Princeton ’65 Speaker Swap
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- Опубліковано 11 вер 2024
- I recently got a Fender Princeton Reverb ’65 Reissue when I traded in some old Drone gear to Adorama. I knew I wanted to swap out the speaker before I even got it, so that’s what we do today. I took out the stock 10” Jensen C10R ceramic speaker, and replaced it with a 10” Celestion G10 Alnico Gold. I have owned the ’68 Custom Princeton Reverb for 6 years, and live it. I also put a 10” Celestion G10 Alnico Gold in that, and it really opened the amp up in my opinion.
I may not have got the best tones out of the PRRI at the time of this test. I played some sections going in direct from my American Professional Telecaster with no pedals, and the rest with some stacked drives (Wampler Bell - Cornerstone Gladio - Vertex Steel String Supreme). I didn’t feel the drives brought the best out of the amp, however now that I’ve had it a few days, I’ve got the tones more dialed. I’m completely happy with the 65 Princeton, and it makes a great stereo rig with the 68 Princeton. I still think the 68 is my preferred Princeton if I only had to choose one. I like the warmer sound and it takes pedals a little better. hat’s not to take away from the 65 though!
This is hands down, THE best side by side comparison video I've ever seen.... Well done! 🙌 I'm going to make the switch as well, as I use pedals with my Princeton. This video fully confirmed my suspicions and curiousities. Thanks for posting - Subscribed!
Thanks! I got tired of people doing comparisons with long spaces between the samples. You have to A-B them quickly. Thanks for watching!
@ChadWork1 exactly! While I appreciate effort of other comparisons, too much talking! 😆 Thanks again!
Now this is how a comparison should be done! Thank you.
I'm goad you likes the comparison! I still love the sound of the Alnico Golds in both of my Princetons.
I Love that glassy pristine blackface clean. I just dial-out some treble on (both) amp and OD to compensate. I'd never give-up that Jensen spanky-clean (but to each his own). Nice demo. oNe LovE from NYC
Now it’s time to blend both speakers together at the same time!!!
I have a 68 Princeton RI with a gold in it. I have many amps. It’s my favorite. Such a full bodied sound from a small amp. It’s awesome!
Yew my 68 Princeton is my fave too!
Excellent video! I love the sound of a Princeton through and through, both speakers have their applications! Thanks for all the time you put into this!!
Glad you like it! Thanks for watching.
Well said. Quieter, more detailed cleans go to the Jensen. Better suited for lower wattage IMO but both are nice. Gold is scoped more for mids- louder and in your face. Louder is not better for practicing at home and you need quitter. Jensen is more the classic tone.
I picked up an old jukebox (non-functioning) for parts last year, and it had two '64 Jensen ceramics in it painted the exact shade of your Celestion. Frankly, I'd never seen Jensens painted that color before. They sound awesome; I've stowed them away for a later project.
Cool score!
Great video. I prefer the Gold in every comparison. It's more full frequency.
I'm really happy with the Golds I put in both my Princetons. I even bought an IR of the same speaker to use with my Two Notes CaptorX when I record. It sounds exactly the same.
The top end on the alnico is just so much more sparkly and alive. Alnico for the win.
Thank you for making this video. I thought I wanted the Celestion but the Jensen that came in my Princeton Bordeaux sounds way better to my ear. I do agree with you though. The 65 is trickier with pedals. I have found that is you use an eq, pedal or in the box and take out 8k it makes driven sounds WAY more usable. The cleans on the 65 Jensen are unbeatable though!
That Jensen P12Q is total magic! 🔈 ✨
Jensen for the win. Just more vintage and correct sounding. The Jensen was quieter, more detailed cleans go to the Jensen. Better suited for lower wattage IMO but both are nice. Gold is clearly scoped more for mids- louder and in your face. Louder is not better for practicing at home and you need quitter. Jensen is more the classic tone. Both are good- play what you like. Ideally get a twin and mix and match- or use a AB/Y pedal and mix things up that way. Separate those Cabs, mix up speakers including one ceramic. Use a big sky reverb and you will have amazing tone and separation.
I prefer the Jensen, especially clean and with a Telly. The gold is more modern sound to me, but too bright. It would probably sound better with humbuckers. Cool demo though
I like the added mid articulation of the Alnico Gold speakers. The brightness is variable with the amps eq as well as an EQ pedal. I love it on my Tele, and G&L Doheny v12.
The stock speaker sounds good for a reason in the amp for regular playing in the room. That’s why the real engineers chose it even if it was a cost decision. However, as a recording engineer, I’ll take a less scooped and mid accurate Celestion for a mic’d up tone live or recorded. I love Celestion Blue Gold Cream etc. but don’t forget even an Allesesandro 64’ might be better for that type of amp. It’s got a more open top and fender sound.
