Fender Princeton Tube Amplifier (1950)
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Fender Princeton Model Tube Amplifier (1950), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 1538, tweed fabric covering finish.
This is a nicely preserved and original, great sounding example of the fairly short-lived TV-front Princeton, the "upper level" of Fender's early 1950s student amps. Sporting one more knob than the classic younger sibling, the single-volume knob Champ, the Princeton features a nearly identical circuit with the added tone control allowing for a brighter or mellower sound at the twist of the knob (on a student amp! Such luxury!). The tube chart bear no stamp from this era, but the serial number 1538 and pot date codes indicates assembly early-to-mid 1950.
It features a single 8" speaker and a similar circuit (with a tone control added) with 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 12 in. (30.5 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) width, and 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This early tweed Princeton is fabulously preserved for now three-quarters of a century old (!). The fragile and lightly lacquered tweed cover is in wonderful shape, preserving an attractive light-amber patina and showing only very minor signs of wear around corners and edges. The faceplate plating is shiny and clean and most of the stenciled lettering is intact, although many of the number around the volume and tone controls have rubbed off. The grille cloth is in great shape; taught and free of punctures. The handle is a new high quality handmade reproduction and the original handle hardware only shows very slight tarnishing.
Electrically, this little Princeton is nicely original. The 8" Jensen P8T speaker is original and bears the date code 220-010, dating it to the 10th week of 1950. It has been professionally reconed and both sounds and tests wonderfully. Both the Triad-made power and output transformers are original, bearing the codes 1863 and 6500, respectively. Both the volume and tone pots are original and date to the 10th and 11th week of 1950. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and output tube biased to spec.
This 75 year old amplifier is relatively rare find, especially in such stunning condition. Small but mighty, this tweed Princeton is one of the best compact recording amps ever made and definitely one of Leo Fender's early crowning glories! Overall Excellent Condition.
This is a nicely preserved and original, great sounding example of the fairly short-lived TV-front Princeton, the "upper level" of Fender's early 1950s student amps. Sporting one more knob than the classic younger sibling, the single-volume knob Champ, the Princeton features a nearly identical circuit with the added tone control allowing for a brighter or mellower sound at the twist of the knob (on a student amp! Such luxury!). The tube chart bear no stamp from this era, but the serial number 1538 and pot date codes indicates assembly early-to-mid 1950.
It features a single 8" speaker and a similar circuit (with a tone control added) with 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 12 in. (30.5 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) width, and 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm.) in depth at deepest point.
This early tweed Princeton is fabulously preserved for now three-quarters of a century old (!). The fragile and lightly lacquered tweed cover is in wonderful shape, preserving an attractive light-amber patina and showing only very minor signs of wear around corners and edges. The faceplate plating is shiny and clean and most of the stenciled lettering is intact, although many of the number around the volume and tone controls have rubbed off. The grille cloth is in great shape; taught and free of punctures. The handle is a new high quality handmade reproduction and the original handle hardware only shows very slight tarnishing.
Electrically, this little Princeton is nicely original. The 8" Jensen P8T speaker is original and bears the date code 220-010, dating it to the 10th week of 1950. It has been professionally reconed and both sounds and tests wonderfully. Both the Triad-made power and output transformers are original, bearing the codes 1863 and 6500, respectively. Both the volume and tone pots are original and date to the 10th and 11th week of 1950. The amp has received our typical maintenance and servicing, including replacement of all electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks and output tube biased to spec.
This 75 year old amplifier is relatively rare find, especially in such stunning condition. Small but mighty, this tweed Princeton is one of the best compact recording amps ever made and definitely one of Leo Fender's early crowning glories! Overall Excellent Condition.