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Post subject: Looking for advice on Blues Junior
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:06 pm
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I'm looking to buy an unmodified Blues Junior, not necessarily new. There seem to be a lot of different kinds out there. What are the internal differences (if any) between the Blondes, standard Blacks, and NOS tweeds? Is there a noticeable difference in the newest generation (III)? I've also heard rumors that some BJrs are MIM and some are stateside--is there a difference in the components/sound there?

Thanks for the help.


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Post subject: BJr specs
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 5:39 am
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Hi SpiderJohn,

The BJr has been made in Mex since 2001, and there have been 2 Mex versions, the newest version is the black panel (BJr III). The III is reported to have a little better sound than the previous versions, it sounded about the same as the first Mex version to me, maybe a little different. The original US version sounds darker/warmer than the Mex versions, and the newest Mex version has some cosmetic changes as well as a couple of minor component upgrades. The Blondes, NOS, and Tweeds and other different BJrs are pretty much the same as the standard blacks, except for different speakers. There are some nice mods available for all versions, I did some of the Billm mods to mine, namely the adjustable bias, standby switch, filter caps and tone caps. It is now a fantastic little amp that sounds even better than when new. :D

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Post subject: Blondes or Blacks?
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:04 am
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Thanks for all the info, Shimmilou.

The blondes seem to be going for less than the blacks on ebay and craigslist. Are their speakers just not as good? Is there a noticeable difference?

I know I'm just being finicky, but I just want to make a smart buy.

Thanks!

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Post subject: Re: Blondes or Blacks?
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 3:17 pm
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SpiderJohn wrote:
...The blondes seem to be going for less than the blacks on ebay and craigslist. Are their speakers just not as good? Is there a noticeable difference?...


You know, come to think of it, I believe that the Blonde has the same speaker as the black. The ONLY difference for the Blonde version is the covering. The Tweed, and others have different speakers, like Celestions. :idea:

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:24 pm
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Awesome. Thanks for all the help, man.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 1:21 pm
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Some better advice is to skip the Blues Jr and pick up a Princeton or DRRI. Way better sounding amps. :shock:

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:11 pm
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63supro wrote:
Some better advice is to skip the Blues Jr and pick up a Princeton or DRRI. Way better sounding amps. :shock:


Thank God you weighed in, supro!

(better you should get banned than me)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 3:29 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
63supro wrote:
Some better advice is to skip the Blues Jr and pick up a Princeton or DRRI. Way better sounding amps. :shock:


Thank God you weighed in, supro!

(better you should get banned than me)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Arjay


Why get banned? I'm suggesting a better, more expensive amp which better enhances Fenders reputation as a guitar amp manufacturer. It's only a suggestion the OP can take it or leave it. Just a friendly piece of advice, not trying to start anything. LOL :D

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Post subject:
Posted: Tue Nov 02, 2010 9:26 pm
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When I bought my Blonde Limited Edition BJ back in April it was $60 more than the black and had the same Eminence speaker and although it's a fairly good speaker-as far as Eminence goes-I am considering putting in a Celestion Vintage 30 which I was told really ups the tonal range of the BJ.

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Post subject: Advice on BJr
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 7:27 am
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Hi guitslinger,

I have been trying mine with different external speakers, and am amazed at the different sounds that you can get with each different speaker. Great little amp! So far, I like the sound of the stock Eminence speaker better than the Celestion G12P80 that came in my HRD cabinet. I have been considering an Eminence "Red White and Blues" speaker for my external cabinet to try with the BJr. Let us know how the V30 sounds if you go that route. :)

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:35 pm
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The Eminence Texas Heat is a great sounding speaker in the BJ.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:47 pm
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63supro wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
63supro wrote:
Some better advice is to skip the Blues Jr and pick up a Princeton or DRRI. Way better sounding amps. :shock:


Thank God you weighed in, supro!

(better you should get banned than me)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Arjay


Why get banned? I'm suggesting a better, more expensive amp which better enhances Fenders reputation as a guitar amp manufacturer. It's only a suggestion the OP can take it or leave it. Just a friendly piece of advice, not trying to start anything. LOL :D


Yes, but when you say "better" you are implying that Fender's more expensive amps are better than their less expensive amps which may influence a potential buyer to look elsewhere for a middle ground compromise and thus cost Fender a sale of one of their budget priced line of amps based on your opinion.
You kinda put yourself in an precariously awkward conflicting position with Fender, and on their forum, no less. I mean, the balance of the teeter totter could go in either direction as far as enhancing Fender's reputation is concerned.
Maybe that's what retro was referring to.

:?:


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 2:47 pm
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63supro wrote:
Retroverbial wrote:
63supro wrote:
Some better advice is to skip the Blues Jr and pick up a Princeton or DRRI. Way better sounding amps. :shock:


Thank God you weighed in, supro!

(better you should get banned than me)

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Arjay


Why get banned? I'm suggesting a better, more expensive amp which better enhances Fenders reputation as a guitar amp manufacturer. It's only a suggestion the OP can take it or leave it. Just a friendly piece of advice, not trying to start anything. LOL :D


Yes, but when you say "better" you are implying that Fender's more expensive amps are better than their less expensive amps which may influence a potential buyer to look elsewhere for a middle ground compromise and thus cost Fender a sale of one of their budget priced line of amps based on your opinion.
You kinda put yourself in an precariously awkward conflicting position with Fender, and on their forum, no less. I mean, the balance of the teeter totter could go in either direction as far as enhancing Fender's reputation is concerned.
Maybe that's what retro was referring to.

:?:


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Nov 03, 2010 3:24 pm
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Yes they are better. That's one reason that they cost more. Do you think a Champion 600 is better that a Twin Reverb. Yes, maybe people should look deeper into Fenders product line. There's a lot of seriously professional gear there. Years ago Fenders "Student Model" amps were made just as well as the higher end professional amps. My 74 Champ is a perfect example. Solid, hand wired amp with quality components. I still use it and it sounds great 36 years later. My 76 Twin was trouble free for 34 years. My HRDlx took a dump after 3 months and continued dumping. Get the picture? Right now the reissues have better cabinets, boards and possibly components even though the power supply caps are still those Taiwanese Illinois craps, er I mean caps.

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