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VINTAGE 1965 FENDER PRINCETON BLACKFACE (NON REVERB)

Estimated price for orientation: 999 $

Category: Guitar Amplifiers
Class:











Description
Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Model: Princeton Reverb
Impedance (ohms): 8ohm Brand: Fender


This is a 1965 Princeton that I've owned for several years.  It was serviced last summer by "Cranky's Amp Service" of Mansfield, Ma.  Among the fixes were:  filter cap replacement (can), several resistors and caps replaced, three prong power cord installed, three position ground switch disabled (last two items done for preventing electrocution!), new volume pot, all circuits checked.  The amp was completely gone through and given a clean bill of health by Greg (shop owner),who told me that it should be good for another 50 years!  He spent  a whole day on it and charged me $326.00...When I first bought the amp, it had a no-name cheap speaker.  I  replaced it with  a 1963 Jensen C10N that I found on e-bay for $150.00.  This speaker is in great condition and has far more volume handling capacity than the stock lightweight Oxfords that originally came with these amps.  The Oxfords would usually start to "fart out" once the amp was turned up above "5" on the volume knob.  I've been told that the C10N was at one time offered as a factory upgrade by Fender on these Princetons.   Anyway, it  significantly adds to the headroom and volume of the amp.  These non-reverb Princetons, lacking the extra gain stage from the reverb section, sound both much cleaner and quieter (low idle noise) than the reverb models.  With the addition of a premium vintage speaker and new power tubes, this is a surprisingly loud and punchy little amp with great Blackface tone.  It also takes pedals well.This amp comes with a single button footswitch and cover (both non-original) as well as the tubes that originally came with the amp.  The first position 12ax7 is an RCA.  The second is a GE labelled "C.G.Conn".  The two RCA  6V6s (included) have been replaced with new JJs.  The rectifier is an RCA GZ34 (new JJ GZ34 is included as a backup).  All the old American tubes in the amp test strong and well balanced.  The 12ax7s tested new! (likely not original to the amp).   The RCA 6V6s still have plenty of life and can be substituted for a softer sound.  One of these has a crack running up the side of it's plastic base (see last photo), but this has had no effect on the tube's function. Cosmetically, the amp is in pretty clean condition.  There's a little piece of surface tolex  scraped off the top (about the size of a pencil point) as well as a couple of small indentations in the tolex.  These are all on the top surface of the amp (see photo #3).  All in all, this is a great little amp that requires no fixes or service.  It's ready for use!I'm selling it because it doesn't get used much due to  volume restrictions in my living space and also  because I tend to "baby" vintage gear.   As a result, most of my playing is done through a small Peavey solid state amp.  This classic little amp is too nice to sit dormant on a shelf.  It needs a good home where it can be used and enjoyed.