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Post subject: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:22 pm
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So, I'm not seeing the Blues Jr. NOS on Fender's site...are they phasing them out? I know they are still shipping them....guitar center near me just got a couple in 2 days ago from Fender.

My main question, since they "revamped" the Hot Rod series, did the Blues JR NOS get those same mods? I know the NOS is no different than a regular blues junior, with the exception of the upgraded Jensen speaker and the lacquered tweed covering. I know they gave the Hot Rod III series the "Sparkle mod", a new speaker, and some shock absorbers for the tubes. I'm just curious if the NOS version got these mods or not. I'm looking to buy an Blues Jr, mainly the NOS because of the upgraded speaker and I love the tweed covering. I can't help myself.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:43 pm
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The Blues Jr NOS version may in fact be a limited edition, much like the "FSR" guitars that Fender periodically builds for selected vendors. Thus, it may not be a regular cataloged item. As for the "III" upgrades, I don't know -- Shimmilou will be along shortly (he knows this amp line well).

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:02 pm
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very cool. I thought I remember at one point seeing the NOS on Fender's site, but I could be mistaken. I'm just not sure. I look forward to Shimmilou's response to this post!


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 11:23 pm
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I remember seeing a factory "roadworn" lacquered-tweed Blues Jr in a store some years back and I had to do a double-take because it looked so damn authentic. I thought it was a vintage Harvard at first!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:28 am
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Thanks for the compliment Retroverbial, I don't know that it's deserved, there are members here that know far more about the whole line than I do. But, AFAIK the Tweed NOS will continue being made the same, and is the only version that didn't get the III updates. All of the other versions, Blondes, Reds etc, did/will get the III updates and some aren't out yet. At least they haven't set a date for discontinuing the NOS yet, so more could be made if requested by the vendor(s).

The NOS is/was a FSR or "Limited Edition" made specifically at the request of one of the vendors (maybe GC), in batch runs. Maybe that's why they aren't on the Fender site. They haven't been officially discontinued, but no more have been ordered from Fender yet, so they are getting fewer in numbers available. The GC near me only has one, and it is still in the box, been there awhile I suppose. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:10 am
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Thank you for the info, Shimmilou!

In your opinion, what is my best bet? I could get a new BJr III, or get the BJr NOS. I'll admit, I want to buy the BJr NOS, because I'm a fan of the upgraded jensen speaker, and the lacquered tweed covering just makes me drool. It's not a matter of finances...I can afford a new one...I planned to spend $500 or so (with GC sales, I can get one for about 15% off). But, which one is clearly a better bet...the "revamped" BJr III, or the BJr NOS? I'm not really interested in the BJr III, because side by side, the only difference I hear is that the BJr NOS doesn't have the annoying high's that I've heard on some of the III's, thanks to the speaker upgrade. The sparkle circuit mod that the III has isn't that spectacular to draw me towards getting it. Also, I've got a HR Deville, so I'd like the NOS because it would be nice to have something other than tolex. Obviously, you can tell I'm leaning heavily on the NOS. But, I don't want to rule out the III. Shoot me straight, Shimmilou!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:53 am
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From what I understand, the version III improvements aren't huge, a little different tone circuit, a little different speaker, and the changes to the tone are liked by some, hated by others. I tried the BJr III briefly when it first came out and I didn't notice a huge difference, maybe brighter sounding than before, but nothing to wow me. If you like the Jensen speaker sound, that covering is definitely great looking, I see no reason to steer you away from the NOS. I haven't even compared the Jensen speaker to the others, and the version IIIs have the new Lightning Bolt speaker. If you have already compared the two amps sound side by side, that's the best way to know for sure. I don't think that you'll go wrong with either, but I agree that the looks are part of the mojo too.

Here is a look at the version III improvements from an expert on the BJr amps.

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=709

Personally, I modified my pre-III NS (new stock :lol: ) black one myself with adjustable bias, standby switch and new tone caps and power supply caps. I also recently changed the Gold Label speaker for a Celestion G12P80 speaker from my HRDlx ext cab, I have some excellent tone from my amp that I don't think any stock version can match. I really liked the amp sound when I bought it, but now after the changes, it is all that, and then some, seriously killer tone. :idea:

Hopefully some of the other BJr owners will chime in too, especially any NOS owners. :)

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:02 pm
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Sounds good to me. I definetly think the NOS will be the one I go with.

