Difference Between the Princeton and Deluxe???

chriswuzhere · May 15th, 2005, 02:20 AM

I love the sound of the little BF Princeton Reverb,,, but I need a little more juice... Is a BF Deluxe Reverb the same amp only more wattage??? If not, what's the big difference???

Thanks...

TexGoneNW · May 15th, 2005, 03:23 AM

12 to 15 watts vs. 22

10" vs. 12"

More iron in the DR transformer, I do believe, but I'm not an expert on this.

All-around, more oomph.

Go to the following and check out the differences:

http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/

TexGoneNW · May 15th, 2005, 03:25 AM

different rectifier tube, different phase inverter

David Barnett · May 15th, 2005, 04:28 AM

Yeah, it's funny, if you look at the schematics, both the BF Princeton and BF Deluxe have the same B+ voltage on the outputs, 420V. Yet one is rated at 12 watts and the other 22. The difference there is that the Princeton uses a Champ power transformer, and the B+ sags under load. The Deluxe has power and output transformers that are adequate for the task, and with less sag it makes more real world power.

The Princeton has a split-load "concertina" phase inverter, the Deluxe has a long-tailed pair.

EMan · May 15th, 2005, 09:37 PM

For the two amps being so similar, there's quite a bit of difference in sound.

MPO, is that the difference in Phase Inverters makes the most significant difference, even with a 12" in a Princeton. I tend to like the OD tones of the Princeton type Phase Inverter over the Long Tail type used in the 'larger' Fender amps.

Side by side, I cannot tell any real volume difference between my '72 DR and my '62 Princeton (with 12") - and the Plate voltages differ by 70VDC.

Paul G. · May 15th, 2005, 11:20 PM

The Deluxe Reverb sounds more like the epitome of "Blackface tone", with good treble, decent bass and a definite lack of mids. This makes the amp sound crisper and more present, but the overdrive can be somewhat harsh.

The Princeton Reverb has a less pronounced treble, maybe smoother, and much less of that Fender midrange dip. It sounds thicker at low volumes, and when taken to the "sweet spot", it drives, well, more sweetly. The smaller iron on the PR does make the bass flabbier, but you just turn down that knob as you turn up the volume.

Short answer, they are similar, but not the same.

A good compromise is an efficient speaker in your PR. If you have a removable baffle, you can also go to 12", but still be able to reverse it if you sell.

With a decent speaker, you won't hear any appreciable volume difference between a DR and a PR, although the DR will have some more headroom.

P.

May 15th, 2005, 02:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
chriswuzhere TDPRI Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Collinsville, Texas Posts: 78	Difference Between the Princeton and Deluxe??? I love the sound of the little BF Princeton Reverb,,, but I need a little more juice... Is a BF Deluxe Reverb the same amp only more wattage??? If not, what's the big difference??? Thanks... __________________ Praise The Lord!!!

May 15th, 2005, 03:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Posts: 917 4 Photos	Watts, speaker, and transformer 12 to 15 watts vs. 22 10" vs. 12" More iron in the DR transformer, I do believe, but I'm not an expert on this. All-around, more oomph. Go to the following and check out the differences: http://www.ampwares.com/ffg/

May 15th, 2005, 03:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
TexGoneNW Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Victoria, TX Posts: 917 4 Photos	ummm...also different rectifier tube, different phase inverter

May 15th, 2005, 11:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	Not really. The Deluxe Reverb sounds more like the epitome of "Blackface tone", with good treble, decent bass and a definite lack of mids. This makes the amp sound crisper and more present, but the overdrive can be somewhat harsh. The Princeton Reverb has a less pronounced treble, maybe smoother, and much less of that Fender midrange dip. It sounds thicker at low volumes, and when taken to the "sweet spot", it drives, well, more sweetly. The smaller iron on the PR does make the bass flabbier, but you just turn down that knob as you turn up the volume. Short answer, they are similar, but not the same. A good compromise is an efficient speaker in your PR. If you have a removable baffle, you can also go to 12", but still be able to reverse it if you sell. With a decent speaker, you won't hear any appreciable volume difference between a DR and a PR, although the DR will have some more headroom. P. __________________ Listen to your mother

May 15th, 2005, 04:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
David Barnett Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LIttle Rock, AR Age: 52 Posts: 5,491	Yeah, it's funny, if you look at the schematics, both the BF Princeton and BF Deluxe have the same B+ voltage on the outputs, 420V. Yet one is rated at 12 watts and the other 22. The difference there is that the Princeton uses a Champ power transformer, and the B+ sags under load. The Deluxe has power and output transformers that are adequate for the task, and with less sag it makes more real world power. The Princeton has a split-load "concertina" phase inverter, the Deluxe has a long-tailed pair.

May 15th, 2005, 09:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
EMan Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 939	For the two amps being so similar, there's quite a bit of difference in sound. MPO, is that the difference in Phase Inverters makes the most significant difference, even with a 12" in a Princeton. I tend to like the OD tones of the Princeton type Phase Inverter over the Long Tail type used in the 'larger' Fender amps. Side by side, I cannot tell any real volume difference between my '72 DR and my '62 Princeton (with 12") - and the Plate voltages differ by 70VDC.