Fender Princeton 5D2 Tube Amplifier (1954)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 9657
Prices subject to change without notice.
Fender Princeton 5D2 Model Tube Amplifier (1954), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 4524, tweed fabric covering finish.
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 is a nicely preserved and original, great sounding example of a wide-panel tweed Princeton model 5D2, 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.
The tube chart is stamped DK, indicating assembly in November 1954. The tweed-covered exterior shows some scuffing and wear, mostly around the lower corners and edges, but mostly intact and with a nice looking patina. The faceplate shows a modest amount of corrosion and some cracking in the chrome plating. Some of the stenciled graphics have worn off as well, mostly surrounding the volume and tone controls. The handle appears original and still has plenty of life left in it.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original: the Oxford 8" speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds fantastic. It is dated to the 47th week of 1958 (465-847), so although not original to the amp, it is at least period correct. Both the power and output transformers appear to be original, made by Triad and marked 7787 and 265, respectively. The output transformer mounting bracket was at some point bent further out to accommodate a new mounting screw, as the original appears to be stripped. The visible pot date is coded 304-450, signifying fabrication in late-1954. The tone pot/power switch had to be replaced. Otherwise, the amp has received routine maintenance, including standard replacement of electrolytic caps, as well as a grounded 3-prong power cord and cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks as well as biased to spec.
The masking tape marker in the chassis has sadly deteriorated beyond legibility, so we cannot say which of the ladies in the Fender amp department was responsible for the superb clean chassis wiring. The amp sports a great sounding vintage tube set, a 5Y3GT rectifier, a Sylvania 6V6GT power tube and a Fender 12AX7 preamp tube. Overall this is a great player grade and fantastic sounding old Fender tweed with a lot of vibe. Very Good + Condition.
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 is a nicely preserved and original, great sounding example of a wide-panel tweed Princeton model 5D2, 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.
The tube chart is stamped DK, indicating assembly in November 1954. The tweed-covered exterior shows some scuffing and wear, mostly around the lower corners and edges, but mostly intact and with a nice looking patina. The faceplate shows a modest amount of corrosion and some cracking in the chrome plating. Some of the stenciled graphics have worn off as well, mostly surrounding the volume and tone controls. The handle appears original and still has plenty of life left in it.
Electrically, the amp is nicely original: the Oxford 8" speaker has been professionally reconed and sounds fantastic. It is dated to the 47th week of 1958 (465-847), so although not original to the amp, it is at least period correct. Both the power and output transformers appear to be original, made by Triad and marked 7787 and 265, respectively. The output transformer mounting bracket was at some point bent further out to accommodate a new mounting screw, as the original appears to be stripped. The visible pot date is coded 304-450, signifying fabrication in late-1954. The tone pot/power switch had to be replaced. Otherwise, the amp has received routine maintenance, including standard replacement of electrolytic caps, as well as a grounded 3-prong power cord and cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks as well as biased to spec.
The masking tape marker in the chassis has sadly deteriorated beyond legibility, so we cannot say which of the ladies in the Fender amp department was responsible for the superb clean chassis wiring. The amp sports a great sounding vintage tube set, a 5Y3GT rectifier, a Sylvania 6V6GT power tube and a Fender 12AX7 preamp tube. Overall this is a great player grade and fantastic sounding old Fender tweed with a lot of vibe. Very Good + Condition.