The One We have been waiting for! Fender's New Tonemaster Princeton Guitar Amp

From the moment Fender introduced their line of Tonemaster amps, powerful digital modeling amps that look, sound and function like the vintage tube amps we love, we have been waiting. Waiting for the Princeton. The smaller of Fender's blackface tube amps, The Fender Princeton has long been a tone rich icon that guitar players the world over have used to perform and record quintessential classics. It is a legend in its own right and the new Tonemaster version sheds the weight while maintaining the tone magic we love and adding additional features to make it ever more versatile.
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[@derick-smith]

I've heard a lot of folks over the years say that if you could only have one amp, a blues jr. is the best bet. I think this might be the new answer to the old one amp question.

[@Vern859]

I have the Fender blonde twin tone master with the neodymium creambacks. I love it!👍👋

[@stevedavis-v8v]

yep, i got the fender twin, and I've finally figured out how to use it in a way where I just practice exclusively with it now rather than using the mighty plug. and yes, it's an excellent pedal amp.

[@RickRhynhart]

Thank you for all of your videos. I have been playing for 55 years & your. I wow are always very infromational

[@slackerprince1]

Wondering why they are so much more expensive than the Champion line. The attenuator is definitely an upgraded feature. My Champion XL 50 has a Celestion and definitely pumps some air. I have a Champion XD and I’m glad I hung onto it, but kicking myself for selling/trading my Vibrochamp. Those hybrids were sweet sounding and no trouble. Loud at low volumes: 2-3 is LOUD!

[@BillWolfe]

This was a great review, thank you! I got a Twin Tone Master and I totally love it. I was always a tube guy. Sound guys seem to love it too, it's an easy amp to work with in a live setting. I recently played at a local venue, didn't mic the amp, and the attenuator was only set to 22w. I'm sure the Princeton would be great at a live gig too. All around I love the Tone Master series!

[@whenvioletsturngrey9597]

Absolutely agree. The versatility of these amps are the defining value.

[@timnewman1172]

I have a Roland Blues Cube Hot that I bought a few months before the Tonemaster Deluxe came out... I have always compared it favorably to the Princeton and ever since I have been waiting for Fender to do this. Nows the time for a side-by-side review!!!

[@josephbecerra9211]

Yup!! In the same boat!!

[@maxwesmont]

Which one do you prefer? The Blues Cube Hot or the Princeton Tonemaster?

[@krllr_sean]

Ahahah. love that comment about the solid state overdrive conundrum and 'tone master of one'. Snap! Thanks fellas

[@joequintana5546]

Damn Cooper! You played so tastefully with such an amazing tone that you're making me want one of these, and I only play real tube amps.

[@RogerThat902]

The obvious next ones are the bassman/tweed amps. A tweed bassman would kill it. Personally would love if they did a vibrolux at some point.

[@deandee8082]

vibroverb and vibrosonic as well as the Lux, brownface of course, maybea pro..

[@barkeater9606]

A 59 High watt Tweed Twin would be great.

[@JackTheSkunk]

I'd buy a 1X15 Tone Master if Fender would offer it.

[@DanEvans-yb6wk]

Thank you,,,you guys are bestest! Thinking of getting one to set across from my Princeton Bordeaux and gig with an AB box...groovy stereo thing! Thanks again!

[@cmkilcullen8176]

Yeah, I love the princeton amps. I had a tube 65, but I traded it in for a tube vibro champ - as it was more reasonable for my usage. Now I might trade in the vibro champ for one of these . The attenuator is a really helpful feature. What do you guys think? (Home use for me). Then again, I may hold out for a tweed model - hopefully that will come with an attenuator too. I have a pro junior (one version of tweed, I know) and I hooked up a Bugera PST power soak to it, but a built in attenuator -a light weight tonemaster that sounds good would be a nice touch for sure on most any twee? That would be really cool.

[@rpavich]

I’m a vibro champ player…it’s my main amp…gigs and all. This is so close to that that it’s eerie… I’d swear that I’m playing my 77 vibro champ when I’m playing it….I’m floored

[@djross2043]

I LOVE IT!!!! DP friendly! 15 spine surgeries, spinal cord stimulator, & 30 lb limit I needed it so bad. It sounds GREAT!!!

