Greetings All,
This is for that selective few that have a preference for, questions about or reviews of the the often overlooked Fender Princeton (non-reverb) model. I am mostly talking about the blackface (1964-1967) and silverface (1968-1979) models. Many are the threads that warn interested potential buyers that the Princeton is NOT the same as the Princeton Reverb and that the Reverb models are unquestionably superior. And, though I think that anyone who dismisses the unparalleled beauty of the venerable Fender tube-driven spring reverb likely needs new caps for their head :-), I'm here to stand up for the great tone and usefulness of the NR models.
Though many cite the added tube and accompanying gain stage as the primary reason they prefer the
PR, I will just say that I have developed an immense fondness for my 1965 Princeton specifically BECAUSE it does not break up starting at 5 on the volume knob. I've played lots of both versions of this model, and with a Tele I often find the overdrive on Princeton Reverbs to be loose, splatty and lacking in sustain. Chords can sound really cool in a Kinks/early Stones kind of way, but leads are another story. Now, before anyone gets indignant, I usually set the volume anywhere between 5 and 9 (depending on the room), and the Treble and Bass around 2 or 3. Anything higher and I tend to get too much ice-pick and bass flub. I also keep my Tele's tone knob around 7 or so to smooth it all out. My Princeton NR just has a gorgeous tube clean with a dose of richness that you can't get from a
PR set at 8 on the volume. I also replaced the original Oxford speaker with an Eminence Ragin' Cajun (based on the suggestion of many on this Forum), and that adds a much louder, tighter, warmer, fatter and punchier element that easily allows my particular Princeton to keep up with a hard-hitting drummer, electric bass and lap steel. I just get a louder Fender tube clean with mine than any reverb model I've played has been able to deliver. I also put JJ 6V6S power tubes in, which seem to give it more overall presence and punch as well. I just use a Tube Screamer-type overdrive to goose the amp into the next level of VERY CONTROLLABLE tube grind when I need it. And, even with the TS engaged, I can ride a huge range of clean-to-drive tones just using my Tele's volume knob and picking dynamics.
So, for anyone interested in getting the best out of a Fender Princeton non-'verb, I highly suggest a trying good tubes and an efficient speaker, especially if you already use an overdrive pedal for drive tones. With these changes (and strong caps, of course), they're kinda like a manageable, lightweight baby Twin that you can run on from 6 to 9 for the best tone and have just the right volume level in a group setting. At least, that's what I'm getting out of it. Hey, if it's good enough for Mike Campbell...
And, if you don't agree -- that's cool, too.
c-pop