Re: Small Harp Amp Princeton Reverb

[The Bernadettes <mdestefano@xxxxxxxx>]

Another 2 cents...Saginaw Dan is right on the money.  I own or have owned way
too many amps, the Princeton Reverb is the best small sized harp amp for the
money, especially the silverface ones.  Not to put down the blackfaces (which
are the absolute best regardless of price), but SF's can be found for almost 1/2
the price of BF's.  The differences are minor between the two.  The BF has
superior construction but the circuits are almost identical.  The later SF's
have slightly higher voltages but these can be tweaked back down with an
appropriate rectifier.  Late 70's SF's had additional changes such as the pull
boost, slightly different reverb circuit, different value power supply
resistors...these can easily be fixed to BF specs by an amp tech.  All the
Princeton Reverbs have great quality construction, point to point wiring, and
best of all great sound.  A modern boutique version of the Princeton would
probably cost $1500 if it was available.
    Stock they usually sound great, some tube swaps, even a bit better, and oh,
that killer verb.  Occasionally they can be a bit bright sounding, the vibrato
can be a bit lame sounding (I know of a real easy tweak that can make the
Princeton vibrato sound great).  But...Princetons are great amps to mod for you
DIY types.  Easy to work on.  I've modded a few over the years into killer
sounding harp amps.  Should mention that there are quite a few published
Princeton mods (or improvements as they're called) on the internet and in guitar
books.  Some are good, many are designed for guitar players though, so be
cautious about having a guitar oriented amp tech talk you into a modification to
the amp.
    Princeton Reverbs rock, don't ever pass one by, should a reasonably priced
one be offered to you.  If I had more time, I'd get into some more details of
mods, but I got two Princeton Reverbs on my bench as I type this e-mail that I
have to get working on.  Hey Jim R. can you help me out here!?!?! :-)

Regards,
Don D.

Saginawdan@xxxxxxx wrote:

>  Without a doubt I firmly believe that the BF Princeton Reverb is one of the
> best small harp amps. I also own a SF Champ, Blues Jr and a Bassman RI all
> decent amps in there own right...but not one of these amps match the great
> tone that my Princeton produces. You will pay a rather high price for a
> decent BF Princeton, but not much more than a boutique amp of  similar size.
> The $ value of the Princeton will only increase where as the value of a
> boutique amp will decrease. The Princeton can handle all venues small and
> large. I have used this amp in coffee houses, bars and large theaters. It is
> damn near feedback free at any volume and mics easily. I occasionally slave
> it with my Bassman RI  when playing with a LOUD band. It's a thrill hearing
> the Princeton sound pumped through the Bassman's 4 10s. If you like a little
> reverb, a lot of reverb or no reverb the Princeton Reverb handles it all.
> Plus...hey, it's also a cool lookin' amp and guitar players drool over it. I
> will never part with my '65 Princeton Reverb, worth every cent that I have
> put into it.
>
> My 2 cents,
>
> Saginaw Dan