| Visit Our Catalog at SteelGuitarShopper.com |

Post new topic Fender Princeton reissue harsh treble problem
Reply to topic
Author Topic:  Fender Princeton reissue harsh treble problem
Joe Burke

 

From:
Toronto, Canada
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2017 4:27 pm    
Reply with quote

I've got a '65 Fender Princeton Brownface reissue. It has a 10" Jenson P10Q alnico speaker.

I'm playing a Fender triple custom (lap steel with trap pickups).

I love this set up, except for playing on strings 1 & 2 (the highest), when the sound is a little harsh. I've heard this is a common complaint with Princeton reissues.

Has anyone tried a replacement speaker? Or a mod?

I'm wondering about the Weber 10F150.
https://www.tedweber.com/best-speaker-fender-princeton-reverb

But I'm curious to hear all suggestions.

Thanks!
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Pete Woronowski

 

From:
Saskatchewan, Canada
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2017 5:06 pm    
Reply with quote

Most important fix to start is to have the bright cap removed.
Not only will it help remove that annoying clank in the high end but the amp will take pedals better.
_________________
Mullen Royal Precision
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Brad Sarno


From:
St. Louis, MO USA
Post  Posted 24 Jan 2017 6:04 pm    
Reply with quote

Agreed, snip the bright cap.

Also, the speakers when new are terribly harsh. They take many dozens of hours to mellow out.

And those Jensens are often brutally ice-picky, glassy bright.

B
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Michael Dulin

 

From:
Indiana, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 6:38 am     princeton
Reply with quote

I use an Eminence Ragin' Cajun with mine...much warmer sound. I also use the 2nd input to tame the higher output of steel guitar pickups. Very satisfied.MD
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
J Fletcher

 

From:
London,Ont,Canada
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 8:41 am    
Reply with quote

Does the Princeton Rev Reissue have a bright cap?
Don't see one on the schematic...Jerry
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mark Fowler


From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 9:08 am    
Reply with quote

http://bmamps.com/Schematics/fender/65_Princeton_Reverb_schematic.pdf

No bright cap shown.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 11:09 am     Tone Tubby
Reply with quote

Pricey, but beautiful sound. Silky highs, not harsh.

https://tonetubby.com/product/alnico-red/
_________________
-𝕓𝕆𝕓- (admin) - Robert P. Lee - Recordings - Breathe - D6th - Video
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Brad Sarno


From:
St. Louis, MO USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 12:21 pm    
Reply with quote

Mark Fowler wrote:
http://bmamps.com/Schematics/fender/65_Princeton_Reverb_schematic.pdf

No bright cap shown.



Yup, appears that the reissue doesn't have this bright cap, so I'd say the speaker is the place to tweak.

B
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Mark Fowler


From:
Minnesota, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 4:12 pm    
Reply with quote

Yes maybe you can try a external speaker cab and see how that goes. The output should be 8 ohms.

I just built a 65 Princeton Reverb and using the same speaker as yours. Not playing Pedal Steel through it though.

View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Jeff Porter


From:
Stumptown, OR, USA
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 4:27 pm    
Reply with quote

I have Princeton Reverb and have tried a couple of different speakers with it. Currently have a Weber 12F150 in it and it's nice for both Tele & steel. Pretty well balanced and not harsh but still has a Fender/Jensen-ish sound IMHO. I've used the 10" version in other amps with similar results.
You might also look into a beam blocker or similar. They can help take a little top end off of your sound:
https://www.tedweber.com/gadgets/beam-blockers
_________________
"I make dozens of dollars a year playing music."
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Steven Husting

 

From:
Germany
Post  Posted 31 Jan 2017 10:55 pm    
Reply with quote

Hi -

It would also be worth your while to try Jupiter speakers. I put a 12" ceramic in my tweed deluxe, and liked it so much I am considering replacing the D120F in my DR with one. A band mate replaced the Jensens in his Vibrolux with Jupiter 10s and we are both happy as can be.

Steven
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
James Phillips

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 1 Feb 2017 12:19 am    
Reply with quote

Before you spend the extra cash on a new speaker ,try breaking it in. I broke my Jensen 10"Falcon in by hooking it up to my stereo in the garage ,and playing SRV through it for 12 hours straight. Really happy with the tone.
As long as you use good judgement as to the volume you put thru it while doing so ;Couldn't hurt. Winking
_________________
Visit my Studio: LimeStoneLabs at.. http://Facebook.com/LSlabs

"Let the Bridges We Burn Light the Way"
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Joe Burke

 

From:
Toronto, Canada
Post  Posted 2 Feb 2017 7:58 pm    
Reply with quote

Thanks for all the tips.
I ended up putting a Ragin' Cajun in and it sounds great. The top two strings now sound as good as the others. I also had the treble adjusted so what used to be a zero, is now a five.
I'd been playing this amp for 18 months before the speaker switch, so the old speaker must have begun to wear in.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
George McLellan


From:
Duluth, MN USA
Post  Posted 4 Feb 2017 9:01 am     Bb
Reply with quote

I used a "Beam Blocker" in my Cube 80XL to tame it down to my liking and it worked. I just ordered another one for my Fender R/I Deluxe. The pup in my Willy (true tone) is too piercing even with the treble off and bass up to 7.

Geo
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Joe Burke

 

From:
Toronto, Canada
Post  Posted 21 Mar 2017 6:37 pm    
Reply with quote

My latest update!

I found a 1973 Oxford Speaker on eBay, advertised as being from an old Princeton. $50 for the speaker + $50 for dilivery. It has a repaired cone, but so far sounds great. No more shrill, but stil chimey.
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Mark Draycott R.I.P.


From:
Portland, OR
Post  Posted 22 Mar 2017 4:03 am    
Reply with quote

I bought a Special Run 65 Princeton with a factory 12" Cannabis Rex installed and it has none of the harsh top end. I bought this for my steel and love it. Great sounding speaker for steel.
_________________
1976 Sho-Bud Pro II, 1976 Sho-Bud LDG, BF Fender Deluxe, Evans FET 500 LV, BF Princeton Reverb, '68 Vibrolux Reverb
View user's profile Send private message

All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Jump to:  
Please review our Forum Rules and Policies
Our Online Catalog
Strings, CDs, instruction, and steel guitar accessories
www.SteelGuitarShopper.com

The Steel Guitar Forum
148 S. Cloverdale Blvd.
Cloverdale, CA 95425 USA

Click Here to Send a Donation

Email SteelGuitarForum@gmail.com for technical support.


BIAB Styles
Ray Price Shuffles for Band-in-a-Box
by Jim Baron