Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb Vs ’65 Princeton Reverb Guitar Amps? That Pedal Show

Two of Fender’s most popular tube amps ever: which one would you buy?

Life too short for long YouTube videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.

Welcome to the show! We can’t believe it’s taken us quite this long to make this video, but y’know, history is a long time and in paleontological terms we got to it pretty quick.
Erm, undoubtedly two of Fenders best ever small/medium amps in this case in 2021 reissue format. Nothing special, no hand wireds, no special editions - we just plug a bunch of guitars in, use some basic pedals and ask, eventually, which one would you buy?

Please enjoy the episode!

Disclosure info: We bought the ’65 Deluxe Reverb from Fender on an artist discount in 2020. The Princeton is on loan from Fender, and hopefully they will offer us an artist discount on this too!

Pedals & stuff in this episode…

• TheGigRig Three 2 One

• Sonic Research ST-200 Turbo Tuner

• Boss TB-2w Tone Bender

• Browne Amplification Protein Dual

• Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

• JAM Pedals Ripply Fall

• Vahlbruch SpaceTime Echo Delay

• TheGigRig G3

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
0:00 Intro playing
1:34 What are we doing today?
5:50 Deluxe Reverb volume 4 to 7
8:11 Princeton Reverb volume 4 to 7
11:20 Les Paul, clean headroom?
17:20 Headroom with Strat and Casino
22:11 Princeton and Blackguard Telecaster
24:20 Princeton Inputs 1 & 2
25:53 Deluxe headroom with Strat
30:11 Princeton on 10 with Strat
31:58 Princeton on 10 with Les Paul
33:50 Princeton on 10 with Tele
35:50 Cranking the Deluxe to 10
37:10 Both amps on 10 and cleanup
40:44 Which One? Round 1
41:50 Overdrive pedals?
43:00 Princeton & Browne Protein
46:00 Deluxe & Browne Protein
47:15 Both amps & Tube Screamer
48:10 Both amps & Tone Bender
54:35 Reverb & Tremolo, both amps
1:00:30 Modulation, delay and wet-dry
1:05:40 Closing thoughts

Guitars in this episode:
• 1965 Fender Telecaster - no specific video yet

• Gibson Custom True Historic ’57 Les Paul Goldtop, Murphy Aged - no specific video yet

• Fender American Original ’60s Jaguar - no specific video yet

Amps in this episode
• Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb 1x12 combo

• Fender ’65 Princeton Reverb 1x10 combo

• We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.

We are on Patreon – crowdfunding for creatives

Please visit our preferred retailers!

[jonpinto]

Thanks guys for the great show!
Technical Correction: the Princeton differs from the deluxe reverb (and the other larger blackface amps) in more ways than just the power supply and speaker. The Princeton uses a 12ax7 cathodyne phase inverter, while the others use a 12at7 long tail pair PI. Makes a big difference. Also the Princeton uses a bias modulating tremolo, which is a very “round” or “swampy” sound. The deluxe modulates the preamp signal using a bulb and a light dependent resistor giving it sharper peaks and valleys.

[jackroberts]

Dan looks like he's about to introduce us to a park that's been 65 million years in the making

[paultaylor]

Possibly one of my favorite non artist shows. The joy and infectious enthusiasm oozed out of my TV and into my heart. Truly wonderful. Always a highlight in my week. So grateful to you guys.

[johanrautenbach]

Guys I have to say I think we sometimes forget that you are both just phenomenal players. You have brought so much to the guitar community. Thanks for a wonderful show and you were on fire this episode. 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[thatcrazybeat]

Guys. I’ve never smiled so much watching one of your videos as I did today. The first 42 minutes without a single pedal engaged covered everything I could ever want in a “perfect” tone from clean to dirty across multiple guitars and pickup combinations. Stellar and fun! Thank you!

[stuffnuns]

The way the Princeton breaks up is so musical. I had a ‘68 one, and it just sounded good.

[MurrayWilliams]

The good news is we’ve learned that we can get both! They’re different enough that we’d be better off owning both. Princeton brings the glass to the Tele and the Deluxe brings the middle-meat to the Strat. Phew! I’m glad I don’t have to choose!