[@John-e4p1x]

how you mess up your back so much?

[@patricklundquist9869]

I am impressed with the Tonemaster lineup, which came out just after I bought my '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Reissue... I used to play a dimed Mesa Lonestar Classic 212 in the bedroom, much to my family's and the neighbor's, and the next town over's dismay. And that explains why I only play acoustic now. The Tonemaster that impresses me most is the Twin because you don't need a forklift to move it. That Princeton has me thinkin' though.

[@ripw1]

Yeah, Im sold. Only thing is Deluxe or Princeton?

[@CameraLaw]

I grew up with a Princeton Reverb in my bedroom. Sorry I ever sold it. I know that sound well. But I’m a huge fan of solid state modeling. And this is a great example. So much more it can do to fit into our KZbin world.

[@lifeafterlifeparanormaland9991]

I have 2 tone masters, the twin and the deluxe reverb. These are great amps. I use mine live and the sound guys love them too with the XLR out. I've been playing tube amps for 40 years and no one..even other musicians in the audience could tell the difference. Plus these amps are half the weight of their tube versions. Gotta love that. I was at rehearsal the other day and another guitarist was listening and I asked him what he thought of the tone of my new amp? He said..man you can't beat the sound of a twin (he didn't notice the tone master badge on the bottom of it). Then I told him it was digital...he couldn't believe it.

[@John-e4p1x]

You can literally hear in this video how fake / papery it sounds... but like you said you fooled a deaf guitar player allegedly.

[@kylebaker8619]

Tuned in and see cooper wearing a Lukas Nelson and the promise of the real t-shirt, I knew it would be a great video from the start!

[@christinepratt4656]

I've read that some players replace the 10-inch speaker in their Princeton tube amps with a 12-inch speaker. Would such a mod be possible with the Tonemaster versión? Just wonderin'.

[@skye7690]

Thank you for this review.

[@martyc4906]

Love the tone master series. I’ve been waiting for the Princeton to show up. Great demo!

[@mikestroud9969]

I love Fender amps. They are good with pedals. They usually last too. Thanks dudes 😎👍👋💯🎸🎸

[@Christian_Jhonny]

8:41 Clean

[@climber7565]

OH MY GOODNESS COOPER!!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?????? That demo was insane!!! I loved it so much! DANNNG BRO! Inspirational That is how I need to learn to play!

[@markwhite1039]

I have the tonemaster super reverb and I love it! Don’t get me wrong I love my Marshall’s to but I think fender did a great job on all the tonemaster series!

[@jimwarner8071]

Awesome, inspiring playing. Beautiful, beautiful tones.

[@timnewman1172]

I would love to hear Cooper play a Tele thru it, a "bonus demo" maybe???

[@planzed.2]

Definitely 👌🏼 I’m not a strat fan, Tele, Les paul, semi hollow my thang but lately YT demos seem to feature mostly strats… makes me sad 😂👍🏼

[@josephbecerra9211]

Please

[@frankrusso9200]

The cat can PLAY...

[@jwilder2251]

Cooper, the people have spoken!

[@Chichesterfrotesque1001]

I'm waiting for the tonemaster version of the 90s "fender bronco " transistor amp.

[@T.C..]

Thank you. Can you please review the Fishman Loud box mini?

[@dmac3316]

Cool vid. I’ve played the Tonemasters and think the Princeton would be best for my situation. I’m flipping a coin between it and a 68 Vibro Champ. They’re about the same money here in Canada. Can’t seem to make up my mind after a lot of coin flips lol.

[@steveturner6770]

I've got the same dilemna. Probably going for the vibro champ. But tomorrow might change & go for the tonemaster princeton....

[@stephanematis]

Like the Pathfinder 15R, nothing wrong with amps that get the sound, irrespective of the tech.

[@jroobz]

It’s great but it should have headphones and an effects loop

[@jessejamesburnitt]

I've been waiting for this one! I wonder how well it plays with pedals, tho this one could be a great standalone amp with nothing else in front of it.

[@rpavich]

It does! If I didn’t know better I’d swear that it’s a tube amp…it’s eerie.

