1971 Fender Princeton non-reverb?

[sbpark]

Had an offer for a trade for a 1971 Princeton non-reverb. Don't know much about the non-reverb Princetons and wondering if anyone here owns one or has any experience with them compared to the reverb version? My understanding is they start much cleaner and don't really break up until their cranked to around 8. The one in question has also had a cap job, had the stock transformer replaced with an Allen Amps transformer and has a JBL D110 and a Paul C. mod that apparently balanced the phase inverter to give it a smoother overdrive.

Obviously I'm going to try the amp out first, but curious about the street value of this amp and if it's worth my time, or should just keep on the lookout for a Princeton Reverb over the non-reverb version.

I do have an original 1967 Jensen C12na speaker that I recently got re-coned by Orange County Speaker, and was even considering making a new baffle and throwing that into this already-modded Princeton of I ended up pulling the trigger.

Thanks!

 

[Achysklic]

Had an offer for a trade for a 1971 Princeton non-reverb. Don't know much about the non-reverb Princetons and wondering if anyone here owns one or has any experience with them compared to the reverb version? My understanding is they start much cleaner and don't really break up until their cranked to around 8. The one in question has also had a cap job, had the stock transformer replaced with an Allen Amps transformer and has a JBL D110 and a Paul C. mod that apparently balanced the phase inverter to give it a smoother overdrive.

Obviously I'm going to try the amp out first, but curious about the street value of this amp and if it's worth my time, or should just keep on the lookout for a Princeton Reverb over the non-reverb version.

I do have an original 1967 Jensen C12na speaker that I recently got re-coned by Orange County Speaker, and was even considering making a new baffle and throwing that into this already-modded Princeton of I ended up pulling the trigger.

Thanks!

i

I had one they are good amps, they will stay clean all the way to 10 with the right speaker...however, they are worth about half of what a reverb model is...also when you go changing transformers it hurts the resale value alot.

Its prob. A $500 -$600 amp max...but I would not put over $500 in it..reverbs are what people what thus resale is good...and you will be more pleased with the reverb.

I would not buy another non reverb unless it was dirt cheap. I had a all original one I had about $300 in.

 

[BluesOwl]

Yup,
clean all the way up

they only have 2 pre-amp tubes to do V1 work + tremolo? + phase inverter

it has a simpler phase inverter circuit (vs PR) that uses only half of the 2nd preamp tube, which contributes to the clean AFAIK

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

I regularly use a heavily modded 71 Princeton as one of my main amps.

The PI on this amp is a cathodyne. Cathodyne PI are not well liked by a lot of folks, in spite of the fact that they respond well to mods. I have massaged mine and am happy with it.

The PT has enough extra filament current that you can install a third preamp tube, if you must have more stages or the more popular long tail PI.

Or, buy another amp.

 

[robt57]

Had a 1970, got made an offer I could not refuse. I actually prefer the non reverb myself...

With a 10F150t, it does not want to, nor actually break up.

Slightly with the stock oxford...

 

[telex76]

No reverb and one less gain stage because of that.

 

[BobbyZ]

If I found a Princeton non verb cheap I'd have a hard time not rewiring it to a 6g2. In fact I'm having a hard time not doing that to a Vibro Champ like DSharp did.
(his was trashed to start with though)

 

[RubyRae]

great amps all around and for vintage fender it is the best bang for buck small combo.
Allen tranny is a good mod.