Fender is a renowned brand when it comes down to musical instruments, including guitars, amps, preamp systems, and studio monitors. In addition, they have launched Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue as a 12W amp, which has dual inputs and a single channel.
The amp has a classic design and there are spring reverbs, so you can create subtle, cavernous, and ambient sounds. However, there are some performance issues with this amp that you must understand before spending thousands of dollars!
How to Solve Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue Problems
- Distortion
When you use this amp and the sound output is distorted, you must check all the connectors. That’s because if the connectors are loose and the wires are hanging, it creates distortion. The hanging wires have to be screwed in while the connectors can be tightened up with hands.
You must ensure that all the connecting wires are tightly connected to the respective ports. The second step is to clean the connectors and ports on the amp because dust and dirt buildup can induce a short circuit, which results in distortion. It’s better that you clean the connectors and ports every time you use the amp to prevent buildup.
Last but not least, you must inspect the soldering points on the main amp board, and if the solder has come off, you can use the solder gun to add some more.
- Hum
Humming can be extremely annoying as it negatively impacts the sound quality. In most cases, humming is caused by damaged wires and connections. For this reason, you must inspect all the wires and cables connected to the amp and replace the damaged ones.
However, if the cables aren’t physically damaged, it’s recommended that you check the continuity with the help of an ohmmeter (the cables with continuity issues should be replaced as it indicates internal damage).
Secondly, you have to check the connectors connected to the amp and clean them all. You must use a mild contact cleaner to clean the connectors to make sure they are cleaned well but make sure the connectors are dried before you reconnect them to the amp.
The third reason is to check the signals because unmatched signals can also produce hum. To illustrate, if the signals are higher in the sound source as compared to signals in the amp, it creates a signal balancing issue, hence the humming. To fix the signal balancing issue, you have to install a resistor to optimize the signals.
The fourth solution is to check the signals in the cable. This is because the unbalanced signals in the cables can also lead to humming. It happens when the amp cables are unparalleled as it prevents equalization of the signals. To prevent these cables from producing hum, it’s recommended that you install adaptors or ground loop isolators.
The fifth solution is to check for a ground loop. That’s because the formation of a ground loop results in voltage fluctuation, which causes humming. To prevent and eliminate the ground loop, you must ensure that the amp and other audio devices are connected to the same power outlet.
In addition to this, you have to install an adaptor and a grounding wire to create a separate path for the flow of electric current.
- Finish Getting Bad
This is a classic amp model and has a vintage finish, which is why it needs proper maintenance and care to make sure the finish is retained. The finish is susceptible to collecting dust and the only solution is to clean the Fender amp properly.
This is because dust buildup on the amp not only damages the appearance but it can impact the response of knobs and buttons as well if dust gets into the knobs.
- Low Output & Crackling Sound
When you produce music on the guitar and there are crackling sounds in the output and the output intensity has been reduced as well, there are high chances that the tubes are overheated. In most cases, the tubes become overheated when the amp is used for too long.
The first step is to turn off your amp and make sure it cools down to room temperature – the cooling-off period can be around an hour. On the contrary, if the tubes aren’t overheated but there are still some crackling sounds, it’s likely that the tubes are damaged.
You have to inspect the tubes by removing the chassis – if the tubes appear burnt or broken, the tubes must be replaced. However, you must read the user manual to determine the compatible tubes because incompatible tubes can also produce sound issues.
- Clicking Sounds
The clicking sounds are extremely common with this Fender amp and the first solution is to increase the sample rate as well as the buffer rate. In most cases, the buffer size is set at 256 samples, but to eliminate the clicking sounds from the music, you must increase the buffer size to 1024 samples.
In addition to optimizing the buffer size, you have to reduce the latency to zero and enable wet gain.
- Scratching Noises
If the Fender amp is producing scratching noises, you must check the volume. That’s because using the amp at an extremely loud volume can lead to scratching noises, so it’s recommended that you reduce the volume to see if these background noises are eliminated.
On the other hand, if reducing the volume doesn’t eliminate the scratching noise, you must check the pins and sockets. In particular, the pins and sockets can build up dust with regular use and you must clean them properly with the help of a contact cleaner.
However, before you clean the pins and sockets, make sure the tubes are removed to make sure the cleaner doesn’t get into the sockets (it causes electrocution). Last but not least, it’s recommended that you install a vacuum tube to eliminate the idle noise.
- Amp Not Turning On
If you are unable to use the amp because it’s not turning on, the first step is to check the power cord. In particular, you can utilize a multimeter to determine the continuity of the power cord.
If the continuity is zero, it indicates that the power cord has internal damages that are hindering the passage of electric flow, which means the amp won’t turn on. In that case, you must replace the power cord. Secondly, if there is nothing wrong with the power cord, you have to check the transformer.
The transformer is integrated into the amp’s main board that helps streamline the voltage and electric current to protect the system from voltage fluctuation. When the transformer is damaged, the amp’s power connections will be impacted and the amp won’t turn on. The solution is to replace the bad transformer with a new one.
Last but not least, you have to get the circuit board inspected by a professional electrician. There are various electrical components on the amp’s circuit board that must be inspected – if any of these components are damaged and their solder joints have melted, you have to add more solder.
Moreover, if the components are damaged, they have to be replaced but ask the electricians for a component replacement to ensure the connections are done correctly.
- Echo In The Sound
Whenever you add some effects or loops to the music with the help of an amp but there is echoing, you have to check the gain levels. In particular, you have to reduce the gain level because higher gain levels will increase the input signals, leading to feedback.
Ideally, the gain shouldn’t be more than 3/4th. Also, don’t forget to reduce the volume a bit. Last but not least, it’s recommended that you reduce the treble and enhance the bass because a higher treble level also produced feedback, which causes echoing. Once these settings are optimized, the echo will be eliminated.
I have a princeton reverb reissu, but when i play on a secon small string on my guitar the sound is recover with the sound like a wind sound.
What can produce this parasite sound under my sound. A tube?
If you have this problem with you Princeton Reverb I suggest taking it to a qualified repairperson. DO NOT try this at home with a Princeton Reverb!
“The clicking sounds are extremely common with this Fender amp and the first solution is to increase the sample rate as well as the buffer rate. In most cases, the buffer size is set at 256 samples, but to eliminate the clicking sounds from the music, you must increase the buffer size to 1024 samples.
In addition to optimizing the buffer size, you have to reduce the latency to zero and enable wet gain.”