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Fender Limited-Edition '65 Princeton Bordeaux Reserve 112 12W Jensen P12Q Tube Guitar Combo Amp

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Jim Campilongo Fender Princeton Reverb Amplifier | Fender

Description
This Fender limited-edition '65 Princeton Reverb 112 Bordeaux reserve 12W 1x12 tube guitar combo amp is an updated version of the iconic Princeton tube amp. This amp incorporates a larger 12" Jensen P12Q speaker, allowing for a fuller frequency range and perceived volume boost without sacrificing the signature Fender tone. With its stylish wine red vinyl covering and wheat grille cloth, this amp exudes an air of sophistication.
Iconic Fender Tone and Classic Effects
The Princeton produces Fender's legendary clean tone, with rich harmonics and punchy lows from its dual 6V6 power tubes and 12AX7 preamp tubes. The tube-driven reverb and tremolo effects provide a warm, pulsing vibe reminiscent of vintage amps. This is the sound that defined genres and still inspires today.
12" Jensen Speaker for Full, Clear Sound
This limited-edition Princeton is equipped with a 12" Jensen P12Q speaker, a popular upgrade that provides a wider frequency range and clearer midrange than the original 10" speaker. The larger speaker gives a perceived volume boost, allowing the amp to keep up in a full-band setting while retaining its signature tone.
12 Watts of Power in a Compact Combo
At 12 watts, the limited-edition Princeton provides enough power for rehearsing and intimate gigs. Its compact 1x12 combo design is easy to transport and fits comfortably in small spaces. For recording or practice, just roll back the volume for rich, cranked tube tone at lower levels.
Striking Good Looks
The Bordeaux reserve model features a stylish wine red textured vinyl covering with wheat grille cloth, giving it a sophisticated appearance reminiscent of a fine vintage. This amp is not just a pleasure to play—it's a pleasure to look at.



Features
- Power: 12 watts (tube)
- Tubes: 12AX7, 12AT7 (preamp); two 6V6 (power amp)
- Single channel
- Two inputs
- Speaker: 12" Jensen P12Q
- Controls: volume, dual-band EQ, reverb, speed, intensity
- Long-spring Fender reverb and tube tremolo (vibrato)
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- 1/4" output jack
- Limited-edition wine red vinyl covering and wheat grille cloth
- "Limited Edition" FSR badge
- Fitted cover and two-button footswitch included
- Cabinet material: birch/pine
- Dimensions: 19.75 x 16" x 9.5"
- Weight: 34 lb.
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Specs
Reviews
4.29
83 Reviews
87%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
Most Liked Positive Review
Amazing !!
It took me about 4 minutes with this amp to fall in love with everything about it. I have a first generation, (USA made), Blues Jr. that I have been extremely happy with since 1999 and was not really in the market for anything but when I read the description of this special edition I felt I had to give it a try. Not really an effects guy to begin with......I am now going to put my pedalboard away completely until it is time to record and a certain effect may be needed. This amp just sounds so good that I want to completely get all my tone from touch and basic settings. The tremolo is so rich and warm that it would seem that you would be lacking something after switching it off but this is not the case.........still sounds just as rich. One of the best purchases I have ever made.
Most Liked Negative Review
0 for 2
I've wanted one of these for a long time and finally pulled the trigger based on all the rave reviews. I played it at lower & mid volumes for a couple days but wanted to make sure the speaker got properly broken in so I played at a moderate volume for a while and then went to 7 for about 10 minutes and then to 10. After about 10 or 15 minutes the volume dropped to about half. I started playing around with it and noticed that it got a little louder as I dropped it to 8 I went back and forth on the volume knob and it would get louder until about 8 (not nearly as loud as before though) and then start to decrease at 9 & 10. As I turned the treble down, it would get very bassy & distorted (not just less treble but increased bass & distortion). So I took it back and GC ordered a new one for me. I put it through the same process playing it at lower volumes over 3 or 4 days and then, after about half an hour at full volume, something changed in the tone. It's hard to describe but it didn't sound as articulate and rich. This time it was more of a tone change than a volume change (although I think the volume dropped a little bit). As I turned it down, I noticed that it didn't clean up much. (Both these amps had beautiful cleans and lots of headroom). Now it sounds like a cranked amp at half volume. (There were also some sound artifacts, like weird harmonics and all of the sudden the sound of my fingers sliding on the strings was very noticeable). I think it's probably just a pre-amp tube that blew BUT two amps that couldn't handle being cranked for more than half an hour and which resulted in two different problems is enough to make me look elsewhere. Considering how much Fender charges for these things, this is unacceptable. If you get one, I highly recommend putting it through the paces while you can still return it. The bright spot in all of this is Guitar Center's return policy and customer service.
