In my opinion: YES

Until recently I was strictly a Vox amplifier player. I’m a big fan of the Vox AC15 and the Vox Mini Superbeetle. I’ve always had an interest in Fender Tube amps, but I just never really looked into them. I still own a Red Knob Solid State Fender Deluxe 85 that I used to gig with years ago. It’s a great amp for gigging and takes pedals well, but it’s lacking isn’t he clean tones. Along with my interest in Fender tube amps, I’ve always been interested in Celestion’s Alnico Blue 12” Speaker.

So while I haven’t been actively looking at getting a Fender tube amp, something caught my eye this year. I’ve always heard great things about the Fender Princeton Reverb amplifiers. When I would look more closely at them, something about the 10” speaker would usually turn me away.

So one day I was scrolling through my Instagram feed and I saw and interesting blue amp. When I had a closer look I saw that it was called the 2020 Fender Princeton Reverb - Limited Edition Chilewich Denim Blue. After looking at the specs more closely I discovered it was loaded with a Celestion Alnico Blue 12” Speaker! The combination of a Fender Princeton Reverb amp and a Celestion Alnico Blue speaker was too much to ignore. And being a limited edition amp, that added some time related pressure and gave my full GAS (gear acquisition syndrome).

So even though it’s marketed as a ‘Limited Edition’ model, I was able to find it at a local music store. I’d like to know what Limited Edition means in terms of how many they produce versus a standard edition.

Call me crazy, but I didn’t even try the amplifier in the store before purchase. I just had a feeling that this is the one! So I brought it home and set it up right away and captured my first impressions and reaction in this video:

Right away I knew this amp was a keeper. I basically have keepers and flippers. Flipper meaning I will resell it on the used market if I don’t enjoy using it. Everything about this amp was exactly what I had been searching for, without even knowing it existed. Now I know the Chilewich Blue doesn’t appeal to everyone, but I tend to like non traditional things.

Now let’s talk about the official specs. I’ve seen a few websites incorrectly state that it comes with a 10” speaker. This is not the case. It is the 12” Alnico Blue Speaker from Celestion. Fender’s official site doesn’t seem to list this amp so I’ve pieced together the specs I’ve found from various retailers.

Fender 2020 Limited Edition Princeton Reverb - Celestion Alnico Blue - Chilewich Denim

A historically significant amp used on countless hit songs for decades. Today, the '65 Princeton Reverb is as phenomenal looking, sounding and performing as ever, and is easily versatile enough to go from the living room to the recording studio to the gig with the great sound, style, reliability and authentic vintage vibe that Fender players know and love. One of the coolest amps around, period, it's ideal for anyone who demands top-notch tube tone, naturally dynamic clean and overdriven sound, and unmistakable long-spring Fender reverb and tube vibrato.

Features include Chilewich® Denim covering, Black grille cloth, 12" Celestion® Alnico Blue speaker, Blue amp jewel, Dual 6V6 output tubes, one 5AR4 rectifier tube, three 12AX7 preamp tubes, one 12AT7 tube, tube-driven Fender® reverb, tube vibrato, two-button footswitch for reverb and vibrato on-off.

Specs
Amplifier Type: Tube
Inputs: Two - (1/4", Input 2 operates at -6dB)
Rectifier: Tube (1 x 5AR4)
Speakers: One - 12" Celestion® G12 Blue Alnico
Total Impedance: 8 ohms
Power Tubes: 2 x 6V6
Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7
Control Knobs: Black Plastic and Knurled Chrome
Cabinet Material: 7-Ply 5/8" Birch Plywood
Handle: Molded Plastic Strap with Nickel-Plated Caps

How’s your GAS doing at this point? Did I mention it takes effects pedals superbly? That’s not even a word I say very often. I’ve gone back and pulled out pedals that I haven’t used in years, just to hear how they sound through this amp.

If you’re not into pedals, let’s talk about the built-in effects. I’m not exaggerating when I say the reverb tank on this Princeton is magical. It is so lush and trails on for a long time. It also has built in vibrato (tremolo) is you are into that. Personally I don’t use the vibrato, but if you are into that type of sound, the combination of the reverb and vibrato is pretty impressive. I could definitely see surf rock type players taking advantage of both. Both effects can be manage with the included two-button footswitch.

Once I spent a good amount of time getting familiar with the amp and all it’s features, I put together this deep dive video for my Youtube channel. In the video I walk through all the specs and features, and play a bunch of tone samples.

Check out the full deep dive demonstration video here:

So if you are like me and you were looking to get one do-it-all amp that checks every box (at least for me), have a look for this amp. If they are no longer in production after 2020 and you are reading this years later, odds are you’ll be able to find a great deal on the used market.