Fender Tone Master Princeton Reverb 1x10" 12-watt Combo Amp Reviews

Finally! That classic, signature Fender sound is back!

When I bought a Fender 40w Champ, I was so disappointed. It had some good features and lots of amp models, but they modeled the Fender sound right out of the amp. I sold that puppy.

When I got serious about playing after 50 years and joined my church's worship team, I wanted something for both performing and recording.

My personal Sweetwater tech, Connor Bowdoin, turned me on to The new Fender Tonemaster Princeton with the Cannibus Rex speaker, wattage attenuator and XLR out.

I looked at the reviews & watched a ton of YT videos, and this amp is simply incredible! Now, I can attenuate my output wattage to practice in my bedroom, but with the XLR out, I can go directly into our church's PA system or my digital interface for recording.

But best of all that classic sweet chime that is signature to the Fender sound is back in spades!!

The amp's reverb is so good I've turned off my reverb pedal. That classic tremelo that was so "one-of-a-kind" in my '66 Twin is so nice it takes me back those 50 years.

Listening to this Tonemaster Princeton with its tube counterpart is incredible. It sounds identical to the tube Princeton. They modeled that classic Fender sound right back into this historic model that has graced thousands of recordings over the years.

I highly recommend this amp for both the playing pro for its portability and tone, but with these new Tonemaster features, will give the student all he/she will ever need as they grow in their proficiency. No matter whether plunking in the bedroom or plugged in on stage, this amp. is all you need.

Conner gave be the personalized service that is Sweetwater's signature. He never tried to sell me more than I needed with care for my needs

This amp is certainly a win/win all the way around!

With the tubes availability slowly sinking in the sunset, and prices going to the stratosphere for a tube amp and soiid state amps becoming more common I thought I would try a Princeton. I am a Marshall guy through and through but for blues and country, Marshall doesn't cut it. I have owned and rented many Fender amps over the years, mostly Blackfaces and Blues Juniors. But last week I went to a store and tried a stock Princeton reissue side by side with the Tonemaster version. I was floored as to how close the solid state Tonemaster came to the tube amp version. I'd say its 90% close. The Tonemaster, aided by its attenuator reached its sweet spot at a much lower volume. You had to play with it to find it but at volume of 5 and attenuator set to 3W it was there at a very tolerable volume. This is a game changer folks. To buy an amp thats nearly half the price of the tube version and have it sound darn close to tubes with similar dynamics may very well put tube amps out to pasture. Add in some modern features like direct out to PA, a cab sim and the most important power attenuator, digital versions of the classic reverb and vibrato effects,its half the weight of the tube version, has a great 10"Jenson speaker just like the tube version and Fender has clearly knocked it out of the park. I expected some shortfall somewhere and all I noticed was a slightly thinner tone that is barely noticed. Its not a cheap modelling amp at all like Boss Katana or Line 6 Spider. Above all, it makes my Strat sound incredible. It was so tube amp simple to get a good tone without much tweaking at all. The only negative is it lacks bass and has a midrange hump but thats due to the speaker size and lack of mid knob. Minor detail but if it bugs you enough get the Deluxe with the 12" speaker. A roar of a Gibson Les Paul through a Marshall is one thing but the clarity of iconic tone with a Fender Strat/Tele through a Fender amp is just as valid. Amazing little amp. Truly not a jack of all trades and master of none.

I bought this after being so blown away / impressed with my Tone Master Twin Reverb (and still afflicted by G.A.S.). No regrets: It's like 20 lbs, and the only difference from the original--the power attenuation knob--is THE BOMB!!!

This is admittedly cheesy, but on both the Twin and Princeton, I easily removed the lower-right "Tone Master" emblem plate with a butter knife. This, because it's just as good, maybe better, as the originals and I would (cheesy) LOVE to surprise another musician with the revelation that it's not tubes.

Half the computing/processing power seems to ge to the reverb--and I kinda get it, get why--even though that's not something I'd prioritize. But the fact is, can't deny, if they're going for a direct and indistinguishable-from-the-original amp, they nail it.

I have owned this amp for almost a year and have discovered some features about this amp I only discovered today during a recording session. It sounds every bit as good as any tube amp that I have owned for that creamy compression and sustain at the edge of breakup. I was using a PRS DGT guitar with a pedal board into the amp.

