Fender 64 Princeton Reverb Custom Handwired Vs Fender 64 Deluxe Reverb Custom Handwired

Fender 64 Princeton Reverb Custom Handwired with Jensen P10R 10" speaker, Pine Cabinet
Fender 64 Deluxe Reverb Custom Handwired, Jensen C12Q, Pine Cabinet
Fender Custom Shop 63 Telecaster with Peter Florance Voodoo TE60 Pickups

[@smooshpig]

with headphones your audio being captured is amazing! the bass on a fender is to die for! this is much better than other reviews with their amps being mic'ed. also a big bonus is that you play some of the most peaceful music through these amps for us to hear dynamics.

[@gair1944]

Thank you for the very kind words. That means a lot to me. I am so glad my video was helpful!

[@PeteEllson5656]

Great video. I like that you don't have the amps miked up. Seems that videos with miked amplifiers don't give an accurate room sound. Thanks for making this. Trying to decide on buying a Princeton.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for your thoughts Peter. For what it's worth, when I listen back, my perception is the video very nicely represents what I hear when I'm playing. Both amps are truly great. I have come to realize I don't really need the size or extra power of the Deluxe Reverb. (for what I do) The Princeton is sort of the Goldiloks amp. It's just the right size and right level of clean versus dirty when pushed. Depending on your needs, the same could be said for the Deluxe Reverb as well.

[@nightchef57]

The Deluxe has a wonderful “larger than life” solidity and clarity. But the Princeton just has that archetypal sweet, lush, complex clean tube sound that I hear in my head.

[@gair1944]

The 64 PR is surprisingly Capable and sounds much bigger than expected. Great amp. It has a Little more mid range baked into its presentation and that serves it really well. Especially when you push it

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

What a fantastic sound! They are both spot on. The Princeton is tighter sounding but the Deluxe has a broader tone and as you say the mid is scooped which make it a Deluxe. You make em both sing. Best sound I have heard on any amp Demo so far. With your help I am drawn to the Deluxe even though I certainly would'nt kick the Princeton out of bed either. Thanks.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for the kind words. I’m glad it was helpful. Funny, listening back today I actually Prefer the Princeton. Go figure. But I’ve always loved the Deluxe as my first grab.

[@kmjansen]

It's tough because you make every amp sound amazing. Love listening to you play.

[@gair1944]

Thanks! You are very kind.

[@1111undici1111]

I sold all my Gibsons and other guitar gear when I got the Fender stratocaster and the Princeton amp.

[@jdmoney1000]

This video presentation never gets old. I'm still loving my 64 HW Princeton. It's not going anywhere....

[@gair1944]

Thanks for sharing! Great amp! The 64 Princeton reverb custom boat, and you out punches it’s weight class.

[@jdmoney1000]

@@gair1944 click over to my channel and listen to what I can do with that Princeton and a telecaster ultra luxe.. and a couple of bruuskies

[@gair1944]

@@jdmoney1000 I’ll check it out!

[@user-lg6ye1jx7v]

Beautiful sound, and perfect presentation.

[@georgeobeso]

I go with the fender Princeton Reverb Handwired, Excellent review man !!

[@gair1944]

Always a good choice. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@stevec.1802]

I still have a late 60’s SF princeton with a 10” speaker. Love it for what the deluxe is not. princeton sits well in a mix. 🎧🔈

[@iTrove]

Just bought the 64 Princeton like you have there… This HW custom 10” is joining a 57 HW custom Champ RI that I have been struggling with. Somedays I am a prospect for being in the band, some days I am kicked out forever. Love the sounds I hear people like you make as I go on this journey of learning, but now that I have found you and the Deluxe.. this isn’t good as the Prince hasn’t even arrived at the door. Nice Demo :)

[@gair1944]

64 Princeton out punches it’s weight class. Wonderful amp! Enjoy it. Thanks for the kind words.

[@gao1258]

thanks Gary for your comp vids on the Fender amps, doubt I can afford the hw models but you have shown a bunch in other vids and your tasty playing is appreciated in evaluating these instruments!...think I will end up with a Princeton(probably a 65Ri)... just got a MiM blackguard for blonde tele this week)

[@gair1944]

Thanks for stopping by and for your nice comments. I love the Fender 65 Princeton reverb reissue. Can’t go wrong for that “fender guitar thru a fender amp” classic sound

[@gao1258]

@@gair1944actually thinking of grabbing a Bordeaux 65 12" that's newly listed on Reverb , and Gary I will keep looking at your vids as I progress in my guitar journey--see you have lots about acoustic guitars..which I probably should put before a lot more electric purchases on the shopping list,; just really getting serious after years of noodling with different guitars and amps...had a 70s twin and a mim tele in the early 2000s, nothing has ever come close to that combo..but this pair when I get em together may very well) thanks again and for the reply, take care!

[@OliverGuitarforall]

Thank you !!!

[@germanjdevalcarcel7150]

What a fine collection of amps and guitars! Gary you are a lucky person. I was waiting for this last addition to your arsenal. I’m looking forward to seeing more in-depth reviews and comparisons of this gem. Thank you.

[@gair1944]

Thank you for checking it out. I am truly blessed and I am grateful everyday. I will do a more exhaustive review and comparison. Keep in mind these amps are very similar but not entirely comparable with differences of power, 10" versus 12" speaker, transformers and some preamp component differences. So I think its always going to be a matter of choosing the right tool for the job.

[@michaelrixon1161]

Waiting for my 64 Princeton to arrive. I think a Deluxe will join it at some point. Both sound amazing.

[@gair1944]

You’re gonna love it!

[@_R_A_]

Just found your channel Gary thank you! Every time I hear you play the Princeton then the Deluxe I can’t help but feel the Deluxe is the way to go so rich… with an Ironman attenuator would probably be perfect at home. Nice polo, Go ASU Sun Devils:).

[@gair1944]

HEY! That "A" is for University of Arizona! Go Wildcats! LOL I actually just sold the 64 Princeton Reverb. Why? The Deluxe is a bit bigger and richer for my needs. It also has a little more top end sparkle.

[@_R_A_]

@@gair1944 I’m in ASU country up here in Mesa:) football rivalries are good old fashion fun, just like tube amps. Hope to upgrade the Yamaha THRX 10 to a Deluxe soon. Keep up the great playing and demos, all the best.

[@gair1944]

@@_R_A_ Well played then! Ha! I actually grew up in Scottsdale. I came to Tucson in '84. I've been assimilated as they say. Beardown Arizona. LOL :-)

[@_R_A_]

@@gair1944 I work in Scottsdale. Have a sister in Tucson she and her husband have a beautiful view of the mountains. I’m Ryan by the way. Pleasure to meet you Gary.

[@gair1944]

@@_R_A_ Hey Ryan, We need to connect and nerd out on gear sometime. Good to meet you too

[@zefferan0]

Still one of the best demo on YT. Thank you for making this 👍 I’m wondering which one would fit better in mix with a band. 🤔

[@gair1944]

The Princeton could possibly be underpowered depending on your needs for clean headroom with a full sound. But don’t be fooled, It is plenty loud. The safer bet is the Deluxe which I may actually be selling because I don’t play in band anymore. Email me at [e-mail]

[@zefferan0]

@@gair1944 I actually own 64 Deluxe Reverb Custom Handwired but never tried Princeton 64. This is one of those thoughts “what if…”

[@kutsbothways]

Can't go wrong with either. I have the Deluxe HW'd 64 and since our band has a piano player, which covers Iots of sonic territory I feeI the deluxe is abIe to hoId it's own in that context. Nice playing. Would Iove to hear them both together, as I play a two amp setup when the gig aIIows for that.

