Fender Princeton 5F2 Tube Amplifier (1957)
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Item # 10592
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Fender Princeton 5F2 Model Tube Amplifier (1957), made in Fullerton, California, serial # P00657, tweed fabric covering finish.
This is a really nice example of the rare and very desirable late-'50s big-box Princeton, which by this point had grown into a much larger unit than its earlier ancestors. Still intended as a student amplifier (hence the academic name!) the later 'big-box' 5F2 model is housed in a more spacious Harvard-sized cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed. Still featuring a single 8" speaker and a circuit much similar to a 5F1 Champ with a tone control added, the single-ended 6V6 power section puts out around 5-6 watts of power.
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
The tube chart in this cabinet is ink-stamped with the code "GA", indicating assembly in January '57. Externally, the tweed covering on this amp is beautifully preserved overall with only minimal wear on some corners and edges. It bears a lighter amber patina and is free of any notable stains or cigarette burns. The grille cloth is in great shape as well, except for a very minor tear at the bottom left edge. The chrome control plate has some very light corrosion but is much cleaner than many with virtually all the stenciled graphics intact. The original leather handle is also intact and fully functional, though if the amp is to be gigged regularly a modern replacement might be the way to go.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. It was originally wired up by Lupe and bears her signature on a piece of masking tape inside the chassis. The speaker is the original 8-EV29 Oxford, marked 465-642, dating it to the 42nd week of 1956. It has been professionally reconed and sounds beautiful. Both the power and output transformers are original as well and likely made by Triad; the output transformer bears the number 50265. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing consisting of replacement of all electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks as well as biasing to spec.
Overall this is a superb amplifier, sweetly purring at low volume and a very hot little number when the twin chicken heads are rolled up! Excellent - Condition.
This is a really nice example of the rare and very desirable late-'50s big-box Princeton, which by this point had grown into a much larger unit than its earlier ancestors. Still intended as a student amplifier (hence the academic name!) the later 'big-box' 5F2 model is housed in a more spacious Harvard-sized cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed. Still featuring a single 8" speaker and a circuit much similar to a 5F1 Champ with a tone control added, the single-ended 6V6 power section puts out around 5-6 watts of power.
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
The tube chart in this cabinet is ink-stamped with the code "GA", indicating assembly in January '57. Externally, the tweed covering on this amp is beautifully preserved overall with only minimal wear on some corners and edges. It bears a lighter amber patina and is free of any notable stains or cigarette burns. The grille cloth is in great shape as well, except for a very minor tear at the bottom left edge. The chrome control plate has some very light corrosion but is much cleaner than many with virtually all the stenciled graphics intact. The original leather handle is also intact and fully functional, though if the amp is to be gigged regularly a modern replacement might be the way to go.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original. It was originally wired up by Lupe and bears her signature on a piece of masking tape inside the chassis. The speaker is the original 8-EV29 Oxford, marked 465-642, dating it to the 42nd week of 1956. It has been professionally reconed and sounds beautiful. Both the power and output transformers are original as well and likely made by Triad; the output transformer bears the number 50265. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing consisting of replacement of all electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks as well as biasing to spec.
Overall this is a superb amplifier, sweetly purring at low volume and a very hot little number when the twin chicken heads are rolled up! Excellent - Condition.