At a lower wattage setting the amp lacked definition using an overdrive pedal set at minimum gain. When I set the amp power attenuation at 6 watts and turned off the overdrive pedal, with the amp volume set at 6 it came alive with tone and sustain. The treble and bass were set at 5. The amp was loud enough to be out front with the band and a strong drummer.

During practice sessions at home I never played the amp loud enough to get this sweet spot. At lower output power settings the amp has a different sound compared to 6 watts or full power. The variable power output is to me, the key to unlocking this amp's sonic potential. This is my third Princeton amp that I have owned.

Not every guitar will react the same way with this amp, and adjusting the tone controls to suit the guitar is a given. My Stratocaster sounds great through this amp, while my Gibson ES-335 works best with the amp volume at or below 5.

I love this amp! Wonderful clean Fender tone with fantastic features and very pedal friendly. It exceeded my expectations and is the perfect voice for my Telecaster.

I bought this amp because I tried the Deluxe Tonemaster and I couldn't find a sweet spot on the power settings for the bands I play with. I can't use Fender tube amps because I get complaints from bandmates and soundpeople about the volume -- even the Princeton is way too loud. But this amp is usable in almost any situation.

I have grown to love this amp. The sound is pretty close to the tube version, and you don't get those weird warbles that old Princetons often have. With this amp, I can just drop the power level if people are unhappy with my volume.

I replaced the Jensen with a Guitar Warehouse 10" speaker and it fattens up the sound just a little in a great way. I love distortion so I turn the amp up to 10, and control the distortion with my volume knob. I work with some grumpy soundpeople who aren't quick with the compliments, but they all really like the XLR output on the amp. I've recorded using that silent output with the standby switch on and was really happy with the results. But standing on stage, I really like the sound of this amp. I'm a big Buddy Guy fan, and every once in a while I hit a note and think to myself "Wow, that sounds kind of like Buddy." I'm really glad I bought this thing.

In the last few years I've been transitioning from a tube amp snob to what's available in solid state. Because I can't afford a full time tube mechanic. I have a lot of tube amps and most of them don't work. They sound incredible when they do work but I can't afford to keep them online. I bought the Tone Master Twin Reverb a couple of years ago and it sounded flat...not inspiring at all. I returned it. I think it was the neo speakers that killed it but I don't know. A few years later I decided to take a chance on the Tone Master Princeton Reverb. The selling point was that it had a real Jenson (made in Italy) speaker, not a neodymium speaker. OK, WOW, this one they got right. It sounds as good as the original and has a few extra features to boot. Really good job Fender, you made something worthwhile.

Excellent piece of equipment. Sounds great, has great power, and also has great features and function. Well made and reliable. All around excellent and classic!

I am glad I spent the money on this amp. It gives me everything I need without all of the complexity of a modeling amp.

There is a lot of media info regarding digital modeling amps and how they sound compared to tube amps. I have owned Fender tube amps since I was in junior high. These ranged from blackface pre-CBS amps to silver-faced amps, and custom shop amps. I don't miss their heavy weight and extreme volume levels needed to reach their tonal sweet spot.

The Princeton Reverb Tone Master sounds better than any amp I currently or recently owned. It's a clean amp and will sound boxy when pushed with a guitar that has humbuckers. I max out the amp's volume at 6 with the speaker mic'd and going through the house mix. Stratocasters sound amazing through this amp. My ES-335 also sounds amazing with the volume at 5. I use overdrive pedals to increase the gain, but stay in the slight breakup tonal area. If I need more volume or headroom, I'll need to rely on the house mix.

When I use an overdrive pedal, I adjust the amp's EQ to reduce the bass and roll off the guitar's treble a bit. Overall, I am very pleased with this amp, and the tone I can get from my guitars.

Love it! Pure quality and lightweight:) For me personally the attenuator is worth its weight in gold. I have some hearing damage from too much loudness in my life, and being able to dial it down under a watt is super valuable:) All the touch sensitivity that makes the princeton so classic, so much volume spectrum just in your hands alone, love the bloom when you dig in;) Fender really hit it out of the park with these new tonemaster amps;) Thanks Chris at Sweetwater!