[@dave64k]

Nice video Gary. For me the Princeton just seems a bit fuller/wider, especially when you hit that top E. I'd normally look for a 12" speaker for a bit more low end but that 10" seems to work really well.

[@gair1944]

The 64 handwired Princeton has surprisingly low end fullness

[@user-or5zn9ho5e]

Hello! Thank you for demo! It`s awesome! At last I`ve heard the clean soud demo of the two terrific Blackface Fender amps. Their clean tone considers as the reference by many guitarists. But unfortunately these amps break up too fast. I`m wondering how does Princeton sound with 12ay7 V1 tube for redusing the gain.

[@writewheel]

Makes me wish that I had access to my FSR Princeton with 12" to compare...but both sound lovely in their own way and I'm using this as a reference for tweaking my clean Fender tones in my pedals+amp signal chain.

[@gair1944]

Those FSR Princeton Reverb amps with 12" speakers are truly worthy. One of the best reissues. Do I think this 64 Handwired is on another level? Yes I actually do. I am shocked at the fullness coming from a single 10" Jensen Alnico P10R speaker. Surprisingly capable!

[@writewheel]

@@gair1944 After listening to your HW Deluxe Reverb, I was convinced it was superior. No doubt the HW Princeton is a joy as well. I could get lost in that Deluxe for an eternity with no pedals.

[@jimmyjams1974]

@garyroberts thanks for your videos. I ended up getting one of the sweetwater princetons and have a Mesa fillmore 25 so I’ll have to put up a video comparison for that as well. Appreciate your videos!

[@gair1944]

When your do that share the link. It love to check it out

[@jimmyjams1974]

@@gair1944 Will do!

[@jimmyjams1974]

@@gair1944 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnW8mpycrpigrJY. Let me know if this works. I am a bit new to this.

[@jimmyjams1974]

@@gair1944 I posted a crude video. I’m not sure it captures the difference. They are definitely different vibes. The Fillmore has its own thing which I love and the Princeton is a with the Rex speaker. I really like them both.

[@jimmyjams1974]

I recently got a mic so I’ll try to record again with that. I think the Mesa was clipping the mic.

[@glencruciani]

I just can't decide between these 2 amps. I think the Deluxe sounds bigger due to the size of the cab and speaker, but there something pleasant about how tight the low end is in the Princeton. Princeton has plenty of low end, just concerned about the shortage of clean headroom for louder bar gigs.

[@metallover8]

I liked the Deluxe better. Hopefully I can get one some day

[@deborahmcalister3936]

Hi Gary! Have you ever tried an Amplified Nation Amp? I think you should demo an Amplified Nation. Id love to hear your take on them.

[@gair1944]

Hey, thx for asking. No I’ve never played one. They have a good reputation from what I see.

[@darwinsaye]

I have a 1966 Princeton Amp (no reverb, higher headroom). I’ve been considering a Deluxe so I’ve been looking at a lot of demos comparing Deluxes with Princetons lately. For whatever reason yours is the first I’ve listened to where the Deluxe sounded as good as a Princeton. Seems like in most demos, the Deluxe sounds duller. They seem to trade off some bright articulation for a thicker midrange, but yours sounds like I hoped one would. I guess I’m going to have to get out and listen to one in person before I can really decide. If they sound like yours, I’m good to go, but if they sound like everyone else’s demos, I’ll probably just stick with my Princeton.

[@gair1944]

FYI, I am more focused on acoustic gigging lately and I’m selling this exact 64 Custom handwired Fender Deluxe Reverb if interested. [e-mail]

[@davidsalinas4872]

great job Gary, i like the sound of the Princeton have you gigged with that amp in a bigger room. I'm trying to decide which one to buy.

[@gair1944]

Hi David, I have not gigged the handwired Princeton Reverb. I actually Kept the custom 64 handwired Deluxe and sold the 64 handwired Princeton because they were redundant. I felt if I ever needed a bigger fuller sound the Princeton might not do it. But I never proved that. In all honesty I could use the Princeton in more venues than I thought especially as a solo and duo artist.

