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Post subject: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:52 pm
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Earlier this year I purchased a Mustang III amp and have been very pleased with it. It is quite an amazing value.

However, at times I feel like it can be too complicated when I just want to quickly sit down and practice, or grab an amp to jam with friends. As a result, I have talked myself into adding a Blues Junior to my collection. I have read countless reviews, and I think that this is the best amp for me.

So here is my question: I see that there is the basic black model with an eminence speaker, and there is a "limited edition" blonde/brown model with a "Fender special design" speaker, and finally there is a "NOS" model in tweed with a Jensen speaker for about $80 more. Other than looks, can anyone share any feedback or info on the differences?


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:13 pm
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They all equally bland, uninteresting amplifiers. Too bad you've already talked yourself into one...those countless positive reviews are the result of the internet echo chamber.

I talked myself into buying one without playing one extensively first, based on oceans of praise on the Web, and it was a mistake. Before you buy one, go play through some and compare them to other 15 watt choices. I'd recommend trying an Egnater Tweaker Combo, for example.

But honestly, don't talk yourself into buying gear based on what "everybody" says on the web, and don't ever take the word of a guitar magazine's review, especially not when the maker is a major advertiser.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:47 pm
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"Fender Special Design" is an industry euphemism for Eminence.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:21 pm
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I am now fully qualified to recommend the Egnator Rebel 20 Head and a Rebel 1X12 cabinet. More money? Yes. More amp? Definitely.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:32 pm
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For what it's worth, I agree with others who say go to your local guitar shop and play a Blues Junior. That's the best way to know if it's for you. But be sure to ask the shopkeep to provide you with an overdrive pedal to play with it.

I also have a Fender Mustang (II) and picked up a used Blues Junior a few days ago, along with a Digitech Hardwire Tube Overdrive pedal.

This is my first all-tube amp, and I think it sounds great, and I love the way it reacts to my playing and my guitar's pickups and on-board controls. It seems to need less fussing over controls than the Mustang. I just dial in a sound that I want, plug into the OD pedal and go.

I played through my whole set (only 6 songs, but still) with my bass player yesterday simply stomping the pedal when needed, and flipping the pickup selector and twisting the volume knob on my guitar. No amp model switching or amp knob twisting needed. Quite refreshing actually.

If you do end up liking the sound of a Blues Junior in person, try to find a used one, and save $200. I got mine at a Guitar Center for $299. Definitely worth it for my first tube amp.

Oh, and the Blues Junior can get VERY LOUD and sound great but it can also be very quiet with good sound for late night practice. Just keep the Volume and Master down to appropriate levels.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 5:32 am
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mw, if you found a Blues Junior to be responsive, all I can say is, wait til you play through a really good amp.

BMW, I agree that the Rebel 20 is a killer. But the Tweaker combo sells for $599 new - only 20 bucks more than the tweedy looking NOS Blues Jr. - and it will sound better and do more than any amp in it's price class, especially the aforementioned bland and uninteresting one.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:16 am
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Ignore the haters and the praisers and go play it for yourself. I don't own one personally, but one of my favourite artists plays an old Kay through a Blues Jr., and it sounds incredible.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:31 am
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Hi kandros,

Don't forget, a head needs a speaker, or it's not much use. So, add another $300 for a speaker cab if you go the head route. That's more like $320 more than a Tweed BJr, unless you want a head just to impress your friends. :lol:

I really like my BJr, as do many people, they are great little amps. Another great thing about the BJr is that there are some really cool, very inexpensive mods that can be done to customize it into an even more impressive amp.

Wow! Ask about some speaker differences, and find out that you aren't that great at picking amps for yourself, what a shame. :roll:

As for the speakers, the Jensens are stronger in the mid-range than the Eminence. I agree that you should listen to each if possible before deciding, maybe you like the stronger mids. Some have described the Eminence as thin sounding, and they prefer the Jensen, some say the Jensen is muddy. Personally, I would go with the cheaper BJr, and use the $80 towards an aftermarket speaker, like a "Red White and Blues", "Cannabis Rex", "Swamp Thing", or many other choices that are probably better than either the stock Eminence or Jensen.

But, to really get the best sound from the BJr, hook it up to an external speaker cab (preferably closed back). My BJr sounds even better through my HRDlx 1x12 extension cab, sweet! I have only tried the stock Eminence, and a Celestion G12P80 in my Bjr, and in the amp cab the Celestion sounds better, yet the Eminence sounds better in the ext cab. :idea:

Edit:
Here is some great info about speakers in the BJr from a guy who is probably more knowledgeable about BJr than anyone on the planet, Billm (William Machrone).
http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295

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Last edited by shimmilou on Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 6:48 am
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"Ignore the haters... I know better even though I've never owned one."

