Headstrong Lil King Reverb

I've been looking to buy another amp, and think I've got it down to either a SF Princeton(non-reverb), another Twin Reverb, or a Headstrong Lil King Reverb(clone of '64 Princeton)...anybody here have one of these Headstrong's? I like the 10 year warranty, pine finger joined cabinet, and most of all -the sound...My big question is, how much headroom does this lil' guy have? I like to play pretty clean, but am sick of lugging a Twin around, and since I mic up for gigs, don't really need anything that loud(my ears are getting old!) but would still like something that can be cranked pretty far up without totally breaking up..any experience with this amp or any Headstrong amp is appreciated...Thanks!

pretty sure the headstong is a clone of the Princeton Reverb, and it is gonna give you thta same overdrive when cranked or above 6...just makin' sure we're on the same pae, cause big difference between all three of these amps.

A Princeton non-reverb stays way cleaner than the Princeton reverb, right?

The more I hear about folks taking a Deluxe and putting in a pair of 6L6's and a SS rectifier to make a 1/2 twin, the more I like it.

I owned a Headstrong Lil King. I liked it, but it didn't sound as good (to me) as my 1968 Princeton Reverb. I wound up selling the Lil King.

Although the Headstrong is advertised as an exact copy of a 64 PR, I'm not sure this is 100% accurate. Certain parts used in an original 64 are simply not available, and a substitute would have to be made. I took mine to a tech, who confirmed this. He also said the reverb circuit was somewhat different. I noticed that the reverb in my 68 PR was much more lush than the Headstrong.

The Headstrong is a great amp, and my preference for my original 68 is mostly a matter of personal taste.

I've gigged extensively with a number of Princeton Reverb amps; some with a more efficient 12" speaker. They have pretty decent headroom for a 12 watt amp. The only problem I had was that it was sometimes hard to hear myself onstage if the rest of the band was playing too loud. My thought is you'll probably need the cooperation of your bandmates or the ability to fold some guitar back through the monitors to play a PR clean in a live situation.

I've gigged extensively with a number of Princeton Reverb amps; some with a more efficient 12" speaker. They have pretty decent headroom for a 12 watt amp. The only problem I had was that it was sometimes hard to hear myself onstage if the rest of the band was playing too loud. My thought is you'll probably need the cooperation of your bandmates or the ability to fold some guitar back through the monitors to play a PR clean in a live situation.

I've also had this problem. My PR is loud enough for many gigs, but only if the bass and drums are cooperative.

I played through a friends Lil King a couple years ago, dimed, and just rode the volume knob on the guitar-tonal nirvana for me!!!

But yeah, there's really not enough horses in any Princeton-style amp to keep up with even an average drummer, especially clean-you'd have to put in a super-effecient speaker to have a prayer of keeping up-you might want to audition the Royal Reverb (deluxe Reverb clone) THAT one will keep up with a drummer, and is not a whole lot bigger...

Franc Robert

I think I see where this is going...I will definitley need more headroom, the band is very moody and it can get pretty thumpin for an old style honky tonk band.. so I will go up a notch..I am liking the idea of a Deluxe reverb turned to 1/2 twin with the SS rectifier and 6L6s, as well as talking to the Headstrong fella about the Royal Reverb...the Deluxe Reverb is not a whole lot bigger, but doesn't it tend to want to start ODriveing pretty quick?...I've never played one! I'm pretty much a Fender purist,,I mod stuff with Fender parts...but I really liked this Headstong a guy was playing the other night..just kind of feeling the waters..

Headstrong also make a Lil'King S....or somesuch.....which is a Princeton Reverb plus
that achieves 25 watts....might be worth a look.

Headstrong also make a Lil'King S....or somesuch.....which is a Princeton Reverb plus
that achieves 25 watts....might be worth a look.


Excellent....I looked into this more and also saw where they can configure it to go 30 watts (I think they mention with 6L6 swap)..It seems they build to order, so I'm sure this translates through the price...At $2000 I was putting together an argument in my head..seeing how there is a 10 year warranty on this thing,,at roughly $2000 this would equazl about $4 a week for 10 years...What a bargain!:lol: If I gave up a couple beers a week , it would pay for the amp!:mrgreen:

Lil King S? didn't know about it, sounds like a winner, though personally I'd go with a 12" speaker... personal taste, though...

Franc Robert

Lil King S? didn't know about it, sounds like a winner, though personally I'd go with a 12" speaker... personal taste, though...

Franc Robert

Looks like they got the Lil King Reverb S in 10", 12" and 15" sizes:grin: I'm with you on the 12" speakers, my personal preference as well....

Have you ever tried the Tech 21 amps. They've got the Sansamp preamp with lo z output for plugging into the PA - they're about 30 watts. I haven't used my Twin Reverb for a few years since I got this thing. Great for recording with also.

I owned a Headstrong Lil King. I liked it, but it didn't sound as good (to me) as my 1968 Princeton Reverb. I wound up selling the Lil King.

Although the Headstrong is advertised as an exact copy of a 64 PR, I'm not sure this is 100% accurate. Certain parts used in an original 64 are simply not available, and a substitute would have to be made. I took mine to a tech, who confirmed this. He also said the reverb circuit was somewhat different. I noticed that the reverb in my 68 PR was much more lush than the Headstrong.

The Headstrong is a great amp, and my preference for my original 68 is mostly a matter of personal taste.

This has been my experience as well. The Headstrong is a great amp, they and Allen and the like make great reliable products but none have the sound that a vintage one has.

This has been my experience as well. The Headstrong is a great amp, they and Allen and the like make great reliable products but none have the sound that a vintage one has.

+ 1 for the Original. I've tried a number of modern boutique clones , while
they are great amps , beautifully built. They lack the vintage character of
the original amps they were based on. Of course assuming those vintage
amps are in top running order. I've heard the Princetons benefit from a 12"
transplant. But I like to keep em stock.

Love my Headstrong Lil' King!

:smile: