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Post subject: Pro junior, Blues junior, or Hot rod deluxe?
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 3:50 pm
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I'm trying to decide between three amps: the pro junior, blues junior, and the hot rod deluxe. My local music store has a hot rod deluxe for $450. I just play at home and in a small band so im doubting the hot rod deluxe. But with that out of the equation i dont know whether to get a pro junior or a blues junior. I like to play classic rock, for example, pink floyd. Can you guys help me out?

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Post subject: Which amp
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:24 pm
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Hey guitarlegend1218,

If those are your only choices, go with the Blues Junior. I used to lug my Hot Rod Deluxe around for jam sessions, but it was heavy and I wanted something decent sounding, inexpensive and light weight. The Blues Junior fit the bill for me. It has a twelve inch speaker (same one as in the Hot Rod Deluxe), and is loud enough for small gigs, or medium sized venues if you use a PA. The sound isn't quite like the Hot Rod Deluxe, but it is a good sound and handles pedals and effects pretty well. It is definitely loud enough to keep up with a bass and drums. The only problem that I have with it is that it runs too hot, due to the bias being hot from the factory. I have a trim pot ordered to correct that problem.

Of course that whole series of amps, Pro Jr, Blues Jr, Deluxe has a bad reputation with some people, due to the less than the best construction (thin circuit boards) and poor component selection (capacitors mainly). The poor components can be replaced and if the bias is set properly to reduce the heat it might last longer.

If I had a do over, I would really like to try the Deluxe Reverb though. :)


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 4:31 pm
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I'd go with either a nice used DRRI or a Peavey Classic 30. Unless you like modding, repairing and modding. Just my opinion and trying to be helpful.
There are sites dedicated to repairing and modding the HRD series amps.

The Egnater Tweaker is a wonderful amp for the money so is the Rebel 20. They have a lot more versatility than any of the amps you mentioned and are rock solid, well built amps.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 8:55 pm
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Of the 3 amps you're considering, I have the Blues Junior (I have 2 of them actually) and find it to be a great amp for gigging and playing at home. You certainly don't "need" to mod it, too many people do mod their gear just because others on forums tell them they need to.

Most BJ's out there aren't modded and the owners are entirely happy with their amp. Neither of mine have ever needed any form of repairs, one of which I have owned for 10 years.

The important thing is to check the amps out yourself, you may find you love the sound/features of a particular amp and I guarantee there will still be a line-up of people posting every possible negative trait of your personal equipment choice.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:43 pm
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im for the blues jr too. have the NOS and love the hell out of it.
for me, my guitars, and my pedals, the jr works fantastic.
ive had it 2 or 3 months now and its played everyday.
i do agree with 63supro, the egnator amps are sweet too.
i WILL have one because they are so different than most every other amp on the market right now. will it replace my jr, probably not.
i will play the hell out of it too. just means i'll get even less sleep and jam more often.

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Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:00 pm
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way cool jr wrote:
im for the blues jr too. have the NOS and love the hell out of it.
for me, my guitars, and my pedals, the jr works fantastic.
ive had it 2 or 3 months now and its played everyday.
i do agree with 63supro, the egnator amps are sweet too.
i WILL have one because they are so different than most every other amp on the market right now. will it replace my jr, probably not.
i will play the hell out of it too. just means i'll get even less sleep and jam more often.


Be careful way cool jr, mine replaced a HRDlx and I've sold my 76 Twin because the Egnater reliably covers all of my needs so far. LOL It even covers most of my distortion pedals too. :D Because of the fiasco I had with my HRDlx, I can not and will not recommend any of the HRD series. I'm aware some people got a good shake with their amps , but I know a lot of musicians who bought them because I did and regretted it after a few months.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:38 pm
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oh they are good amps to be sure. i went out the very next day you suggested them and tried a couple on for size. was looking hard at the rebel today at GC when i went to get my DC brick.
i will have one. they really are nice. they do sound amazing too.
i like the tone my jr gives as well. i put a clip on fan on my NOS just to
help keep things cool running over the glass. the rebel or tweaker WILL be my next amp. probably my christmas present to me. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Pro junior, Blues junior, or Hot rod deluxe?
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 1:52 am
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guitarlegend1218 wrote:
I'm trying to decide between three amps: the pro junior, blues junior, and the hot rod deluxe. My local music store has a hot rod deluxe for $450. I just play at home and in a small band so im doubting the hot rod deluxe. But with that out of the equation i dont know whether to get a pro junior or a blues junior. I like to play classic rock, for example, pink floyd. Can you guys help me out?


