Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

[Guitar Toad]

I've heard that these 80's era II series Fenders can be some quality finds. How much do they usually go for on ebay or pawn shop? Are they worth seeking out to find these over a 90s' DRRI?

Both look like they are 20 watt amps, can you please help me know the difference between these two amps? They both get good comments for good OD at reasonable volumes. I hear good comments on both.

Can anyone please compare and contrast these amps? Thank you.

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

A lot of people love those amps and they can be had for relatively short money. IIRC, there's one model that is the most sought-after (ie the most expensive). Maybe the Super Champ?

You can probably get the specs on the Fender Amp Field Guide page.

 

[kmcguitars]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

Those are the Rivera era amps (Althought they where designed by Ed Jahns)
Lew had a pretty good post on the rivera era fenders. He's very much in the
know about them.I hope he chimes in. You can check www.ampwares.com under the fenderiffic or use the search feature here.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

I used to have one of those Rivera era Fenders. A Princeton Reverb II...GREAT amp man, really good amp. I found the drive channel almost unusable though, just didn't suit what I needed, but man what a good sound. I traded it a couple of years ago, and don't regret it, but it is a good amp! There's a picture of Joe Perry in Guitar Player (the issue with him on the cover, forgot which month this year) and one of the pictures inside the magazine is of him sitting down playing a Hofner violin bass, well there's a Princeton Reverb II on the floor next to him (he's not playing through it, it's just sitting there)

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

The Rivera-era amps were Fenders last point-to-point full production amps. All point-to-point amps after that came from their Custom Shop so there's a good historical point of reference in there.

I have a love/hate relationship with me Princeton Reverb II amp. I got a spectacular deal on it a few years ago and have watched the price steadily increase so I'm not inclined to sell it anytime soon. It sounds decent, but not great. I put the money in for a replacement footswitch and cable from Pharoah amps, which I think added something to the sound of it.

I've seen folks using the amps and getting great sounds out of them. Jeff Beck used one on his "Guitar Shop" CD.

But I fully admit that most of what the amp really needs is a speaker change and some new tubes. The major downside of the whole amp for me though is that the second channel utilizes the tube dedicated for reverb, so if you start going for gain then you lose the real lush reverb it has. And that to me means another pedal I need to bring with me.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

When I got rid of mine, I didn't realize it was point to point wired....I may not have gotten rid of it so easily if I had But no regrets, like I said...I had another point to point wired amp that just wasn't for me...I'm happy with what I have now

 

[Guitar Toad]

Re: Deluxe Reverb II and Princeton II

I haven't seen any of these on ebay yet. What can one expect to spend for one of these?

For some reason I've really taken an interest in the Princeton. I haven't played one yet, they get lots of good reviews. I want to try one.

What is a good Princeton to get that is easy on the wallet? I'm guessing the Princeton II is more than the 70's flavors.

I decided the Bassman and Super Reverb's a simply too big for me. I just need a great sounding little amp. And I have been influenced to find a point-to-point wired Fender to experience the vintage point excitment. If I can afford one. I may have to settle for a PCB DRRI or Blues Deluxe.