I never was into modeling and pedals, having played acoustic guitar, plugged in and not.

Playing My Yamaha A5M and My JV Modified Telecaster through it,
it sounds true, to the instrument & to My ear.

Superb Result Fender !!

Buy One, any Tonemaster, Today

For months I've gone without an amp, using my pedalboard with a Stymon Iridium. However, when I came to a situation where the house system was sub-standard, I knew that I needed something more or less traditional to plug into. I didn't want to return to the world of tubes. Tubes sound amazing, but they were a constant expense, and way too many tubes went micro-phonic within a few weeks. So, then I heard about the Tome Master series and after watching countless videos, I was convinced that the Princeton Tone Master model was perfect, especially with the line out feature to go to a mixer or house system if needed. My Grosh ElectraJet Custom (SSH) and my PRS S2 Standard 22 (with Grosh pickups) both sound great through the Princeton. This amazing little amp has volume and tone. I love how it delivers the bottom end that I want to hear in single coils and sparkling highs. You can play clean, or make it snarl like a tube amp. There's plenty of surfing "boing" and depth in the reverb, and the vibrato is very vintage sounding. Also, who can complain about all these wonderful features packed in a box that you lift with two fingers? It is well built, and I believe it will deliver more years of dependable use than I have to live, being almost 69 years old. No regrets - expect that it is stamped "product of China".

Hello & Howdy...

Buy this amp,You will never need another. I'm 64yrs old,
lotsa experience, this is it.

This amp is everything I hoped it would be. I did a ton of research prior to pulling the trigger because I was hesitant on whether or not the Tone Master was going to pull off the classic Princeton tone. It does an amazing job! I also needed the attenuation because I practice at home, typically at night, and it sounds amazing even at lower volumes. It's loud when you want it to be and has plenty of headroom! I highly recommend!

A sweet treat, indeed. Enjoying all of the Princeton attributes with no tube him! Killer tremolo and verb. Thanks Sweetwater for brining this into my musical world!

I've played and owned nearly everything over sixty years and this Tone Master is my very favorite blackface style amp for clean and edge of breakup playing. It just sounds gorgeous and is more quintessentially blackface than any tube Princeton Reverb or clone that I have played. Breakup above six on the volume knob is OK, but not as sweet as on a great tube version. For pretty clean players, though, it just doesn't get much better. I am especially surprised that the amp has full fledged body, bass, character, and sparkle at reasonable volumes and through a ten inch speaker. Tube Princeton Reverbs have a slightly more mid focused voice, while the Tone Master has slightly more piano like response with clear bass, lots of overtones, and sparkling highs. I so enjoy the tone of this amp that I can't wait to get back to the studio to play it again each day. I just ordered a second one for playing at home.

Having a great time with this amp. For gigging it is fantastic, super lightweight, and the sound is super powerful. Superb clean, handles pedals incredibly well. The built in attenuator is a great feature to dial in amp overdrive at manageable volume. I've run it both ways with the sound coming from speaker and/or using the XLR out direct to the soundman. Also been super easy to use the XLR feature for home recording as well direct into my interface. I'm using it pretty regularly on my tutorial videos on my channel now. Fender has done a super job with the Tone Master series, I'm a fan.

I owned a Princeton Reverb back in the 1980's. That amp was taken for granted and was sold away. The year is 2023 and I finally try the Tone Master Princeton Reverb. I know some of you are good enough to hear the subtle digital influence but for me, it takes me right back to the tones that have been in my head for a long time.

Improvements that I LOVE: 1. I can attenuate the amp down to .3W and play it in my bedroom WITH favorite settings which includes Volume on 9 while my wife who works at home is at work and there are no complaints. To get the tones you are after at bedroom level is truly satisfying. It makes me practice for a lot longer time and want to play more. 2. You can mute the amp, send the signal to your computer and record direct. If you want the full 12w, you get a huge sound that I can't distinguish from the tube version. 3. I am older and my back is not that great and this is so much easier to move around weighing only 20 lbs. 4. It takes my pedals very well, just like the original.

I highly recommend this amp. If you are on the fence, buy it. I did and I'm very happy.