Also, since you mentioned a speaker change....I hve a 2004 HR Deville that I finally retubed this summer (JJ's) and I love it. Always have. If it were more portable, it would be even better! Anyway...I'm going to do a speaker swap, and can't decide what to go with. The choices are mind-numbing. I've been told that Weber's, Celestion's, Jensen's, Eminence's are all good, but that does nothing to narrow things down! I definetly think a set of quality speakers will take the brittleness out of the amp. I don't want to spend a fortune on new speakers...what do you recommend?


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:51 pm
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:lol: That's why I originally bought my BJr, my HRDlx became too heavy for me, especially after my knee surgery. As far as which speakers, I don't have much experience with speaker swaps, other than what I have mentioned. That is another one of Retroverbial's areas of expertise. You're right, there are a bazillion different speakers out there. You might even think about an extension cabinet for the BJr and/or the HRDlx, unplugging the internal speaker and using the cab in it's place, or with the HRDlx, using both speakers simultaneously. The BJr and the HRDlx can benefit quite a bit with an external cabinet, and it's way easier to swap speakers in the cab than in the amp. To change the speaker in the amp, you have to remove the chassis first. And don't forget about different tubes to further tailor your sound. (oops, there are two more variables for you :lol: )

I can tell you that the stock Celestion G12P80 and Eminence Gold Label speakers that I have are very stiff, and both are fully ribbed, which is usually a later breakup design. The Celestion seems a perfect match for my modded BJr, and the Eminence was better in the ext cab used with my HRDlx, more closely matching the speaker in the amp. I have looked at a lot of speaker specs, read some reviews, and the speaker that has peaked my interest for the HRDlx or BJr, for driven blues tones is the Eminence "Red White and Blues" as a first choice, and the "Texas Heat" as a close second. :idea:

Edit:
I see that you said the Deville, not Deluxe, my fault (is it the 2x12 or 4x10?). I know even less about the 10 inch speakers if you have the 4x10, sorry. :(

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Last edited by shimmilou on Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:16 pm, edited 3 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:01 pm
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I have a BJ NOS. I haven't done any electronics or speaker changes, but I did replace the standard reverb pan with a Ruby Reverb.

Great little amp: light weight, plenty of power for most situations (and I'll mic it if needed), and the tweed looks killer. Sounds good, too. :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:12 pm
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shimmilou...it's the 212


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:04 pm
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I just got the Tweed NOS Blues Jr myself. I am enjoying it. It is what I was looking for. I was debating between the two but the speaker sonically was the deciding factor.

There may be other options to further tailor your sound like previously mentioned. However, out of the box I was really impressed with the sound, with my Clapton at least. The Modded MIM on the other hand disappointed me a bit but thats why we tinker.

After playing both the Blues Jr. III and the NOS Tweed- Tweed was the way to go for me.

Nice cleans and breaks up nicely. Hadn't tried any pedals with it yet but man, I'm content with it for now.

Good luck and I hope you bring one home soon.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:15 pm
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I too own a Fender Blues Jr. NOS and like Shimmilou I had some mods done (Billm type) including changing out the speaker to a Eminence Texas Heat. Along with changin the speaker the mods were; tone-stack mod, adding the presence control, and finally changing out the transformer to a TO20 (also changed out the input jack and added a 3-way switch w / standby). These changes improved the dynamics and after the speaker was broke in I noticed and rounder, fuller low end and most noticably nice chimey highs. My main guitar is a Tele with P90s and I am very pleased with the tone I am getting. Now I am no electronics whiz so I had the mods done by a qualified tech, but Shimmilou can give you the details as to what and why the mods are beneficial to the BJ. Good luck on your quest!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:55 pm
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I sold some gear and bought 2 new Blues Jr NOS at Guitar Center, used them today at rehearsal in a stereo setup. Plenty of volume, tone was pretty good but not as tasty as my SRRI, but the speakers are new so I can't really be too critical yet. Pretty much just run the eq's on 5, both volumes on 7, fat switch engaged, Reverb on 2 on each. Only effects used were an Ibanez ad9(to split the signal) a wah sparingly and my trusty old TS9....I found I could back the gain off a little less than my usual max setting on the TS9 and use the volume more on it to "kick" the amps for solos. In time I may swap out one speaker for a Weber alnico....All in all, I'm pleased with it, it's very portable, sounds good and looks even better. Kinda cool seeing a couple of small tweeds side by side.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr NOS
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 5:52 am
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go with the NOS it is what you want after all.

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