Princeton Reverb rebuild....

[Deric]

*EDIT* I really should have added that I am pretty sure (though not positive) that this was a kit build - not an amp actually built by a builder that also sells kits.....

So this guy brings me a "Boutique" Princeton Reverb clone. Says he got a great deal but it started cutting out, popping etc... Pulled the chassis and noticed something funny with the preamp grounds....

[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_photo12_zps0ee5e242.jpg[/img]

Instead of soldering to the brass plate (which I don't really care much for anyways) the grounds went through holes drilled in the chassis - and on the other side...

[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_photo13_zps45e05cef.jpg[/img]

Those big splatts of solder aren't even stuck to the chassis. I wonder why it was cutting out? Didn't look too closely at the rest of the amp but knew I didn't really want to work on it. Told the guy I'd clean up the grounds, get it running, no guarantee once he got it back, $200.00 . I was really hoping he wouldn't go for it. I was wrong.... Oh well, figured I'd clean it up, get it running and make a few bucks... That's when I really looked closely at it...

[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_photo14_zps482df8f5.jpg[/img]

I was looking at the extremely long grid wires to the output tubes when I noticed the added grid resistors and screen resistors. Smart plan but you really need to move the wires to the other side of the resistors for them to do any good... Yikes.

[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_photo24_zpsd4ff1750.jpg[/img]

Finally pulled EVERTHING except the heater wires (they really did a nice job on that) and started from scratch. Replaced all pots, most parts on the board, secured and made new cables for the reverb tank...and a bunch of other stuff. Finally done...

[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_100_5399_zps5d07c1e4.jpg[/img]
[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_100_5400_zps2fc17da8.jpg[/img]
[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_100_5395_zps98d163b0.jpg[/img]
[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_100_5394_zps49ec4468.jpg[/img]
[IMG:160:120]http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e243/stumper1/M__sh%20Princeton%20Rebuild/th_100_5409_zpsaeca16f0.jpg[/img]

[Firestorm]

I'm pretty sure you're right about that being a kit build by an amateur; it has "paint by numbers" written all over it. Sorry you got involved, aren't you?

[Deric]

I'm pretty sure you're right about that being a kit build by an amateur; it has "paint by numbers" written all over it. Sorry you got involved, aren't you?

Exactly!

Like anything though....nice to see it through and get it up and running. Did charge for all the parts. Owner is very happy.

[Blackburn]

Glad you got it sorted out, Deric. These are great little clean amps. Nice work!

[Milkmansound]

Wouldn't be surprised if he bought it off eBay. Some of the Princeton clones up for sale there are a joke.

Ok fine - most of them are

[Firestorm]

Wouldn't be surprised if he bought it off eBay. Some of the Princeton clones up for sale there are a joke.

Ok fine - most of them are

Wonderful, simple amp. Surprisingly easy to screw up, big time.

[Deric]

I hear ya! When I first talked to him he made it sound like it was bought from the "builder". After I tore into it and called him....turns out it was a Craigslist find. Advertised as a M__sh built Princeton Reverb. Turns out he met the guy in a parking lot and fired it up using an inverter plugged into the cigarette lighter in his van....figured all the hum, buzz etc was from the inverter... Seller told him he was the original owner and bought it from the builder... I didn't realize the guy sold kits too...

I've built a couple of D clones using a Brown Note chassis. Must be a tough gig doing your own builds and selling kits/parts too...