Aynsley's MODIFIED '66 Princeton Reverb is AMAZING | Rift Weekly Update

[@arshist]

I picked up a 1967/68 Princeton Reverb with a Mojotone Deluxe Reverb power transformer swapped in by a previous owner. I was dubious at first, but it's the biggest sounding Princeton Reverb I've ever played. Currently running it with a Celestion Alnico Gold 10", this amp slays.

[@southsidejohnny5624]

Who wouldn’t want a Princeton Reverb that sounded like this? And that tremolo 😍 Of course, what I’d really like is to be able to play like young Aynsley there. Unfortunately there’s more chance of me gigging on Mars than getting one tenth as good as he was when he was two years old. Sunday morning coffee is always better with a new Rift Amps video. Cheers Chris.

[@russellmisbach7817]

Hello Chris. My two cents. Love the long form videos, love the short form videos, love the mid form videos. Love all the videos. Especially liking the Bassman videos it’s interesting to see how you approach your own amp. One thing I would like to hear is a sound sample from the amps when complete. Even just strumming some chords on the black LP hanging by the bench. Perhaps Aynsley would load some loops on a looper pedal? Happy New Year. Looking forward to your content.

[@timhall7771]

Great episode as always; very much looking forward to seeing Aynsley out on tour soon!

[@rdubyaB]

Good video as always. I noticed that the amp settings were identical to those I used for many years on my Vibrolux Reverb. It seems to be a sweet spot for some reason!

[@ksharpe10]

Nice to have Aynsley on, awesome vocalist composer and guitar player.

[@briansilcox5720]

The Princeton Reverb with JBL is a great combination. My first amp was a 68PR, came with the D-110. Now I have a Mojo Pr with K-110, same character. There must be some accommodation for that increased B+ voltage… tube selection maybe. Great stuff.

[@watkinscopicat]

apparently Neil Youngs famous tweed Deluxe has an unusual larger transformer, maybe from a brown deluxe, and that’s why it sounds so different, very cool.

[@EnJoony]

Fiesta Red, Dakota Red and Candy Apple Red were the Fender custom colors available in '63. Without actually seeing it, my bet is Fiesta, due to the popularity of Hank Marvin & The Shadows. Selmer, the UK distributor, even sprayed Fiesta over existing finishes due to the supply and demand.

[@WiktorErikAndersson]

As an amp repair myself and also an old film camera repair guy, I have to tell you how good vinegar is at cleaning sockets and getting rid of oxide! Many old cameras problem with the battery pins! And I tried soo many electrical cleaning sprays, and they never work! Not just not as good as vinegar- it doesn’t work! It has to be vinegar! So don’t underestimate the power of vinegar!

[@weschilton]

Balsamic or Champagne? 😆

[@WiktorErikAndersson]

@ champagne of course

[@Gavin-oq5tt]

Nice guitar feature at the end!

[@projekct_amk]

Hi Chris, In the days when I used to be a working man, i used TePe Interdental Brush to valve clean sockets, never had any issues with them and always came out tip top clean. Maybe worth looking at?

[@RiftAmps]

Great tip!

[@Kevin-the-Just]

Dirty valve socket? Try an old round-wound guitar string. Cut the string through the winding then use it like a thin round file. 👍

[@RiftAmps]

That's exactly how I used to do it but find I have more control with the picks...whatever works for you!

[@peterroyle7082]

Thanks

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Great Princeton, like a 1st Generation Boogie amp with a 10". This would be a good model to replicate. Chunky transformer / celestion Gold and maybe a master volume?

[@richardmccutcheon9319]

Hi Chris. The wife and me watch the videos. They are great. Well done. Can I ask why you prefer the eyelet board construction over the turret type construction for mounting components. I was taught using the turret board method when we did electrical construction at technical collage and lace harnessing with shellac to seal the knots .those were the days. Have you thought about constructing a stereo say 5 watt head with just a volume and maybe a tone tilt control, for the likes of the Modelling crowd like me (Helix) of course. I am sure this could get some traction just a thought.

[@andrewericelliott9488]

Well, you said you might be looking for another project for this year …. High-Power Princeton maybe? That would be unique :) Aynsley as inspirational as ever.

[@RiftAmps]

I already do both 18w and 35w versions 👍

[@RiperSnifle]

What mic was used with the clips of Aynsley? Sounds great

[@MarkEagleton]

It’s all fun and games until someone looses an eyelet.

[@HywelHarris]

Is that Aynsleys 2144 behind you? If so is it in for a service? Be really good to detail what its had done over the years. I believe its got a non-standard OT?? and theres something weird withe the anode R on v1 ????

[@Toobzilla]

those two metallic appearing spots inside the tube, 180deg apart @ 3:00 are called "getter flashes" and are supposed to be there. its a mix of chemicals deposited inside the glass at assembly. after vacuum is applied to remove particulates they are induction heated to adhere to the glass. their purpose is to attract & absorb any particulates not removed at vacuum process & also to absorb any that may develop with electron development. I can tell those are General Electric manufactured tubes. any big bottle power tubes that GE made incorporated getter flash as part of the mfg. process. other manufacturers may have used this process but the only tubes ive ever seen them on have been manufactured by GE. most would agree, they were superior to all others.

[@midnighthour4299]

Hi Chris that Princeton seemed a killer amp. You said the caps were bulging, didnt you replace them? With the JBL and deluxe transformer, was it any lighter than a standard deluxe?

[@RiftAmps]

Aynsley didn't want them swapping out just yet, but next time I get my hands on it ;) Lighter than a Deluxe, yes, but not by much I'd have thought.

[@MichaelSmith-rn1qw]

I'm surprised the output transformer in the Princeton can handle the increased wattage. Your workshop must be way out in the country for you to be able to see some of the planets. I live in a large city and can pretty much only see the moon and perhaps one other planet on a good night.

[@DougMayer]

Amps and astronomy, few things better 🔭

[@sroelit]

Do you just take it in stride now, that one of the best blues players living just drops by for a play now and then?

[@waynegram8907]

What was causing the artifacts and oscillations?

[@RiftAmps]

poor lead dress, as demonstrated :)