A princeton with an effects loop - is it real?

[Jet-Jaguar]

So, a couple of weeks ago, I was in this guitar shop, about an hour away from my house, and I came across this used Fender Princeton, and I noticed it has a "pre-amp out" jack and a "power-amp in" jack.  It was also cheaper than I've seen other Princeton amps - I think it was $120. I didn't try to play it because I didn't have my guitar, and frankly, I don't *need* another amp.

So my questions are, is that the same thing as an effects loop? And is it probably a real Princeton or a fake one?

I have a modeling program which has a Princeton model; that's the only Princeton that I've played, but it really does sound sweet.

 

[bagman67]

Sounds like a solid-state Princeton 112.  Fender marketed a series of low-cost solid-state amps under the Princeton name in the 90's and 2000's.


Here's the manual from Fender:


http://support.fender.com/manuals/guitar_amplifiers/Princeton_112_manual.pdf


If the diagrams match the amp you were looking at, there's your answer.


I've never played one, so I don't have an opinion as to sound.

 

[Jet-Jaguar]

Sounds like a solid-state Princeton 112.  Fender marketed a series of low-cost solid-state amps under the Princeton name in the 90's and 2000's.

Here's the manual from Fender:
http://support.fender.com/manuals/guitar_amplifiers/Princeton_112_manual.pdf

If the diagrams match the amp you were looking at, there's your answer.

Yep, that's it.  I imagine it doesn't sound much like the tube amps.  Oh well.

 

[Cagey]

I imagine it doesn't sound much like the tube amps.  Oh well.

It probably doesn't, but that doesn't mean it sounds "bad". It's just different, like a Boogie is different than a Marshall is different than a Fender. B.B.King played Lab Series amps (which are solid state) for many years, and you can't say he didn't sound good or bluesy. A rapidly increasing number of people are playing Fractal Audio's "Axe FX" or Kemper's "Profiler" to duplicate the sound/character of existing or historical amps, usually as good or better than the original or even unique unto themselves, and they're all solid state.

It might be worth it to plug into the thing and see what you think. Solid state amps are often lighter, smaller, less expensive and more reliable, so if you find you can use the sound it makes, you could do yourself a favor. 

 

[mayfly]

I concur.  Plug into it and listen.  If you like the sound and need an amp, then what the heck - get it.

 

[Re-Pete]

I concur.  Plug into it and listen.  If you like the sound and need an amp, then what the heck - get it.

+1. For $120 if it sounds decent enough, it will be a good bedroom blaster.


LATE EDIT: I just looked at the User Manual pdf listed above. That amp is 65Watts RMS. WAY too powerful for a bedroom rehearser. Would blast you into the living room!  :evil4:

Still - it would be less bulk to lug if it's solid state, for gigs etc.  Again, as long as you can pull some decent tones in whatever music you are doing...  :dontknow: