Fizzy Princeton

[txbluesboy]

I just drug my 66 Princeton reverb out of storage to take to the Dallas guitar show to free up a few bucks for my amp building addiction/hobby. When I plugged it in to check it out I remembered why these amps are so sought after. It had such a sweet tone---- then all of a sudden it just kind of started getting fizzy. I replaced the output tubes just because it was easy to try, and this fixed it , or so I thought, but after it warmed up it got fizzy again. Im thinking its time for a cap job, but caps dont really get warm do they? It really happens to soon for the caps to get warm from the heat of the chassis. I didn't have time to dig into it yet, but thought I'd ask for comments. Any thoughts?

[Phil_S]

If caps are original, or even a decade old, after long disuse replacement is standard routine maintenance. I would probably replace every electrolytic in the amp, and if I were taking it to the guitar show, I'd get quality caps for it. There are people in the know who will have diminished interest, which will translate to a lower price offer.

If those old tubes were good when stored, put them back in the amp. Nothing degrades over time inside a vacuum, at least not the kind of time we are granted on this earth.

[txbluesboy]

Just a quick update. Cathode Bypass caps did it. Now I'm not sure if I can bring myself to sell it. But then again 21 personal amps my be to many!!!!!!
Note- edited to correct my tone induced brain fade.

[Phil_S]

eBay value is roughly $1K to $2K depending on condition, etc. Is this money going to slip through your hands? How much will you regret selling it? Remember, the older you get, the more you will want a lower powered amp, unless you regularly still get gigs in stadiums. There are still a few 60 year olds who do, but ask yourself if you are in their league? No? Didn't think so. Keep the amp. In a few more years, you will thank yourself for exercising some restraint.

[redtoploader]

I agree with Phil...dont you have anything else to sell? These aren't getting any cheaper.

I am still kicking myself for selling mine..I had a '66 also that just kicked ass. What a great telecaster amp.

[txbluesboy]

Thanks for the advice. I'm just thinking of building a clone of it from a silverface Princeton I also have and using the money for something else interesting. How do you think the transformers in the silverface compare to the BFPR?

[Lonely Raven]

I agree with Phil...dont you have anything else to sell? These aren't getting any cheaper.

I am still kicking myself for selling mine..I had a '66 also that just kicked ass. What a great telecaster amp.

'66 was a good year for Fender Amps. My '66 Super Reverb and '66 Princeton Reverb were my two favorites of all the Fender's I've owned and restored over the years. I regret selling both of them.

txbluesboy, You can make a Silverface sound for the most part like that '66 PR, depending on the year of Silverface you use. I think the later the year, the more they changed transformers and parts and the like.

I could be wrong though...it's been many years since I've serviced Fenders. I know for a fact the cabinets got worse and worse as time went on. If I were you, I'd stick to an early to mid 70's at the latest. I've Blackfaced many '73 and earlier with great success.

Oh, by the way, I sent you a Private Message about the Rockit Faceplate in Walnut. Check your PM!