Slash's Fender Tweed Princeton Restoration

Huw tackles the restoration of a 5F2 Fender Princeton dated July 1957, with some cosmetic repairs a capacitor health check and component swaps where necessary. This amp turned out to be a real gem, offering sparkling clean tones as well as smooth tweedy overdrive. It’s more like a scaled down 5E3 Deluxe than an up-scaled 5F1 Champ.
Post-restoration, the amp was purchased by Slash at Vintage N’ Rare in Bath, UK
vintageandrareguitars.com
Timings
0:00 Intro jam with 1960 Gretsch 6120 conversion
1:24 Intro and overview
2:58 Planning
4:47 Tweed repairs
7:15 Control panel cleanup
8:58 Mains wiring
15:46 Capacitor testing and replacement
20:58 Reassembly
22:24 Outro jam

[@jpalberthoward9]

The reason they sound so good is because they're so simple. There's very little to go wrong. Get a decent set of tubes, and keep an eye on the caps, and it'll last a lifetime. I've had mine since 1988 and it's had one good overhaul. I've never been happier. If I could only have one amp, this would be it. The next time mine changes hands will be at my estate sale. I only hope that it doesn't end up in the hands of an idiot after I'm gone.

[@erajad]

THIS brings back memories. My very first ever amp was exactly this model Princeton. Paid CDN$40 for it around 1974ish. Had it for quite a few years. The speaker in mine was toast already back then, so replaced with a Jensen (keeping original). Also had one of the inputs turned into an extension speaker out. That's the sort of thing you did in your teens in the 70s! :'( But it's long gone now - moved it on in a trade (at Ring Music, Toronto) around the mid 80s. Lovely work on this one, Huw!

[@matthewf1979]

I’m very surprised that the heaters weren’t rewired with the three wire line cord originally. Having one end of the heater wiring at chassis ground could get it wiped out in a line fault condition. I would have sprung for the Jupiter film and electrolytic caps and have the heaters wired up in a twisted pair with an artificial center tap. That wasn’t what the customer wanted, So be it. Thanks for bringing this old relic back to life and presentable condition.

[@KleyDeJong]

Nice work here! My first scratch build was a 5f2a clone and I loved it!

[@bobhewitt5047]

That final playing clip sounds like Robert Cray’s Phone Booth …😃 Excellent video as always Huw👍

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Diolch Bob.

[@Michael-bm8hi]

I had once a Tremolux here in my studio. Once I looked inside I was shocked about the amounts of asbestos inside. I carefully closed it again and sent it back to the dealer. No ways this hazard would have stayed a minute longer than necessary in my house. The search for tone is not worth it. While making this video already millions of asbestos fibres are in the air. Good luck!

[@dyamariv3628]

I really wish you guys would just post the video so we can watch..I've always been confused on why KZbin pushes these "Upcoming Premiers" Love the content Tone Twins, posting Premiers..not so much :(

[@timjx3675]

Fantastic vid - very cool and calming watch after a manic day - love those old tweeds 🎸👍

[@petergoddard1960]

Man, that sounds wonderful.

[@davidjennings9253]

Another superb video and a great audio test - Nice one guys!!!!!

[@soapboxearth2]

Ive never been able to afford a vintage amp. ( other than traynors ! ) So ive gotten into building over the last year.. build 5 and 6 were based on the 5f2a, and i am so impressed. What a great circuit. I used a crate v5 as a donor on the first one, so there is no rectifier tube. I added a variable nfb pot (5k-100k) in the first build. Absolutely loved it. The next one was built using a blackheart little giant combo. It kind of looks like a bluesbreaker cab, so i added a marshall value tmb , raw switch, and bright switch. Also, my favorite mod, the variable nfb pot. The little amp is suprisingly versitile and both were loud as hell.

[@strumminronin]

This is going to be great!!

[@brewstercarr]

I find all this stuff fascinating Huw so thanks for another vid. Some nice tasteful guitar playing at the end too. Kudos! - Rob

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks Rob ;)

[@jonnybeck6723]

From the "What have we gotten ourselves into" to the great sounding outro... ...'twas nicely done (and nicely played as well) Thanx mang... Happy Holidaze, Cheerios and all that stuff 😋

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Thanks Jonny

[@user-dz1fq2di1g]

😄😎 Thank you for a great video amp repair

[@danielauger7941]

Great to watch - and very informative. I have a similar DIY-built amplifier and it's great. One question: I've heard people say that you should use a separate bolt for the protective earth connection, and also that a crimp connector has greater longevity than a solder connection. This is all about the vibration - both in terms of joints getting loosened and movement-induced fatigue in a critical electrical joint. What are your thoughts on this, please?

[@Kevin-the-Just]

What kind of repairs did the cat need?

[@cgavin1]

Missed a trick here I feel. You should have been, "So here's the loose tolex. I'm just going to slice that off with a stanley.." or ".. with a kitchen cloth that has been liberally soaked in thinners." 🤣

[@tonetwinstv2863]

That cat certainly did some damage. Vintage n' Rare in Bath decided to leave that decision to the next owner - who happens to be Slash BTW ;)

[@PLINKER]

Can you tell me what is the difference between a 5F2 and a 5F2A amp?

[@Lookup2Wakeup]

Who was the name on the masking tape inside the chassis? Lupe Lopez?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Couldn't make it out but if anybody can tell, we'd love to know. That said, I'll always have a soft spot for Lupe ;) H

[@seckincelik1857]

I read somewhere, back in the 50's, she was kinda 'the queen of production line' at Fender factory. Probably, also this amp hand-wired by her and signed like that.

[@MK-ig3ng]

Lovely!!! What is the reverb used here?

[@tonetwinstv2863]

Just a Universal Audio AKG spring reverb plug in.

[@maxhenry9724]

I’d have a cat skin Princeton.

[@jltrem]

Is the cat still alive? It might not be if it were in my house.

[@flintdavis2]

Should have changed that busted speaker.