1968 Fender Princeton (Silver Face)

1968 Fender Princeton Description

The Fender Princeton is well known within the vintage amplifier scene as being the model that was the basis for the very first Mesa Boogie amplifiers, but is in it’s own right an excellent and versatile combo amplifier, and has proven especially popular in recording studios and with a lot of jazz and country guitarists. The interest in these amplifiers has grown in recent years and when you first plug-in you can hear why straightaway.

If your playing style is more blues or classic rock orientated (rather than jazz or country) then you will find a lot to like in this amp and it sounds particularly stunning for bluesy slide guitar we found. Despite it’s conservative output of 12 watts, it really is a very gig-worthy combo and delivers all the juicy sparkling cleans and low to mid level overdrive tones that you’d expect from a classic late 60’s fender tube combo.

This 1968 Fender Princeton (with silverface panel) is a wonderful sounding combo and you can see why this model was a mainstay for the company until 1979. It features the GZ34 circuit (later changed in 1970 to the 5U4GB) The dual 6V6GT power tubes deliver gorgeous rich and transparent clean tones and with the volume cranked you get a very rich overdrive which can be further pushed with pedals should you wish to.  The tremolo circuit shimmers on clean tones and puts most modern pedals emulating the same effect to shame.

The amplifier is wired for US voltage, but easily changed for European customers via an inexpensive step-down transformer. Overall a real Fender classic combo and worthy of any guitarist who seeks great vintage tone in a small but highly effective package.

1968 Fender Princeton Features

• Silver face control panel w/blue labels
• 12 Watts output
• 2 x Inputs, Volume, Treble, Bass, Speed, Intensity controls
• 12½” x 19¾” x 9½” (31.8 x 50.2 x 24.1 cm)
• Weight: 28 lbs. (12.7 Kg)
• Grille mounted, raised, chrome & black script Fender logo
• Blue sparkle grille cloth w/aluminum frame
• Black skirted knobs with chrome center
• 2 x 6V6GT power valves, 7025 Preamp
• Single 10″ speaker
• Tremolo circuit with speed and intensity controls
• Jewel pilot light
• Black plastic strap handle