CRANKED '64 Princeton Reverb Hand-Wired | Vol 1-10 | Stratocaster

[@ShaneStoneOfficial]

I have NEVER seen a shell pink CBS Strat… that is incredibly good looking

[@David-gx9lh]

I own one of these, and recently learned a useful tip, which is to run the treble and bass up at 10. Totally comes alive.

[@whatmusiciwant]

Man, I came here because my Fender ToneMaster Pro I thought sounded super fake when the Princeton was cranked. Nope, that's how it sounds, all weird and fuzzy. It's almost exact, it's honestly uncanny. Thanks for the vid!

[@averagejer]

@@whatmusiciwant it’s amazing how close the modelers sound compared to a mic’d amp! I feel like both my recording and the modelers do a poor job of representing how it actually sounds in the room though.

[@whatmusiciwant]

@@averagejer It's funny, because I have it paired with the FR-10 (frfr speaker), and holy crap man. I can go from chickin' pickin' with Johnny Hiland, to Santana's tone in Black Magic Woman, and then to a smooth melodic jam with the Eric Johnson preset, and it FEELS like those amps. But I put on my studio headphones, I kid you not even real amps sound fake and digitized to my ears (when cranked), it is the strangest thing, which is why I wound up on this video. You put this tone in a mix though, I bet it sounds creamy, smooth and buttery.

[@michaelmonaganmusic5683]

I've played a "65 Strat since "69 through a Super, Deluxe, Hot Rod Deluxe, Princeton, Blues Jr, etc and the perfect sound for me is the guitar wide open and the amp on 4 (the bass more like 3- treble 5- reverb 3). Something so comforting and complete. Sure I like to crank it but that's my special place..

[@MrSmiley1964]

I owned a real '65 Start and an Early '64 Princeton Reverb. I normally kick myself at lest once in the ass each day since I parted with them because I miss them so. But tonight I'm kicking myself extra hard just knowing that there's no way I will ever get that sound I had back then by buying new equipment that just has the years stamped on it. I knew I was f*cking up then, but man did I ever f@ck up. If I had had a real friend, they would have just beat the shit out of me and told to take my chances.

[@jonathanriley6442]

I just ordered one and it’s on the way! Never thought I’d be able to afford one but I got lucky. So amped!

[@michaelsicowitz362]

They always sound good. I wanted a tuxedo until the price went insane couple years ago.

[@fuzzblender]

I just bought this thing. It’s awesome. Keeps up with drums too.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

You lucky person!! It's better than all the "Replicas" too.

[@joeschlicht]

@giulioluzzardi7632 better than Headstrong?? I'm looking for comparisons, but i haven't found any.

[@jensschettler1732]

No. Solid as a tank. No rattle, no nothing. Awesome tone.

[@sergebukovsky]

Thank you buddy! One of the simplest and most sensible videos I wanted to find. Great sound! Of course like and subscribe!

[@averagejer]

Thanks!!!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

The best is yet to come, wait until that (flubby) Jensen P10r starts to wear-in and you won't even bother thinking"New speaker"! Sounds right-on!

[@averagejer]

That’s good to hear! How much play time do you think you had in before you considered it worn in?

[@modestoney1577]

@@averagejer don`t bother waiting for something that will never come....just upgrade the speaker and be happy

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

​@@averagejerTook about 50hrs playing but worth it. These new ones are a little bit tighter and beefier than the old jensen but much more robust, let the "snobs" say " it's not like the old ones" , how many old Fender amps still have the original speaker? Not many cos they failed or got mildew on the cones. When they find an old amp with the original speakers they make song and dance out if it and stick it in you-tube ..that's how reliable they were.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

​@@modestoney1577 What would you recommend Sir at a similar cost?

[@modestoney1577]

@@giulioluzzardi7632 I wouldn`t necessarily recommend a speaker at a similar cost, because in most cases you get what you pay for. Also depends on personal taste and playing style. Generally I find Celestion and Weber AlNiCos to be better speakers, or if you are considering ceramics also, the Eminence GA10-SC64 for example. But there are a lot of different options out there. BTW The old original Jensens may not have been 50+ years reliable (which speaker is?), but they did and do sound way better in my opinion.