[@davegresswell8691]

I have one and it works great with pedals!With my boss chorus ensemble into it i get tom petty and the pretenders easy!

[@jessejamesburnitt]

Thanks!@@davegresswell8691 You just said the magic words: Petty & Pretenders.

[@tomM130]

Do people leave this amp on when not in use? Asked another way, does it harm the electronics to turn the amp on and off often in a day?

[@the-LeoKnightus]

Cool lil amp

[@konjunto2477]

When you mic the amps for your reviews do you connect to a Mixer/Pa? Thank you.

[@stevestan6525]

Always enjoying your reviews, keep up the great work!

[@MountShastaMusic]

Great demo... Now if I can get one with a 12" NEO speaker and a lacquered TWEED cabinet... (and a brown faceplate)... and why doesn't Fender offer heavy relic'd AMPS ? It's always cool when checking out a player with GREAT tone an seeing an old beat-to-s**t Fender tweed or brown amp.... Fender sells LOTS of relic'd guitars, but no amps !

[@richardsandson]

Hell of a demo...I had to go back and listen to it again.

[@ILuvJazzNJava]

Cool, but I still like the fact my Super Champ X2 has a real tube output stage and more built in effects. This has better power scaling and direct out options though. Would love to see something a little more obscure come out. Perhaps a Tonemaster Vibroverb with a 15" speaker so we can all get our SRV going on?

[@acousticcocktail]

I am thinking exact same thing! My Superchamp X2 is 15 lbs?, sounds amazing, has real output tubes, 2 channels, more effects, and does have a designated Line Out for send to house mixer...all at half the cost of the Tonemaster. Am I missing something?...

[@ILuvJazzNJava]

@@acousticcocktail I don’t think you are missing anything. Except for maybe the fact that tube availability took a big hit when Russia got cutoff. Cheap tube amps have quickly disappeared as the prices have skyrocketed. Fender I’m sure realizes that they probably can’t get enough tubes anyway, so they have shrewdly focussed on modelling. Hang onto your X2 I would say because you won’t find much like it for anywhere near the price you paid for it.

[@SpookyVillages]

It's funny because I've actually sold my super champ x2 two different times before when i bought bigger amps, and two times I've bought it back from friends I've sold it to because I like the x2 more. Mine is modded with a Weber in the back so it has more headroom and volume.

[@ILuvJazzNJava]

@@SpookyVillages I put a WGS G10C in mine and it definitely helps. The stock speaker in the X2 is its weak point.

[@jamesrenner5086]

@RockStarAccountant I've never tried Warehouse speakers...So that's a 75 Watt 8 ohm speaker you like better in your X2? Maybe I'll try that too!

[@tjnugent62]

I would add a Creamback 10".

[@jasonluciano8817]

Should AB’d this with a tube Princeton.

[@kebotrans]

I just got mine and love it. I have the Blonde Twin also. I love the Celestions. I think I am going to Creamback my Princeton Tonemaster. It sounds ok but I think getting the Jensen out will make it even better

[@JackTheSkunk]

Dealers should demand Fender offer a PTM with a mid tone control and a 12" speaker. Maybe give it that cowboy tolex covering.

[@tjnugent62]

I would love to see them to a tone master 59 bassman tweed with 4x10 of course!

[@christinepratt4656]

Would this amp work well with acoustic guitars, too?

[@AlamoMusic]

No, for acoustic you need a high frequency driver for the crisp high end. Electric amps only offer a mid range speaker. - Chris

[@christinepratt4656]

@@AlamoMusic Thanks for the quick reply, Chris.

[@scouser2230]

I will save up and buy that amp. It’s perfect for what I need.

[@clydeortego8332]

Can the Tone master be used with an Acoustic 12 String or is it just for Electric Guitars only?

[@CameraLaw]

I use a Mustang GTX50 amp with my Taylor 614ce and I love the modeled Super Reverb and Princeton sounds more than the modeled Acoustasonic amp. So … hell, yes.

[@jeffreybush4276]

Hey man I watch all your videos and I was curious. I really like Martin guitar’s so my question is would a Martin d-xe2 be good for a beginner?