[mattelder]

Everyone else noticed no pedals needed/ used for most of the show. On one of my setups I have two Princeton’s and a Champ wet dry wet with a boost and two delays going to either amp and that’s all. One is brownface Princeton, the other a blackface and I can setup the Joey Landreth alternating trem experiment Dan did.

[jamesroy]

Actually had my first gig since the Pandemic last night, and did it with the Princeton. Small room, totally loud enough at 5 and clean enough that overdrives were actually useful. Amazing.

[javajack-]

That was a great little review. I own both of these amps myself, but the best thing is that my girlfriend, no musical background, enjoys watching your show, too. She finds you both very real and entertaining. You do seem like two guys I'd love to sit down and have a beer with. Keep up the great work. Have purchased many things based on your recommendations. 🙂

[Slaphitter]

Fender just sold all the Princetons. Can’t remember the last time Dan lit up with glee like he did with the Princeton.

[secreature]

Goes to show that Leo Fender was a friggin’ genius! Here we are more than 50 years later still in aww of what he designed!

[rowanfreeman]

Dan from around the 32 minute mark - he's having such an incredible time playing and it's amazing to watch/hear. This was a fantastic episode.

[justinguitarcia]

side bar about Jim Campilongo. I took lessons with him here in Brooklyn for years and his sound is truly remarkable and something to see in person. That said, his main amo is a 66, i believe, that he plays out mostly in NYC. Mind you these are trio gigs with extraordinarily dynamic jazz players and in places like 55 bar which, when 50 people are in there, is incredibly packed. And yes he is mic'd. But here is the catch, when he travels for gigs he'll request a newer deluxe reverb for backline for the reasons you discovered here - headroom. He prefers the newer deluxe reissues to the newer princetons reissues which he thinks have a weak spot in the low end. Jim also cranks all controls to ten on his amps and controls everything from the volume knob, like Roy Buchanan and the vibroluxes. At home he also has this crazy looking old 12 watt gibson from the 60s with the wildest trem sound, that and a vibro champ + an old deluxe. Interestingly his most recent guitar is a hahn built strat. Jim has a 62 custom color strat he never takes out and is one of the best ive ever seen/played. The 59 toploader tele is clearly THE guitar but he loves strats too. Just some extra context on the tele master and his choices. Cheers guys, brilliant stuff as always

[wesleyb_]

I would love to see this exact video concept with the 68 custom versions. And really any other amps. Love this concept.

[jonathanbaggs]

My gigging rig for past 6 yrs is dual Princeton 65 blackfaces. Sounds fantastic, easy to transport, takes pedals real well.

[MrAwesomeSaucesome]

Onya Dan! my ears absolutely light up when the bits of expanded/jazz vocabulary turn up in your playing. I'm no jazz player in any real sense but love that extra level of artistry. It's a special sort of intrigue! Big up from Brighton :)

[RMosack]

"One, the other, or both?" Come on boys! The laws of GAS dictate that the correct answer to any gear related question is: BOTH!

And as always, the best guitar show on the web. Love it!

[jasonshrestha]

Interesting bits and go-to sections…
0:00 Intro playing
1:34 What are we doing today?
5:50 Deluxe Reverb volume 4 to 7
8:11 Princeton Reverb volume 4 to 7
11:20 Les Paul, clean headroom?
17:20 Headroom with Strat and Casino
22:11 Princeton and Blackguard Telecaster
24:20 Princeton Inputs 1 & 2
25:53 Deluxe headroom with Strat
30:11 Princeton on 10 with Strat
31:58 Princeton on 10 with Les Paul
33:50 Princeton on 10 with Tele
35:50 Cranking the Deluxe to 10
37:10 Both amps on 10 and cleanup
40:44 Which One? Round 1
41:50 Overdrive pedals?
43:00 Princeton & Browne Protein
46:00 Deluxe & Browne Protein
47:15 Both amps & Tube Screamer
48:10 Both amps & Tone Bender
54:35 Reverb & Tremolo, both amps
1:00:30 Modulation, delay and wet-dry
1:05:40 Closing thoughts

[kjphoto]

Dan’s hands behind Mick with the volume numbers are hilarious. Cheers from the Big Apple.