Fender Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1960)
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Fender Princeton 5F2-A Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Fullerton, California, serial # P-04868, 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 marketed as a student amplifier (hence the academic name!) the later "big-box" 5F2-A model is housed in a more spacious Harvard-sized cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed.
Although thought of as a 1950's amp, this one was made at the start of the '60s; the tube chart is ink-stamped with the code "JF", indicating assembly in June of 1960. It still features a single 8" speaker and a circuit very similar to a 5F1 Champ (with a tone control added) the single-ended 6V6 power section putting out around 5-6 watts of power. This is an exceptionally fine small recording amplifier, a bit more versatile than the Champ with a similar raucous overdrive potential even at modest volume but a wider tonal palette.
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Externally, the tweed covering on this amp is beautifully preserved overall; the fragile tweed covering bears a very attractive darker amber patina and aside from a few typical scuffs around the corners and edges, the cabinet is otherwise free of any notable blemishes. The grille cloth is taut and in great shape as well only showing a couple spots of very minor fraying. The chrome control plate is nicely clean with only very light signs of corrosive staining; virtually all the stenciled lettering is intact. The original leather handle is also intact and still has plenty of life left in it. The front metal "Fender" logo is a correct style reproduction.
Electrically, the amp remains nicely original. The speaker is the original 8EV-29 Oxford, marked 465-004, dating it to the 4th week of 1960. Both the power and output transformers are original as well, bearing the stamped codes 606-007 and 606-943, dating them to the 7th week of 1960 and the 43rd week of 1959, respectively. Both pots are also original. 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 marketed as a student amplifier (hence the academic name!) the later "big-box" 5F2-A model is housed in a more spacious Harvard-sized cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed.
Although thought of as a 1950's amp, this one was made at the start of the '60s; the tube chart is ink-stamped with the code "JF", indicating assembly in June of 1960. It still features a single 8" speaker and a circuit very similar to a 5F1 Champ (with a tone control added) the single-ended 6V6 power section putting out around 5-6 watts of power. This is an exceptionally fine small recording amplifier, a bit more versatile than the Champ with a similar raucous overdrive potential even at modest volume but a wider tonal palette.
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
Externally, the tweed covering on this amp is beautifully preserved overall; the fragile tweed covering bears a very attractive darker amber patina and aside from a few typical scuffs around the corners and edges, the cabinet is otherwise free of any notable blemishes. The grille cloth is taut and in great shape as well only showing a couple spots of very minor fraying. The chrome control plate is nicely clean with only very light signs of corrosive staining; virtually all the stenciled lettering is intact. The original leather handle is also intact and still has plenty of life left in it. The front metal "Fender" logo is a correct style reproduction.
Electrically, the amp remains nicely original. The speaker is the original 8EV-29 Oxford, marked 465-004, dating it to the 4th week of 1960. Both the power and output transformers are original as well, bearing the stamped codes 606-007 and 606-943, dating them to the 7th week of 1960 and the 43rd week of 1959, respectively. Both pots are also original. 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.