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Are they really any good ? Next to my Carr Rambler and Skylark, most Fenders sound like toys... But the Princeton has 'that' sound ?
Thoughts ?
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It's hard to advise you if you think a Twin Reverb sounds like a toy, but if you're talking about say, a Blues Junior then we have a radically different reference point.
My vintage one sounds as good if not better as the LJ's.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Princetons are quite a different amp to things like a deluxe reverb, though, not just in power but the sound.
If you're comparing tweed fenders to Carr blackface copies, you're comparing apples to blackface style amps.
I love the new 68 custom Princeton, it really does sound fantastic for home practice. As a do it all amp, I'd look for more power.
Some of the FSR look noice
The Sportsman irons out some of the idiosyncrasies that make a Princeton what it is, for better or worse. You could argue that it improves the shortcomings, or you could argue that the extra headroom, lack of trem, mid control make it become something else.
I think Carr have basically added many of the mods to a Princeton people have been doing for years. All I can say is if THAT sound you want is the sound of a Blackface Princeton Reverb, the Fender would do a pretty good job.
Incidentally, I had a good go of @juansolo 's MJW Princeton Reverb the other day and it was glorious. Next to the PRRI, it sounded very close except for an amazing low end missing from the PRRI. It was through a nice 2x10 cab so that could account for much of the sonic differences and we didn't try the Fender through that cab to compare, but still, it had a tone to behold.
Oh and it has trem, Princetons must have trem!
A minty vintage Twin Reverb is on my radar....hence the Princeton offload.
£1200, no offers. COmes with a Weber fitted but have the original in great condition too.
It is immaculate.
*An Official Foo-Approved guitarist since Sept 2023.
Just a thought, but you may prefer my Morgan SW22R that's for sale in the Classifieds rather than the Twin of dreams.
Amazing amp.......just really wanting a Lazy J20 and can't keep both!!!
Happy amp hunting.
Jon
Any pics?
I played the '65 and the '68, with a standard USA strat which wouldn't stay in tune (why do they give you those guitars ??!!??)
Hmmm...
I was fairly close to the amp and it was at waist height. I liked the scooped (lack of ?) mids, and the ease of 'that' chime. Reverb was good, but bit splashy after 4 on the dial. By the way, I LOVED those front facing Fender knobs. Much better than the hidden away Carr style.
Sounds ? Nice, low level and sweet (not Sportsman sweet or warm though). The '65 model seemed to be very trebly; in fact, sometimes I had to dial the treble to '1'. A bit harsh, overall, if Im being honest. It didn't sound as warm as your vids Gary, and I instantly felt that the speaker change (or broken in) would really benefit it...
The '68 broke up earlier, but sounded less Fender-like. Great at bedroom maybe, but I wouldn't like to gig one. Too little headroom.
Overall, I'm a wee bit disappointed. They were both literally straight out if the box, as their stock was being laid out as I arrived, so maybe they needed to be broken in.
I did get to know the '65 a bit more, and coaxed some pleasant sounds out if it. But, I thought a pedal in front of the Rambler would literally destroy the Princeton....
Got back home, plugged straight into the rambler, and realised how mighty that amp is...
I really wanted to buy one as well. All is not lost. Ill hold fire till I can play one again...
The two sounds (additional to the Rambler) that I have in my head are;
1.) That warm 6V6 (Sportsman, Morgan Abbey ?) sound
2.) The Blackface just beginnjng to break up (ala Slant and Redplate)
The journey continues, and for once, Ive held back and let wisdom settle...
I agree @chalky, and I actually had the best sounds with treble low (1-3) and the bass full up (10). I REALLY wanted to own one too, but I guess the more expensive Carrs, Redplates, Dr Z have spoilt me somewhat....
Amp GAS is very strong at the moment !