joshnat
168 posts
Oct 13, 2011
12:43 PM
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I see several folks here using original PR's or PRRI's and everyone raves about them.
My band doesn't typically mic amps for shows, unless we're working with the venue's sound person. For large (especially outdoor) venues I use a Kendrick Bassman replica, but I want something for smaller clubs as well, without schlepping the Bassman.
The PR has been on my radar for years, and I think I've found one used for a reasonable price (after a very long search). Those of you using the PR (hvyj, walter), do you see it holding up with a full band (upright bass, electric guitar, drums)?
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hvyj
1864 posts
Oct 13, 2011
1:56 PM
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Did it last night at an early rehearsal for a Xmas show. Bass guitar, big drum kit and electric guitar in a small space. Volume was fine. But no one else had a big amp either.
If your band has an upright bass and a guitar player playing through no more than a 1x12 you should be ok. The trick is to use a mic with a VC so you can crank the amp volume to 6 or above as the tonal response of the amp comes alive at those volume settings and it gets nice and fat but with CUT. I've put a set of 14" tilt back legs on mine which I almost always use.
Now, if you band had an electric bass guitar, this might be a closer question. But with an upright bass, no problem. The Princeton is a VERY LOUD small amp--much louder than you would expect from 15 watts.
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Kingley
1680 posts
Oct 13, 2011
2:00 PM
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Yes a Princeton Reverb should cope easily with that set up. As long as they don't play stupidly loud. If they do then just mic it up into the PA. The Princeton Reverb is my favourite all time amp for harp.
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hvyj
1866 posts
Oct 13, 2011
4:06 PM
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Let me add this. Where a Princeton falls short is in a performance environment where the guitar player and bass player are using multi speaker amps which will have more presence (and volume) because they move so much more air. They will be more "in your face" than a PR with 1x10. But if you are gigging with a standup bass and a guitar player using a 1x12, a PR should be very adequate.
You've got to fiddle with the tone controls, though. I set Treble on 1 (all the way down) and Bass on 10 (all the way up). Reverb on 3ish (love that tube reverb!). Now, the bass on 10 makes the amp sound a little "boxy" unless I tilt it back which causes the the tone to open up and balance out beautifully. When i bought my PRRI i also bought a pair of Fender 14" tilt back legs to put on it. Love this amp.
Last Edited by on Oct 13, 2011 4:09 PM
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joshnat
169 posts
Oct 14, 2011
9:07 AM
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Perfect, thanks! The bass player plays a Markbass head with a sub and 2x10's, but again, he's usually playing upright so he can't crank it too much without feedback. Sometimes he does play a solid body electric bass, but he's pretty good about volume. Guitar player gigs a 70's SFDR (22W, 1x12), which can get VERY loud, but we're all geezers so we try (TRY) to keep the volumes down. I'm most worried about our drummer, who we don't mic, but he's got way too much energy for a man of his age!
I know some of you have swapped tubes. If you've got the reissue, have you felt a need to swap speakers?
By the way, I usually gig with a Front & Center ceramic with VC which I love because it's so feedback resistant. I also have an Ultimate 545 with VC and Bulletizer, which I have a feeling will be a great match for the PRRI.
As for tilting it back, I also have a Hamilton Unistand, which is really like a back leg for the amp, and will tilt it nicely at various angles. When I've gigged smaller combos I've usually put them up on a milk crate. I'm very excited to experiment with it!
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Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2011 9:10 AM
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joshnat
170 posts
Oct 14, 2011
9:27 AM
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Oh, by the way, I bought it.
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asilve3
120 posts
Oct 14, 2011
10:03 AM
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A volume control is essential for this amp! Sound best if you can stand kind of far away so you can really crank it. Works for small and big gigs. Worst case, just mic it up and send it through the PA and you are golden. Sometimes even in a small bar I will send it through the PA just a touch to give the sound some extra depth. If you want a serious amp though get an older one. The reissue just doesn't have the goods!
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hvyj
1869 posts
Oct 14, 2011
10:41 AM
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i used to have an original blackface. I actually like the Reissue better. It's more reliable and more consistent, although the original did have a certain grit and bark to its tone that the RI doesn't replicate. Probably had something to do with the age of the components. But I don't find the tone of the PRRI to be deficient and, as I said, it's more consistent that the original.
This amp has no midrange control. So, you really have to experiment with tone control settings to get it dialed it in. Set the volume at 6 or above and you get wonderful depth of tone with beautiful tube compression. Some players have had problems with the speaker baffle rattling, but my PRRI has been extremely reliable. No problems whatsoever. very gigworthy amp.
I haven't swapped speakers, and with a 545 tube substitutions are not necessary. The 545 is a terrific match for this amp and the Ultimate, of course, has an integral VC so you can crank the amp up to its sweet spot. The 545 and a Princeton Reverb (or a Super Reverb) have a symbiotic relationship. Very well matched.
I did re-tube my PRRI with JJs. i thought the stock tubes that came with the amp sounded harsh--maybe ok for guitar, but very harsh for harp. The JJs sound significantly fatter and warmer. But I did not change tube configuration.
A Markbass 2x10 w/ a sub and a 1x12 DR won't overpower your Princeton. You should be fine. Btw, I've never been outgunned by the drummer when using my PRRI. It can get loud enough to handle an aggressive unmiced drummer. The drummer at the rehearsal I was at earlier this week was playing a big kit and just beating the living hell out of it and I was fine with my PRRI and my 545 Ultimate.
I like 10" speakers for harp. Some guys mod their PRRI to install a 12" but I would never consider that. Others have installed a 10" Weber and claim it improves the sound. I like the way mine sounds just fine with the stock speaker.
Last Edited by on Oct 14, 2011 10:43 AM
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bharper
76 posts
Oct 14, 2011
11:42 AM
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I like the tone of 2x 6V6 amps very much, but they are a little under-powered for what I do.
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Rockerduck
26 posts
Oct 14, 2011
7:34 PM
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I use the bigger brother, the DRRI. It already has the 12 inch speaker and about 7 watts more.
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joshnat
173 posts
Oct 15, 2011
6:55 AM
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Duck, what's your experience with the DRRI? I asked about it here a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get much response. Any clips?
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Joe_L
1530 posts
Oct 15, 2011
11:41 AM
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There is reason why you didn't get a response. Not many players use them. In the 30 years that I've been seeing blues and blues harmonica players, I have seen exactly one player using a Deluxe Reverb. He sounded fantastic, but he is a great player. The amp wasn't very feedback resistant.
If I was going to step up from a Princeton, there are lots of other amps that I would consider before buying a Deluxe Reverb. Go to a music store, try them both.
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hvyj
1870 posts
Oct 15, 2011
12:37 PM
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Once upon a time i had an original Blackface DR. Didn't like it. Very high gain and a lot of feedback. Of course, I was ignorant about tube swaps at that time, so i don't know if that would have made a difference.
In general. I've developed a strong preference for 10" speakers. The DR has a 12." I think the Princeton Reverb is a better amp for harp.
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