{"product_id":"fender-princeton-5f2-a-tube-amplifier-1960-13696","title":"Fender Princeton 5F2-A Tube Amplifier (1960)","description":"Fender Princeton 5F2-A Model Tube Amplifier (1960), made in Fullerton, California, serial # P-04521, tweed fabric covering finish. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a really nice example of the rare and very desirable late-'50s tweed Princeton, which by this point had grown into a much larger unit than its earlier ancestors. Still marketed as a student amplifier (hence the academic name!) the later \"big-box\" 5F2-A model is housed in a more spacious Harvard-sized cabinet making for a sweetly overdriven airier tone that can get very raucous when pushed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlthough thought of as a 1950's amp, this one was made at the dawn of the '60s; the tube chart is ink-stamped with the code \"JB\", indicating assembly in February of 1960. It still features a single 8\" speaker and a circuit very similar to a 5F1 Champ (with a tone control added) the single-ended 6V6 power section putting out around 5-6 watts of power. This is an exceptionally fine small recording amplifier, more versatile than the Champ with a similar raucous overdrive potential even at modest volume but a bit more headroom and a wider tonal palette.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eHeight is 17 in. (43.2 cm.), 18 in. (45.7 cm.) width, and 9 in. (22.9 cm.) in depth at deepest point. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCosmetically, this amp is nicely preserved overall; the fairly fragile tweed covering bears a very attractive patina and aside from a few typical scuffs around the corners and edges, and a bit of missing tweed at the front-left corner, the cabinet is free of any notable blemishes. The grille cloth is taut and in great shape as well with no notable signs of tearing or fraying. The chrome control plate is nicely clean with only very light signs of corrosive staining and virtually all the stenciled lettering is intact. The original leather handle is also intact and still has plenty of life left in it, which is becoming rarer and rarer to see these days now 65 years along! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElectrically, the amp remains nicely original. The speaker is the original 8\" Oxford 8EV-29 alnico speaker, marked 465-939, dating it to the 39th week of 1959. Both the Schumacher-made power transformer and Triad-made output transformer are original as well, bearing the stamped codes 606-949 and #107, the former dating to the 49th week of 1959. Both pots appear original, and visible code dates to late '59. The piece of masking tape inside the chassis shows the signature of Lucy, which we've only seen once before. The power switch appears to be an older replacement. The amp has otherwise received our typical maintenance and servicing consisting of replacement of all electrolytic caps, a grounded 3-prong power cord, cleaning of all sockets, pots and jacks as well as biasing to spec. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOverall this is a superb amplifier, sweetly purring at low volume and a very hot little number when the twin chicken heads are rolled up! Overall Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Fender","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50413468713100,"sku":"13696","price":5450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_5f62c069-c200-4d0d-9be9-369666fbc9cf.jpg?v=1780441812","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/fender-princeton-5f2-a-tube-amplifier-1960-13696","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}