1957 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Narrow Panel Big Box with Cover
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020
Up for sale, a 1957 Fender Princeton in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. This narrow panel tweed amp has absolutely stunning and virtually un-ambered original tweed, and is one of the more impressive golden-age Fender amps to come through our shop of late, complete with the original Victoria Luggage brown canvas cover. With its narrow panel configuration, this Princeton is considered the “big box” version, with a cab that’s far larger than the single 8 alnico speaker requires, and the resulting sound is deceptively round and rich for the relatively small speaker size. The circuit couldn’t be more simple and pure, with single Volume and Tone knobs and a Class A circuit design, powered by a single 6V6 power tube. The tone is articulate, dynamic and commanding, with the sizzle and churning overdrive of a Champ, but with more tonal range and fuller low end. The top end response is just right, and the amp doesn’t get too trebly, making the tone control quite usable for dialing in exactly as much zing and snap as you desire. The circuit is very original and only serviced as necessary for optimal functionality, retaining the original Triad transformers. The original Stackpole pots, carbon comp resistors, and yellow Astron capacitors are intact, with the pots dating to the 41st week of 1956. The power supply caps and smaller electrolytics have been replaced with high quality modern Spragues. The tubes are all vintage valves with a “coke bottle” Westinghouse 6V6, Phillips 5Y3 rectifier, and UK preamp tube of indeterminate origin. The speaker is an era-correct Oxford 8 driver which has been professionally reconed and dates to’59 with a very clean gray frame and stock wiring harness with RCA end. The tube chart is notable for its well-preserved condition, with perfect corners, handwritten serial number, and “GG” date stamp which translates to July of 1957. There is barely any ambering of the original tweed, with only a few minor scuffs on the bottom corners. The faceplate is extremely clean, with all of the white silkscreened font, shiny chrome, and a pair of original chicken head knobs. This amp is a true rarity given its condition, and this particular example has been carefully tested and inspected to ensure originality and ideal functionality. The original brown canvas Victoria Luggage cover is included. The cover has some loose stitching and isolated spots of missing trim, but still presents well. The face of the Zig Zag wrapper papers man is also stenciled on one side of the cover. Check out our shop “Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar, ” and please let us know if we can answer any questions! We use double thick boxes, 1″ foam, and industrial 1/2″ bubble wrap to ensure that your amp arrives safely. International orders will be declared as merchandise, and the value of merchandise will be declared as the amount paid. We cannot declare anything as a gift or for a lesser value. We do our best to describe all items with honesty and accuracy, but to be sure, please. The item “1957 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Narrow Panel Big Box with Cover” is in sale since Saturday, February 1, 2020. This item is in the category “Musical Instruments & Gear\Guitars & Basses\Guitar Amplifiers”. The seller is “mmguitarbar” and is located in Seattle, Washington. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Number of Channels: 1
- Number of Speakers: 1
- Model: Princeton 5F2
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Amplifier Technology: Vacuum Tube
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Compatible Guitar: Electric Guitar Amplifier
- Amplifier Type: Combo
- Brand: Fender
