Fender Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1958)

Fender  Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1958)
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Item # 9539
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Fender Princeton 5F2-A Model Tube Amplifier (1958), made in Fullerton, California, serial # P-02466, tweed fabric covering finish.

This is very nice example of the late-'50s big-box Princeton, which by this point had grown into a much larger unit than its earlier ancestors. The 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. The tube chart code HE indicates assembly in May, 1958. This amp features a single 8" speaker and a three-tube layout (5Y3, 6V6,12AX7) and a circuit much similar to a 5F1 Champ with a tone control added. Being the final rendition of the 1950's Princeton circuit, indicated by the -A in 5F2-A, the choke present in the former model was abandoned. The amp now features a simpler tone circuit similar to the Harvard 5F10, that when pushed tapers off nicely leading to warm and smooth overdrive at full volume.
 
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 tweed shows some light wear, mostly to the bottom corners, but overall the covering is not heavily worn. The amp has both of the original Triad output and power transformers (66079). The original speaker was gone and a Weber Signature Alnico CVA8 has been installed in its place, which gives it a bit more headroom without losing the overdrive capacity. The amp has had all its aging electrolytics replaced along with our standard full service, including the cleaning of all pots, jacks and sockets, a 3-prong power cord and biasing to spec. This rather rare specimen of the final generation of Tweed Princetons sounds typically great, as we always expect with these! Excellent - Condition.