[@derekclemons]

Sounds awesome!!

[@zhest07]

Hello! This amp has fantastic CLEAN tone! But as for me I don`t like it to be cranked. I`m wondering how does it sound with V1 12ay7 and V2 12au7 tubes as a clean tone platform?

[@redhorsereincarnated]

Does it come with 12ax7? I'm kind of new to this stuff but iirc the 12au7 and 12ay7 don't break up as quick as the 12ax7 but have less volume.

[@zhest07]

@@redhorsereincarnated yes. it comes with 12ax7

[@ocdenson]

Sounds great. what pickups are in that Strat? Seems to be breaking up much faster than mine, lol

[@georgem5589]

I have two 66 PR's. Ironman II mini attenuator insures those tubes stay saturated without wife kicking my A$$. Great amps.

[@averagejer]

How do you like the Ironman? Have you tried any other attenuators?

[@georgem5589]

@@averagejer Only attenuator I've ever tried. First time using was strange, you get so much crunch at low volumes with no distortion pedal. Wondered if it was a true Princeton sound. Your vid pretty much proves it is lol. Learned a lot about the amp and its sounds, at what vol it breaks up, and can avoid bass flub on the 10" speaker and still saturate the tubes. Late night setting -32 to -38 Db and keep guitar at 10. Been stealing Josh Smith solos off KZbin and even though he's cleaner, I don't care I keep it distorted because it sounds so sweet.

[@erhnam]

@@georgem5589 Princeton and an attenuator will be my next big purchase. I wanna crank the amp without my neighbor getting angry.

[@walterrizotto8668]

Way to go!

[@duppykitoon]

Wow, that thing breaks up in a hurry. Sounds great!

[@jdmoney1000]

Great sounding amp, up till about 3 1/2.....

[@averagejer]

Haha it’s surprising how quickly it breaks up.

[@jdmoney1000]

@@averagejer yeah, don’t get me wrong. I have a 64 hand wired. Princeton and I absolutely love it.

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

Totally. I think fender missed the mark on this one.

[@joeschlicht]

Glad I got to hear what this amps sounds like at zero, I've been wondering ;)

[@averagejer]

Most reviewers leave that out for some reason. Not me. I know you tone hounds care about the little stuff!

[@joeschlicht]

@@averagejer Next time I'd like to hear it unplugged, yeah? 😅

[@averagejer]

@joeschlicht I typically save the unplugged reviews for patreon members.

[@mikemccourt6225]

Nice - I echo my comment on your other video to have you crank the amp to 10 and then use your volume knob. On my Deluxe Reverb the best clean is the amp cranked and the guitar volume on 2-4 (depending on the pickup). That said, I "need" a Princeton.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

We all need a Princeton even thiugh we may have 5 other combos!

[@mikemccourt6225]

@@giulioluzzardi7632 Of course!

[@jogo2000]

How does it sound cranked and the bass turned down?

[@averagejer]

I’ll have to do another video with all the usual knob turning. My opinion: With the volume cranked, I need to be on the bridge pickup for it to sound good and not flub out too much. Turning the bass down helps a little bit with the speaker breakup but also looses some girth and makes the overall tone sound a bit weak. The best I’ve heard this amp sound is cranked through a 2x12. Keeps the bass under control while allowing it to remain full.

[@TurquoiseArmies]

Better. It will sound better with the bass turned down.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Yes, try bass at 2/3.

[@billpholde4816]

Good demo but, what I think most people want to know about a Princeton is, can it work in a band situation?

[@averagejer]

Good point. I’ll try to figure out how to test that in a video. The answer is yes because I ran it with the band next to a drummer last week. It also would depend on what your clean headroom need is or if you’re wanting to run a little gritty.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Motorhead or skiffle, un any case just mic it up or take 2nd input and stick it into a bigger amp if you need more Volume. ..or get the band to play quieter?

