Fender Princeton Reverb Vs Deluxe Reverb (Comparison)
Our pick: Fender Deluxe Reverb
For a manageable price increase you get an extra channel in the Deluxe Reverb. The added flexibility you get from an additional channel is worth it in just about any amp-to-amp comparison.
Image courtesy of The Tone Boutique
In this comparison we're looking at two Fender tube amps: The Princeton Reverb and the Deluxe Reverb. While there's a '65 and '68 version of both these amps, we're focusing specifically on the '68 version.
This naming convention can be somewhat confusing, but note that we can sum things up by calling them the Princeton Reverb VS the Deluxe Reverb. This comparison could also loosely apply to the '65 version of both these amps. If you're trying to decide between the two, this page will let you see both amplifiers side-by-side and figure out which one will work better for you.
Fender Princeton Reverb VS Deluxe Reverb Comparison Tool
We have a quick comparison tool below, as well as a more detailed specs sheet for both amplifiers. You can also use the Sweetwater buttons to browse product descriptions, and to support our site at no extra cost to you.
Amp | Audio | Rated | Browse |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Fender '68 Princeton Reverb | 89.3 | |
 | Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb | 90.5 |
Detailed Specs Side-by-Side
Header | Princeton  | Deluxe  |
|---|---|---|
Amp Type | Tube | Tube |
Channels | 1 | 2 |
Power | 12W | 22W |
Preamp | 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7 | 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 12AT7 |
Power Amp | 2 x 6V6 (power), 1 x 5AR4 (rectifier) | 2 x 6V6, 1 x 5AR4 |
EQ | Two-band EQ, Reverb, and Vibrato | Two-band EQ, Reverb, and Vibrato |
Effects Loop | No | No |
Reverb | Yes | Yes |
Height | 16" | 17.5" |
Width | 19.875" | 24.5" |
Depth | 9.5" | 9.5" |
Weight | 32 lbs. | 42 lbs. |
Fender Princeton Reverb VS Deluxe Reverb: Which one is right for you?
Fender '68 Custom Deluxe Reverb Details
The Custom Deluxe is the larger and more powerful of the two amps, with two channels.
One of the biggest advantages the Deluxe has over the Princeton is the extra channel. You get two with the Deluxe but only a single channel with the Princeton. The Deluxe is also a little bigger and louder, packing two extra tubes in the preamp and nearly doubling wattage over the Princeton.
- Two channels
- 22 watts of power
Most of the Deluxe's other features are matched in the Princeton. Both have reverb, vibrato, and a two-band EQ. They also use the same types of tubes in the preamp and power amp, thus creating a fairly similar tone profile.
Read more: Best Fender amps
Fender '68 Custom Princeton Reverb Details
The Princeton is a simpler, single-channel tube amp.
The Princeton only has one channel, which makes the front look a little more bare. Though you get the same EQ setup (two bands), same onboard effects, and a similar feature set for $200 cheaper.
- Single channel
- 12 watts of power
There's essentially zero difference in tone or sound quality, which makes the Princeton a good alternative if you don't care about having two channels. Though I've found that most guitar players want at least two channels, making the Princeton a difficult option to recommend. For that reason alone, we like the Deluxe a little bit better.
Final Say
It's not often that we recommend going lower in channel count when it comes to guitar amps. And since the Princeton only gives you one channel, yet doesn't knock a ton of cost off compared to the Deluxe, we'd recommend spending the extra $200 and getting the dual channel Deluxe.
That's not to take away from the tone quality or the design of the Princeton. Both these amplifiers get solid grades in those departments. But we like the added flexibility of the Deluxe, the additional wattage, and what just seems to be a more complete and usable amplifier.
If you're stuck between the two, we'd recommend the Deluxe unless you only want one channel (for whatever reason).
Questions?
If you have questions about the Princeton or Deluxe, feel free to drop those in the comments section below. We also like to hear from folks who already own these amps, have used them extensively, and want to share their story. We'll see you there.
More Fender Amp Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Roundups
Written by Bobby Kittleberger on Amps & Roundups
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Our disclosure↬
I once acquired an old Princeton Reverb to play with a Gibson ES 175. That sounded great.
One time, I wondered how it would sound if I played my fretless Wal Mk1 over it (with a bass cab connected), and that gave me the sweetest sound I ever had as long as I kept the volume below 2.5.
Ever since, I have looked for a tube pre-amp or pre-amp pedal that could give me that same sound, but I always found that it is not “rich or smooth” enough. Are there suggestions (apart from buying a Mesa to include the tube poweramp) to give me what I am looking for?
Hey Tony – it’s hard for me to tell without hearing the sound you were able to produce with the Wal MKI. Do you have a clip uploaded anywhere? Maybe to YouTube or something like that?
Hi Bobby,
Rerettably, no, I haven’t.
GrtZ Tony
With both amps having two 6V6 power tubes, why don’t they have the same output wattage?
Hey Gregory – I’m honestly not sure. Might have something to do with the rectifier tube in the Princeton, but that’s just a guess.
Bigger transformers in the deluxe
Thanks, that makes sense. Bigger transformer means higher voltage, greater watts.