Joe Barden amplifiers?

[Johnny Conqueroo]

I'm new to TDPRI but a long time Tele owner/player. I recently came to possess a Joe Barden Mr. Tone amp. It appears to be a highly modified Fender Princeton. In decent shape. Sounds great. Very loud for what I believe is 20 watts. Does anyone know anything about these amps? In particular, have any idea of what it might have originally sold for or what it might be worth now? There is precious little online save a very old Joe Barden Facebook site. Any info greatly appreciated.

 

[Wally]

Welcome, Johnny. I would think that whatever you paid for the amp ‘sets’ the market as far as value. Got pics? Gut shots?

 

[Johnny Conqueroo]

Here's a pic with the Joe Barden sticker peeled off. Despite what was under that sticker, this is not a Fender Princeton-- Joe used the Princeton cabinet. As soon as I figured that out, I dug the Barden sticker out of the trash and put it back on over the "Princeton Reverb-Amp" logo. I didn't know Barden even sold amps. Great pickups though. You can see that the controls are different and there's only one channel.

Someone put out this amp out for trash. There was a story there, I guess. But it means that I really didn't pay anything for it. I picked up off the side of the curb.

 

[DrPepper]

looks like your about to lose a power tube

 

[archetype]

We'd like to see pictures of the chassis. Pics of the top side, pics of the underside. Thanks in advance.

 

[Wally]

So, to be accurate, this is a Fender Princeton Reverb that has been modified to some extent if not totally retired into something else, correct? Pictures of the circuit would be meaningfulness as archetype notes..as would seeing the trannies with codes and the filter
Caps.
My guess.....mini-tweed Bassman with a cathodyne PI and Reverb. The Slope control is interesting????..

 

[JRapp]

This is a Barden-modified Fender amp, not a Barden amp.

 

[Treehouse]

And you found it on the side of the road?

 

[SAguitar]

Wow, just wow! Nice find.

 

[Johnny Conqueroo]

Thanks for your interest in this amp. Here's a link to Barden's Facebook site for amps: (link removed). On that site you will see the "Mr. Tone" amp pictured. I've posted questions on that page and elsewhere... no responses yet. To answer some of the questions:

• There are spring retainers on the tubes. One of them is broken. The tube is solidly seated. I'm going to try to fix the retainer though.
• I'm not sure to what extent this amp was modified from a Fender Princeton. I'll get some more pics of the inside and post them shortly
• Yes, I found it on someone's curb, put out as trash. Angry spouse?

 

[Johnny Conqueroo]

 

[Askwhy]

I had one once. Couldn't seem to get it out of the basement and when it did work, the output was just garbled notes that didn't really make sense. Hopefully you will have better luck with yours!

 

[Johnny Conqueroo]

Did you buy yours? How much did you pay for it?

Mine doesn't sound bad at all. Needs a volume attenuator.

 

[Wally]

Johnny, out of curiosity what is the serial number on that chassis. I am hoping that it is A9xxxxx meaning it is a 1979. Hopefully it is not Axxxxx. If there are only five digits, one would take the amp to be from 1969 by that reverb driver transformer EIA code. Another clue would be the baffleboard. If it is glued with a separate grille board, it is more than likely a 1979.
Pics of the circuit are much anticipated.

 

[Johnny Conqueroo]

Yes, the chassis serial number is A 22701. So it's a 69? Not good? Here's the circuit side ....

 

[sudogeek]

Hot take: Basically is a modded PR minus tremolo. Cap can replaced with stacked caps inside the chassis. Fixed bias, added screen and grid resistors, pins 1 & 8 on power tube sockets tied together (could use EL34s) but I cannot see where they are grounded. 4 pre-amp tubes. Tube 1 appears to be a 6 or 7 pin socket - perhaps a 12AV6 handling the single input stage. Still trying to dope out what that slope dial is doing. Circuit board is cut and the tremolo part of the circuit is gone. Still appears to be a cathodyne PI. The model and specs on that Mojo transformer are not known to me. It would be interesting to see what a voltage chart shows.

Cesar Diaz used to disconnect the tremolo on SRV's amps for some increased output, but I'm not sure that works on a PR. I'd keep it and play.

 

[clydethecat]

Yes, the chassis serial number is A 22701. So it's a 69? Not good? Here's the circuit sideView attachment 774949 ....

Thanks! Could we get a few closer views?

 

[thunderbyrd]

Well, i thinkit's a real cool amp, Johnny! though i have no idea of it's dollar-value.

also, a very cool name, Mr. Conqueroo.

 

[clydethecat]

100uF right after the rectifier.

 

[fretWalkr]

Randal Smith did the same thing with the early boogies. A lot of princetons became mark I`s in the Bay area.

I like the controls on the front of your Bardon. A middle, reverb, and presence, with a 12 inch speaker, in a cabnet that size is the amp Fender never built but should have.