New amp day: Fender '65 Princeton Reverb

[grayn]

Although very happy with my Peavey ValveKing 212, I have been fancying something a little smaller, for sometime.

After much internet browsing and recommendations from friends, I'd pretty much decided on an Orange TH30C.
But, on a visit to my local, Aire Valley Guitars, I spotted a very cool, small, 18 watt, all-valve amp head, with a lovely blue-lit control panel, from Hughes & Kettner. It came with a matching 1X12 cab.
It's tone, clean and overdriven, was impressive. I wasn't quite sure though and the shop guy suggested trying the Princeton. I said I wasn't keen, as I'd previously owned a Fender Super Champ XD, which also had a 1X10 and although it was a great little amp, I'd thought it lacked bottom end. He said the Princeton was a completely different kettle of fish. And he was right.

At low levels, or cranked up to 8, the Princeton sounded superbly full. A rich tone and that real spring reverb, just clinched it for me. It also has a lovely, soft, vintage tremolo. Everything a surf fan could want. I even love the little, 2 button, metal footswitch it comes with. Gorgeously retro and yet practical.

So it came home with me. Trouble is, now I have 3 semi-redundant FX pedals.

[JimN]

I've heard nothing but praise for the reissue Princeton.

It's certainly not the same sort of animal as the Champ XD, even allowing for the 12" speaker fitted to the Princeton. It's more like the Deluxe.

I bought a mint Deluxe Reverb on eBay a few years ago - and that amp is easily loud enough for a club date. Given that the Princeton has the same output valves (6V6 x 2), I'm sure it'll be pretty close in room-filling capacity.

JN

[David Martin]

Interesting.... my Superchamp XD sounds so much better after I'd given it a seriously hard thrashing at full volume in rehearsal...

[JimN]

I only ever took the Super Champ XD out to a jam night once.

Even at moderate volume for the band (this was St George's Night and all the material was Chas'n'Dave / Very Lynn / Flanagan and Allen stuff - honestly!), it was lost among the sound of a small drum kit, a bass on a 50 watt amp and an acoustic guitar on the PA.

I suppose it might have fared better linked to a bigger speaker in a bigger caninet, but why bovver? I have bigger amps!

Not having any real need for an amp for home use, I gave it to my son to use as a practice amp.

JN

[grayn]

even allowing for the 12" speaker fitted to the Princeton. It's more like the Deluxe.

JN

The Princeton actually comes with a 10 inch Jenson speaker. Though there would be room in the cabinet for a 12 inch.

I think cabinet design/quality has a lot to do with the overall tone/volume.

[RUSSET]

You can actually get a Superchamp head + 12" Speaker cab now. It's still got the same 2 x 6V6 valves, too. I have the Superchamp 10" combo which I find to be a great little amp. OK, it can struggle to be heard at gig level, with it's 10" speaker, but I guess it's a Rehearsal/Studio combo. With a more efficient speaker or Ext. speaker cab, I imagine it would be giggable. Or even DIing it into the PA mixer.

Tony.