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Post subject: Blues Junior
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:03 am
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Does anybody here have the Fender Blues Junior amp? What do you think about it? What do you like and not like? I know it's only 15 watts but is that enough power to gig with or jam with a drummer with? I wonder why there is no standby switch considering it is an all tube amp???

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks


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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 6:28 am
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You'll find a lot of threads about the Blues Jr here. I have the NOS with tweed and the Jensen speaker, and I've upgraded to a Ruby Reverb. It's louder than you may think (and it's a fact that most amps are only putting out 15 watts or less most of the time), and, if it's not enough, mic it through the PA.

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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:04 am
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Are all the Blues Junior's made in Mexico?


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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:51 am
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Sorry for the dumb question but is tweed the material that covers the amp? What is a NOS tweed?


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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:34 pm
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"Tweed" is the term used to describe the yellow-to-orange herringbone pattern covering on the amplifier, cosmetically similar to that of Fender amps made in the 1950s. "NOS" is a marketing term: it literally means "New Old Stock" and has been used by Fender to describe guitars and basses reproduced from earlier designs ( 1957 Precision Bass, for example) to distinguish it from "Closet Classic" and what is currently known as "Road Worn," previously called "Relic." "NOS" looks like what you would think: an instrument (or amplifier) that was discovered in a warehouse, with no discernible wear or weathering. "Closet Classic" is one that has been exposed to mild wear but is generally in unplayed condition, with the exception of discoloration and perhaps oxidation on the hardware. "Relic" (now a whole series of instruments called "Road Worn") indicates a new bass or guitar that has been artificially aged, with apparent wear similar to that which a well-used instrument would display.

All of this is based on the specious premise that "old" equals "vintage" and therefore commands a higher price than merely "used." It's a fad, and I don't expect it will last forever, but it's what's popular right now.

A Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior NOS (to give it the full, cumbersome name) indicates an amplifier that differs from the standard Fender Blues Junior by the substitution of tweed pattern covering for the ordinary black (along with, I understand, a few other optional colors) and, more importantly, the replacement of the Fender speaker with one built by Jensen that is supposedly sonically reminiscent of the original Jensen speakers which were standard equipment in '50s Fender amps -- never mind that the current Jensen is of Italian, rather than American, manufacture.

So most of it's cosmetic, and a little bit of it an actual difference, and all of it in thrall to the marketing division.

That said, my Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior NOS amplifier is an attractive, inexpensive, and lightweight device that my Gibson ES-335 sounds very good through.

Hope this helps.

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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:51 pm
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NOS used to mean something different. It referred to parts, especially vacuum tubes, that had been manufactured decades ago but never sold and used. I think a lot of stuff that people are calling NOS now should really be called "reissue" on the basis of the fact that it uses new components put together by an old design.

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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 1:54 pm
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I have a Blues Junior. I like the sound. But even cranked up it can't compete with a loud drummer in a practice setting. So it wouldn't be suitable for gigging except in the smallest venues. That's why in the band I mic it to the mixer. That feeds the big 3-way Mackie powered enclosures. And all is well.

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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:55 am
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I would go with the Deluxe if you can. A step up and a lot louder.

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Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:54 pm
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lpdeluxe wrote:
That said, my Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior NOS amplifier is an attractive, inexpensive, and lightweight device that my Gibson ES-335 sounds very good through.

Hope this helps.


At least it used to be inexpensive before the price hike.

I had been planning on picking up one of these NOS Tweed Blues Juniors with my tax refund, but Fender just put it out of reach so I guess I'm gonna end up with a Champ XD.

I'm still trying to figure out why a company would raise all their prices during a recession that might be leading to worse.

Does not compute.


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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:01 am
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soggycrow wrote:
NOS used to mean something different. It referred to parts, especially vacuum tubes, that had been manufactured decades ago but never sold and used. I think a lot of stuff that people are calling NOS now should really be called "reissue" on the basis of the fact that it uses new components put together by an old design.


That's exactly what NOS means. In this case it has now become a marketing tool to make people think they have something special. It's just hype. Tweed also refers to a certain sound that the Bassman, Champ, and original 57 Deluxe 5e3 had in common. It's extremely dynamic and touch sensitive. Meaning the harder you hit the strings, the more breakup you get without an overall increase in volume.


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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:03 am
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63supro wrote:
soggycrow wrote:
NOS used to mean something different. It referred to parts, especially vacuum tubes, that had been manufactured decades ago but never sold and used. I think a lot of stuff that people are calling NOS now should really be called "reissue" on the basis of the fact that it uses new components put together by an old design.


That's exactly what NOS means. In this case it has now become a marketing tool to make people think they have something special. It's just hype. Tweed also refers to a certain sound that the Bassman, Champ, and original 57 Deluxe 5e3 had in common. It's extremely dynamic and touch sensitive. Meaning the harder you hit the strings, the more breakup you get without an overall increase in volume.


You are so correct sir! :wink: especially your last sentence 63supro


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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:26 am
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StratMatt777 wrote:
lpdeluxe wrote:
That said, my Fender Hot Rod Blues Junior NOS amplifier is an attractive, inexpensive, and lightweight device that my Gibson ES-335 sounds very good through.

Hope this helps.


At least it used to be inexpensive before the price hike.

I had been planning on picking up one of these NOS Tweed Blues Juniors with my tax refund, but Fender just put it out of reach so I guess I'm gonna end up with a Champ XD.

I'm still trying to figure out why a company would raise all their prices during a recession that might be leading to worse.

Does not compute.


The same reasons why they make a sig Strat every other week and have a zillion variations of a Strat. Because they can, and because people will buy them. :wink:


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