🎛️ The "2Princes" — A Custom 2W Princeton-Inspired Combo by Craig Amps
Full thread on GuitarTalk →
GT member RoyC (racman) had a problem a lot of us know well —
he wanted real valve tone at real apartment volumes, without
running everything through an attenuator and killing the dynamics
in the process. After trying a few attenuators on a Fender Princeton
(a DrZ and a THD), he wasn't happy. Attenuated amps rarely sound
as good as people hope. So he went a different route entirely.
He commissioned Benj Craig of Craig Amps to build him something
from scratch. A custom 2W Princeton-inspired combo — clean,
responsive, with natural breakup only as you push the volume.
Simple controls. Valve reverb. 12" speaker.
The valve complement:
- EZ81 rectifier
- ECC99 output stage (push-pull)
- 2x ECC83 — phase inverter and preamp
- ECC81 reverb driver
- Fiberboard and eyelets construction
- Orange Drop and Silver Mica caps throughout
- Celestion P12R speaker
The push-pull ECC99 output stage is worth noting — it's a smart
choice for a low-wattage amp that still needs some headroom and
clean definition. The ECC99 is a dual triode that handles higher
current than a standard ECC83, making it well-suited to output
duty in small amps. Pair that with a proper valve rectifier
(EZ81) and you get that characteristic sag that solid-state
rectified amps simply don't deliver.
The aesthetics? Wine Red Tolex, Oxblood grill cloth, white
piping, white chicken-head knobs. The community loved it —
and the name "2Princes" stuck, a nod to both the 2 watts
and the Princeton it's based on.
This is a good example of what a local boutique build can
deliver when the brief is right. Not trying to be a gigging
amp — built specifically for the playing situation at hand.
That's exactly how you should spec a custom amp.
💡 Craig Amps is a local SA boutique builder worth knowing.
Handwired, point-to-point, built to order.
Check out their work on Facebook
or contact Benj directly on 082 708 7511.
📷 Photos from the original build thread are no longer
available — head to the GT thread
or Craig Amps Facebook page for visuals.
Full thread on GuitarTalk →