[@daveclinton4945]

Used it for years with a rock band. No problem.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Prop it on a chair or stand tilted up a bit and get the drummer to play to your Volume level for a change. I cranked mine and the hamfisted drummer yelled that " I and I" was too loud! It is such a good amp that I got a 1x12" cab for larger venues or if they have a decent PA mic it up. Sounds best on 9 using the Guitars vol to clean it.

[@JeremyAult12]

Absolutely it can. Ive had mine for several years and over that time I’ve been seeing how far I can push it. I played a decent festival stage a few weeks back. Brought my Mesa and the Princeton. Decided on the Princeton. It totally hung. I used it last night next to a heavy handed drummer and it delivered it all no problem. I ran it on 7 and just by adjusting the volume on my guitar and varying my picking and strum attack and intensity I was able to get it pretty clean. It’s an amp that’ll force you to be a better player if you listen to it and spend time w it. I’ve got to where it’s a security blanket amp for me. And the tremolo will make you trash all your tremolo guitar pedals.

[@michaelshearer3559]

Wow!

[@alafenetre81]

Maybe the 65 PRRI would stay clean at higher volume.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

They break up at 3.

[@yotamyoffe5078]

4 for me :)

[@filippocalderoni]

How loud is the amp with volume at 2/4? Too loud for home use?

[@averagejer]

At 4 - basically as loud as the amp gets. Any higher and it just breaks up / saturates more. At 2 - quiet but not whisper quiet. I use it at home, but I also use a 100w two rock at home so I might not be the guy to answer this question.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Just get one and turn your guitar vol down a bit, the sound it makes will endear you any neighbour. Just switch off after 22:00hrs.

[@jensschettler1732]

Had this amp. The construction is really bad. The baffleboard wiggle and rattle on volumes higher than 6. Al in all a medicore amp.

[@averagejer]

What amp did you end up swapping for?

[@jensschettler1732]

@@averagejervintage super amp tweed.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

..and does the super tweed not also have its floating baffle and liitle irritating pecadilloes?

[@redhorsereincarnated]

It's not a 1964. It's a '64. Right?

[@averagejer]

It’s this www.fender.com/en-US/guitar-amplifiers/vintage-pro-tube/64-custom-princeton-reverb/8181000000.html

[@redhorsereincarnated]

@@averagejer I was just messing with you. I meant it in a light hearted way. For the reissues people usually just say the last two digits, like Fender does. And for the originals people will say the whole year, because of the names Fender gives the reissues. You said the whole year. 😁

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

Disappointing (for me) how early and how much it distorts. And yes, I’ve owned old princetons and strats. Too raunchy for my taste.

[@averagejer]

It was one of the more surprising things for me as well. I typically run it through a cab with a higher efficiency 12” so I get the volume I need without breakup. I’ve learned to really like the early breakup with the 10” though as well.

[@GreggBennett-j3p]

@@averagejer taste is (obviously) very individual. But I prefer the additional headroom of the early silver face princetons (amps I’ve actually owned). Like many people who were young(ish) in the 70’sand 80’s, I sold off some gear I’d like to have back. Cest la vie. My main amp these days is an Ampeg Reverberocket II. Good luck finding a good one.

[@BeefNEggs057]

Upgrade the speaker to a private Jack. Say goodbye to that nasty fizz. Terrible. What we’re they thinking if anything. 🤨

[@richardelson3261]

Clean was ok cranked was not great to my ears some players makes cranked Princetons sound great - Ryan Adams for one - so I’ll put this one as a poor exception. I like my DRRI cranked much better.

[@andyznuff]

Why a Strat, humbucker would set better

[@averagejer]

Les Paul video should be posted in the next day or two. Stay tuned!

[@reddsshaker3477]

Eh. Not a fan at all. Sounds fizzly and brittle.

[@heavymetal6910]

With that useless 10 inch speaker that amp farts out like a glaswegian after a curry