Fender Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1960)

Fender  Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1960)
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Item # 9346
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Fender Princeton 5F2-A Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Fullerton, California, serial # P05305, tweed fabric covering finish.
 
Height is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point.

This is a very nice example of the final "large box" tweed Fender Princeton, which by this point had grown into a much bigger unit than its earlier ancestors. This one was made at the very beginning of the 1960s, though these are usually thought of as 1950s models. The amp still features a single 8" speaker and three-tube layout (5Y3,6V6,12AX7) like the earlier models but set into a more spacious 18" wide cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven, airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed. This is the final rendition of the 1950's Princeton circuit, indicated by the -A in 5F2-A. This revision abandons the choke present in the former model and features a tone circuit from the Harvard 5F10, yielding a sparkier top-end and plenty brightness on tap.

Overall this is a lovely original amp, just serviced with our standard electrolytic replacement, three-prong power cord, and death-cap removal. The tweed covering is in good condition, just darkened a bit with some typical minor staining and wear at the corners and folds. The original handle is in better shape than many with plenty of life left in it. The faceplate is relatively clean with only small spots of corrosion and very minor stencil loss.

Internally the about half of the paper tube chart is missing, so there is no date code available. Date-marked components including the original Oxford speaker (coded 465-037), the output transformer (Schumacher 606-943), and the power transformer (Schumacher 606-006) are all original and date the amp to the second half of 1960. The speaker has not been reconed and the original cone still sounds great, sweeter at lower volume but with a quicker break-up and less headroom than most modern replacements at higher volume. The tubes are original (or at least period) consisting of the RCA 5Y3 rectifier, RCA 6V6 V1 Power and Sylvania 12AX7. This is a fantastic studio amp and loud enough to gig in low-wattage situations; sparkly at first, with a muscular growl when cranked. Excellent Condition.