And the echo chamber rolls on. I'm not a "hater." I'm a previous owner of a Blues Jr., and a full time professional. I swapped speakers, tubes and tried all kinds of pedals and never got a single usable track out of it. That's not hating... that's real world results. You should stop recommending gear you've never used... a more useful Internet will emerge.

Shim, it seems you don't always read posts carefully before responding. The amp I mentioned is a 15 watt 1x12 combo, just like a BJ, for 20 bucks more than the NOS BJ. Only it doesn't suck bowling balls through a garden hose.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:22 am
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Hi EgFryer,

Quote:
I am now fully qualified to recommend the Egnator Rebel 20 Head and a Rebel 1X12 cabinet. More money? Yes. More amp? Definitely.


So, yeah, "if you go the head route....."

Should we be wary of an "Egnater Artist" recommending an Egnater amp? That seems to be along the same lines as the advice you're giving. :wink:

Shame on you for misquoting the previous poster. :( But I am thoroughly impressed that you are a full time professional, wow! Your opinion must be way more valid than anyone else that has ears.

Anyway, the OP was asking about speaker differences, maybe you could actually contribute something useful in that area. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:41 am
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EgFryer wrote:
mw, if you found a Blues Junior to be responsive, all I can say is, wait til you play through a really good amp.


I have a really good amp. I like it quite well and when I hear my playing come out of it, it makes me happy.

I find it suspect that you would be lurking in a Blues Junior thread if you really seem to hate the product. Could it be that you are trying to hype Egnater amps because you have some ulterior motive?

As far as Egnater amps go, I will likely never try one simply because I don't like the word "Egnater."

The great thing is, I make my money, I buy exactly what makes me happy, and I don't have to care what detractors think.

Feel free to call my taste into question if you feel you need to.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:01 am
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Sorry, Shim, I thought you were responding to my suggestion with the head thing. But as for the OP asking about speaker swaps, my direct experience is that speaker changes to not improve the sound of the BJ, and he should know that. The newer versions of the BJ are designed to sell on looks, not sound. And yes, years on the road and 16 years composing and recording in my own studio has given me some deep audio experience. Sorry, I'm not bragging, that's just the way it is. Let me know when you've recorded over 70 CDs and 25 DVDs worth of your own work in dozens of styles, and then we'll talk about who has the more experienced ears.

Also, I was using Egnater amps exclusively for two years before getting the endorsement deal. I felt very strongly about these amps before I was an Egnater Artist, and I include that in my sig by way of complete disclosure. I know from watching some other threads that you enjoy arguing in circles, so rest assured that I won't be baited. :D

"Lurking?" Uh, that's when you read but don't post... when you post, you've stopped "lurking." I feel it's my civic duty in a way to save people from buying Blues Jrs. I'm glad you're happy with yours, but IMO, they are subpar amps that sell because they look good and are easy to move around. Not calling your taste into question... but not trying an amp because you don't like the name is, well... I don't no what to say to that. But that's no excuse for not trying a Budda or Blackstar or Orange or something.

Most Blues Juniors get sold because of a bunch of praise posted on line by people who have never even owned one (as above). and I just think that's a crime. I try to correct it when I can, because my direct experience (and the experience of several over people on this forum, including some of your venerable types) is that you can do much, much better for your money.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:07 am
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EgFryer wrote:
"Ignore the haters... I know better even though I've never owned one."


Thanks for misquoting me. I'm sure as an Egnater artist, you're a bastion of objectivity.

But what do I know? You might be a well known artist...

Google "Jim Bordner", 4970 hits.
Google "Little Miss Higgins", 169000 hits.

I'll take her recordings over your Internet Commando recommendations, thanks. I don't need to own one to like the tone. I don't own a Bassman or an AC-30, either.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:18 am
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EgFryer wrote:
Most Blues Juniors get sold because of a bunch of praise posted on line by people who have never even owned one (as above).


This statement is laughable.

I believe that most Blues Juniors get sold because:

1. They say "Fender" on them
2. They have a good sound.
3. They're relatively small and light.

Personally, I did read people's comments about Blues Juniors on the web before trying one out. The comments were both positive (some glowing) and negative (some vitriolic). I then watched some Youtube videos of people reviewing the Blues Junior, and i really liked the sound. I also really like the size, since I don't want a huge, heavy tube amp. Finally, I went to a number of music shops and played a few. I thought the $500 price was too high for me, so I waited to find a used one in good condition.

I think most people's experience buying a BJR is a lot more like mine than how you describe it. I'm sorry the Blues Junior irritates you so much that you're drawn to discussions of it.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior advice
Posted: Wed Aug 10, 2011 8:30 am
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Hey, no skin off my nose. You're obviously secure in your decision to buy an amp you've never played. Go ahead. I did the same thing, with the same amp.

Just remember this thread when you're ready to burn it in 18 months.

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