Alternatives to Fender 65 PRRI in a head format?

[emicad]

Hi,
I have a Fender 65 Princeton Reverb Reissue 1x10 combo. I also have a custom built 1x10 cab with a Celestion Alnico Gold G10 I use with my Dr. Z Carmen Ghia amp.
I'm thinking about selling the PRRI combo and get a head instead, to save some space and possibly get something better. What I need is very simple:
- All tube
- Clean headroom (maybe I should get a 30W head?)
- Blackface Fender-ish classic cleans
- Versatility to go from country, to Chet Atkins fingerpicking, to Jazz
- Something small, lightweight, portable
I'm open to all kind of suggestions, I don't have a specific brand or model in mind. I recently sold some gear so don't be afraid to suggest also boutique stuff, if you want.
Thanks!

[Frank67]

Ritter Amps in Germany makes quality Fender heads and amps, completely hand wired according to the classic circuits.

[Longways to Go]

I'm super happy with my Rivera Venus 3. Best amp I've ever played.
It's a combo (they make heads too). It does tweed or blackface sounds via a mid notch control,
has 15 and 7 watt power options, and really well designed tone controls.
It sounds like you may want a bit more power for cleans, as the Venus 3 is also designed to deliver lots of drive type of sounds at modest volume. Great amp. I'm now a big Rivera fan!

I had a PRRI, but traded it. I loved the reverb and the tremolo, but I hated the tone controls.
My Rivera doesn't have as lush a reverb (short tank) but I prefer it over the PRRI in every way.

[ptchristopher3]

had a PRRI, but traded it. I loved the reverb and the tremolo, but I hated the tone controls.
My Rivera doesn't have as lush a reverb (short tank) but I prefer it over the PRRI in every way.

Funny. That was THE classic mod/fix for Princetons in days of yore. The addition of a midrange control in back where the ext. speaker jack was made the amp remarkably versatile.

I bought the PRRI and did not even plug it in before adding the midrange control. Works great. Very slightly more work now with the modern circuit board, but still very easy to do. I went to a 25 K pot, so it is a bit extreme (yet very useful) up past about "6".

In my opinion.

Chris

[Longways to Go]

Funny. That was THE classic mod/fix for Princetons in days of yore. The addition of a midrange control in back where the ext. speaker jack was made the amp remarkably versatile.

I bought the PRRI and did not even plug it in before adding the midrange control. Works great. Very slightly more work now with the modern circuit board, but still very easy to do. I went to a 25 K pot, so it is a bit extreme (yet very useful) up past about "6".

In my opinion.

Chris

Yeah, I was thinking about doing that mod on my PRRI, but I felt that if I kept everything stock it would keep it's value better. I ran a Celestion Gold speaker in it for a while too, which I liked a lot. I'm not dissin' the PRRI -- it's a great sounding amp. But for me the Rivera is like having a bigger swiss army knife-- you know, the one with the saw & scissors, etc . . . 12" speaker doesn't hurt anything either. Only downside IMO is a bit bigger heavier box.

[David B]

A couple of options at different price points.

If you like the PRRI sound but just want it in a head format, you can just pull the amp from the combo and put in a head cabinet. Something like this from Mojotone is around $200.



http://www.mojotone.com/Cabinets_x/Cabinets_xx/Blackface-Princeton-Reverb-Style-Guitar-Amplifier-Head-Cabinet


For something more powerful, Victory Amps have the V40 'Duchess'. A very nice compact 40 watt head with Fendery cleans. Comes with EL34s stock but will run 6L6s. Around $1000 in the States.

[emicad]

I don't know if I want to spend some money to transform a decent sounding amp with limited clean headroom into an head. Its limits would be there anyway, so I think it would be better to sell it in its original format and look for something bigger, at least 30W head.
I like the PRRI but I think I can find something a little bit better.

[vernon]

My vote is for a Tim Marcus-built Milkman Dairy Air 30 watt head. Hits all your bullet points. Fantastic all around even-better-than-fender amp.

[darkwaters]

Traynor Dark Horse perhaps ?

[emicad]

My vote is for a Tim Marcus-built Milkman Dairy Air 30 watt head. Hits all your bullet points. Fantastic all around even-better-than-fender amp.

Wow. Love the looks and I bet it sound good. I'm always impressed by those simple controls, I usually don't like complicated things when I look for music gear. It is expensive though, plus I live in Italy. It could be a pain to get one here, I guess.
I'm not sure if I should consider a 20W or 30/40W head, because my G10 speaker is 40W. Maybe I could fry it with a 40W head?

[vernon]

Tim has dealers listed in U.K. France and Germany. milkmansound.com

I drive a 50 watt Jupiter speaker no problems.

[mad dog]

David Allen's Sweet Spot is essentially a princeton reverb with the upgrades you might want, and the ability to take 6L6s for higher power. Next step in in circuit and power would be the Accomplice, based on the Deluxe Reverb:

Allen Amplification - Sweet Spot Amp

I can highly recommend this man's work. My Allen Encore head remains one of the best sounding amps I've found yet.
MD

[Herbie]

There is lots of options nowadays! Even in Europe:
Bluetone >> Black Prince Reverb
Harry makes a Black Prince head for You for a good price. Tried the combo, it is great amp.
Or then the Black Face Reverb.
Good luck in Your quest!

[Encinitastubes]

Why not get a Deluxe Reverb RI head. Fender made them for a while. However, if you are saving space, they might not work. They are bigger I think than a PRRI.

[emicad]

Thanks guys, I'll keep you posted.

[Longways to Go]

Shopping for guitar gear in Rome sounds like an absolute blast !

[emicad]

Yeah, it is.
I tried a DRRI and it's too big and heavy for a head, at least for my needs. It sounds good but very similar to my PRRI, headroom is a little bit better, but not that much.