[@boutique53]

I bought one of these about a week ago and love it! Fender did an amazing job with this amp. It really does duplicate the sound of the tube version. Time will tell how reliable it is. I have tube amps I've owned for decades that are still going strong (re-capped and tubed of course), and I have solid state amps that died after 2-3 years. That's my only real concern. You can't replace parts at the component level with solid state amps. Hopefully Fender will maintain a supply of spare PCB's for the Tone Masters.

[@John-e4p1x]

No chance. Watch the other channel where the guy talks about the components. These wont be repairable even in 5 years.

[@czechplastik]

@@John-e4p1x the chances of it breaking are slim. I have electronic items from the 80s that are still going strong. The assumption that these will be different somehow is farcical.

[@WScott-gd2mj]

Love the concept and tones, but why would Fender not put a headphone jack in the back? Sure, you can get “bedroom quiet” with attenuation but many of us home users want the headphone option. Dealbreaker for me.

[@buddhamus]

Nice review, great playing. This is the model of the Tone Master series I've been waiting for. Just wondering, is it possible to switch out the 10" with a 12" speaker?

[@powbobs]

You’d have to change out the baffle.

[@coycarlson4979]

Nice Demo - and great playing 👍✌️😊

[@dougreed9843]

You guys did a good review hope to be looking at one in thr future

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video

[@rexrathtar3893]

I like the weight, but that's about it. The tones didn't work for me and it seems pricey for a sold state amp. There's a lot of quality out there for that kind of price.

[@jackblack2321]

Cooper is so cool

[@FAIRWEATHER_MUSIC]

I had a Princeton Chorus for my formative guitar years. It was ahead of it's time in some ways but not perfect. These next gen amps solve those by the look of it. Likely too redundant of a concept to make a Princeton Chorus Tone Master but I can hope!

[@mikelundquist4596]

When playing gigs, 99.999% of the audience doesn't care if you're using tubes or solid state or MOSFET or a Helix, as long as it sounds good, and I've seen great players use all of the above.

[@John-e4p1x]

Correct, but some of us do it for... wait for it... for OURSELVES. I use quality gear because I care, which oddly enough is also why I use tube amps.

[@mikelundquist4596]

@@John-e4p1x yeah, I get it. I've used tube amps, mostly black panel Fender, for decades and nothing else replicates them. But, different strokes for different folks. I'm getting old and weight is an issue, so now I'm using a Fender Tone Master Deluxe. Works well for me.

[@jammybilly]

What? No link to the amp in your shop??????

[@AlamoMusic]

www.alamomusic.com/fender-tone-master-princeton-reverb-guitar-amplifier-120v/

[@MarkEaster]

LOL you guessed the “next amp” incorrectly, let’s try again. What’s the next tonemaster amp? Tweed? Brownface? What’s your guess?

[@5spikemike]

Tone Master Princeton or Vibro Champ?

[@damienlancer]

Cooper you're a damn good jamming machine. Very sweet!👻

[@gainbear8853]

The guys are right about many things in this video, including the fact that the Tone Master Deluxe is still LOUD at its lowest attenuation setting. Well beyond bedroom levels even at a 3 or so.

[@whenvioletsturngrey9597]

I have the Twin Reverb. At the 1 watt setting it would be a bit loud for an apartment, if I was cranking the vol upto 7-10(where I like it). However, I played the Twin side by side with a Princeton Tweed & it was about half the vol of the Princeton on the 1 watt setting. If I want to go quieter with the TM, I crank the attenuator up 1 notch & plug in a distortion pedal. I run the Vol on the amp in the 1-4 range. Sounds great & I get my desired breakup sound with the pedal. You can't beat the versatility of these amps. I recommend the Twin or Super to anyone looking to buy. My reasoning is this.... The Twin & the Super will be loud enough for "any" situation, & can be run as quiet as needed.

[@dat219]

It is a Princeton REVERB

[@blueeyedsoulman]

Fender please reissue the Vibroverb 2x10.

[@deandee8082]

is it hand wired or junk PCB?

[@christophervincent8420]

The Deluxe reverb Blonde is Boss!

[@jwilder2251]

I want Cooper as my guitar teacher. The younger me that lived in Austin would be begging him for lessons!