[@davidsalinas4872]

@@gair1944 Thanks Gary I'm older now and i was looking for something lighter. I've been gigging with the tone master deluxe blonde. and it sounds pretty good. us guitars players are never satisfied. thanks for your reply.

[@pauljcat1]

Had both and kept the 64Handwired Deluxe. I really liked the Princeton with a single coil bridge pickup, WOW is all I could say, but either a P90s or HB I thought the Deluxe took it. The neck pickup on the Deluxe sounded to have a more familiar sound like the bigger Fender amps to me, more so than the Princeton. I wish I could of kept both though, the Handwired Princeton sounded so killer with a Tele

[@yestoES355]

Hey, I’m mainly a HB player. How’s the deluxe reverb on terms of idle noise? Any not I bake hum/buzz for playing cleans? I’m on the verge to get a hand wired deluxe but I was wondering how quiet the amp was at normal home/room volume

[@pauljcat1]

@@yestoES355 Everyone has their threshold, so it's more of a subjective thing. I would say relative to any vintage black face amps I've owned, and with a strat, I didn't notice a big difference. There is a bit of noise, but not abnormal . Get a good pedal like a KOT or something and that keeps things real transparent and real quiet. My .02

[@yestoES355]

@@pauljcat1 thanks! Yeah I have a 57 twin that’s dead silent but I think this and the modified circuit for the 64 custom deluxe makes it a lot noisier than their standard reissue line. I’m a clean only player, so any unwanted hum and buzz is a no for me. I’m hoping to test one in person

[@twirlyboggs]

If I only played my strats then it would definitely probably be the PR; however, I have a custom 22 with dragon II's that I really love to play on the neck pickup and it will fart out the PR big-time. My cox 5E3 loves it tho and also my 74 SFVC. Me thinks the HW DR will be showing up in my room soon...

[@gair1944]

Yeah I found the PR to not quite have the clean headroom or fullness at volume that I get more readily from the 64 Deluxe Reverb Custom handwired

[@gabrieladdenbrooke1964]

The deluxe sounds like when you pop your ear at high elevation and you can hear clearly again.

[@gair1944]

That was the BEST description I've seen regarding the clarity and purity of the Deluxe Reverb Custom hardwired. LOVE it!!!

[@gabrieladdenbrooke1964]

Appreciate you sharing both amps 🙏

[@peteterpak]

My personal opinion testing live the Deluxe is way beefier. Hard to tell in a video in my opinion but live it was a dramatic difference. Deluxe is the sweet spot practice, live, etc but never too loud

[@gair1944]

It truly is the Goldilocks amp. I.e. it’s “just right” in so many ways

[@2500BC]

I’ll take the tone king

[@gair1944]

The Imperial MKII is a special amp for sure. More versatile, classic, but not 'quite' as classic. But it makes up for that in its versatility and overall punch.

[@m4ssi86]

I really prefer the Princeton, it seems warmer to me.

[@gair1944]

Thanks for listening alas for subscribing to the channel if you have not dove so. Much appreciated. I love the Princeton too

[@BellTunnel]

I enjoyed the video. How much clean headroom does the Princeton have? Does it get to 80, 90 DB with a Strat/Tele?

[@gair1944]

Yes easily. It is deceptively loud and full

[@BellTunnel]

@@gair1944 great. Thanks for your response! I own the 64 Deluxe Reverb and am hoping to add the 64 Princeton soon.

[@33flights59]

Go Cats!

[@lh3984]

The princeton sounds more girth,, :))

[@markcreamer3196]

Deluxe all the way Much richer sound

[@ColocasiaCorm]

both sound great... maybe the princeton is a bit more boxy?

[@ColocasiaCorm]

actually i think the princeton sounded better in this comparo. that says nothing about headroom in a band setting though...

[@m.vonhollen6673]

Junk compared to the real things!