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Post subject: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:21 pm
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
I have a chance to pick up a barely used (1997) Blues Jr for $300 (maybe less). Question is, are the new Jr's better or are they basically the same? I don't mind stepping up and buying new if the benefit is there. I'm not up to speed on tube amps so take it easy on me.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:12 am
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Location: Clackamas County, OR
$300 is a decent price but if you can swing it maybe look at a used Fender Vintage Reissue amp instead. The Blues Jr. is ok clean but down the road you may want to upgrade to another amp. I had one for years but finally ditched it for a Deluxe Reverb Reissue due to the Blues Jr. having a muddy sound and also it was no good for overdriven tones. Specifically to answer your question I would say the new ones do sound a bit better. Again though I would look at a used Princeton or Deluxe Reverb before biting on the Blues Jr.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:19 am
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Hi akstratistic,

The first version of the BJr (US made) will sound darker/warmer partly due to the way that reverb circuit was wired. 1997 would be a US made version. The second version, when the production was moved to Mex around 2001, has a reconfigured (corrected) circuit that inserts the reverb in a different place, giving a brighter sound as well as improved reverb sound. The third version called the "III" is supposed to have an improved sound over the second version, as the III has some additional improvements. I thought that the difference in sound between the second and third versions was minimal at best, though others can tell a distinct difference.

Which is better? Hmmm, well the US made will have more resale value, and some people prefer that darker sound. I feel that the second version sounds better than the first, and I've A/B'ed the two, the first version sounds too dark to me. The improvements to the III are described as "more sparkly" or brighter still than the second version. If you have the opportunity, you should compare the sounds for yourself.

I have the second version, and have modified it somewhat, so it has a unique sound, unlike any stock version. Here is a great site about the BJr, with descriptions of the three versions, and tons of useful info (link below). When you decide, please report back here and let us know your thoughts. :)

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=2

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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:23 am
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I`ve owned five blues juniors at various times and the biggest problem I`ve had with them is the tube seats and solder joints to the sockets, so i have used the warranty that you would get with the new amp. Check out the used one really good, play it for awhile and get the tubes really warmed up. I guess i wouldn`t pas on a good used one at that price.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:53 pm
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Go for the new, you get the 5 yr warranty. Just in case any issues or problems arise. Avoid modding for 5 years.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:59 pm
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If you have the time, go play a new one and then play the used one...which ever one you like best, buy it. And by all means let us know what you chose and a couple pics wouldn't hurt either!

T2

:mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:41 am
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I've played them all and the Blues Jr. III wins in terms of pure tone. The cleans are unmistakably superior to all three versions. Upgrading the speaker down the road is not a bad decision at all. I put a Celestion Vintage 30 in mine and have never looked back. If anything it really improved the overdrive tones.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2011 1:04 pm
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Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Thanks all!


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:03 pm
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If that's your only choices, go new for the warranty alone. The USA made HRD series amps used to command a little higher price, but not so much any more. They're now just old amps cheaply made amps that need maintenance like filter caps, solder joint repair, and in many cases jack replacement. Personally, I'd look for a nice used DRRI.

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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 5:12 pm
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How ya been 63supro? Haven't seen your posts for a while, good to see you're still around. :)

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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:14 am
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shimmilou wrote:
Hi akstratistic,

The first version of the BJr (US made) will sound darker/warmer partly due to the way that reverb circuit was wired. 1997 would be a US made version. The second version, when the production was moved to Mex around 2001, has a reconfigured (corrected) circuit that inserts the reverb in a different place, giving a brighter sound as well as improved reverb sound. The third version called the "III" is supposed to have an improved sound over the second version, as the III has some additional improvements. I thought that the difference in sound between the second and third versions was minimal at best, though others can tell a distinct difference.

Which is better? Hmmm, well the US made will have more resale value, and some people prefer that darker sound. I feel that the second version sounds better than the first, and I've A/B'ed the two, the first version sounds too dark to me. The improvements to the III are described as "more sparkly" or brighter still than the second version. If you have the opportunity, you should compare the sounds for yourself.

I have the second version, and have modified it somewhat, so it has a unique sound, unlike any stock version. Here is a great site about the BJr, with descriptions of the three versions, and tons of useful info (link below). When you decide, please report back here and let us know your thoughts. :)

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=2



im with you on this one too. i love my blues jr.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:29 am
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way cool jr wrote:
...im with you on this one too. i love my blues jr.


Yes! Almost anywhere that I take my BJr, people still are amazed at the amount and quality of the sound coming from "that little amp" with no pedals even. Same response every time; "Wow! And that's only 15 watts?!?!". I pretty much only use two amps now, the HRDlx at home and the BJr for away. Sweet! :D

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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 7:34 am
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ive narrowed it down to 3. my rebel20, blues jr, and my 68 champ.
i do use the pignose for when the g.friend is asleep.
when i get my mesaboogie express 5/50, i'll then have it narrowed
down to 1 amp. :wink:

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:29 am
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Oh yeah! Please post your thoughts about the MB when you get it. After working on a few MBs and getting to try them out on a more personal level than I can in the store, I am really liking the sound and versatility that they offer. I have been considering an Egnator head, but now leaning towards a MB head that has the switching to class A, or using 2 or 4 output tubes options. :idea:

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.


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Post subject: Re: Used or new Blues Jr.?
Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 8:44 am
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its still gonna be a while. my dog tore both of his acl's in the rear. surgery on both needed, well on one of them now as he just got one done.
i had to pay cash. (there went my mesaboogie and 2x12 cab) still yet to do the other. that will come in about 1.5 months. there goes my next opportunity to get the MB and 2x12. poor pup. he had spinal surgery 4 yrs ago. there went my new truck lol.
inbetween his surgeries ive had to get MRI'S done on my back as well. there went yet my other opportunity to buy mine and YOUR MB w/2x12 cab.
the egnator is a sweet amp. i have the rebel20 and wouldnt trade it in on a MB for nothing. not that its not worth it but i just happen to love my rebel20.
the MB offeres everything i want in a amp right now. im shooting for the 1x12 option.
you saw paul at guitar world do his demp on the express 5/50 right? sweet amp.
he does a great job at the demo too. to me, for now, its the perfect amp for most situations i believe i will find myself in in the next 5 yrs or so.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."


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