- Home Studio40
- Performances33
- Professional Recording28
- Amateur Recording23
- Outdoor Events / Games14
- Poor Sound Quality5
- Limited Functions4
- Weak3
- None2
- Difficult To Use1
- Experienced37
- Professional Musician18
- Novice3
- Excellent Sound46
- Easy To Use43
- Warm / Comfy41
- Portable40
- Good Power Output26
Reviewed by 83 customers
i would do it again
Verified Buyer
submitted3 months ago
bydon
frommn
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
not gigging anymore home use just enough power
More versatile than you may think
submitted4 months ago
byTim
fromUpstate NY
These things absolutely rip. I prefer it over the 1x10" versions, including the custom shop handwired '64. The FSR Bordeaux (wine red) one is really the best overall Fender amp imo. The big difference between this FSR and the standard '65 and '68 Princeton Reverb reissues are larger than you'd think. This FSR one has solid wood construction where the regular ones have plywood and sound a bit more boxy, and this has a 12" Jensen P12Q. This amp really coaxed me into throwing the pedalboard in the closet for a while and learning how to sound good with just an amp. People complain that these don't have a mid control, but if you know how Fender tone stacks work then it's a non-issue. These have a subtractive EQ, so if you want to boost the mids what you'll wanna do is put the treble on 10, and put the bass on 0, and then roll off the highs as desired with your guitar tone knob, and then turn the bass up till the point where you're happy. But honestly they sound super mean still with the bass on 0 bcuz it turns all that low stuff to buzzsaw-like low mids that rip right thru a mix. These things are louder than you might imagine. You can still crank it and get the trashy filth, but you're gonna definitely feel it. These are loud enough to damage your hearing, be warned. If you wanna play dirty at home all the time without pedals I definitely would recommend getting a '68 Vibro Champ Reverb instead, because they won't hurt your ears as much. But imo this FSR Princeton really shines best at edge of breakup, at around 5 for most guitars, a tad higher for strats, a tad lower for a Firebird or something with high output. But once you dial in your perfect edge of breakup tone this thing shines. It has a lot of depth at edge of breakup, where you can play gentle and it'll be clean, and if you pick hard and angry it gets trashy. These are really great. This is the Fender amp I always wish I had. It's the perfect sweet spot between a Deluxe Reverb and a Champ. A deluxe is way too loud for home use at edge of breakup, and a champ doesn't quite have the clean headroom that I sometimes desire. Also 10" Princetons lack the girth I sometimes want on the low end when playing at home unaccompanied. This amp is fantastic for gigging as well. A 10" princeton sometimes gets lost behind a heavy handed drummer, where as this one if you know how to make it cut, will cut right thru a heavy handed drummer in a small/medium sized room, and you can get more mids with the 12". It's great for throwing a mic on in larger venues. If you only want 1 fender amp- this is the one. You can play it dirty without going deaf at home too, if you dial the treble and bass to 0-1 and dime the volume it will do the tweed champ almost marshally thing. I can't sing this things praises enough. I got mine used from a GC down south, I saw it online and called the store and they quickly agreed to ship it to me for $1000 shipped. That was about 2 years ago, and I've not had a single issue. It does take pedals well also. I found that I prefer the natural breakup of this over any pedal or attenuator. But if you want the trashyness at a level that doesn't hurt- I recommend a clean boost such as a Klon Clone. I like the Archer Ikon for that. You can crank it at home and tolerate it, sure, but it does get a bit intense. The reverb is fantastic, and though I rarely have it above 3 you can dime it and get cavernous. Where it really shines tho is the tremolo. When you get it dialed just right I find myself smiling and looking around the ceiling while I play, I can hear and feel the sound swirling around the room, and I often catch myself looking up at it swirling lol. The only downside I can think of is the included foot switch. It feels cheap, and it doesn't have a very positive click, if that makes sense. It's hard to feel whether or not you clicked it on/off. Other than the cheap crappy footswitch these things are Chad.
