Help me decide, Princeton? <-- HUGE chance paid off!!! - Page 2

Rizo · November 16th, 2005, 09:40 PM

Quote:

and figured that w/o a picture and with no feedback it would likely go cheap.

I must say that with those drawbacks and a changed grill cloth $365 isn't all that cheap IMHO. I hope you got lucky.

I sorta agree with you Sid, but I think it's best deal going right about now. I have the pics he sent me of it and it has a brownish grillcloth like a Gibson or Magnatone Amp or something. Sure, it shouldn't affect the funtion of the amp but I'll probably change it sooner or later.

I got the name and number of a decent local tech and I'm going to call him about and see about some prices for a checkup/replace the cord and maybe change the grillcloth. I just sent the guy a request for the total so I can pay... I'll keep you posted. (Cross yer fingers for me.)

red57strat · November 16th, 2005, 10:09 PM

I'm very excited for you.
Once you receive the amp and get it tuned up (maybe a speaker too) you're going to tonal heaven.

Don

Rizo · November 18th, 2005, 09:34 AM

Well so far everything seems to be going well. I emailed the guy yesterday to ask about shipping. He said he's shipping it today and that the amp does work. He played harp through it but for the past few years he's just played through the PA. So it definately needs serviced and it has a 2 prong cord, but still it sounds like I didn't do too bad.

On another note, I put out some feelers about buying a Princeton and a guy called me last night to say he had one that had been in a closet since the early 80's and wasn't sure if it was a Reverb model or not, or even if it worked so I may try to get this one too and resell the one I like less (hopefully for a proffit!). I'll keep you posted, I'm sure someone around here wouldn't mind taking one off my hands?

rmconner80 · November 18th, 2005, 10:31 AM

I think you did WAY right for $365. An old Fender amp is about the ONLY thing I would take a chance on with eBay.

Why? Because you can fix anything that's wrong with it.

shakedancer · November 22nd, 2005, 01:45 PM

So how's the amp?

Rizo · November 22nd, 2005, 05:26 PM

I just checked the UPS tracking info and it should be here Monday. I guess the holiday season has backed stuff up a little. Unfortunately I won't get to play with it until Tuesday night.

This is my first piece of vintage gear, and my first "nice" amp. I'm very excited. I'll keep you guys posted.

Rizo · November 30th, 2005, 09:51 AM

Well I got home yesterday and my amp had been waiting on me since Monday afternoon. I opened up the box and the guy had shipped it with the tubes in! The first tube has fallen out and the 6v6's were both loose. I put them back in and plug it in. With a little effort I got it fired up and it works! Not entire healthy, one of the tubes has some blue in it (that's bad isn't it???) and one of the pots is a little scratchy, but everything works including trem (although very subtle, is that normal?) and deeeeeep reverb (this thing could do surf easy!) It has a non-original speaker but I really don't care, as the Oxford speaker was probably going to have to go anyway, and the one that's in there sounds quite good so I think that's a plus.

The good: everything works, sounds great. I was listening to the Stones' "Sticky Fingers" album and I can nail those tones. Dial back the volume and it does nice country twang. With my strat running hard it has some wicked distortion. I'm digging it.

The bad: Two prong death cord, scratchy pot, hasn't been serviced in a good while, pretty dirty, but not nearly as beat up as I though it was. Really not that bad at all.

The ugly: Non-original grill cloth looks like complete poo... some of the ugliest cloth known to man, definately puked up by the 70's. That's gotta go... but other wise I don't think I need to change anything but the cord.

In any case, it's a killer little amp that's not killer on the ears. Great recomendation guys. Thanks for all the help.

Sidney Vicious · November 30th, 2005, 10:05 AM

Sounds like you did good on the deal after all. :)

Regarding "blue" tube - blue glow is actually a good sign. Scratch pots can be fixed with a little contact cleaner. Don't know about the trem - a tube swap may be in order?

Regarding the grill - look at it as an opportunity - you can be creative - use an old favorite t-shirt, some artist's airbrushed mug - or paint something? Saw a Marshall cab once that had a pic of Bob Marley on the changed out grill - looked pretty cool - and it made it unique.

Post a pic so we can all critigue it before you "fix" it.

Edited to add:

I have a piece of used Fender grill cloth - from - I am guessing - a later model but looks pretty darn good and it is Fender - that I think is big enough for a PR - it is yours for free if you think you are up to the task.

