This Question of the Day comes from Vlad in Minnesota. He sent me an email asking me about input #2 on his reissue Fender Princeton Reverb amp and what it is used for. This particular amp has two inputs marked with the numbers 1 and 2. As a matter of fact most vintage amps and vintage style amps have two inputs. Usually input #1 has a bit higher gain than input #2 resulting in a louder, hotter sound.
Back when these vintage archetypes were being produced most every manufacturer incorporated two inputs on each amplifier model. The two inputs were supposed to accomodate two players believe it or not! Nowadays no player would dare plug into input #2 with their buddy occupying the favored input #1. But nonetheless that’s what the original intent was for. Some issues would occur like when one player turned his guitar down it would turn down the other player at the same time. On some less expesive models there would be some humming as you turned down as well. Not the best situation at all. But if you could not afford another amp this is the way it was done. Sometimes even a microphone was plugged into input #2! If you were lucky and had an amp with two channels this problem was minimized……..unless one channel had reverb and the other did not which is a whole other “heads or tails I get the reverb channel” situation.
Fast forward about 45 years and there is the basically dormant input #2 which brings me back to the original question…..what is it good for? “Absolutely nothin’, sing it again……uh“! Just kidding. Input #2 can be used for guitars with hot or active pickups. This gives these particular guitars a “padded” input so the first gain stage is not overdriven resulting in some unwanted distortion. There will be more headroom for the high output. Ol’ #2 is good for players using a multi-effects board that has a hot signal coming from it as well. Many jazz players like input #2 for the same reason: more headroom which translates into a bit of a cleaner sound. This is very effective for jazz players.
So there you have it. I doubt you’re going to invite your BFF over to jam on your Princeton Reverb and make him plug into input #2 but it’s there for high output guitars or pedalboards and for jazz players. Some modern boutique amps do not have an input #2 to save room and keep things simple. I hope this answered your question Vlad and that you keep visiting 300guitars!
My shop is located at 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or are in need of some tech work.
- Monday: 10am - 5pm
- Tuesday: 10am - 5pm
- Wednesday: Closed
- Thursday: 10am - 5pm
- Friday: 10am - 5pm
- Saturday 10am - 2pm. (I am in every other Saturday).
I am also an Eminence, Mercury Magnetics, Mojo Musical Supply dealer.
I do all the tech work myself so you deal directly with me. I am a one man shop and my hours can vary so please contact me to confirm that I will be open.
Email me: billy@300guitars.com
Call or text me: 848-218-0362
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Please ship all repairs to: 1 Executive Dr Unit L Toms River, NJ 08755
I am currently offering all phases of guitar work which includes:
- Set-ups
- Fret dressing
- Re-fretting
- New hand cut custom bone nuts & saddles
- Electronics work
And amplifier work which includes:
- Basic maintenance
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- And more....
Testimonials:
David Nicholas - The 20watt amp is sounding fantastic! Delivered the goods at the gig and I'm finding cool tones all over the place with it. Love the cab w Emenince Tonkerlites too- perfect for my sounds! Makes the 12 string sound like a grand piano!
Peter Lacis - I had an audition for something recently that was all about Led Zeppelin I -- my custom Pennalizer BLEW THE MINDS of the guys I was playing with. They couldn't believe the sounds coming out of that amp. That album was never in my mind when I came up with the idea....so that's yet another testament to the amazing work that you do.
Scott Goldberg - I am very satisfied with the set-up, and the fast turn around. With the "lower" action it feels easier to play. I will definitely spread the word.