Just plug and play! No fiddling, no need to upgrade the speaker. Get a pair of pliers and remove the Tonemaster badge and knowbody will ever know it's not a tube amp. I've had this for 2 months and I have zero complaints on tone. It sings! Most importantly and what you tube videos can't get across is that it feels good. Just like the tube version. I know that sounds weird to some but if your a seasoned player you know the feel of the amp is just as important as the sound. Stick the green box in front of it for awesome overdrive or simply use the volume attenuation knob for nice breakup at lower volume. Stop looking and just get a Princeton. Tube or tonemaster. They are that good!

Does it sound like a tube amp? I don't know. Being a clean platform, it's hard to compare as all clean amps sound the same to me. Does it have more bells and whistles than the tube version. Yes! I love the power reduction switch as it allows for much finer setting of a comfortable volume level where a tube amp tends to be too loud at home.
It loves pedals and I am able to get a very nice distortion/overdrive as well as modulation sound. The reverb sounds great (especially after the firmware update). Is it springy? I guess. Does it sound like a nice reverb? Yes. I hate tremolo so I won't comment. Finally, it is super light and sounds huge! For a 10" speaker it has tons of bottom end so don't let that scare you away.

I needed to keep stage volume low or non-existent. I needed a pedal platform that sounded "natural". I wanted it to sound like a Fender tube amp. I wanted it to be easy to lug around, and for it to not take up loads of space. I needed it to sound great going direct to the PA. I needed THIS amp. I have tried a bunch of other things, and this just seems to fit the bill best of them all. It sounds great just hanging out in the living room, too. I love it.

I've had a lifelong obsession with Fender products, and have bought more than I care to admit over time. One of my favorite amps is the Princeton. For me, the Princeton has been the right combo of Fender tone and portability. Ever since I picked up a Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, I've been hoping for a TM Princeton Reverb. Fender delivered!

The Tone Master Princeton Reverb has all the kit and gig design of its fellow Tone Masters, but with that tasty Princeton tone. First thing I did out of the box was dial in my usual settings; Vol 7, Treb 5, Bass 7, Rev 3, plugged in a Tele and messed with the attenuator. It's uncanny how good the thing sounds. That wonderful breakup, syrupy reverb and vibrato. Add to that, it's SO QUIET compared to my '65 and '68 PRs. I'm in a building built in the early 1900s with crap wiring, even without a power conditioner/noise filter, the thing's practically silent.

Like any classic Fender amp, it takes pedals extremely well. Plugged my board up to it and tap danced through a selection of dirt boxes and they all performed as you would expect slamming the front end of a vintage Princeton. Honestly though, with as good as it sounds, and having the attenuator to drop the output, I'm really digging it Jim Campilongo style. Dime the thing and turn down the wattage and ride your guitar's controls. It's pure pleasure.

Side by side with a recently re-tubed '65 PRRI, I'm hard pressed to tell the difference, aside from the noise. At lower volumes you do lose a tad bit of that cranked tube power amp feel and sensitivity, but still, I'm impressed. It's super lightweight, and flexible, and none of the hassle of a finicky tube amp. This is going to be my go-to Princeton for the foreseeable future (unless Fender drops a blond model with a Celestion).

I have not used it enough to give a true and honest opinion or review on how it sounds. For now I can say I'm pleased.

The reason I knocked off a star is due to a quality control issue.

I have learned after receiving new gear that's defective to inspect items carefully. This amp wobbles and this is due to its construction. The bottom is not even.

SW sent me a replacement which turned out better however when comparing sounds I noticed, to me, the buzz or hum (that is normal ) at moderate to high volumes was slightly louder on the replacement. (Yes all knobs were set the same) Again it was barely a noticeable difference but to me the replacement was louder by a hair. For this reason i decided to keep the original or first unit since I would be using it in the studio .

I Now I have an amp that wobbles. Common fender :/

SW thank you for such wonderful service. A shout out to SW sales Christian Guerrero

The amp has an issue with hiss so you're going to need a noise gate pedal or keep the volume down. This has been discussed on a few YT channels about Tone Master amps. This is my first and last Tone Master. The only thing they have mastered is the hiss.