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1957 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Big Box 5F2, Ray LaMontagne

$7,899.99

+ shipping

Up for sale, a 1957 Fender Princeton in time capsule-clean condition and in perfect working order, featuring a 100% original circuit. Previously owned by Ray LaMontagne, this Princeton comes complete with a COA confirming its provenance.

This narrow panel Tweed amp has absolutely stunning and virtually un-ambered original tweed, and this Princeton one of the more impressive golden-age Fender amps to come through our shop in years. 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 the player desires.

The circuit is untouched, retaining the original Triad transformers. The original Stackpole pots, carbon comp resistors, and yellow Astron capacitors are intact, and the original solder obscures the Stackpole pots codes. Even the power supply caps and smaller electrolytics are original and still viable, and the only alteration is a modern three-prong power cable. The RCA 6V6 power tube and 5Y3 rectifier are ostensibly original, paired with a modern Groove Tubes 12AX7 in the preamp.

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 14th week of '57. The tube chart is pristine and unaged, with perfect corners, handwritten serial number (which matches the number on the chassis), and "GG" date stamp which translates to July of 1957.

The original tweed is absolutely stunning in its presentation with virtually no ambering. As the photos can attest, this amp is simply as pristine as they come. The faceplate is extremely clean, with all of the white silkscreened text, gleaming chrome, and a pair of original chicken head knobs. The original leather handle is also present, with a bit of scuffing on top

This amp is a true rarity, and this particular example has been carefully tested and inspected to ensure originality and ideal functionality.