New Princeton Amp

GretschEastwood

Joined: Dec 23, 2020
Posts: 53
Bradenton, FL
United States

Posted on Mar 22 2021 06:10 AM

I just bought myself a new amp, the Sweetwater special Princeton with a 12 inch Cannabis Rex speaker. It's my first brand new amp, ever (I'm 68).

First thing I did was crank up the Reverb and Intensity (tremolo)and rip out a few bars of "Rumble." Ooh, baby does this amp sound good!

If anyone has any suggestions for knob settings, please let me know. Thanks.

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Toneschaser

Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
59 Calendar Pins

Posted on Mar 22 2021 09:16 AM

Nice! Bet it sounds great with the 12"er.

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GretschEastwood

Joined: Dec 23, 2020
Posts: 53
Bradenton, FL
United States

Posted on Mar 22 2021 10:13 AM

It does, both tone and volume. I was looking for something to use at home and maybe eventually on stage. Many 10" Princeton users mod it to 12" speakers. So I figured I might as well start there, keep it original and not mess up the 2-year Sweetwater warranty!

With the long spring reverb, it's perfect for surf guitar, of course. But also works great for 50s and 60s rock 'n roll, and the clean tones are good for jazz guitar, too.

Keith Williams, on his YouTube channel, "5-Watt World," did a history of the Princeton. After watching it several times I realized that was the right amp for me. Watching his other amp history videos gave me comparative sounds. Highly recommend checking him out.

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LordWellfleet

Joined: Jul 12, 2012
Posts: 171
Cape Cod, USA
United States

Posted on Mar 22 2021 12:23 PM

Nice, and congrats. I haven't heard about these amps. I will say, though, I have a vintage Gibson GA-17 RVT Scout, which was kinda-sorta Gibson's version of the Princeton (also with 10" speaker). I replaced the original speaker with a Cannabis Rex and it really came to life. The one thing that's long held me back from buying a Princeton is the 10" speaker--might have to give one of these things a whirl.

—

Everybody up!
https://www.facebook.com/TheHydronauts
https://thehydronauts.bandcamp.com/album/interstellar-clambake

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RobbieReverb

Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2384
San Jose, Ca.
3 News Pins

Posted on Mar 22 2021 03:03 PM

Congratulations, Dave. Very cool!

—

Bob

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WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Mar 22 2021 03:33 PM

I recently got the '62 Chris Stapleton version that also comes with a 12" speaker. It sounds WORLDS better the old 10" '62 Princeton I had years ago.

Congrats on your new acquisition! Love the tweed covered cabinet.

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

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shake_n_stomp

Joined: Jan 09, 2014
Posts: 620
Vancouver BC
Canada

Posted on Mar 23 2021 09:13 AM

Congratulations! A very good, small amp. Canadian retailer Long & McQuade sells the exact same spec version as this and I bought one last summer.I cannot compare it to other Princeton amp versions but the 12" Cannabis Rex was the selling point for me (and it's size and weight). For me, the tone knobs are set in relationship to the volume. As I turn it up, I back off on the bass so that the power of the speaker is focussed on a balanced volume rather than trying to grunt out loads of bass. YMMV.

—

Lorne
The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers
Vancouver BC Canada

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GretschEastwood

Joined: Dec 23, 2020
Posts: 53
Bradenton, FL
United States

Posted on Mar 23 2021 09:27 AM

shake_n_stomp - thanks for the tip. I'll give it a go!

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Surfadelphia

Joined: Sep 04, 2017
Posts: 435

Posted on Mar 23 2021 01:55 PM

Congrats. Can't go wrong with a Princeton Reverb and it's even better with a 12" speaker. The other nice thing about getting the Fender Special Edition with the 12" is that the cab is a bit bigger also.

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LordWellfleet

Joined: Jul 12, 2012
Posts: 171
Cape Cod, USA
United States

Posted on Mar 24 2021 09:03 AM

I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions.

Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect.

—

Everybody up!
https://www.facebook.com/TheHydronauts
https://thehydronauts.bandcamp.com/album/interstellar-clambake

Top

WoodyJ

Joined: Apr 05, 2006
Posts: 1547
Bethlehem, GA
United States

Posted on Mar 24 2021 09:16 AM

—

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)

Top

cosmonaut

Joined: Apr 02, 2019
Posts: 339

Posted on Mar 24 2021 05:08 PM

LordWellfleet wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions.

Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect.

I built a 6g2 princeton (as a head). I like it with 2x10. The closed 12" I have access to at work isn't my favorite. I have a 12" scumback coming for my tweed deluxe clone, so we'll see how the princeton fares with that speaker in an open combo.

Last edited: Mar 24, 2021 17:09:09

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taijiguy

Joined: Mar 27, 2006
Posts: 213
Newington, CT USA
United States

Posted on Mar 25 2021 06:01 AM

LordWellfleet wrote:

I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions.

Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect.

