Unused 62 Princeton Amp

[Michael L]

Hey All--I posted about this on another forum and someone there (who said I had a 'National Treasure') told me I should show this baby off here. I got lucky when I picked this 62 Princeton up at an estate sale for $1k. I knew I had something special (not knowing that much about Fender amps, a quick search on my phone led me to believe I was getting a Stapleton reissue), but didn't realize I ended up with an unused 62 Fender Princeton until I got home and started digging. There's not a mark on this. Still has the original plug and footswitch, still with masking tape around the cord. I did send these images to Fender, and they got back to me right away with the words 'Absolute Classic'. The speaker is not what would typically come with the amp, but the Fender Specialist said it's period correct and likely factory installed.

Right now it's safely stored, and will not be modified or played.

[phantomman]

What speaker is installed?

[Michael L]

What speaker is installed?

Sorry about that--I just uploaded the image.

[Cogs]

That could go into the Smithsonian

[phantomman]

Seems like an Oxford. If so, there should be a "10J5" ink-stamped on the frame basket or the mounting flange.

[jrgtr42]

Honestly I'd say play it!!!!! Keep it clean and safe, but play it!

[Offshore Angler]

Honestly I'd say play it!!!!! Keep it clean and safe, but play it!

Untouched since '62? I can't say I'd advise that. It's probable all the caps and resistors are in really bad shape. It's a good candidate to release the magic smoke.

[Don]

Untouched since '62? I can't say I'd advise that. It's probable all the caps and resistors are in really bad shape. It's a good candidate to release the magic smoke.

Yep! It needs filter caps at the very least. Maybe some resistors in the power supply. If it has any yellow Astron caps, they go bad (it probably has Blue Molded caps which are usually fine). A grounded power cord as well. I'd flip this, at a very high price, to someone who just wants to look at it and show it off, and buy a player grade amp.

[Offshore Angler]

I'd bet this one would end up in Nerdville. I'd contact Norman's and make a deal.

Definitely DO NOT power it up.

[MacBayne]

The Gearhead (automotively a Gearhead) in me says "take it for a rip," but the middle-age in me quotes Dr. Jones. "That belongs in a museum!"

You are currently sitting on an Unobtainium amplifier. This is the gear that the Beatles, Clapton, Page, and the Stones would drool over, looking in magazines. I have unpopular opinions about some of those acts, but none-the-less, this amp pre-dates what is now rock-and-roll.

It's 1960s tech with 1960s components... hell even looking at the power chord's lack of ground lug makes me shiver about screwing it up.

I would maintain ownership, but allow a museum to show it.

[Michael L]

Thank you everyone for your kind feedback. I'm very glad I did my research on this before taking it for a test drive. It will remain in its untouched form until I can find the right collector for it.

[AudioHTIT]

My first amp, looked identical, my dad gave it to me for Christmas '64.

[Offshore Angler]

Thank you everyone for your kind feedback. I'm very glad I did my research on this before taking it for a test drive. It will remain in its untouched form until I can find the right collector for it.

I know a few guys, I'll put some feelers out there.

[Michael Smith]

Sorry about that--I just uploaded the image.

I can see a faint inkstamp on the speaker basket but can't make it out. It will indicate the manufacturer and the year and week of manufacture.

[DanTheBluesMan]

good god, proof of time travel. somebody went back to 1962 and stole that thing. It looks absolutely untouched.

While I am of the opinion amps should be played, that one should not be played until the most competent tech you can find has a chance to put it on a bench, pull the chassis, check the components, power it up with a variac if and only if the components ie caps are not bulging/leaking.

[Don]

power it up with a variac if and only if the components ie caps are not bulging/leaking.

All of the electrolytics need to be replaced whether they're bulging/leaking or not to prevent much more costly collateral damage if/when they do fail.