BradKM · November 30th, 2005, 06:01 PM

Congrats! I'm glad we could steer you in the right direction.

red57strat · November 30th, 2005, 08:18 PM

The tremolo on mine became much stronger when I replaced the tubes and had it biased correctly.

I could be wrong but I think the tremolo works by fluctuating the bias on these amps.

shakedancer · December 2nd, 2005, 06:09 PM

Instead of just replacing the grill, in time you could buy a new custom cabinet like I did from David Allen(allenamps.com) and essentially have a new amp. Good Luck!!!

CancerLeoCam · December 3rd, 2005, 02:03 PM

"I could be wrong but I think the tremolo works by fluctuating the bias on these amps."

yeppers.

Rizo · December 3rd, 2005, 05:17 PM

Well I did some research and after running the serial number, found that the amp dates from 1970. It has a screwed-in, chipboard baffle and a plywood cab. It doesn't have the frame around the grill cloth, but does say "amp" on the front so this seems to be somewhat of a transitional model.

After playing with it a while, the trem/vibrato seems to get stronger as the amp gets warmer. Not quite as strong as I think it should be, but still plenty usable. I cleaned all the dust off and it's looking pretty good. I still need to get it to a tech though. I'm putting that off untill I pay it off and scrape some cash up. Definately a fun little amp.

Sid, I may just take you up on that offer about the grillcloth, but I'll have to let you know. Thanks again guys, I think I'm gonna go fire it up right now. :)

Rizo · December 7th, 2005, 10:27 PM

Well, I just got a phone call from my amp tech. He put on a 3-prong cord, clipped the death cap and the ground switch and gave the circuits a checkup. He said it was clean as could be inside which makes me pretty happy since it's filthy outside.

He did say the recitifier tube probably should be replaced though. Would a music store carry any tubes or would I have to order it online? I'm going to be in Columbus this weekend, does anyone know where I may find one up there?

He said the caps all looked good and he didn't see the need to replace them right now. That's good news by me, as I don't have the cash right now to have it rebuilt... maybe in a year or two or if problems develop. I think his exact words were "it's ready to rock."

Now I just need to get the cosmetics tweaked up and all's well that ends well.

November 16th, 2005, 10:09 PM	#42 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,311	I'm very excited for you. Once you receive the amp and get it tuned up (maybe a speaker too) you're going to tonal heaven. Don __________________ Don

November 18th, 2005, 09:34 AM	#43 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	Well so far everything seems to be going well. I emailed the guy yesterday to ask about shipping. He said he's shipping it today and that the amp does work. He played harp through it but for the past few years he's just played through the PA. So it definately needs serviced and it has a 2 prong cord, but still it sounds like I didn't do too bad. On another note, I put out some feelers about buying a Princeton and a guy called me last night to say he had one that had been in a closet since the early 80's and wasn't sure if it was a Reverb model or not, or even if it worked so I may try to get this one too and resell the one I like less (hopefully for a proffit!). I'll keep you posted, I'm sure someone around here wouldn't mind taking one off my hands? __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 18th, 2005, 10:31 AM	#44 (permalink)
rmconner80 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: DC Posts: 247	I think you did WAY right for $365. An old Fender amp is about the ONLY thing I would take a chance on with eBay. Why? Because you can fix anything that's wrong with it. __________________ "A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man..." - Jebediah Springfield

November 22nd, 2005, 01:45 PM	#45 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,639	So how's the amp? __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE

November 22nd, 2005, 05:26 PM	#46 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	I just checked the UPS tracking info and it should be here Monday. I guess the holiday season has backed stuff up a little. Unfortunately I won't get to play with it until Tuesday night. This is my first piece of vintage gear, and my first "nice" amp. I'm very excited. I'll keep you guys posted. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 30th, 2005, 09:51 AM	#47 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	The amp is here! Well I got home yesterday and my amp had been waiting on me since Monday afternoon. I opened up the box and the guy had shipped it with the tubes in! The first tube has fallen out and the 6v6's were both loose. I put them back in and plug it in. With a little effort I got it fired up and it works! Not entire healthy, one of the tubes has some blue in it (that's bad isn't it???) and one of the pots is a little scratchy, but everything works including trem (although very subtle, is that normal?) and deeeeeep reverb (this thing could do surf easy!) It has a non-original speaker but I really don't care, as the Oxford speaker was probably going to have to go anyway, and the one that's in there sounds quite good so I think that's a plus. The good: everything works, sounds great. I was listening to the Stones' "Sticky Fingers" album and I can nail those tones. Dial back the volume and it does nice country twang. With my strat running hard it has some wicked distortion. I'm digging it. The bad: Two prong death cord, scratchy pot, hasn't been serviced in a good while, pretty dirty, but not nearly as beat up as I though it was. Really not that bad at all. The ugly: Non-original grill cloth looks like complete poo... some of the ugliest cloth known to man, definately puked up by the 70's. That's gotta go... but other wise I don't think I need to change anything but the cord. In any case, it's a killer little amp that's not killer on the ears. Great recomendation guys. Thanks for all the help. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