Great upgrade over the blues jr
submitted5 months ago
byKenny
fromLittle Rock, AR
I didn't understand some of the review and forum comments I've seen over time about the blues jr until I got this princeton, which is just wonderful. The tone is crystal clear, even some pickups that I haven't cared for much previously have a whole new life through the princeton. I watched and rewatched a lot of online demos and based on that I was almost certain that I would be replacing the speaker with a Jensen C12N I have sitting around, but now I don't think that is going to happen. The P12Q is great. This is my first amp without a dedicated mid control, which I was concerned about, but it has worked out to a non issue for me so far. I think it comes down to the clarity.***The volume is totally manageable. Playing a lot yesterday in my apartment living room, it stayed around 5 (still perfectly clean btw).***The only context I've discovered so far in which I would lean back toward the blues jr IV, if staying in the fender camp, is classic rock. The bottom end with the right distortion pedal gets a great woody flub that I haven't been able to reproduce with the princeton.
WOW
Verified Buyer
submitted6 months ago
byTed
fromOklahoma
Submitted as part of a sweepstakes
All I can say is WOW! I own and have owned several Fender amps in the 45+ years I've been playing and this Princeton is the real deal. I don't know if it's the 12" speaker that makes the difference or what but the tone I'm getting out of it is unbelievable. It's lightweight and easy to handle and the places I'm playing now it gets mic'd so volume is really not an issue
Just OK
submitted7 months ago
byWill
fromNew Jersey
I really wanted to love this amp. I was looking for something a bit lighter than my trusty Deluxe Reverb. This amp ticks all the boxes except sound. It definitely sounds better than the Blues Jr. I traded in for it, but not that much. Tough to dial a decent sound and breaks up easily.
Could have been Great…
submitted8 months ago
byCarlos
fromFort Myers, FL
I played one of these in my local GC (Fort Myers, FL) and was impressed enough to purchase on via GC online because they didn't have one new in a box. The one I received seemed to have a weak vibrato/trem compared to the floor model, but, more importantly, there was a rattle going on when the lower notes were being played when the amp was played at edge of break up- around 5 on the volume dial. It was driving me nuts, and after web diagnosing it and inspecting the amp I decided to return it and have a replacement nailed to my house. However I played through the Deluxe Reverb there and was floored by how much more deep, rich and lush the reverb and vibrato are on the deluxe vs the Princeton, so I paid the difference and had a new one shipped to my house. I would say it's an issue on that particular unit from Femder's factory, not GC in any way. I would also like to mention that my store has an amazing staff. As always, Charlie, Carlos, Henry and Kyle(?) were awesome. I'll keep shopping there because of these guys.
Q&A
Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.
submitteda year ago
asked byJo
fromEl paso
Where is this amp made?
The Fender Limited-Edition '65 Princeton is U.S. made.submitted3 years ago
asked byRBMatty
fromundisclosed
Besides the larger 12" speaker, what are the electronic differences between this and the "'65 Princeton Reverb" reissue? Specifically, any differences in the circuit or tubes. Is the rectifier tube or solid-state? (The 10" version lists: "Tubes: 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7, 2 x Groove Tubes 6V6, 1 x 5AR4 rectifier tube". )
Nothing really. It's all tube.submitted4 years ago
asked bycb
fromoregon
If this is a new in box unit how come when I ordered I received a floor model and was not advised in advance and it did not have accessories promised.
I'm sorry to hear that. We can look into this further for you. Please email us your order information at YourVoice@GuitarCenter.com and we can get you taken care of.submitted4 years ago
asked byChuckster
fromOregon
Is this a new in box unit?
This is a new modelsubmitted4 years ago
asked byKevin
fromLong Island, NY
What does the foot switch do on this amp? Thank!
It switches between the two inputs.submitted4 years ago
asked byMike
fromLong Beach, CA
Does this amp have Point-to-point wiring? It's important for a guitarist that wants that in his amp.
No, it doesn'tsubmitted5 years ago
asked byBrian
fromFredericksaburg VA
is this amp manufactured in the U.S.? How about the Blues Jr? Is that amp made in the U.S.?
Yes and no.submitted5 years ago
asked byBranchingstream
fromSacramento, CA
Is the cabinet solid birch/pine? I would hope so for this price point, but the amp weight suggests otherwise.
It is solid birch/pine. The weight difference is because the housing is actually about 1/3 as thick as the average cabinet.submitted6 years ago
asked byHamza
fromNorth Carolina
Does this amp have the standard Princeton Tube Rectifier?
This amp does not have a Princeton Tube Rectifier.submitted6 years ago
asked bymickael
fromFRANCE bourges
hello i'm interested in Fender 2019 FSR '65 Princeton Reverb bordeau- 1x12. a shipment for France is it possible if yes how many thank you mickael
Hello, We may or may not be able to ship this amp to France. If you go to our website and click the flag on the bottom of the webpage, you will be able to select your country. From there you can also select your currency and any other options you think you might need. After that is done, all items that show up are eligible for shipping to your location and will also give you a total with duties and taxes.