[@mougabo]

is a really good idea for a gigging mucisian that needs to take an amp around town, specially if you gonna play with other mucisians , i think having this for certain situations and the main famous modelers for other situations fixes things for most working class guitar players...... i feel tube amps start to be a luxury kind of thing now days, not that I am against, I love those, but starts to be a less realistic thing for me at least .

[@mikestroud9969]

We can never have enough Amps and guitars. 😂😂👍👌

[@John-e4p1x]

These dudes could play a cereal box and make it sound good.

[@frankmitman3347]

It’s time. I would love to see a lower cost Squire version of these technological wonders

[@derekthomas8529]

Best RUSSIAN tubes ... Made from Recycled VODKA bottles ... Smok'in Hot !

[@javiersilva5409]

I've owned every imaginable fender amp between 1963 and 1980. Literally over a hundred. Right now, I play a 66 pr, a 71 dr and a 69 bassman head. I have been fortunate to know bill Webb, Gerald Weber and a few other Sterling techs. The new tonemasters don't sound as good as a reissue, and the reissues don't sound anything like the old ones, and you can lose a lot of credibility if you even suggest that they do. With my old amps I can play a tele or strat in the bridge position and get a full, beautiful bright sound. You can't do that with the tonemasters, or helix or any of that stuff. A couple of years ago John Mayer brought some kempers I believe, to program them to use on tour. I predicted he never would.

[@frankcarter6427]

tubes are old, proven understood tech - if a tonemaster breaks after 2 years , will anyone know to fix it?

[@seamusbrowne4909]

This Amp Won't BREAK!!!

[@frankcarter6427]

@@seamusbrowne4909 of course it will

[@steke3262]

@@frankcarter6427 any electrician with a day of experience could fix it

[@frankcarter6427]

whats inside it?

[@charlesbolton8471]

The problem isn’t if anyone will be able to fix it. Any Fender authorized amp tech would be able to fix it. The problems could be availability of the necessary part(s) if it is a mechanical issue, or what will likely be the bigger issue for these amps is unsupported software. It’s entirely possible that a lack of software upgrades won’t completely kill the amp, but it might limit some of its functionality. The fact that it isn’t a tube amp is not inherently a problem since their are plenty of solid state Fender amps made in the 80s and onward that still work just fine. The software is definitely going to be what holds it back in the future. With that being said, I’m not really sure how dependent these amps are on the software in them.

[@waynechurchill7212]

Gore at tone I own two tube amps used them for stereo

[@EdBenji]

Why would you be waiting for this ?

[@ThomasDeLello]

It's all just marketing. Are the Tone Master amps durable or will it fizzle out in two years...?

[@JohnnyRebKy]

I played a Princeton tone master and then a cheap champion 20 next to it. I didn’t hear 800 dollars of difference 🤷🏼‍♂️. The cheap champion has a Princeton tone setting in it. If I was going to spend that much money on a amp I’d rather just buy the real Princeton tube amp or the cheap champion. The tone masters are way overpriced in my opinion.

[@JohnnyRebKy]

@ghost mall cool. Glad you enjoy 👍🏻

[@brucehayes7251]

I've got a champion 100 and the tonemaster twin,same difference. I don't feel cheated but absolutely agree the sounds are very similar. My choice to spend the money but in Australia,if I hadn't got a discount ( on both actually) there's $1000 difference, champion even looks similar. We're just sucker's,fender knows this

[@JohnnyRebKy]

@@brucehayes7251 they didn’t sucker me lol 😂. I can buy a lightly used twin reverb RI, deluxe, Or Princeton around here for less than the cost of a new tonemaster. If I’m gonna spend that much I’d rather just buy the real thing. That or spend way less and buy the champ.

[@thorinbane]

They sound good, but for the price...not so sure.

