Up for sale, a 1957 Fender Princeton in excellent condition and in perfect working order. A testament to Fender's golden age quality, this Princeton functions exactly as it should with an untouched, 100% original circuit. With its narrow panel configuration, this Princeton is considered the "big box" version, with a cab that's far larger than the single 8" Alnico speaker requires and the resulting sound is deceptively round and rich for the relatively small speaker size.

The circuit couldn't be more simple and pure, with single Volume and Tone knobs and a Class A circuit design, powered by a single 6V6 power tube. The tone is articulate, dynamic and commanding, with the sizzle and churning overdrive of a Champ, but with more tonal range and fuller low end. The top end response is just right, and the amp doesn't get too trebly, making the tone control quite usable for dialing in exactly as much zing and snap as desired.

The circuit is untouched, retaining the stock pair of Triad transformers and Stackpole pots dating to the 38th week of '57. The amp is loaded with a full complement of original yellow Astron caps in the preamp, and the original Minimite electrolytic caps are also present. A modern three-prong power cable has been installed, and the tubes are all vintage valves from RCA and Sylvania. The chassis is liberally stamped with a "GL" code that matches the tube chart, dating to December, 1957.

The speaker is the original Oxford 8EV Alnico magnet driver with a clean frame and date stamp on the side of the magnet from the 50th week of '57. The speaker has also been professionally reconed. The tube chart is pristine and unaged, with perfect corners, a handwritten serial number, and "GL" date stamp.

The original tweed shows limited ambering, with modest wear on the enclosure edges. The faceplate is extremely clean, with nearly all of the white silkscreened text, bright chrome, and a pair of original chicken head knobs. The stock leather handle is also present.