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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 12/13/08 at 14:12
(Originally written by IrishTour/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
15-watt, all-tube amp (2 x 6V6, 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 for reverb, 1 x 5AR4 rectifier tube)
10" Jensen C-10R speaker
2 inputs (high and low -6dB)
Only one channel
Volume / treble / bass / reverb / tremolo speed + intensity
Footswitch (included) for reverb and tremolo
No FX loop.
UTILIZATION
The configuration couldn't be easier. Just plug (no standby) and play!
There is something that needs to be improved: the footswitch is provided in a padded bag stapled to the inside of the amp's cabinet. As I unfastened it I almost damaged a tube socket, and the staples as well as some bag pieces are still fixed to the wood! It's a shame for an amp with this price tag...
Another critique: the cabinet's vibrations generate noise under a certain frequency (F sharp and below). So you have this problem with the three lower notes. It's not such a big problem when you play but it surely is unacceptable for recording and I will have to solve this problem (apparently it is possible: take a look at the respective topic on Harmony Central).
SOUNDS
The sound is what justifies having spent so much money. I play a 1962 Strat CS and it never sounded so good as with this amp: the sound is extremely dynamic and responsive even with the smallest nuances. The high-frequency range is magical, the low-end is deep and present (although the amp has only a 10" speaker). Treble and bass controls are very effective, every turn, slight as it may be, affects the sound equally.
Perhaps you want to know if this amp can be played in an apartment:
- The clean sound has a lot of character and it is very musical (warm lows and crystal-clear highs) even at low volumes (2).
- But it's impossible to get a real crunch sound without cranking it up so you'd better have extremely understanding neighbors. Even with my treble booster (TAD Range King), I can't get a crunch sound with neighbor-friendly levels... Perhaps with humbuckers...?
The reverb sounds very deep but not muddy. But I find the effect's intensity raises to quickly: when the control is set to 2, the reverb is already easily audible...
The tremolo effect is very nice. It has less character than my EHX Pulsar but it generates less noise!
I don't want to rate it because I would have to be objective and my opinion is only subjective...
OVERALL OPINION
I've owned it for one week and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it.
I owned a Blues Junior several years. I liked its sound but I found the low frequency range wasn't accurate enough. Here I don't notice that problem and the sound quality is clearly better (more dynamics, more precision, more accurate reverb, very effective tone settings).
I also had a very disappointing Laney VC15. I sold it to buy the Princeton. I also tested an Orange Tiny Terror combo. I found it nice but the sound was lifeless at low levels (I play mainly at home).
I find the value for money ok. There is a huge price difference between this amp and a Blues Junior but I think it's worth it.
If it ever gets stolen, I would buy it again without hesitation: this tube amp is very expressive, even with (very) low output levels (except for crunch sounds).
15-watt, all-tube amp (2 x 6V6, 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 for reverb, 1 x 5AR4 rectifier tube)
10" Jensen C-10R speaker
2 inputs (high and low -6dB)
Only one channel
Volume / treble / bass / reverb / tremolo speed + intensity
Footswitch (included) for reverb and tremolo
No FX loop.
UTILIZATION
The configuration couldn't be easier. Just plug (no standby) and play!
There is something that needs to be improved: the footswitch is provided in a padded bag stapled to the inside of the amp's cabinet. As I unfastened it I almost damaged a tube socket, and the staples as well as some bag pieces are still fixed to the wood! It's a shame for an amp with this price tag...
Another critique: the cabinet's vibrations generate noise under a certain frequency (F sharp and below). So you have this problem with the three lower notes. It's not such a big problem when you play but it surely is unacceptable for recording and I will have to solve this problem (apparently it is possible: take a look at the respective topic on Harmony Central).
SOUNDS
The sound is what justifies having spent so much money. I play a 1962 Strat CS and it never sounded so good as with this amp: the sound is extremely dynamic and responsive even with the smallest nuances. The high-frequency range is magical, the low-end is deep and present (although the amp has only a 10" speaker). Treble and bass controls are very effective, every turn, slight as it may be, affects the sound equally.
Perhaps you want to know if this amp can be played in an apartment:
- The clean sound has a lot of character and it is very musical (warm lows and crystal-clear highs) even at low volumes (2).
- But it's impossible to get a real crunch sound without cranking it up so you'd better have extremely understanding neighbors. Even with my treble booster (TAD Range King), I can't get a crunch sound with neighbor-friendly levels... Perhaps with humbuckers...?
The reverb sounds very deep but not muddy. But I find the effect's intensity raises to quickly: when the control is set to 2, the reverb is already easily audible...
The tremolo effect is very nice. It has less character than my EHX Pulsar but it generates less noise!
I don't want to rate it because I would have to be objective and my opinion is only subjective...
OVERALL OPINION
I've owned it for one week and I don't think I'll ever get bored of it.
I owned a Blues Junior several years. I liked its sound but I found the low frequency range wasn't accurate enough. Here I don't notice that problem and the sound quality is clearly better (more dynamics, more precision, more accurate reverb, very effective tone settings).
I also had a very disappointing Laney VC15. I sold it to buy the Princeton. I also tested an Orange Tiny Terror combo. I found it nice but the sound was lifeless at low levels (I play mainly at home).
I find the value for money ok. There is a huge price difference between this amp and a Blues Junior but I think it's worth it.
If it ever gets stolen, I would buy it again without hesitation: this tube amp is very expressive, even with (very) low output levels (except for crunch sounds).