Fender Princeton 65?

Mike Brinkmeyer · From: Houston, Texas

This past weekend I received as a gift a Fender Princeton 65 amp (65W 1-12") that I intend to use strictly as a practice amp.
I was disappointed as to how weak the reverb is in this amp...setting "10" seems only slightly different than "1". The reverb unit apparently is working as I get the "amplified
crashing" sound when I move the amp around.
Does anyone have any experience with this Fender model? Are they noted for weak reverbs or do you think there is a problem with the reverb on this amp?

[This message was edited by Mike Brinkmeyer on 13 September 2002 at 10:19 AM.]

Byron Walcher · From: Ketchum, Idaho, USA

I bought two new princeton 65s from musicians friend last summer. I had to send both of them back because of problems with the reverb units. One didn't work at all, the other had a squealing type feedback at settings over 3 or 4 depending on volume. I think they have some serious quality controll problems at the plant in Mexico where these are being made.

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Emmons D10 8&7, Sierra Lap-top, Webb amplifiers

Earl Foote · From: Houston, Tx, USA

I have two Princeton 65's that I use in stereo driven by a Boss GT-6 processor. I use this rig now for guitar and pedal steel, and I'm very pleased with it. I have noticed that the reverb on the Princetons has to be turned up a lot to get a little. I've also got a 65 Deluxe Reverb Re-issue that will have you swimming in reverb when you just barely have the reverb cracked open. I just use the power amp inputs on the Princetons though so the reverb doesn't matter to me. At 28 lbs per amp my back's real happy with 'em too.

[This message was edited by Earl Foote on 13 September 2002 at 08:54 AM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Mike, though this amp is fine for practice use, it doesn't have enough power for large gigs.

Be that as it may, evidently, the guys at Fender don't realize that their old reverb sound is part of what made their amps so appealing. (Duh!) They use a little short-tank reverb unit now, and it's just not as lush as the longer ones. At any rate, you can change out this short tank for a longer model (P-R4FB3D1B) Accutronics tank available from Antique Electronics, (about $20) and your reverb will improve. This isn't the perfect impedance match for the amp, but it is superior to the stock tank. (They have another tank which works even better, but it requires some modification of the tank, due to the grounded jacks. I will be happy to supply details on the modification to anyone who's interested.)

Also, keep in mind that with these "old-technology" spring units---the louder you play...the better they sound, since more "electromechanical" movement is created in the tank.

[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 14 September 2002 at 01:54 PM.]

Lee Baucum · From: McAllen, Texas (Extreme South) The Final Frontier

I have one that I use around the house and at practice. The reverb works fine, but is a bit weak. I use two stomp boxes with it, a digital delay and an eq. It helps to boost the lows a bit. I like the amp a lot. My old Gretsch sounds great through it. Of course, it is voiced for guitar, not steel.

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Lee, from South Texas

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

I have a Princeton 65 and use it every weekend on gigs for guitar only. Too weak for steel. The speaker tends to distort if you turn it up to loud, but if you keep it reasonable its clean enough. I play a Gretsch double Anniversary through it and get a great retro sound. Alot of twang! The sound man on the Mark Wills gig we did a couple of weekends ago freaked when he heard the sound of a Gretsch through a Fender. The overdrive channel is also superb. I do turn the reverb up to 9. All in all its a pretty good 12" amp and it does a good job. I would never use it for steel though.

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