It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 4:08 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Blues Jr III - Differences that shouldn't exist
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 7:03 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2017 8:38 pm
Posts: 1
Yesterday I went to grab a used BJR III for $430 CAD. I had played a new black model a few months ago and liked the tone, so I figured this used one would be a steal. I decided to try it first and the tone was not how I remembered - thin, super trebly and bright no matter what settings. There was a candy red limited edition III in stock that I A/B'd it to and it sounded much better - warmer, fuller and louder. I ended up taking the red one home, but it cost me a grand. I'm pretty frustrated that two amps that have identical circuitry AND speaker sounded so different.

The only culprits I can think of would be a combination of old/bad tubes, worn/damaged speaker and improper bias.

I'll be attempting to play a brand new black III asap to compare and possibly swap for, but can anyone comment on this particular model and if they've heard of any tone differences?

https://www.long-mcquade.com/64083/Guit ... le_Red.htm

I do like the tone, but I can't help feel like I'm ripping myself off.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr III - Differences that shouldn't exist
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 7:01 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:30 pm
Posts: 792
Location: A Land Downunder
It would be impossible to know how many hours the tubes in the used amp had on them so that would probably be my first guess as to the difference, the fatter sounding new amp would have had brand-new strong healthy tubes. Fender has never seen fit to correct the tube frying factory bias setting on the BJr so the life expectancy of the EL84's is not optimal, in a used amp they were probably well past needing a change if the amp had enough hours on it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr III - Differences that shouldn't exist
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 10:30 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
No457 Snowy wrote:
It would be impossible to know how many hours the tubes in the used amp had on them so that would probably be my first guess as to the difference, the fatter sounding new amp would have had brand-new strong healthy tubes. Fender has never seen fit to correct the tube frying factory bias setting on the BJr so the life expectancy of the EL84's is not optimal, in a used amp they were probably well past needing a change if the amp had enough hours on it.


+1

A fresh set of bottles would likely have perked that amp right up.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Blues Jr III - Differences that shouldn't exist
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 10:48 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
guitargoalie wrote:
...I'm pretty frustrated that two amps that have identical circuitry AND speaker sounded so different...


Usually the "LE" amps with different covering (color) will have a different speaker than the standard amp. I suspect this is the case between the two amps that you mentioned.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 4 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: