• Registered: 2016-03-05
  • Posts: 6

Topic: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

Blackface og silverface?   I am of course only talking reissues.  Need a new amp and can't make up my freaking mind.  I've seen Joe B making references that he doesn't like the blackface as much, but I also see that he would not recommend the silver face. I've ALSO seen that the Princeton is one of his favorite Fender amps. Of course I realize that he probably is referring to non-reissues.

I play a Les Paul most of the time. Blues, but also Mark Knopfler Les Paul style and would like to get close to the warm, fat tone he has on Tracker.
I see that the 65 has a Jensen speaker while the 68 uses a Celestion.

Recommendations? Anyone tried both?

  • Registered: 2007-11-22
  • Posts: 358

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

Not to drive you even more nuts but how about this as an option?
http://intl.fender.com/en-CA/series/cus … luxe-120v/

  • Registered: 2016-03-05
  • Posts: 6

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

That's a beautiful amp. I've never tried it, but would love to. Would maybe be perfect for my CS Les Paul wink I see it also comes in a 26w "Pro-Amp" version, but 12W is plenty for use in my home studio.

  • From: Charleston, SC
  • Registered: 2011-03-13
  • Posts: 346

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

Have you played through both?

JBLP (aged) 293, JBLP STD, JB ES-335, JBLP Studio, JBLP Goldtop Epi, JBLP Inverness Green Epi.
  • Registered: 2016-03-05
  • Posts: 6

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

jddarden wrote:

Have you played through both?

Unfortunately not. They have the '68 in stock at the closest dealer, but the '65 isn't stocked anywhere hmm  The shops in Norway is losing too much biz to the online shops out of country, so they won't stock more than what they're pretty sure to sell quickly.

I am however now leaning towards spending a few hundred bucks more for the new '57 Custom Deluxe (thanks to NickelWound's reply). Not able to try that one before buying it either, but from the YouTube videos I've seen it looks like it will fit the bill.

  • From: Charleston, SC
  • Registered: 2011-03-13
  • Posts: 346

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

Yeah, I haven't seen the '57 Custom Deluxe locally, but I'm definitely interested. Both the '65 and '68 sound great to me and I'd be torn also.

JBLP (aged) 293, JBLP STD, JB ES-335, JBLP Studio, JBLP Goldtop Epi, JBLP Inverness Green Epi.
  • Registered: 2014-05-16
  • Posts: 7

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

I can't speak to the Princeton, but I have the 68 Custom Deluxe Reverb. I went with it over the 65 DRRI due to the availability of the slightly more aggressive "custom" channel and having the Reverb shared on both the Vintage and Custom channels. Those two features just make it a more versatile amp for me.  For example, I use the Custom channel for that SRV Fender tone and the Vintage channel for EJ cleans or for blending with a dirty Marshall tone to add some articulation.

If you also happen to be looking at Tweeds, I have to recommend Rec Pro Audio's Speed Shop 5E3 Studio Series (tweeddeluxe.com).  Great Tweed Deluxe clone with good tweaks for usability.

  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2010-04-15
  • Posts: 1,373

Re: 65 Princeton or 68 Custom Princeton - it's driving me nuts!

I'm going to be that guy for just a second.  I'd be willing to bet they're both going to sound like Princetons, and literally nobody will be able to tell which one you got, particularly in the context of a mix or in a band.  With that in mind, you might as well go for the cheaper one.  Yeah, I know, that's no fun...  or go for the one with better resale... even less fun. smile  Is there a difference in weight?

HOWEVER, I've learned that, at least for myself, logic doesn't always apply to gear. smile If there's something you really want, something you've got your heart set on it, you're better off just going for it rather than trying to fill the hole with things that are close but not quite.  That's usually a lot more expensive in the long run.

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