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Post subject: Fender Blues Junior Mega-thread
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:16 pm
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Fender Blues Junior Mega-thread
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The Blues Junior is a professional tube guitar amplifier introduced in 1995 by the Fender company. It is aimed at achieving the warm, tube driven tone common in many styles of American blues and blues rock dating back to the 1950s, while remaining both portable and affordable. Fender frequently releases limited editions of the Blues Junior, some with upgraded internal components and others simply with cosmetic changes, at varying prices. As of April 26, 2009 the Blues Junior's manufactured suggested retail price varies between $599.99 and $674.99 (U.S.D.) depending on the edition.


Specs on Fender Blues Junior:

* Single channel 15-watt all-tube amplifier
* One 12-inch, 50-watt, 8-ohm Fender designed driver
o Most Blues Junior speakers are manufactured by Eminence Speaker for Fender, most resembling model Legend 125
o NOS Lacquer Tweed Limited Edition Blues Junior speakers are manufactured by Jensen in Italy, as model C12N
o Texas Red Edition Blues Junior speaker is a Celestion Vintage 30.
o Other speaker models may be in use
* Fender spring reverb
* 3-way adjustable tone stack
* "FAT" tone boosting circuit (with toggle switch)
* Independent preamp and master volume controls for tube overdrive management
* "Chicken head" vintage styled control knobs
* Amplifier uses two EL84 "Groove Tube" output tubes and three 12AX7 tubes - two preamp tubes (which use only 3 of 4 triodes) and one for phase inversion
* Solid state rectifier
* One ¼-inch input jack
* Stereo RCA output for internal and external 8-ohm speaker use
* Foot switch jack for remote toggle of FAT circuit (foot switch sold separately)


Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Specifications:

* Weight: 31 lbs. (14.06 kg)
* Dimensions: Height: 16" (40.64 cm),
* Width: 18" (45.72 cm),
* Depth: 9.18" (23.31 cm)
* Tube Complement: 3 X 12AX7, 2 X EL84, Solid State Rectifier
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Different Versions available:

Fender Blues Junior regular black Tolex:
Base model of Fender Blues Junior.
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Fender Blues Junior non lacquered tweed:
Cosmetic differences aside same amplifier as regular Tolex.
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Fender Blues Junior lacquered tweed NOS:
Uses a Jensen C12 speaker.
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Fender Blues Junior lacquered tweed NOS Relic version:
Uses a Jensen P12R speaker.
Limited to 125 worldwide.
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Fender Blues Junior blond Tolex:
Cosmetic differences aside same amplifier as regular Tolex.
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Fender Blues Junior brown Tolex:
Cosmetic differences aside same amplifier as regular Tolex.
Image

Fender Blues Junior Sam Ash edition brown and black Tolex:
Cosmetic differences aside same amplifier as regular Tolex.
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Fender Blues Junior "Texas Red" Tolex:
Uses Celestion Vintage 30 speaker.
Limited to 800 worldwide.
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Fender Blues Junior Custom Shop sunburst finish on natural maple cabinet:
Limited to 200 worldwide.
Jensen Special Design Speaker
Oxford Wicker Grill
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Fender Blues Junior Custom Shop solid Ash Blonde cabinet:
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Differences between versions:

Like many Fender amplifiers (particularly in the Hot Rod series), many limited edition versions of the Blues Junior have been manufactured since its introduction in 1995. The original circuit board underwent a major redesign in 2001, when production moved from the US to Mexico. The earlier circuit boards are green in color and are noted for a "darker," more bass-inflected tone. Many green board models have excessive noise in the reverb circuit, as the signal is inserted into the reverb after the master volume. The later circuit boards are cream or tan colored and sound "brighter" or more treble-oriented, with the reverb situated before the Master volume.

Lacquered Tweed editions, as the name implies, feature a cabinet upholstered with a lacquered tweed fabric. Some of these have been artificially aged from the factory and are known as Lacquered Tweed "Relic" editions. The Blonde and Brown Tolex Blues Juniors feature traditional Fender Tolex upholstery in their respective colors, while the Sunburst Ash edition features an ash cabinet with a sunburst finish.

The standard Blues Junior is dressed like a traditional black Fender amplifier, with black Tolex upholstery and a silver cloth speaker grille.

