Re: [Harp-L] '65 Princeton Reverb Reissue

[fjm <bad_hat@xxxxxxxx>]

I had a white knob Blackface Fender Princeton.  I never liked it for 
harmonica.  I just never got compressed or barky in the middle.  I 
wanted to like it.  It is rumoured Big Walter Horton used the same amp. 
 It was very cool with those white knobs and I'd gotten it very 
reasonably but eventually I ended up selling it.  I semi kinda regret 
letting it go but only because they're worth so much money these days 
and it was way cute.  I've played through a Silverface Fender Princeton 
Reverb.  I liked that amplifier a lot better.  In retrospect I bet the 
non reverb could have been fixed.  It had an AlNiCo speaker that was non 
stock but old.  Swapping the speaker could have made a world of 
difference.  I always hesitate in regards to altering a virtually stock 
amplifier that is that collectable.  Personally and very subjectively I 
think the predecessor to this amplifier the Tweed Princeton is a much 
better amplifier.  I own 2 Whites same as a Tweed Princeton different 
cabinet.

Mixing threads here, I really was impressed by Mark Wilson's playing on 
his myspace page.  http://www.myspace.com/checkmarkwilson  Great plug 
for the Bogen amplifier but in reality I think Mark's playing has more 
than a little to do with why that first clip is so superb.  Very 
restrained playing but not in an oppressed sort of way.  Nice use of 
space and choices in  avoiding the cliches people usually toss into a 
blues tune like this.   I should know because when I listen to anything 
I play all I can hear are the sloppily played notes and the over used 
phrases and licks  that are so difficult to stay away from.  I think the 
thing that really separates intermediate and advanced intermediate 
players from the next level are all those little details.  Mark's 
playing is a grand advertisement for the Jon Gindick Jam Camps.  First 
there's the level of musicianship but there is also the environment that 
nurtured that talent.  Great stuff Mark and thank you for sharing.  fjm