November 1966 (tube chart code PK) Fender Black panel Princeton amp. This is the non-reverb model. It is the amp reviewed in the September 2009 issue of The Tone Quest report, I bought it directly from the publisher of that newsletter.
There is a mod that installed - an adjustable midrange control. This allows you to get a bit more growl if wanted. No holes were drilled; it was installed in the spot where the vibrato footswitch was. The face plate has some minor scratches.
The rectifier tube is a Sylvania-branded GZ34 made in England, could be a Mullard tube. The other tubes are modern (probably JJ) manufacture.
Here's what the article had to say:
"...the cleanest black(panel) amp we have ever seen – a bone stock ‘66 with the original, pristine Jensen C10Q speaker. Craig had bought the amp from a customer that needed some cash, had it checked out and a grounded AC cord installed. The amp tech commented that he was pretty sure he was the first to have ever pulled the chassis. When the amp arrived, we spent a while just ogling its timewarp condition, lustily fondled it with a Telecaster and Les Paul, and then met Jeff Bakos at his shop for some tone geeking. The Princeton didn’t really seem to need anything (unless you thought you were buying a Marshall), but we agreed that a bias pot would be useful, and we added a 50K midrange pot in the back panel hole for the tremolo pedal – real good with a Telecaster. The trem would be left ‘on’ with the intensity turned off when not needed. While we were poking around we also spied a fried resistor in the power section that we replaced. There is nothing to be gained by merely disconnecting the brown-era tremolo in the Princeton as we’ve done with other non-reverb black(panel) amps, because disconnecting it won’t increase gain. At 12 watts clean before clipping, the Princeton’s voice is exceptionally rich, deep, clear and bright thanks to the circuit design and components, the classic Jensen C10Q...
However, contrary to prevailing thought relative to non-reverb black(panel) amps in general, we were also able to coax an adequate amount of lush, focused, jangly distortion from the Princeton on 9-10 with all of our guitars – the least with our weaker Stratocasters, naturally. Another significant aspect of the nonreverb Princeton that seems to be overlooked is its extraordinary sound mated with an exceptional boost or distortion pedal. Since the Princeton is relatively clean on ‘7,’ it sounds all that much better boosted with a pedal or fuzz, and unlike bigger, more powerful amps, the volume doesn’t jump to unacceptable levels when you step on a boost effect. The clean tones with a Telecaster and a little (or a lot) of tremolo are mind-alteringly good, and our Les Pauls gloriously sing through the Jensen C10Q with no farting or floppy bottom end..."
Please study the pictures for the condition of this wonderful amp - they were all taken in April 2026 and reflect the current (stunning) condition of this amp as it is listed for sale here.
The amp has been play tested and everything works but this is a vintage electronic instrument amplifier and is sold as is. Local pickup is available in the southeastern PA area or will ship to the lower 48 USA. May consider some international sale location at the buyer's expense, proper insurance will be required. Please contact me prior to purchase if interested in international shipping.
This item is sold As-Described
This item is sold As-Described and cannot be returned unless it arrives in a condition different from how it was described or photographed. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging.Learn More.
| Listed | 2 months ago |
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| Condition | Excellent (Used) Excellent items are almost entirely free from blemishes and other visual defects and have been played or used with the utmost care.Learn more |
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