Folk-rocker Light Bird told us about her love for her Princeton Reverb...
Light Bird: I can’t do without my custom-wired Princeton Reverb, worked on for me by Bob Leonard of Black Dog Amplifier. It’s been my primary amp for the last five years, and now I can’t imagine playing without it.
I’ve been steadily downsizing my amp of choice through the years, starting (ridiculously) with a Twin Reverb in my teens, a Deluxe Reverb in my 20s, and finally landing at the Princeton Reverb, which for me is the perfect balance between head room and tube breakup. It gives me the power for playing decently big rooms, but can also slot in for smaller gigs and for practice. Occasionally, I’ll use a Bugera PS1 Power Soak attenuator, so I can really crank it and let the amp shine even when my ears need a break (or my neighbors are texting me to keep it down).
Bob Leonard wired the amp in the same style as a ‘64 era Fender circuit, along with a 12” speaker. In his words to me at the time, “I won’t ‘mod’ the circuit. Leo did it right, so I don’t re-invent the wheel.”
When I went to pick it up, Bob had me test the amp in his workshop. He had some pedals on hand, but encouraged me to play through it direct to really hear the amp itself. While I still play pretty exclusively through my board, it was an eye-opening experience of how good a direct signal could sound cranked through an amp of this caliber. Every now and then, I will still set the overdrive aside and let the tubes do their thing on their own. It’s truly a joy to play through.
It’s the best sounding amp I’ve ever played, and expect ever will. Thanks, Bob!
Light Bird's single "Williamsburg Bridge,” inspired by her life after transition, is out now.
