Tweed amps

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standup
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Tweed amps

Post by standup » Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:57 pm

This may be a bit rambling, so to;dr.

When I was maybe 23 I had a legit 50s Fender Tweed Princeton that I got cheap from a small local studio unloading some gear. This was in the late 80s, so it was cheap. I left it on overnight and the power transformer melted down. Local repair guy said it wasn’t worth fixing, and what did I like about that amp anyway? I never picked it up from repair guy, cuz I was 25 or something. It either went out with the trash or somebody eventually snagged it and it has probably resold over the years for many $$$$ after the transformer got replaced, you know, 20 years later.

Then a few years ago I picked up a tweed Princeton clone head. What a sound! But then sold it when I was trying to get money together to buy a Swart amp. Which I did. The Swart sounds great. But it’s not “that” sound.

So this week I received another used tweed Princeton clone head, hooked it up to the cabinet with the Weber alnico 10” speaker, and I have that sound again. Very in your face. Very 3D. Not the sound for that very thing, but a damn good sound. Midrange, but full. 2 knobs, volume/tone. This may be my favorite amp despite the Swart.

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Re: Tweed amps

Post by drumsound » Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:46 pm

Sounds like you'll have fun playing through it.

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Nick Sevilla
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by Nick Sevilla » Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:01 pm

standup wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:57 pm
This may be a bit rambling, so to;dr.

...you know, 20 years later.

Then a few years ago I picked up a tweed Princeton clone head. What a sound! But then sold it when I was trying to get money together to buy a Swart amp. Which I did. The Swart sounds great. But it’s not “that” sound.
LOL. Regret. It's a thing.

If you want "that sound", then you get "that amp."

So, get thee an insanely expensive original 1950s Fender Tweed covered amplifier. Do you know which model it was? They hade a few back then.

This site has a bunch for sale all the time, so maybe you can see which model it was.

https://www.retrofret.com/ampsfx/tubeamps.asp

Otherwise, you could build your own, as the schematics are available online, and there are companies that make kits.

Cheers.
Last edited by Nick Sevilla on Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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vvv
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by vvv » Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:04 pm

I have a 1960-ish Rickenbacker M8E.

It's covered in Rickie grey vinyl, but the circuit is like all Champ.

A truly fine sound, yeah, for me it has shades of Page, Richards and Young.

I also have a tweed covered Pro,Jr., and it ain't too far off after a few mods (speaker, tubes).

I'll buy a old Fender, if ever I find a good price.

What clone?
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by vvv » Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:09 pm

bandcamp;
blog.
I mix with olive juice.

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Nick Sevilla
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by Nick Sevilla » Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:33 pm

vvv wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 4:09 pm
Eh?
LOLOLOL the previous stuff on my clipboard.

Here you go:

https://www.retrofret.com/ampsfx/tubeamps.asp
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standup
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by standup » Thu Apr 01, 2021 5:55 pm

Princeton clone for $300 is working for me. From whatever I dimly remember, the modern clone with a Weber 10” sounds better than the legit real deal with an elderly 8”.

I’m happy where I am today, great sound.

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Re: Tweed amps

Post by Magnetic Services » Thu Apr 01, 2021 6:09 pm

standup wrote:
Thu Apr 01, 2021 2:57 pm
Very 3D.
I always wonder what people mean by this when describing mono and stereo sounds.

standup
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by standup » Thu Apr 01, 2021 6:39 pm


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vernier
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Re: Tweed amps

Post by vernier » Fri Apr 02, 2021 5:06 pm

Back in '60s and 70s they couldn't give tweed amps away ..piled in corner of stores w/super low price tags. Those that couldn't afford a new amp painted their tweed black. I was there, it was weird. :shock:

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