1956 Fender Princeton Tweed Vintage Tube Amp Narrow Panel Big Box 5F2 Circuit, Time Capsule Clean

Up for sale, a 1956 Fender Princeton in time capsule-clean, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. This narrow panel Tweed amp has absolutely stunning and virtually un-ambered original tweed, and this Princeton one of the more impressive golden-age Fender amps to come through our shop in years. With its narrow panel configuration, this Princeton is considered the “big box” version, with a cab that’s far larger than the single 8″ alnico speaker requires, and the resulting sound is deceptively round and rich for the relatively small speaker size.

The circuit couldn’t be more simple and pure, with single Volume and Tone knobs and a Class A circuit design, powered by a single 6V6 power tube. The tone is articulate, dynamic and commanding, with the sizzle and churning overdrive of a Champ, but with more tonal range and fuller low end. The top end response is just right, and the amp doesn’t get too trebly, making the tone control quite usable for dialing in exactly as much zing and snap as you desire.

The circuit is untouched, retaining the original Triad transformers. The original Stackpole pots, carbon comp resistors, and yellow Astron capacitors are intact, and the Stackpole pots have visible date codes from the 41st week of 1956. Even the power supply caps and smaller electrolytics are original and still viable, and while the first capacitor in the circuit has drifted notably from its original value, the amp sounds spectacular, and we’ve opted to leave the circuit completely undisturbed. The tubes are ostensibly original including a GE 6V6 and 5Y3 rectifier along with a Sylvania 12AX7. The speaker is the original Oxford 8EV alnico magnet driver with a clean frame and date stamp on the side of the magnet from the 42nd week of ’56. The tube chart is pristine and unaged, with perfect corners, handwritten serial number (which matches the number on the chassis), and “FK” date stamp which translates to November of 1956.

The original tweed is absolutely stunning in its presentation with virtually no ambering. As the photos can attest, this amp is simply as pristine as they come. The faceplate is extremely clean, with all of the white silkscreened text, gleaming chrome, and a pair of original chicken head knobs. The original leather handle is also present.

This amp is a true rarity, and this particular example has been carefully tested and inspected to ensure originality and ideal functionality.