H Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 Tubes are part of the equation, certainly. However, it could be that you like how a new tube colours your sound as much as, or more than, a NOS tube. Expensive or cheap, as long as the tubes are mechanically good, you're effectively just tweaking frequencies and harmonics. One thing is pretty certain: you'll hear much more of a change in your tone from the speaker change than from the tubes. Hope it sounds the way you want it to
Kuz Posted June 7, 2013 Posted June 7, 2013 NOS or gently used RCA 12ax7 from the 60s in V1, will make the biggest difference. The newer Tung Sol 6v6 reissues are great sounding and more reliable than older power tubes. If I had to make one change to an amp, it would be NOS RCA preamp tubes... Warmer, bigger, fatter, more mids, and more low end!!
tsp17 Posted June 9, 2013 Author Posted June 9, 2013 Went with JJ 6v6 output tubes based all the descriptions I've read as super clean and leaning toward a 6L6 flavor. I know that might be Internet chatter, but it seems very consistent and everyone agrres on their road worthiness. Got some of the higher end Ruby 12AX7s that I hear are the same as TAD and Preferred Series clean warm versions and lower priced. Ill put in the preamp tubes myself and report. The 6v6 require rebias, so that will have to wait for a vist to the tech.
rockabilly69 Posted June 10, 2013 Posted June 10, 2013 I didn't think there was a bias adjustment on the Princeton, unless you modify it with a different resistor or a trim pot, voiding the warranty. Did you get a matched set of JJ's? If you did, you should be good to go.
H Posted June 10, 2013 Posted June 10, 2013 There's a bias trim pot on the PRRI apparently. It's R22 on this schematic: http://support.fender.com/schematics/guitar_amplifiers/65_Princeton_Reverb_schematic.pdf
rockabilly69 Posted June 10, 2013 Posted June 10, 2013 There's a bias trim pot on the PRRI apparently. It's R22 on this schematic: http://support.fender.com/schematics/guitar_amplifiers/65_Princeton_Reverb_schematic.pdf Well that's an improvement!!!! Way to go Fender:)
tsp17 Posted June 11, 2013 Author Posted June 11, 2013 Pine 12" baffle and new tube compliment arrived today. Baffle and 12" speaker installation was reasonably smooth, almost a perfect fit. had to improvise a little but not much. I accidentally ordered "aged" grill cloth, it looks pretty cool. i like that it is not as shiny as the new Fender silver cloth. will post pics later in the week. Eminence C Rex was a very tight fit requiring a little shaving, but made it. Was not going to replace the tubes yet so i could get a good A/B comparison on the 10" vs. 12" speaker but while i was in there i noticed that every time i bumped the rectifier tube it rattled like a lightbulb that had burned out. replaced that with the new one. Sure enough once i fired it up the rattle that was bugging me was all gone. Tone is superb with the CRex. Fuller, warmer, while retaining the Princeton vibe. sounds like a much bigger amp. you have to push the amp a little harder to get the same volume and touch feel, but all the better. i had it the volume at 3-4 for jazz gig levels with the stock Jensen ceramic 10". The bigger speaker and firmer baffle also allow me to dial up the bass and treble without flubbing out, rattling or getting shrill. Seems like i can use more of the amp's character. After 20 minutes of play i know that this upgrade was right on.
tsp17 Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 here it is with the new "aged" grill, baffle, upgraded 12" speaker and speaker cable. i left the Fender badge off the grill. Kind of like it this way. Not so new and shiny. Feels like a gigging amp already. i did gig with it the other day and struggled a bit to find the right volume and spot in the mix. Once i put it up on a chair i was able to dial it in better.
koula901 Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 Oh She's a Brick, House! She's mighty, mighty! looking good, tsp17.
Kuz Posted June 13, 2013 Posted June 13, 2013 My Headstrong Lil' King has a 12" Weber 12F150 in it, so I feel your love for a 12" speaker in a Princeton!!!!
tsp17 Posted June 13, 2013 Author Posted June 13, 2013 Oh She's a Brick, House! She's mighty, mighty! looking good, tsp17. My Headstrong Lil' King has a 12" Weber 12F150 in it, so I feel your love for a 12" speaker in a Princeton!!!! Oh yes, it sounds great. lovin' it.
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.