IMO the stock speaker is a compromise to keep costs down. It’s a 30.00 speaker. Not terrible sounding, but it’s nobody’s first choice.
I agree but it’s not bad and I don’t always recommend people go on a crazy hunt for something that isn’t really broken. Might even be my first choice for a classic fender sound. I think it sounds classic fender. I give them actual credit for not ripping people off on classic speaker sounds like they do for the actual amp. Btw the Celestion G12H anniversary is the best speaker of all time and almost every boutique builder of the last 30yrs agreed with me unless you really want a specific cab speaker choice.
@@TimMilliken It just comes down to what you like. I'm looking for "my" sound rather than a "classic" fender tone. I like more mids to cut through the mix, and more articulated highs.
I think we agree that Celestion is better. I’m 42 yrs old and actually preserved my dog level whistle hearing. I still like the open chime of a fender amp through a ceramic but really appreciate the mids and low end of the alnico Celestion.
@@TimMilliken I watched a little bit of Sound of Music last night and I couldn't hear the dog whistle. I was wondering WTF? Can anyone? I'm going to have my young daughter watch it.
For a Fender 65 Princeton Reverb Reissue, everything is top notch with the stock Jensen C10R except for the flubbing at higher volume. The Eminence Legend 1058 is a fantastic replacement and so is the Celestion G10 Greenback. I really need to try an alnico speaker in my PRRI though. I enjoyed this video,
I really like the chimey top end I get with the Alnico Golds through my Princetons. It really brings the amps to life for me. The low end is still well represented too. Check out my Stereo Princeton Reverb Psychedelic Review to hear more.
@@ChadWork1, I heard that the Celestion G10 Gold is the most suited replacement speaker for a Princeton.
@@byrdz2313 I haven't tried any others, but the G10 Gold sure works nicely on both of mine. I think Dan on That Pedal Show is getting Alnico Gold for his new Princeton too.
Yeah, I have the same problem on mine which is stock. I get the amp with ugly breakup once you pass volume 5. I am nto sure if it is the speaker or the output transformer doing it or even both. But I have a G10 and I'll try that first. Not that I use it at more than 5 that often but I have a real 68 Vibrolux Reverb that sounds glorious. That amp sounds amazing at any volume. So I expect the Princeton to behave the same. A gradual shift towards sweet harmonic overdrive which blends into more and more compression once passing 5 or 6.
The difference isn’t worth the money, I actually like them both.
I suppose different strokes for different folks, but the Gold is superior in basically everyway. The mids on the Gold makes it perfect to give some life to the overly scooped Princeton. The stock Jensen is boring. It's kind of like going from dominos pizza to gourmet hand made pizza if you ask me.
Hemp cones (which is what I use) also works well in these, especially with a power tranny upgrade - Really gives it a much more muscular boutiquey kind of sound. Again, some people want sterile and chimney... But some people likes to put an acoustic through an amp too ;)
Superior if high efficiency (LOUD!) is what you’re after- with the Jensen you can crank the amp to 4.5 on the volume at a gig, and with the Celestion Gold, only 3 on the dial. I like that tube saturation, which just barely starts at 4 or so, so at 3, I don’t get any real preamp overdrive. However, the Gold sounds so good, it almost makes up for having less tube mojo. A little trade off… still great tone!
@@HamzaJamzaFamza yes the Gold is a much more efficient speaker. I always use an attenuator anyhow.
The gold sounds more pleasant with the jangle, but that top end would suck ass on big bends on the high e
@@kuttermclaughlin3631 I play with fingers only, so can't really tell TBH.
@@MintStiles haven’t had a pick in my house in a decade, highs still get shrill. Our fingers don’t completely re-equalize a signal path. Still would love to know what three golds sound like in my vibrolux.
I have a 12" M65 Creamback in my Princeton. However, I like the Jensen better here.
I love the chord progressions.. can you do a video on those?
I won't be doing that, but it's basically a 1-4-5 progression. E, A, B. Look at the fingers to see what I'm doing.
Based on this comparison, I'd skip the added wight and expense of the Gold. I'd still consider something with a little less scoop than the stock Jensen, like maybe an ET-65.
We meet again, Chad! Guess what I've been researching lately on the YouToobz... Yup, swapping speakers on the PRRI. Your video was super helpful!
Hey Sam! I am quite happy with the Alnico Gold speakers. They are in both my 65 and 68 Princetons and it really helps them cut through the mix without getting ice picky.
@@ChadWork1 Now that you’re 5 months in with the ‘65 do you have a more formulated opinion? Like, do you prefer it over your ‘68?
