Fender Princeton Reverb (Reissue vs. Vintage)

[peAk]

Anyone have any experience with both? If so, opinions?

I am looking to get one of these just haven't figured out if finding a vintage would be worth the extra cost.

[juansolo]

The new ones are PCB based and benefit from an immediate speaker swap. Can't answer for the old ones, but they'll be make old school.

As for me, I had a friend make me one

[peAk]

The new ones are PCB based and benefit from an immediate speaker swap. Can't answer for the old ones, but they'll be make old school.

As for me, I had a friend make me one

How much did that cost you?

[brucer]

No experience with the vintage version, but I seriously LOVE my PR reissue with stock speaker (after I swapped the output transformer to get rid of the farty bottom end (see http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=545)).  If you buy the reissue used, make sure you get the reinforced baffle board version (or do it yourself (see http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=438)).

No affiliations with either, but awesome results from both.

[madbean]

I want a Princeton Reverb bad. That's the only thing I have to offer in this thread.

[pryde]

I just re-capped/re-tubed a silverface PR (dated 73 per the transformer) for a customer and what a wonderful sounding amp it was.

If you can find a vintage one at a good price go for it. Might need to give it a little makeover but well worth the effort.

[gordo]

It's almost on an amp by amp basis.  I've played multiples of both.  The reissues are really good and I don't have issues with PCB construction.  It's hard to beat an old Jensen speaker unless it's beat, and realistically speakers are too much a personal thing to compare.  I can tell you that most point to point Fenders or clones sound better over all but I think it's because the parts are high quality.

Maybe build one?

[juansolo]

The new ones are PCB based and benefit from an immediate speaker swap. Can't answer for the old ones, but they'll be make old school.

As for me, I had a friend make me one

How much did that cost you?

I knew I wanted a Princeton (based on hearing a RI with a Ragin' Cajun in it) and they're about £750. Then I thought, I know, I'll make myself one from a kit and do it properly... For a head that came to about £850. Ran it by a friend and he said he'd do me the head for £900 or there abouts (can't remember exactly what I paid for it). So yeah, quite a bit more, especially when you consider the 2x10 cab that I had it made to match. But it is staggeringly awesome.

Mine (gone away from the original style-wise):

http://juansolo.co.uk/misc/Guitars/twang1.jpg
http://juansolo.co.uk/misc/Guitars/twang2.jpg
http://juansolo.co.uk/misc/Guitars/twang3.jpg

Some super sweet Brimar 6V6s in there. Also a short 3 spring tank vs a long 2 spring. All down to the proximity of the transformers in the head. Still sounds huge though.

[alanp]

Juan, do you find the 5U4G rectifier rattles?

[juansolo]

Juan, do you find the 5U4G rectifier rattles?

It whines on initial power up. After about 5 mins it's nigh on silent. No rattles. The Brimars are known for being rattle free (JJ 6V6s are the opposite...), plus in a head it's all more isolated anyhow. Which is handy as the cab kicks surprisingly hard. Super tight bass.

[peAk]

Cool guys, thanks for the feedback.

I have a Gibson LP Studio that I think I will sell (I am not a Gibson guy) so I can start my search for a Princeton.

[jkokura]

I want a Princeton Reverb bad. That's the only thing I have to offer in this thread.

Ditto.

Jacob