Fender '65 Princeton ReverbFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 45 mentions across 14 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment71%
PROS 71%
CONS 29%

Rank based on 45 mentions across 14 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want classic Fender chimey clean tone with built-in reverb and tremolo
  • You need a low-wattage amp for home, studio, or small gigs
  • You're willing to experiment with speaker or tube swaps to dial in tone

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You need high-gain distortion or huge headroom for loud bands
  • You want to avoid extra spending on speaker/tube upgrades
  • You're worried about reported factory quality inconsistencies

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
2Premium
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatilityGreat cleanup via guitar volumeBig, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattageDark, bass-heavy voicing for somePrice relative to alternativesRequires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Friedman Little Sister
Exceptional tonal versatility
Great cleanup via guitar volume
Big, huge-sounding tone for its size/wattage
Dark, bass-heavy voicing for some
Price relative to alternatives
Requires volume-knob technique, not true multi-channel
Best value
3Mid
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
4Mid
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
5Budget
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its sizeTonePrint effects built inClean, full, realistic toneAlways-lit tuner displayInsufficient power for loud full bandsSingle effect slot limitation
TC Electronic BH250
Powerful for its size
TonePrint effects built in
Clean, full, realistic tone
Always-lit tuner display
Insufficient power for loud full bands
Single effect slot limitation
6Premium
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain toneBuilt-in CabClone IR / direct outBuild quality and versatility praised by ownersHigh priceMissing third channel and solo boostNo EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
Mesa Boogie Badlander
Tight, modern high-gain tone
Built-in CabClone IR / direct out
Build quality and versatility praised by owners
High price
Missing third channel and solo boost
No EL34 as originally expected / power tube gripes
7Mid
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphonesCompact, high-quality buildEnjoyable Bluetooth sound qualityEarly sound-mode switching bugLimited single-ended power for some planarsNot fully wireless
iFi xCAN
Strong power for demanding headphones
Compact, high-quality build
Enjoyable Bluetooth sound quality
Early sound-mode switching bug
Limited single-ended power for some planars
Not fully wireless
8Premium
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatilityOwner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentimentSmooth, musical high-gain distortionHigh priceOverwhelming number of optionsSome find it too polished or lacking rawness
Friedman BE-100 Deluxe
Exceptional tonal versatility
Owner satisfaction and 'best amp ever' sentiment
Smooth, musical high-gain distortion
High price
Overwhelming number of options
Some find it too polished or lacking rawness
9Mid
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
Vox AC15CH
Built-in reactive attenuator
10Mid
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
You are here
30Premium
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb
Exceptional clean toneLush spring reverb and tremoloCompact size and low wattage for home/giggingStock Cannabis Rex speaker criticizedLimited headroom vs larger FendersToo loud for apartment breakup without attenuator
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb
Exceptional clean tone
Lush spring reverb and tremolo
Compact size and low wattage for home/gigging
Stock Cannabis Rex speaker criticized
Limited headroom vs larger Fenders
Too loud for apartment breakup without attenuator

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Tone, reverb and tremolo win people over instantly. Commenters describe the Princeton Reverb's cleans as chimey, glassy, gorgeous and rich, with the spring reverb and tube-driven tremolo repeatedly called mind-blowing or fantastic. Several say it's their favorite amp ever after years of trying others, and that it 'punches way above its weight' straight in or with pedals, delivering classic SRV, Gilmour and Knopfler-style tones.

The stock speaker splits opinion and often gets swapped. Multiple owners found the Cannabis Rex too dark, fizzy, or lacking high-end clarity, especially with dirt pedals, and replaced it with an Eminence GA-SC64, Jensen P12Q, or Celestion Blue Alnico for better balance. Others, however, praised the stock 12in speaker's frequency response and never felt the need to change it, so results seem to depend on personal taste and playing style.

Great for low-volume use but limited headroom for big gain. Fans love it as a bedroom, studio, or low-stakes gig amp since 15 watts stays manageable, with some adding attenuators to get cranked tone at low volume. Others note it lacks the clean headroom of a Deluxe or Twin Reverb and isn't built for huge gain, working best for bluesy breakup rather than heavy distortion, and a few report factory reliability concerns.

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