November 30th, 2005, 10:05 AM	#48 (permalink)
Sidney Vicious Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Posts: 1,244 13 Photos	Good to hear! Sounds like you did good on the deal after all. :) Regarding "blue" tube - blue glow is actually a good sign. Scratch pots can be fixed with a little contact cleaner. Don't know about the trem - a tube swap may be in order? Regarding the grill - look at it as an opportunity - you can be creative - use an old favorite t-shirt, some artist's airbrushed mug - or paint something? Saw a Marshall cab once that had a pic of Bob Marley on the changed out grill - looked pretty cool - and it made it unique. Post a pic so we can all critigue it before you "fix" it. Edited to add: I have a piece of used Fender grill cloth - from - I am guessing - a later model but looks pretty darn good and it is Fender - that I think is big enough for a PR - it is yours for free if you think you are up to the task.

November 30th, 2005, 06:01 PM	#49 (permalink)
BradKM Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 428	Congrats! I'm glad we could steer you in the right direction.

November 30th, 2005, 08:18 PM	#50 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,311	The tremolo on mine became much stronger when I replaced the tubes and had it biased correctly. I could be wrong but I think the tremolo works by fluctuating the bias on these amps. __________________ Don

December 2nd, 2005, 06:09 PM	#51 (permalink)
shakedancer Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: north of Boston Posts: 1,639	Instead of just replacing the grill, in time you could buy a new custom cabinet like I did from David Allen(allenamps.com) and essentially have a new amp. Good Luck!!! __________________ "If you don't like the Blues, you got to have a Hole in your Soul." Luther Allison JOE

December 3rd, 2005, 02:03 PM	#52 (permalink)
CancerLeoCam Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mule Deer-Mt. Lion Safari, CA Posts: 1,692 5 Photos	well.. "I could be wrong but I think the tremolo works by fluctuating the bias on these amps." yeppers. __________________ Everyone's your "buddy" or "friend" when they want you or something from you. If you're not willing to work for free why should somebody else?

December 3rd, 2005, 05:17 PM	#53 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	Well I did some research and after running the serial number, found that the amp dates from 1970. It has a screwed-in, chipboard baffle and a plywood cab. It doesn't have the frame around the grill cloth, but does say "amp" on the front so this seems to be somewhat of a transitional model. After playing with it a while, the trem/vibrato seems to get stronger as the amp gets warmer. Not quite as strong as I think it should be, but still plenty usable. I cleaned all the dust off and it's looking pretty good. I still need to get it to a tech though. I'm putting that off untill I pay it off and scrape some cash up. Definately a fun little amp. Sid, I may just take you up on that offer about the grillcloth, but I'll have to let you know. Thanks again guys, I think I'm gonna go fire it up right now. :) __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."

December 7th, 2005, 10:27 PM	#54 (permalink)
Rizo Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Athens, OH Posts: 1,144	Well, I just got a phone call from my amp tech. He put on a 3-prong cord, clipped the death cap and the ground switch and gave the circuits a checkup. He said it was clean as could be inside which makes me pretty happy since it's filthy outside. He did say the recitifier tube probably should be replaced though. Would a music store carry any tubes or would I have to order it online? I'm going to be in Columbus this weekend, does anyone know where I may find one up there? He said the caps all looked good and he didn't see the need to replace them right now. That's good news by me, as I don't have the cash right now to have it rebuilt... maybe in a year or two or if problems develop. I think his exact words were "it's ready to rock." Now I just need to get the cosmetics tweaked up and all's well that ends well. __________________ "You say you want to play country, but you're in a punk rock band."