1 (edited by Rattler360 2016-02-04 21:38:54)

Topic: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

I'm hoping for some help ... I have a vintage 65 Princeton Reverb completey original except for JJ tubes .. I'm looking for best setting to get a good tone .. With a Korina explorer with Wizz Humbuckers , Allessandro Pots and Vitamin Q cap.. Pigtail hardware Dan Erlewine setup..  Should
I use a THD Hot Plate.. I plug direct no pedals

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Isn't finding your best tone really something only you can do ? You have a very simple and direct set-up, there are not a lot of variations to be found here.

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Ok, we need to know what kind of tones/style you are going after before making suggestions. The "best tone" is highly subjective, and the reason why we all sound different.

Nominally, there is nothing wrong with your setup. So what about it sounds "bad" to you?

My two cents is this: a simple replacement speaker in old Princetons, really makes a difference (in most vintage Fenders, actually. I always do this). If you are using an attenuator, you probably are cranking the amp, which is great. The JJ 6V6 tubes in your Princeton may be a culprit. You see the JJ 6V6S is not really a true 6V6. They sound great to me, but maybe you would prefer something more vintage correct like a pair of Tungsol 6V6GT.

You may also want to consider upgrading to a WGS celestion equivalent speaker to tame the highs, tighten the lows, and make the mids a bit more pronounced.

This is all pure speculation since we have no real guide as to what is "wrong" with your tone, and where you want to be.

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

macg1 wrote:

Ok, we need to know what kind of tones/style you are going after before making suggestions. The "best tone" is highly subjective, and the reason why we all sound different.

Nominally, there is nothing wrong with your setup. So what about it sounds "bad" to you?

My two cents is this: a simple replacement speaker in old Princetons, really makes a difference (in most vintage Fenders, actually. I always do this). If you are using an attenuator, you probably are cranking the amp, which is great. The JJ 6V6 tubes in your Princeton may be a culprit. You see the JJ 6V6S is not really a true 6V6. They sound great to me, but maybe you would prefer something more vintage correct like a pair of Tungsol 6V6GT.

You may also want to consider upgrading to a WGS celestion equivalent speaker to tame the highs, tighten the lows, and make the mids a bit more pronounced.

This is all pure speculation since we have no real guide as to what is "wrong" with your tone, and where you want to be.

I play blues .. classic rock .. Beatles . Mostly . I have a vintage 65 Princeton reverb with Original Jensen speaker , reverb at 3 , bass 6 , Treble 7 .. Tungsol tubes as suggested .. im was going to use a ThD hotplate so
I can crank the amp.. it just doesn't have the drive I need .. I was thinking of a British flavored amp ..Vox etc

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

I also have a Echopark Clarence amp ,and Silverface twin with Jbl D120f speakers at

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

I also have a Echopark Clarence amp ,and Silverface twin with Jbl D120f speakers at

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Rattler360 wrote:
macg1 wrote:

Ok, we need to know what kind of tones/style you are going after before making suggestions. The "best tone" is highly subjective, and the reason why we all sound different.

Nominally, there is nothing wrong with your setup. So what about it sounds "bad" to you?

My two cents is this: a simple replacement speaker in old Princetons, really makes a difference (in most vintage Fenders, actually. I always do this). If you are using an attenuator, you probably are cranking the amp, which is great. The JJ 6V6 tubes in your Princeton may be a culprit. You see the JJ 6V6S is not really a true 6V6. They sound great to me, but maybe you would prefer something more vintage correct like a pair of Tungsol 6V6GT.

You may also want to consider upgrading to a WGS celestion equivalent speaker to tame the highs, tighten the lows, and make the mids a bit more pronounced.

This is all pure speculation since we have no real guide as to what is "wrong" with your tone, and where you want to be.

I play blues .. classic rock .. Beatles . Mostly . I have a vintage 65 Princeton reverb with Original Jensen speaker , reverb at 3 , bass 6 , Treble 7 .. Tungsol tubes as suggested .. im was going to use a ThD hotplate so
I can crank the amp.. it just doesn't have the drive I need .. I was thinking of a British flavored amp ..Vox etc

So are you looking for suggestions on how to set your current amp, or suggestions for a different amp? Because I highly doubt you'll get a British type tone out of a Princeton even cranked...

Guitars: Fender American Original 60s Strat, Fender American Vintage 52 Tele, Gibson Les Paul Traditional
FX: Various including - Ceriatone Centura, Fire Custom Shop Carpe Diem
Amp: Fender ML212 Deville + 212 extention cabinet

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Not the same I know but I have a '65 Deluxe Reverb so there may be some similarities and I may be about to say things you already know, but.....

I don't know but I guess the Princeton Reverb and the Deluxe Reverb have similar circuits. I can get all of the drive I need from my DR by using boost and/or overdrive pedals when the amp falls short of what's needed. We play mainly Blues and also classic rock from the 60s and 70s.

