Retro ’64 Kit (coming Jan ’25. Use Inquiry form to reserve)

Details

The Retro ’64 uses a circuit that is based on a 1964 Princeton Reverb – the compact, iconic tube amplifier known for its unique blend of simplicity, rich tone, and portability. Many modifications for tone, low noise and reliability have been incorporated into the Retro ’64 design. See Specifications for detailed list of enhancements.

The Retro ’64 captures the original vibe and more!

Initially released in 1964, the Princeton quickly became beloved by both studio musicians and players on smaller stages, offering an appealing combination of clean, sparkling tones and a smooth, organic overdrive when pushed.

The Princeton is famous for its use by many legendary musicians, including Duane Allman, who reportedly used it for his slide guitar parts on Derek and the Dominos’ “Layla.” Its iconic tone is also heard in several Steely Dan guitar solos, cementing its place in music history.

The Tone of the Retro ’64 is generally clean and clear at lower volumes, with a smooth, slightly scooped midrange (typical of Fender amps). As you increase the volume, it begins to break up, producing a slightly “browner” tone with more distortion in the lower frequencies. This contrasts with amps like the Deluxe Reverb, which stays cleaner at higher volumes due to its larger output.

The Trinity Amps Retro ’64 delivers a nominal 12W with a fixed-bias 6V6 output stage. The aluminum chassis is  18-1/4 in W X 1-3/4” in H X 7 in D . It includes a two-button foot-switch – Reverb and Tremolo. Since most on-stage set-ups and recording sessions are miked, 12 watts is both sufficient and surprisingly loud even for medium gigs. This lower wattage helps keep volume levels manageable and makes it very useful in a studio.
The preamp uses three 12AX7 tubes which are used for the Preamp stage, tremolo wiggler and the Phase Inverter. The reverb driver stage uses 12AT7 with triodes paralleled. On the back of the amp there are connection to the foot-switch, reverb tank, speakers (8 ohm only) and mains and High Voltage fuses.

The Retro ’64 delivers the iconic tone that ranges from Fender clean, chimey highs to creamy overdrive. With its built-in reverb and tremolo, it’s a fantastic amp for players seeking a classic American Fender sound with a small footprint. While it may not offer the headroom of larger Fender amps, its natural breakup, ability to take pedals beautifully, coupled with many component improvements, it is a versatile and sought-after amp for a wide range of musical styles.

Just to let you know, nothing was more satisfying than having my amp power up and work perfectly the first time! Quiet, no hums or crackles, and nice and very sweet sounding with my strat plugged in. Thanks a bunch for the kit. I'm super stoked about my TC15. Very satisfied customer!

Features

The Retro ’64 Kit includes:

Orange Drop 716 series caps; 1 Watt CARBON FILM resistors; 1% 1W to 3W Vishay Metal film where required for low noise and precision, CLIFF and SWITCHCRAFT jacks; ALPHA pots; JJ filter caps; BELTON Micalex tube sockets, Tube retainers & shields; .090″ thick G-10 fiberglass Eyelet Boards with KEYSTONE Eyelets; CARLING switches; 22 gauge solid core coloured hook-up wire and pre-twisted heater wire; All Mounting hardware, spacers and nuts; Front Black  faceplate with White engraved lettering; Pre-Cut 0.09″ Aircraft Aluminum Chassis with tapped holes for tube and board mounting screws; Two-button foot-switch with  12′ RCA connected cable; Reverb Pan – 16-1/4” Long, 2-Spring tank with connecting RCA cables; Detailed 100+ page Builders Guide with large 11″ X 17″ sized schematic and colour layout; Real SUPPORT
Kit Includes Custom  Heyboer Transformer set – PT & OT (over spec’d) Made in USA to our critical specifications.

Tubes Not Included. Speaker Not included

The Retro ’64 is powered by two 6V6 tubes, producing about 12 watts. This lower wattage gives it a distinctive sound, especially when cranked. The Retro ’64 has a smaller, more intimate presence compared to larger Fender amps like the Deluxe Reverb (which produces 22 watts). We have added components to the power section to lengthen the life of the tubes, deal with heavy overdrive and sweeten the overdrive tone.

Supporting the power section, the Power and Output transformer sizes have been increased to improve reliability and tone. A larger output transformer will deliver better low frequency sound and hold together better under overdrive conditions.

When equipped with a 10-inch speaker you can achieve a chimey, clear high-end and a punchy midrange with tight, responsive bass.

The Retro ’64 control layout includes Volume, Bass, Treble, Reverb, Speed, and Intensity.

It also has a 2-button footswitch that allows you to toggle the reverb and tremolo effects on and off.

The tone stack is simple, just Bass and Treble making it a great amp for players who want to find their ideal tone quickly.

Reverb and Tremolo are key to the character of the Retro ’64 . The reverb is lush and warm, while the tremolo is based on bias wiggle, capable of deeper, more pronounced modulation compared to the optical tremolo used in other Fender amps.

The Reverb circuit in the Retro ’64 is one of the key features that gives it its signature sound. The circuit uses a classic long 2-spring reverb tank design, driven by a 12AT7 dual-triode,  providing lush, warm, and musical reverb that’s both subtle and expressive. The sound is iconic for its smooth, natural feel that has been a hallmark of Fender amps for decades. Circuitry has been added to reduce or eliminate nasty blocking distortion at high volume levels.

The Tremolo on the Retro ’64 and the Princeton Reverb is highly regarded for its depth and intensity. The amp’s bias-based tremolo (which works by altering the power tube’s bias) creates a more dramatic effect compared to the optical tremolo found in other Fender amps. When dialed in, it provides a rich, throbbing modulation, making the amp excellent for classic surf rock, blues, and rockabilly tones. The Retro ’64 Tremolo speed is slower than a stock Princeton making it a bit more useable.

Just like the original Princeton, the Retro ’64 Phase Inverter uses only half of a 12AX7 tube, which is a design choice that results in more phase inverter distortion. This contributes to its distinct, gritty sound when pushed hard. Circuitry added to this stage, mellows the phase inverter’s overdrive behavior by preventing nasty sounding double frequency blocking distortion.

Specifications

Inquire