Is Fender Princeton Chorus a good amp?

[viccp073]

I'm an absolute beginner in this area. I got my tele several days ago and have just started learning to play. Now having had the guitar, I'm shopping for an amp.

A local music store has a Princeton Chorus for $275. It seems to be in good shape although I will ask for more details. The store owner told me it's probably about 10 years old.

Do you think this is a good practice amp and is the pricing right?

If not, what other amps might be good options?

 

[morroben]

Most of us around here are tube amp guys, and the Princeton Chorus is a solid state. Despite being solid state, I used to have one and really enjoyed it. Nice sounding amp and easy to dial in a usable tone.
Have you tried it out? Does it sound good to you?
That price seems a bit high but you could probably talk the guy down a bit.
If you wanted something else in a similar price range, I'd say a Blues Jr or Pro Jr used. These are both tube amps.
Even an Epiphone Valve Jr might be a good option, although I haven't owned one myself.
I'm sure you'll get many more responses from folks that are smarter than me. Good luck in your search.

 

[Axis29]

I loved my old Princeton Chorus, but I think 275 is too much for an old used solid state amp.... even if the chorus sounds so good. I love that chorus, actually, very lush! They are decent amps. I really regret having sold mine... though I don't know if I'd still love it as much today as I remember.

I've watched them on ebay from time to time and I've seen them going closer to 200 (if I recall correctly). Just did a quick search and sure enough, they're going for under 2 bills on ebay (but they aren't right in front of you to try out, of course)


If it were my 275 clams, I'd stick it into a Vibrochamp XD at 249... or add another 20 or so and pick up a Super Champ XD at 299. I think you'll get more usable sounds out of these amps.

 

[viccp073]

Most of us around here are tube amp guys, and the Princeton Chorus is a solid state. Despite being solid state, I used to have one and really enjoyed it. Nice sounding amp and easy to dial in a usable tone.
Have you tried it out? Does it sound good to you?
That price seems a bit high but you could probably talk the guy down a bit.
If you wanted something else in a similar price range, I'd say a Blues Jr or Pro Jr used. These are both tube amps.
Even an Epiphone Valve Jr might be a good option, although I haven't owned one myself.
I'm sure you'll get many more responses from folks that are smarter than me. Good luck in your search.

Thank you for responding. I did have the guy try it out for me and it didn't sound too bad although the non existence of my experience means that I had nothing to compare it with.

 

[pchilson]

viccp073, I've been looking around at a few Princeton Chourus amps recently for a drag around and I have been seeing plenty in good to excellent shape from $100 to $200 or a little above. I think, like morroben stated, $275 is too high. You can get into used tube range at that price. Probably because of it being in a Music Store. Try to find one on Craigslist. Good luck!

 

[viccp073]

Just out of curiosity, I did a search on ebay and you guys were right. $275 is a bit much for it. I'm seriously considering other options...

 

[pchilson]

Axis29 hit it with the Vibro Champ XD for $249. You didn't state what you are looking to spend. Super Champ XD for $299.

 

[viccp073]

Axis29 hit it with the Vibro Champ XD for $249. You didn't state what you are looking to spend. Super Champ XD for $299.

Sorry, should have mentioned that I would like to keep it under $300. I'd rather practice on a cheaper amp and find out what my preferences are than commit to something of a sizable spending.

 

[morroben]

Well, you're not without options in the under $300 range. Here's a musiciansfriend search for $200-$300 amps...
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/guitar-combo-amps?N=100001+338499+9&page=2
plenty to choose from, including the VibroChamp and SuperChamp if I remember correctly.
There's a Peavey Classic 20 in the classifieds that would fit your budget as well as a Crate V15. Those are both nice amps.

 

[lostpick]

$200 tops
IMHO one of Fender's Best Solid State Amps
50 watts thru two tens
Great chorus
ok Reverb
usable and tweakable distortion
I had one
Shoulda kept it

 

[Tdot]

Watch Craigslist and you may spot something like (link removed), or (link removed).

 

[petebradt]

No.

 

[viccp073]

I think the general response I have received so far is that this is an ok amp but certainly not worth the money it's going for. And as some of you have pointed out, it's a solid state amp, which is not seen as a plus either.

Given the fact that I know so little about amps, I will take you guys' advice and invest my interest in something else. Super Champ XD seems like a good choice so I am leaning toward this one a bit.

Sincerely thank you all for helping out! I hope to be a regular member of this forum.

 

[pchilson]

You certainly won't dislike the SCXD. Good amp. Have fun.

 

[Axis29]

I hope to be a regular member of this forum.

We hope so too!

 

[MartyGrant]

A Super Champ XD would be a terrific first amp for you, IMO; nice sound, tube enhanced, light weight, not real expensive (saw a blem for $260...missed it), lots of sounds/effects to play around with...tune your ear, find "your tone(s)" and discover what your "next" amp should do for you. This is probably all the amp you will need for a few years and I believe will be a lot of fun for you. You will probably keep that amp forever...

 

[Meadows22]

I used one of these about 15 years ago, and I recall it being a decent amp...very versatile. If I were you I'd offer the guy 200 or 225 tops. It is great for someone starting out. Tube amps would be more appreciated after you've been playing a while...or at least it was in my case. Heck, starting out a Vox Pathfinder 15R would suffice.

 

[FirstBassman]

The quote was:

I'd rather practice on a cheaper amp and find out what my
preferences are than commit to something of a sizable spending.

So I think we're mixing apples and oranges here maybe.


If you're interested in a beginner practice amp for the bedroom you can get a very decent sounding brand new solid state amp for less than $120!

Here would be my recommendations:

Peavey TransTube Rage 158
Crate FW15R
Fender Frontman 15R

Many others also like the Vox Pathfinder 15R. However, I, and others , have had "reliability" issues with it.

 

[CJohnson]

I've played through a Princton Chorus for around five years. I borrowed one from my cousin for about three years than when he wanted it back, I played through several amplifiers and ended up buying another one off ebay. Mine has black knobs rather than red, but I love the amp. I think it has a great clean tone and good chorus and reverb. I think I paid around $200.00 plus shipping for mine.

 

[red57strat]

A friend had one and I was very disappointed with it's tone (lack of tone?) but that's compared to my tube amps.

It was reliable and got the job done. It's more amp than you need to practice at home. I wouldn't pay more than $200.

You can find a lot of smaller and better sounding solid state amps for less money.