Klon off someone then don't I...
beautiful
If you still have that king of tone in your inventory, I’m a big fan of using it with this amp and humbuckers.
I have a prince? Let's try that!!
@@johnnathancordy Totally, I only ever use the KoT one side at a time. Each side is set for humbucker/single coil respectively
Hey Corey, I wanna know what’s your opinion between tweed champ deluxe rev Princeton...
Since some jazz player like Julian Lage use a 1960 champ but I also heard deluxe reverb is frequently used as well.
Just curious for modern jazz, do those fender amp have they own pro/con? Or just the taste of tone depend on everyone’s like
Hey!
I've actually never played a champ or a deluxe reverb!
The champ has much lower headroom as I think it's a 5-8 watt circuit traditionally? Deluxe reverb is 18-22 or something like that I think so much more clean headroom, making it an ideal candidate for jazz!
I use a Fairfield Circuitry Barbershop into mine.
I have a Super Sonic 22 combo, I'm thinking of replacing it with a Princeton. I only use the clean channel of the amp, with different pedals (Morning glory, Amp11 and delay and reverb). Does the Princeton sound better clean? I only use it in a room, so lower power would be an advantage, but I've never had a 10 inch speaker. Do you recommend a replacement?
Love it! Would you mind sharing what speaker is in it? Thanks!
It has the Jensen one that the 65 reissues come with (10")
How do you like the princeton-sound and feel, compared to a modeler like the helix? Have a helix, and want a princeton myself. Thanks for making videos like this:)
@johnnathancorfy hi johnnathan! Incredible that tone you achieve! I was wondering if the performance of the torpedo also depends on the quality of the audio interface, is there much difference to use it with a focusrite than with an apollo twin for example? thanks for your time!
Mine arrived moments ago... Enjoy! :)
Great video! How would you describe noise floor of this amp? No guitar plugged, just the amp - does it hiss with volume past 5-6? Does reverb add hum? Feedback will be very appreciated! Thx
How do you like the Two Notes Captor X? (assuming that's what it is). I've heard it's attenuation options are very limited, but I'd be interested in one just for silent playing with a tube amp through headphones. How would you compare your experience using this Princeton and your other tube amps with the Captor X versus using a modeler rig, using the same playback system?
I really like it actually, as you say the attenuation options aren't great (not why I got it) but for silent playing it's really nice once you get it matched up with the right speaker!
Amazing player brother! Who made your strat?
That’s an awesome tone! It’s the Princeton into a Torpedo Captor?
What color is that Strat? It looks great!
Pelham blue or Tidepool
4:17 was like when I told my gf we couldn’t adopt both children
one of the better blackface circuits, IMO, but still held back by the 10" speaker and too-small transformer. modern designs that "fix" those issues are, again just IMO, easily the best of the 6V6 amps. in stock form I find the PR has too little headroom even for at-home playing.
This one has a ext speaker out which is handy, so I was blasting it into my Mesa 2x12!
also your boogie history is maybe? slightly off. by the time Mesa made it to production amps the Mark I wasnt really a princeton, and the pre-prod amps were a hodgepodge. while one might have been a hacked up princeton, the next might have been a tweed bassman stuffed into a tiny cabinet. really just depended on what amp you gave them to hack up.
side note on tiny cabs; my Mark II is the same size as a Princeton Reverb and weighs an astronomical amount with an EVM12L. At least 70 lbs (not exaggerating)
@@TCMx3 Randall calls them Princeton/Boogies on their site?
I've got a mark 3 here too and with the EV speaker it's yeh...heavy!
@@TCMx3 oh yeh looking closely he says putting the bassman circuit in a Princeton, and bigger transformers?
@@johnnathancordy that is interesting. I may have it wrong.
hard to square that as I feel like Ive seen some early amps that are definitely not princeton circuits, even if they have been stuffed into princeton cabs, but then I may not be recalling things correctly.
I ask myself how you think about sharing these Backing Tracks ? I would offer you a good Coffee ;-)
They all go up on my patreon! Feel free to just use the buy me coffee link and request a few if you want to?
i like it
Didnt they make a non Vibro, Champ?
Yeh!
Great playing, great video. Not for break-up and humbuckers eh! Someone has to have a talk with Ronnie Wood then. ua-cam.com/video/UtD8_iEgNvA/v-deo.html.
Today I learned how badly inflated the US dollar has become lol