10 Years, 17 Amps, One Clear Winner

[Hoodster]

Over the past ~10 years I have owned the following amps:

Vox Pathfinder 15

Fender Champ 12

Gibson Skylark (vintage 1966)

Fender Super Champ (original, not SCXD)

Fender Silverface Champ

Peavey Classic 20

Carvin Vintage 16

L’il Dawg Champster Special

Fender Champ 25

Rivera Clubster 25

Winfield Cyclone (AC-15 clone)

Fender GDEC 30

Roland MicroCube

Vox AC4

Fender Pro Junior

Fender Princeton Reverb RI

Vox Lil Night Train

Virtually all received speaker and/or tube upgrades and were used primarily at home (other than the Cyclone, Clubster, and Champ 25, which also did band jam duty). The primary reason for the turnover was the search for great low-volume tone.

There are plenty of sweet amps on the list, but the one that stands head and shoulders above the rest is the Princeton Reverb. This was brought home to me recently after spending a month or so playing the Vox LNT through an Eminence Cannabis Rex. I was very impressed with its tones, both clean and overdriven, until I brought the PRRI back into the room. The difference in depth and richness of the tone really blew me away, and convinced me that there is no better home amp than a Princeton--even though you need pedals for OD.

[Justin_D_Myers]

Princeton 4 Lyfe

[musicmatty]

I'm not surprised It's almost as though that amp has the best of everything all in one for it's size and output. No, I don't own one, but I have seen it used countless times..and especially on the Marty Stuart show in the hands of some fantastic players

[Alex W]

Wait I already own a PRRI. This means I'll have to stop buying amps and actually learn how to play now. Damn you, Hoodster! *shakes fist*

[Mike_LA]

Originally Posted by Hoodster

convinced me that there is no better home amp than a Princeton--even though you need pedals for OD.

Nope, keep searching . . .

Got to find the one you don't need pedals for.

Did you really sell the LNT already? I might have been interested

[guitarzan13]

Originally Posted by Mike_LA

Nope, keep searching . . .

Got to find the one you don't need pedals for.

[RedRock]

The trouble is that if you find the one that you don't need pedals for,
the cleans are usually bad.

[fretbuzzard]

And the winner is... Guitar Center!

Enjoy the amp: I've ended up in the same spot after a similar, but less twisted, search.

[backline]

A Lot of guys feel that is Fenders "best" amp, so you are in good company.
If you do not mind me asking......Care to give a small review of the PV-20 for us (me).?
Best

[Mike Eskimo]

I noticed the Deluxe Reverb wasn't on your list...


My problem w/ my Princeton Reverb ('76 w/ a Tone Tubby 12" alnico) was not enough clean headroom and - we're rarely miked.

Still loved it, would still like to have another, but for now, as crappy as my band and ears both are - Roland Cube 60 fits the bill.

[Captain Bb]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

I noticed the Deluxe Reverb wasn't on your list...

+1 Exactly what I was gonna say

[Big_Bend]

The Princeton Reverb is -the- perfect small amp. My life changed the first time I plugged into one. I need to get another someday.

[Smoky Booroo]

Originally Posted by Mike Eskimo

I noticed the Deluxe Reverb wasn't on your list...


My problem w/ my Princeton Reverb ('76 w/ a Tone Tubby 12" alnico) was not enough clean headroom and - we're rarely miked.

Still loved it, would still like to have another, but for now, as crappy as my band and ears both are - Roland Cube 60 fits the bill.

That's why I needed a PRRI and a DRRI

[Hoodster]

I have played DRRI's, and to my ears they don't sound anywhere near as sweet at home volumes as Princetons do.

BTW, I don't think GC or MF got any of my business -- all but a couple of these amplifiers were purchased used, and the new ones I got mainly from Sweetwater.

[CaptainSensible]

Originally Posted by Alex W

Wait I already own a PRRI. This means I'll have to stop buying amps and actually learn how to play now. Damn you, Hoodster! *shakes fist*

Hah. This made me laugh out loud. Too true.

[jmiles]

My '74 PR has the PI mod, and is now 19 watts. More headroom, but maybe not enough for some.

[Teleglide]

I love my 68 PR. I have a DR that is more useful for gigging, but the PR is my go-to recording amp, and it never lets me down. Great in small clubs too.

[Mutato]

My avatar says it all. ; -)

[alnicopu]

Out of all the amps I have owned throughout the years, the only one I currently own is my '76 pr.

BTW I was advised to remove or bypass, with a pull switched pot on the volume, the second stage bypass cap to make it more clean. Thats my only complaint.

[willspear]

I agree whole heartedly

I have owned enough amps to get a good sense of amps for my home playing

My favorite home amp is a Princeton. I'd cash it in for the right ampeg but nothing else sounds as sweet at low volume. I don't own a drri but I didn't like it at all until around 5 on the knob a guy i play with gigs one and it sounds great The Princeton sounds good even not driven past 2.

It also takes pedal well unlike many small amps.

If you want dirt and hard rocking tones I think the tiny terror is the other real clear choice.


Princeton would not be a gigging choice for me as it just doesn't move enough air.


On a side note the prri sounds great for harmonica.