When I got my amp it came with JJ 6V6S tubes in the power section and I changed them initially to the Tung Sol 6V6GT but I am now using TAD 6V6GT-STR (biased at 28mA as recommended by TAD) and they have a great tone. I am also using TAD tubes in the pre-amp.

The DR is a 22 watt amp (somewhat higher output than the Princeton) and I have never needed to use an attenuator. I can get all the tones I want be it at home or out in a bigger room.

If, on the other hand, you don't really want a Fender tone then nothing you can do will make it sound like something else.

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

RichardH wrote:

Not the same I know but I have a '65 Deluxe Reverb so there may be some similarities and I may be about to say things you already know, but.....

I don't know but I guess the Princeton Reverb and the Deluxe Reverb have similar circuits. I can get all of the drive I need from my DR by using boost and/or overdrive pedals when the amp falls short of what's needed. We play mainly Blues and also classic rock from the 60s and 70s.

When I got my amp it came with JJ 6V6S tubes in the power section and I changed them initially to the Tung Sol 6V6GT but I am now using TAD 6V6GT-STR (biased at 28mA as recommended by TAD) and they have a great tone. I am also using TAD tubes in the pre-amp.

The DR is a 22 watt amp (somewhat higher output than the Princeton) and I have never needed to use an attenuator. I can get all the tones I want be it at home or out in a bigger room.

If, on the other hand, you don't really want a Fender tone then nothing you can do will make it sound like something else.

I'm looking for suggestions on my current setup .. to get most out of it ...

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Rattler360 wrote:
RichardH wrote:

Not the same I know but I have a '65 Deluxe Reverb so there may be some similarities and I may be about to say things you already know, but.....

I don't know but I guess the Princeton Reverb and the Deluxe Reverb have similar circuits. I can get all of the drive I need from my DR by using boost and/or overdrive pedals when the amp falls short of what's needed. We play mainly Blues and also classic rock from the 60s and 70s.

When I got my amp it came with JJ 6V6S tubes in the power section and I changed them initially to the Tung Sol 6V6GT but I am now using TAD 6V6GT-STR (biased at 28mA as recommended by TAD) and they have a great tone. I am also using TAD tubes in the pre-amp.

The DR is a 22 watt amp (somewhat higher output than the Princeton) and I have never needed to use an attenuator. I can get all the tones I want be it at home or out in a bigger room.

If, on the other hand, you don't really want a Fender tone then nothing you can do will make it sound like something else.

I'm looking for suggestions on my current setup .. to get most out of it ...

I usually plug straight in no boost pedal ..

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Why not use a pedal? I'm sure there are plenty of boosts or overdrives that will give you the extra drive you are looking for without sacrificing the basic Fender tone. Twin Reverbs are renown for being hard to drive except at ear-breaking volumes so many players use a pedal. Tube screamers and black face Fenders is the go-to setup for many wanting extra drive from a Fender amp. A Fulltone OCD may be more to your liking.

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

I'll try a few boosts ..

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

So what year is your korona?

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Rattler360 wrote:

I'm hoping for some help ... I have a vintage 65 Princeton Reverb completey original except for JJ tubes .. I'm looking for best setting to get a good tone .. With a Korina explorer with Wizz Humbuckers , Allessandro Pots and Vitamin Q cap.. Pigtail hardware Dan Erlewine setup..  Should
I use a THD Hot Plate.. I plug direct no pedals

What Korona?

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

Rattler360 wrote:
Rattler360 wrote:

I'm hoping for some help ... I have a vintage 65 Princeton Reverb completey original except for JJ tubes .. I'm looking for best setting to get a good tone .. With a Korina explorer with Wizz Humbuckers , Allessandro Pots and Vitamin Q cap.. Pigtail hardware Dan Erlewine setup..  Should
I use a THD Hot Plate.. I plug direct no pedals

What Korona?

You implied you had a Korina Explorer

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

cindyron wrote:
Rattler360 wrote:
Rattler360 wrote:

I'm hoping for some help ... I have a vintage 65 Princeton Reverb completey original except for JJ tubes .. I'm looking for best setting to get a good tone .. With a Korina explorer with Wizz Humbuckers , Allessandro Pots and Vitamin Q cap.. Pigtail hardware Dan Erlewine setup..  Should
I use a THD Hot Plate.. I plug direct no pedals

What Korona?

You implied you had a Korina Explorer

Yes one made in northern japan by Bacchus to 1958 spec .. with Clapton Cut

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

looks like top notch goodies in that guitar.. should sound pretty good.

[With a Korina explorer with Wizz Humbuckers , Allessandro Pots and Vitamin Q cap.. Pigtail hardware Dan Erlewine setup]

---------------

(If only I had 1% of Joe's guitar talent)

Re: Joe Help!!! Vintage 65 Princeton Reverb with Korina Explorer

It's light weight and awesome.. i just think the fender setup .. I currently have isn't doing it justice