How much headroom do you need with your band? What kind of amp are you using with the band right now? If you need to stay clean with a hard drummer, then the BJ probably won't cut it (although it does give you a nice bluesy tube breakup). That's a decent price on the HRD, and it would give you the headroom, but I would save up a bit more money and look for a used DRRI; better build quality, amazing cleans at bedroom volumes, and enough headroom for most band situations. A nice 6v6 breakup when pushed hard enough, too.

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Post subject: Re: Pro junior, Blues junior, or Hot rod deluxe?
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:01 am
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guitarlegend1218 wrote:
I'm trying to decide between three amps: the pro junior, blues junior, and the hot rod deluxe. My local music store has a hot rod deluxe for $450. I just play at home and in a small band so im doubting the hot rod deluxe. But with that out of the equation i dont know whether to get a pro junior or a blues junior. I like to play classic rock, for example, pink floyd. Can you guys help me out?


As a multiple choice question, sticking with the three, and trying to interpret your application (small band and home), go with the Blues Jr. and get a Tubescreamer TS-9 for OD and boost to solo with. But by all means, go try one out in a store and with your guitar if possible.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 10:31 am
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TS9 or a very sweet fulltone OCD pedal. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Pro junior, Blues junior, or Hot rod deluxe?
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 2:24 pm
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djv18 wrote:
guitarlegend1218 wrote:
I'm trying to decide between three amps: the pro junior, blues junior, and the hot rod deluxe. My local music store has a hot rod deluxe for $450. I just play at home and in a small band so im doubting the hot rod deluxe. But with that out of the equation i dont know whether to get a pro junior or a blues junior. I like to play classic rock, for example, pink floyd. Can you guys help me out?


How much headroom do you need with your band? What kind of amp are you using with the band right now? If you need to stay clean with a hard drummer, then the BJ probably won't cut it (although it does give you a nice bluesy tube breakup). That's a decent price on the HRD, and it would give you the headroom, but I would save up a bit more money and look for a used DRRI; better build quality, amazing cleans at bedroom volumes, and enough headroom for most band situations. A nice 6v6 breakup when pushed hard enough, too.

I think i've read DDRI a couple of times in this post. What does it stand for?

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 2:25 pm
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65 Deluxe Reverb Reissue

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Post subject: Re: Pro junior, Blues junior, or Hot rod deluxe?
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:31 pm
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guitarlegend1218 wrote:
I think i've read DDRI a couple of times in this post. What does it stand for?


i have no idea either lol

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:07 pm
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+1 for the DRRI. I really dont see the point in buying the BJ, I had one and got rid of it, played my buddy's BJ for a few months 3-4 gigs a week cuz I didn't have my amp and he didn't want me to take his DRRI :) so I have plenty of experience with it... and I was a fan, til I spent some time with the DRRI.

I finally got my DRRI a month or so ago, and I have no idea why I waited this long to get one! If money is no object DRRI is the winner by far! It weighs about the same as the BJ, it's 22 watts and it doesn't sound boxy like the BJ does.

This is my opinion of course, no disrespect to the BJ owners out there :) I was once an a BJ owner but I've seen the light! So if you can afford one go for it, you can find them used on Craigslist for about $600. If not then BJ is your next option, forget the other 2 you mentioned.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jul 19, 2010 7:38 pm
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I agree about the boxy tone. IMO the cab is kind of small for the speaker. If you put it through an extension cabinet it sounds better. The thing is when you see sites dedicated to repairing and modding both the HRDlx and the Blues Jr, it should give you a hint as to what kind of amp it is. Sorry, but I'm just being honest. I played for a living for a pretty long stretch and if I had any of those amps I would have been in big trouble.

Here's an example, I saw Squeeze and Cheap Trick at the Mann in Philly Friday night. For some reason, probably a rental, Glenn Martin Tilbrook was using a Hot Rod Deville. He wasn't cutting the mix until he hit what sounded like the more drive switch on it and released some horrible asstone. It's a shame because Glenn's a really talented guitarist IMO, and you really had a hard time hearing him. He was mic'd. Maybe it's the soundman, but my HRDlx was the same way mic'd or not. The mix on everyone else was great. You could hear Chris Difford just fine. Gi figure.

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