Although they differ in their external visual aesthetic, all variants of the Blues Junior for a given year are produced with the same electronics, apart from the speaker/driver. Limited editions may use varying driver models, such as the Jensen C12N found in the NOS Lacquered Tweed Blues Junior or the Jensen P12R found in the Relic edition. Groove Tubes EL84's are used instead of Sovtek tubes in the NOS (New Old Stock) Lacquered Tweed version. Fender does not always include these limited edition versions in their updated catalogs (or on their website) either because too few were produced (only a few hundred in some cases) or perhaps because of exclusive retailer agreements (for example, the Blonde edition is only available at Guitar Center retail stores and online).
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FAQ's:
Is the Fender Blues Junior loud enough to play a gig?

The Fender Blues Jr. is a tremendously versatile guitar amp. While it is great for practice and studio use, it is also great for jamming and gigs. While the Blues Junior alone may be a little too quite for larger gigs, mic'ing your blues junior will give you enough volume to play any size gig and you will not lose the fantastic tube tone of your Blues Junior.

What does the sound difference between the regular Tolex Blues Junior's and the NOS version of the Blues Junior?

The following video is the best comparison I have found to date.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wG-fGrbHJhc

What does the foot switch that can be used look like and what exactly does it do?

The pedal looks like this:
Image

The pedal activates the fat switch in this amp which adds volume and some gain to the output levels. Overall simply put the pedal acts as a volume boost.
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Other Useful links and information:

As far as modifications to the Fender Blues Junior Bill M Mods are considered the best by most. His website can be found here:
http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/bluesjunior.htm

A PDF copy of the Fender Blues Junior owners manual can be found here:
http://www.fender.com/support/manuals/p ... Junior.pdf

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Last edited by cu_jarrett on Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:01 am, edited 19 times in total.

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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:46 pm
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Excellent Post!!!!!

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:54 pm
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CAFeathers wrote:
Excellent Post!!!!!

Thanks! I just thought it may be helpful as a universal thread to point people to in need of info.

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:00 pm
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Hello Cu_Jarrett,

Nice work you've practicly earned a
Doctorate in Fender Blues Jr. info.

Seriously great information many
will enjoy{I did}

Cheers.


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:03 pm
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Fantastic post, many thanks CU_Jarrett.


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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:08 pm
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this needs to be a sticky!!!

and the SUnburst BJ looks amazing!!!

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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 6:30 pm
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Snowy72 wrote:
Fantastic post, many thanks CU_Jarrett.


I have to say also a very excellent and informative post!! 8) :wink:
So much better than the "what color guitar should I get or what do you like to wear etc," kind of post!! Don't get me wrong there is room for both kind but I particularly like this type of post! So I can learn something! :wink:


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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:45 pm
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I am glad I can contribute! I am by no means a Blues Junior know it all but, I have gathered and researched quite a bit about them. I would be glad to add any new info people know to the post.

Thanks again all!

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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 9:54 pm
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I know sooner of later someone will ask what kind of mods can be done to a Blues Jr.

Here is my Blues Jr. It is now a 2x12 combo. Cabinet is Walnut. Speakers are a Scumback M/H (Big Mike Mix) mix from Southbay Ampworks. Amp Chassis is completely stock except for NOS tubes.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:58 am
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Chet your Blues Junior is super nice! Looks very high quality!

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Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 9:34 am
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Thank You. And believe it or not it sounds better than it looks.

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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:26 pm
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Excellent post !! Many thanks for that :D
I didn't know about the Sam Ash two tone edition: It's really nice !


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:39 pm
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CAFeathers wrote:
Here is my Blues Jr. It is now a 2x12 combo. Cabinet is Walnut. Speakers are a Scumback M/H (Big Mike Mix) mix from Southbay Ampworks. Amp Chassis is completely stock except for NOS tubes.
Amazing!!!

Did you rig that? Do you have plans?

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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:34 am
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Wow chet !!!!

It must be nice to have wood working talent and ability.

That is sweet.

This is a great thread with a lot of thought and research, imagine doing the same for all of our favorite amps.

then let the questions and coments run below the basic facts.

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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:54 am
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tomk62 wrote:
CAFeathers wrote:
Here is my Blues Jr. It is now a 2x12 combo. Cabinet is Walnut. Speakers are a Scumback M/H (Big Mike Mix) mix from Southbay Ampworks. Amp Chassis is completely stock except for NOS tubes.
Amazing!!!

Did you rig that? Do you have plans?


I had that built for me.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.


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