@@HiddenDriveways I run both in stereo and that’s the best, but if I’m running one amp I prefer the 68. It takes pedals better and fits in a mix with a band better. The 65 has a U shaped eq curve that isn’t my favorite sound usually. After having the 68 for 5 years I always wondered if I got the right one, and after getting the 65 I was sure I did. But it all depends on what u like. I guess I like a warmer tone. I actually got the 65 as a trade at Adorama. I sent in all my old drone gear I no longer use. They are great with trades.
@@ChadWork1 Thanks for sharing your opinion! It’s so easy to lean towards the 65 when you watch comparison videos on YT. I’m telling myself now that the research phase is over and that Chad’s 68 with the 10” celestron alnico gold speaker upgrade is the winner. So stop researching now, Sam. Seriously stop. ;)
@@HiddenDriveways it is best if you can play one. I was staying at my mothers place in Oxnard near LA so there were good stores. Even though I had compared the 65 and 68 in person, those damn comparison videos had me second guessing myself years after the purchase! The cool thing is that they are light and small, so having both doesn’t take up much space, and once you start putting modulation and ping pong delay (Strymon Volante) into a stereo rig, it’s hard to go back LOL.
Oh my God man the gold sounds amazing great comparison
Very cool - the Celestion sounds more treble 'y' - both sound great. When I get my PRRI (or 64) I'll likely keep the Jensen as I already have a Celestion in my Bad Cat. I do hear that it takes a while for the Jensen to break in.
To me the Celestian has a more "3D" sound. It helps my guitar cut through the inherent U shaped EQ curve of the PRRI. I waited 5 years to change the cheap speaker that came with the '68, and put in the same 10" Alnico Gold, and WOW was that an improvement. With the Jensen, the PRRI sounded flat in the bass and spiky in the highs, and the Alnico Gold boosted the highs too, but not the high-highs. It added articulation that I was looking for. Whatever you end up doing, these amps are great!
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Celestion Gold won this comparison, bringing out some mid sounds not heard in the Jensen.
The Gold also gets rid of some flabbiness in the low end.
Thought I was going to like the G10 but the Jensen wins here. Also not a fan of the 68.
did the same thing with my 65 PRRI and so far really like the fuller tone and am interested in a dual amp rig with the 68 like you mentioned.
I really love the tone I get with the combination of the 65/68. The 65 is more mid scooped, and the 68 is more mid forward, and the two make a nice full sound together with plenty of articulation.
I actually think another 10 inch celestion speaker is nicer than the 10 inch gold.. Locking at the freq curve the G10 alnico gold has a large 4kHz spike which is a lot louder than the rest of the 2 to 5 kHz.. This peak will stick out which I really think is obvious when listening to this clip..
I also think that celestion should have gone with the 8 ohm Jensen C10Q in the 65 reissue..
Is there volume difference between the two speakers? Princeton isn't loud enough against drum sets. I want mine to be louder.
The Alnico Gold is louder. I've played live with a drummer and it was enough for me. You can also have the soundman put some into your monitor. The way I'm playing live now though is with 2 Princetons (65/68) in stereo. Plenty of volume that way.
They are close, but I liked the Gold a little more - smoother, warmer, slightly. I have the 12" reissue. Was thinking about changing the Cannabis Rex for a WGS G12C/S, per some recommendations. Weber 'California' is another option I'm considering. In the end, I want to run two 1x12's spaced out a bit and not use the onboard speaker. May try out Barefaced cabs.
I have a Barefaced Reformer with a Celestion Vintage 30 12" in it, and I don't like it. That speaker sounds brittle in the high end and just doesn't work for me. I wanted to swap it out for another Alnico Gold, but you have to order the cab for that speaker because the Golds take up more room. I don't know what speaker I want for that cab now. My main rig is a 65 & 68 Princeton in stereo, both with the Gold 10". Sounds fabulous to me. I did a shootout between a 65 10", a 65 12", and the 68 w/10". The 10' & 12" 65 amps sounded identical. No real bass boost with the 12". The 68 with the 10" had the most low end of all of them. If I was taking only one amp to a gig, it would be the 68.
@@ChadWork1 I've had bad reactions to V30's. They are standard in metal - probably not the best speaker for a Princeton. It's hard to know with speakers that aren't broken in though. Speakers can make a huge difference. You really have to match the amp to the speaker. Something you seem to know. I was thinking about buying a Magnatone Panoramic Stereo, but since I already have a Princeton, maybe I'll pick up a used Princeton and run two of them instead of forking over so much for one Mag. It would be nearly impossible to match the two trems, however. I don't know know what running two out-of-synch trems would be like. Might be garbage. One thing people should be aware of is the Radial Cab Link. It's a cheap way to match ohms for more than one cab simultaneously.
@@hootowl6354 I got the Barefaced to go with my REVV D20, which is a cool little amp. I thought I didn’t like the amp, but it was the speaker. Speakers have the most effect on tone IMO. When I plugged my REVV amp into the Princeton cab it sounded like a Princeton. As for the Magnatone, that only does stereo if its own effect. It’s not stereo input, so stereo effects are useless. With my stereo Princetons I run an Ibanez mini Tremolo into only one amp. It sounds the same and is more adjustable, AND I get added articulation having one amp clean. You could do that with one amps built in trem. I find Strreo Princetons are easy to deal with because they are lightweight. Also, I have a pair of CaptorX load boxes that I use to record or live. I have Alnico gold cab sims that sound exactly the same. I haven’t miced a cab in years - except for this test. And the REVV D20 has a CaptorX built in. Pretty cool.
Gold FTW
Gold all day!
Yes! And honextly the video doesn't do the speaker justice. In the room it just sounds so damn good. I've got Golds in my 68 and 65 and play them in stereo.
Gold sounds great, the Jensen sounds like it wants to get buried in a mix.
Great demo. I really liked the gold. How long did you have to break in the speaker? I have found with Alnico based speakers have a dead sound at first but loosen up nicely.
Hard to say how long the speaker takes to break in. This video was made the day I put the speaker in, so it's warmed up over the last couple years for sure.
Thank you, Chad. @@ChadWork1
I would like to hear them with cranked amp, volume on 7 and more.
How does the G-10 gold sound now after “Break-In”? The new sounds a little weak in the bass don’t you think?🙏🔑✌️
It sounds great. I have a stereo 65/68 Princeton setup and both have the Gold speaker. It does not sound weak. It anything my recording was weak. It's articulate and full and I'm very happy with the purchase.
No mention of the dreaded cabinet buzz happening in the lower register in so many of these. Maybe they fixed it by now.
2 years later and I have zero cabinet buzz in either Princeton.
Very little difference to my 75 year old rock and roll ears.... a 12" swap would have been my choice
Helpful - Thanks!
Useful comparison thanks for uploading. I prefer the anico gold. The native Jensen was a bit muddier.
This may be a silly question but do you know if its possible to put a 12" speaker in the 10" Princeton - I've heard some people do this. I was wondering if its easier to buy a limited edition Princeton with a native 12" speaker.
You have to put in a new baffle to hold the larger speaker. But there are also versions of the Princeton that come with a 12” speaker too. I prefer the tone of a 10”.
@@ChadWork1 Yes I've heard some say they prefer the normal 10 and that 12 is too big for the space inside the Princeton. I honestly don't know what to think anymore. I prefer sweeter softer and warmer sounds. I want to avoid harsh trebles as much as possible.
@@DrBlues90 I feel that the Alnico speaker, though bright, is less harsh than the stock speakers in either the 65 or the 68. It seems more articulate, yet also more full in the low mids. I get it though. It's hard to judge what speaker will suit your needs better. The 65 is quite a bright amp. I have both, and if I could only chose one it would be the 68, as it's warmer and taked pedals better IMO. You'll just have to google around to get a consensus of what to do. Best if you can just play one in person. Do you have a Princeton already?
Very very slight difference, I would not change the speaker. If I had to choose (but both are good), I'd choose the Jensen.
What are you listening on? I hear a significant difference. In a band context the Gold speakers cut through the mix, where the Jensen sounds like there's a blanket over the speaker.
@@ChadWork1 Weird. Don't know what to say since I'm listening on good headphones. I don't have young ears but...
@@alafenetre81 Ultimately it just comes down to taste. I like the articulation the Gold speakers add to my sound.
jensen wins
I like articulate mids to cut threw in a mix, so I prefer the Golds.
get a weber speaker.
Both are good sounding speakers. You headphones are just c.... sound quality on those is very bad.
How are you judging the sound of my headphones? They are very accurate and nice sounding headphones.
@@ChadWork1 Yes. I know the model. Its very bad sounding.
@@MrJabinho One man's bad is another man's accurate. Maybe some Beats would work for you? I have many sets of cans, and when my mix sounds good on these it translates well to multiple systems. I don't mix in cans though.
@@ChadWork1 Sorry I understand. You have no idea what is a good monitoring headphone or a good headphone.
@@MrJabinho I actually do. I don't monitor/mix on those Shures. Maybe tracking sometimes since they are closed ear. I mostly use Sennheiser HD600s with Sonarworks correction for getting an edit together, then I move to monitors for the mix. What headphones do you use? Maybe I can learn something from you. You sound real experienced.