[@ButternoteBackingTracks]

The Tonemasters are all way overpriced. They sound good, for sure, and I think Fender are pricing them because they compare sonically with the tube alternatives. Simple fact is though, they are cheaper to produce, with less components needed, plus the shipping weight is far less etc... The elephant in the room is what are Fender going to do when they're out of warranty and the digital tech fails over time... willing to bet your average amp tech won't be able to fix it, let alone get their hands on replacement parts! Rather expensive extension cab at that point! At least with tube, you can own it for 10 years + and still get repairs done when needed.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

All these comments on reliability. Why would these amps fail? They will not fail like tube amps for sure, with the heat, the super big and hot transformers, the tubes vibrating and giving to the sockets, and...the PCB, since MANY production amps the tubes are PCB mounted... So these amps are much more prone to have problems than the super light Tonemasters.. You guys gotta stop bashing the Tonemasters with the reliability issue which may never occur, or at very much less level than tube amps

[@ButternoteBackingTracks]

@@rodolphep0nthus555I'm not bashing the TMs at all, just the potential issues around reliability and the fact Fender are a little grey about it. Fact is, things do go wrong on occasion. A tube amp can be repaired by any competent tech out of warranty, but it seems the TMs might be a different story. I for one would not buy an expensive amp unless I knew 100% it could be repaired outside of warranty. Time will tell I guess!

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

@@ButternoteBackingTracks Well yes, hope they will stand the test of time. I suppose they aren't crazy and have tested the technology in this way. An amp is not a dishwasher!

[@Santaheckler]

Yes, circuit boards on modeling amps can be repaired. As long as there are schematics available, it’s mostly a soldering solution. Same issues you’ll have on many tube amps, but much more likely on tube amps due to the heat issues with PCB boards.

[@ButternoteBackingTracks]

@@Santaheckler but what about the chip itself? It's basically the brain of the entire amp. If that has a problem, it can't be repaired, only replaced...

[@pierregaude1528]

it is amazing what they have achieved with modular amp. I bought a Yamaha THR5 for practice and it is amazing. However, this being said I am still a strong supporter of tubes and these Digital amps do not give me the response nor the pleasure a tube amp does .There is something about them that is not right.

[@Chemist1076]

It's a tremolo....

[@MTCKIE68]

The main issue with all of these is that they're built in China. It's really frustrating that they did that.

[@Hugh9]

Great but overpriced.

[@marvinmartin3438]

Dude, I need this amp! Is it true bypass? Eco friendly? Carbon tolerant? Gig compatible? Can it get me the EVH "negro sound?" Asking for a friend

[@John-e4p1x]

14:00 its kind of sad that "fooling people" seems to be what these amps are about. Just me but I like quality and authenticity, not being "fooled" (or 'fooling' others).

[@AnnoDomini-l3u]

I can't believe people who just have to have a program and updates,pitiful,

[@jdcrawford]

They are cool, sound good, but feel like china toys

[@maxwesmont]

Do they feel cheaper than USA Fender amps?

[@jdcrawford]

Yeah, you throw them away when they break down

[@jdcrawford]

A Princeton is light anyway

[@jvw82]

Have the super reverb tone master and it doesn’t take pedals like over drive well and doesn’t sound as good as the tube version. I wouldn’t recommend the tone master.

[@alafenetre81]

The video sounds like a Fender ad :-) I find the clean sound sterile and the dirt very artificial. Not for me.

[@edmundleung2098]

Too bad is made in China. Would folks buy stuff from Germany back around 1940?

[@56brever]

F the yinas!

[@soapboxearth2]

The vegetarian hamburger of amplifiers. The will have a short life . Am i a snob ?

[@azmike3572]

$900 for 12 watts. Hmmm.

[@azmike3572]

@ghost mall Wow. Thanks for the info.

[@jman1428]

It is way over priced for an amp made in CHINA.

[@michaelogden5093]

No headphone jack. No thanks.

[@DaveBroTube]

Would be nice if it had one. OTOH, you can turn off the speaker (using the dedicated switch) and use the direct out to go to a mixing desk or audio interface and get to a headphone jack that way.

[@MrSageXP]

In the 70s we would pack heavy amps around and not think twice about it. What a bunch of pathetic weaklings we’ve become

[@pgrove]

Product of China?

[@johncrace911]

So people can't lift a Princeton. Why would you not buy the real tube Princeton. Nonsense and a waste of money.

[@gerrymcfarlane6813]

Oh Dear, Didn’t like it at all.,,,,, tiny ,thin, mushy.