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Post subject: Blues Junior Bias
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:47 pm
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Hi, I am looking at getting my first tube amp to go along with my tex mex strat and I think the blues junior would be a good fit for me. The only problem is that I have read that the tube bias is set hot. On Billm's site he says that tube life can be shortened and the board scorched. I'm not concerned about replacing tubes but I don't want to scorch the board. And to be honest I really don't want to have to replace resistors on a new amp. So my question is, with home playing will the tubes get hot enough to burn the board or is that an extreme situation, that I probably won't have to worry about, or should I just consider another amp?

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and any help would be greatly appreciated.


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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:01 pm
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Blues Juniors aren't burning up or anything. The bias is set at the maximum for the tube, which is still safe. But the extra heat has to go somewhere, and the expansion and contraction will eventually cause solder joints to fail. I see this on BJrs that are gigged heavily and are 8-12 years old. I've only seen heat damage from heavy, continuous use on one cream board BJr.

The burned resistor happens as a consequence of a tube shorting out, not because of hot bias. It's not a common problem.

So there's no reason not to buy a Blues Junior, but the amp can be greatly improved with mods.


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Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:45 pm
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Thanks, for responding Billm, I was hoping to hear from you on this. That sounds reasonable about the heavy use and repeated expansions and contractions loosening the solder joints. I would definitely be more open to changing the bias and doing some other work after a few years esp. when the warranty is up. How hard is it to fix the solder joints? I'm assuming your referring to the tube sockets? I'm not familiar with tube amps but I was an Avionics Tech in the Coast Guard, so I'm pretty good at soldering.

Thanks again for your help,
Josh


BTW, I noticed that the Tweed BJ's are back ordered till March 3rd. Do you know if Fender might be doing any revisions to what I am assuming is a new production run?


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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 4:58 am
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Ten years from now, the solder joints may become a problem. But they're easy to fix--it's only on the output tubes and all you have to do is reflow the solder that's on there and maybe add a little fresh solder. The hardest part is being careful with your iron so you don't melt the ribbon cables. :)

I don't believe that there are any changes or modifications due for Blues Juniors. They probably do the tweeds in batches and allocate production accordingly.


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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:42 am
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Thanks for the help Billm, that's exactly what I needed to know. It looks like Ill be joining the Blues Junior Mafia when they are off of backorder. :D


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Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 8:44 am
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The Blues Jr is an awesome little amp mods or no mods!

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Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 2:24 pm
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Well from your pictures i'd certainly say that you like them!


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