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Average Price: $750

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$300

$701+

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Description

The 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb is a beloved relic from the golden era of amplifier craftsmanship, perfect for musicians seeking that classic Fender sound with a touch of modern versatility. This vintage gem is celebrated for its hand-wired design, offering unparalleled tonal quality that transports you back to the days when music was all about soul and expression. With its 12-inch speaker and 22 watts of power, this amp delivers a punchy yet warm sound that can fill a room with ease.

The dual channels provide flexibility, allowing you to switch from clean, bell-like tones to rich, overdriven sounds at the flick of a switch. Its compact size makes it an ideal companion for both studio sessions and small gigs, ensuring that you never have to compromise on sound quality for portability. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist with a love for vintage gear or a newcomer looking to explore the world of classic amplifiers, the Princeton II Reverb offers a unique combination of legacy and performance that is hard to resist.

Key Features:

  • 12" speaker
  • 22 watts of power
  • Hand-wired design
  • Dual channels

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Princeton Reverb II 2-Channel 22-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Finish Black
Year 1981 - 1986
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Direct Output No Direct Output
Effects Loop No Effects Loop
Electronics Tube
Model Family Fender Princeton
Model Sub-Family Fender Princeton Reverb
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 22
Power Tube Type 6V6
Reverb Spring Reverb
Series Fender Vintage Rivera Era Amps
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What are the tonal characteristics of the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb?

The 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb is known for its warm, clear tones with a rich, lush spring reverb. It offers great pedal response, making it versatile for various music styles, from clean jazz tones to gritty rock sounds.

Is the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb suitable for gigging?

With its 22-watt output and 1x12" speaker configuration, the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb is powerful enough for small to medium-sized gigs, especially when mic'd, while still being manageable for home or studio use.

How does the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb handle effects pedals?

The Princeton II Reverb is well-regarded for its excellent pedal compatibility, allowing effects to integrate smoothly into its natural tube-driven sound, making it a favorite among players who use pedals for tonal shaping.

What type of tubes does the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb use?

The 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb uses 6V6 power tubes, which contribute to its classic Fender clean tones and smooth overdrive when pushed.

Does the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb have an effects loop?

No, the 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb does not feature an effects loop, which is typical for amps from this era and design. Effects are usually placed between the guitar and amp input.

Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson

Fender Princeton Reverb II tone and features demo

Video thumbnail for Fender Princeton Reverb II tone and features demo by Tom Robinson

Fender Princeton Reverb II tone and features demo

Tom Robinson

Tom Robinson

Video thumbnail for 1984 Fender Princeton Reverb II Rivera Era by Reverend Guitar Man

1984 Fender Princeton Reverb II Rivera Era

Reverend Guitar Man

Reverend Guitar Man

Video thumbnail for Fender 1983 Princeton Reverb ll - Demo and Some history on it by Joaquin Armijo

Fender 1983 Princeton Reverb ll - Demo and Some history on it

Joaquin Armijo

Joaquin Armijo

Video thumbnail for Fender Princeton Reverb II (Rivera) with a Strat by The Guitar Podcast

Fender Princeton Reverb II (Rivera) with a Strat

The Guitar Podcast

The Guitar Podcast

Reviews

PROS

  • Stellar clean tones that suit a wide range of musical genres

  • Exceptionally loud with good room-filling sound for gigs

  • Mid control feature makes it a Deluxe Reverb contender

  • Compact size ideal for easy transport to small gigs

  • Handles pedals well, making it versatile for various effects

  • Offers great tone with rich lows and sparkling highs

  • Suitable for jazz to heavy rock performances without mods

  • Opportunity for modifications to enhance sound quality further

  • Cost-effective alternative compared to other high-end amps

CONS

  • Lead channel is often criticized as too harsh or ineffective

  • Reverb quality declines if used excessively

  • Potential need for technical modifications to achieve optimal sound

  • Original components may require replacement for better performance

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb.

Comparisons

  • Compared to the original Princeton Reverb, the Princeton II is louder and has a distinct sound, making it preferable for gigs with a loud drummer.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • While it typically uses 6V6 tubes, the amp can be modified to accommodate 6L6 tubes for increased power.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Known for its versatility, the amp is popular among studio musicians for its range of applications.

    Source

User experience

  • A long-time tube amp repair technician notes the Princeton II's reliability, as it has never required repairs in their experience.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The 1982 Princeton II Reverb includes a rotary switch replacing the vibrato knob, allowing varied bypass levels for the 2.2 meg resistor to overdrive the third stage.

    Source
  • Equipped with a robust 10-inch MusicMan speaker, enhancing its power and suitability for studio use.

    Source
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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h535
h535

606

Awesome little powerhouse

This amp has one of the nicest cleans you will hear. So long as you don’t flood the reverb it’s great to play with. I admit to not being a fan of the lead channel as it’s just to harsh. It will happily sit in anything from a jazz gig to heavy rock. It gets even better if you swap the speaker out for the EV upgrade wich absolutely takes this amp to the next level. All in all a great amp for any gig.

sebastian_lorenz

1982 Fender Princeton Reverb 2

Great little Amp for Delta-Blues stuff. The reverb is quite good if you don't go over 3 or 4.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Eric Clapton uses 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Bonhams

Eric Clapton used a 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb amplifier, distinguished by its Serial No. F312558, featuring a front control style open-back cabinet with black tolex covering, silver grille cloth, and a black control panel with eight rotary controls. This amplifier is equipped with one 12-inch speaker and operates on a 120V US plug. Details of this specific amplifier are documented in a Bonhams auction listing.

See how Jeff Beck uses 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb

Jeff Beck

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Stratopastor

Jeff Beck used a Princeton Reverb II in conjunction with a Twin to record his "Guitar Shop" album in 1989. "Beck chose not to go with his usual Marshalls when recording Guitar Shop, opting instead for a pair of eighties Fender combos - a Princeton Reverb II and a Twin. "The Princeton took care of tonal qualities that the other amp didn't have. It has an overload channel, so you can get midrange distortion. I tried recording using just the Twin, but without the Princeton the sound just vanished. (The engineer) noticed it right away and said "The sound isn't as good. You've got to put the Princeton back on". " (ed. Jeff Kitts, Guitar World Presents the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, page 178)

See how Joe Perry uses 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb

Joe Perry

Guitarist

Hollywood Vampires

...
Verified via Stratopastor

Photograph of Perry in 2005, at home with a Princeton Reverb II

Album Usage

The 1982 Fender Princeton II Reverb has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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