I A/B'd a special edition (not blonde) PRRI/12" Jensen with a DRRI. The PRRI sounded boxey, so I went with the DRRI. For me, a PRRI needs a 10". https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/fender-limited-edition-65-princeton-reverb-12w-1x12-tube-guitar-combo-amp-bordeaux-reserve

Top

GretschEastwood Joined: Dec 23, 2020 Posts: 53 Bradenton, FL	Posted on Mar 22 2021 06:10 AM I just bought myself a new amp, the Sweetwater special Princeton with a 12 inch Cannabis Rex speaker. It's my first brand new amp, ever (I'm 68). First thing I did was crank up the Reverb and Intensity (tremolo)and rip out a few bars of "Rumble." Ooh, baby does this amp sound good! If anyone has any suggestions for knob settings, please let me know. Thanks. Top
Toneschaser Joined: Jun 14, 2012 Posts: 462 Ohio!	Posted on Mar 22 2021 09:16 AM Nice! Bet it sounds great with the 12"er. Top
GretschEastwood Joined: Dec 23, 2020 Posts: 53 Bradenton, FL	Posted on Mar 22 2021 10:13 AM It does, both tone and volume. I was looking for something to use at home and maybe eventually on stage. Many 10" Princeton users mod it to 12" speakers. So I figured I might as well start there, keep it original and not mess up the 2-year Sweetwater warranty! With the long spring reverb, it's perfect for surf guitar, of course. But also works great for 50s and 60s rock 'n roll, and the clean tones are good for jazz guitar, too. Keith Williams, on his YouTube channel, "5-Watt World," did a history of the Princeton. After watching it several times I realized that was the right amp for me. Watching his other amp history videos gave me comparative sounds. Highly recommend checking him out. Top
LordWellfleet Joined: Jul 12, 2012 Posts: 171 Cape Cod, USA	Posted on Mar 22 2021 12:23 PM Nice, and congrats. I haven't heard about these amps. I will say, though, I have a vintage Gibson GA-17 RVT Scout, which was kinda-sorta Gibson's version of the Princeton (also with 10" speaker). I replaced the original speaker with a Cannabis Rex and it really came to life. The one thing that's long held me back from buying a Princeton is the 10" speaker--might have to give one of these things a whirl. — Everybody up! https://www.facebook.com/TheHydronauts https://thehydronauts.bandcamp.com/album/interstellar-clambake Top
RobbieReverb Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 2384 San Jose, Ca.	Posted on Mar 22 2021 03:03 PM Congratulations, Dave. Very cool! — Bob Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1547 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 22 2021 03:33 PM I recently got the '62 Chris Stapleton version that also comes with a 12" speaker. It sounds WORLDS better the old 10" '62 Princeton I had years ago. Congrats on your new acquisition! Love the tweed covered cabinet. — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
shake_n_stomp Joined: Jan 09, 2014 Posts: 620 Vancouver BC	Posted on Mar 23 2021 09:13 AM Congratulations! A very good, small amp. Canadian retailer Long & McQuade sells the exact same spec version as this and I bought one last summer.I cannot compare it to other Princeton amp versions but the 12" Cannabis Rex was the selling point for me (and it's size and weight). For me, the tone knobs are set in relationship to the volume. As I turn it up, I back off on the bass so that the power of the speaker is focussed on a balanced volume rather than trying to grunt out loads of bass. YMMV. — Lorne The Surf Shakers: https://www.facebook.com/TheSurfShakers Vancouver BC Canada Top
GretschEastwood Joined: Dec 23, 2020 Posts: 53 Bradenton, FL	Posted on Mar 23 2021 09:27 AM shake_n_stomp - thanks for the tip. I'll give it a go! Top
Surfadelphia Joined: Sep 04, 2017 Posts: 435	Posted on Mar 23 2021 01:55 PM Congrats. Can't go wrong with a Princeton Reverb and it's even better with a 12" speaker. The other nice thing about getting the Fender Special Edition with the 12" is that the cab is a bit bigger also. Top
LordWellfleet Joined: Jul 12, 2012 Posts: 171 Cape Cod, USA	Posted on Mar 24 2021 09:03 AM I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions. Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect. — Everybody up! https://www.facebook.com/TheHydronauts https://thehydronauts.bandcamp.com/album/interstellar-clambake Top
WoodyJ Joined: Apr 05, 2006 Posts: 1547 Bethlehem, GA	Posted on Mar 24 2021 09:16 AM — Jack Booth (aka WoodyJ) The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005) The Hula Hounds (1996-current) The X-Rays (1997-2004) The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012) Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990) Top
cosmonaut Joined: Apr 02, 2019 Posts: 339	Posted on Mar 24 2021 05:08 PM LordWellfleet wrote: I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions. Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect. I built a 6g2 princeton (as a head). I like it with 2x10. The closed 12" I have access to at work isn't my favorite. I have a 12" scumback coming for my tweed deluxe clone, so we'll see how the princeton fares with that speaker in an open combo. Last edited: Mar 24, 2021 17:09:09 Top
taijiguy Joined: Mar 27, 2006 Posts: 213 Newington, CT USA	Posted on Mar 25 2021 06:01 AM LordWellfleet wrote: I'm wondering if anyone has, or has tried, the blonde version that has a 12-inch Jensen speaker? Would love to hear your impressions. Presumably, the blonde model would be more of a surfer, but I do like the way the Cannabis Rex tames the icepick effect. I A/B'd a special edition (not blonde) PRRI/12" Jensen with a DRRI. The PRRI sounded boxey, so I went with the DRRI. For me, a PRRI needs a 10". https://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/fender-limited-edition-65-princeton-reverb-12w-1x12-tube-guitar-combo-amp-bordeaux-reserve Top

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New Princeton Amp