Fender Princeton reissue harsh treble problem

[Joe Burke]

I've got a '65 Fender Princeton Brownface reissue. It has a 10" Jenson P10Q alnico speaker.

I'm playing a Fender triple custom (lap steel with trap pickups).

I love this set up, except for playing on strings 1 & 2 (the highest), when the sound is a little harsh. I've heard this is a common complaint with Princeton reissues.

Has anyone tried a replacement speaker? Or a mod?

I'm wondering about the Weber 10F150.
https://www.tedweber.com/best-speaker-f ... ton-reverb

But I'm curious to hear all suggestions.

Thanks!

[Pete Woronowski]

Most important fix to start is to have the bright cap removed.
Not only will it help remove that annoying clank in the high end but the amp will take pedals better.

[Brad Sarno]

Agreed, snip the bright cap.

Also, the speakers when new are terribly harsh. They take many dozens of hours to mellow out.

And those Jensens are often brutally ice-picky, glassy bright.

B

[Michael Dulin]

I use an Eminence Ragin' Cajun with mine...much warmer sound. I also use the 2nd input to tame the higher output of steel guitar pickups. Very satisfied.MD

[J Fletcher]

Does the Princeton Rev Reissue have a bright cap?
Don't see one on the schematic...Jerry

[Mark Fowler]

http://bmamps.com/Schematics/fender/65_ ... ematic.pdf

No bright cap shown.

[b0b]

Pricey, but beautiful sound. Silky highs, not harsh.

https://tonetubby.com/product/alnico-red/

[Brad Sarno]

http://bmamps.com/Schematics/fender/65_ ... ematic.pdf

No bright cap shown.

Yup, appears that the reissue doesn't have this bright cap, so I'd say the speaker is the place to tweak.

B

[Mark Fowler]

Yes maybe you can try a external speaker cab and see how that goes. The output should be 8 ohms.

I just built a 65 Princeton Reverb and using the same speaker as yours. Not playing Pedal Steel through it though.

[Jeff Porter]

I have Princeton Reverb and have tried a couple of different speakers with it. Currently have a Weber 12F150 in it and it's nice for both Tele & steel. Pretty well balanced and not harsh but still has a Fender/Jensen-ish sound IMHO. I've used the 10" version in other amps with similar results.
You might also look into a beam blocker or similar. They can help take a little top end off of your sound:
https://www.tedweber.com/gadgets/beam-blockers

[Steven Husting]

Hi -

It would also be worth your while to try Jupiter speakers. I put a 12" ceramic in my tweed deluxe, and liked it so much I am considering replacing the D120F in my DR with one. A band mate replaced the Jensens in his Vibrolux with Jupiter 10s and we are both happy as can be.

Steven

[James Phillips]

Before you spend the extra cash on a new speaker ,try breaking it in. I broke my Jensen 10"Falcon in by hooking it up to my stereo in the garage ,and playing SRV through it for 12 hours straight. Really happy with the tone.
As long as you use good judgement as to the volume you put thru it while doing so ;Couldn't hurt.

[Joe Burke]

Thanks for all the tips.
I ended up putting a Ragin' Cajun in and it sounds great. The top two strings now sound as good as the others. I also had the treble adjusted so what used to be a zero, is now a five.
I'd been playing this amp for 18 months before the speaker switch, so the old speaker must have begun to wear in.

[George McLellan]

I used a "Beam Blocker" in my Cube 80XL to tame it down to my liking and it worked. I just ordered another one for my Fender R/I Deluxe. The pup in my Willy (true tone) is too piercing even with the treble off and bass up to 7.

Geo

[Joe Burke]

My latest update!

I found a 1973 Oxford Speaker on eBay, advertised as being from an old Princeton. $50 for the speaker + $50 for dilivery. It has a repaired cone, but so far sounds great. No more shrill, but stil chimey.

[Mark Draycott]

I bought a Special Run 65 Princeton with a factory 12" Cannabis Rex installed and it has none of the harsh top end. I bought this for my steel and love it. Great sounding speaker for steel.