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Post subject: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr (Decided)
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 12:37 pm
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I got to play and hear these guys side by side at the store last night. Most of what I read around the internet seemed to favor the tone of the Pro Jr, so I went in expecting to prefer that, but it wasn't that easy.

I really liked the clean tone of the Blues Jr. It seemed to have more personality or "tubiness" that I really dug, while the Pro was a little more neutral. I also liked the fact that you can get some gain on the Blues at low volumes, which would be nice for the bedroom.

On the other hand, when they were both cranked up, the Pro seemed to have a little more bite, which I dug.

I'll probably use some pedals, but I think either has the headroom to handle that. I was a little bummed that neither has a line out or can handle external speakers without mods. I have a nice 2x12 bassman cab that would go nice with either of them.

So what should I do? It's close, but I'm still leaning a little towards the Blues Jr. That seems contrary to popular opinion so I have to wonder if I'm missing something?

Also, it seems they raised the price about $100 on both of them the last year or two?? They were both a bit more expensive than I original expected.


Last edited by cadred on Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 1:33 pm
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The Pro Junior III has a external speaker jack. Is that the model you looked at?
http://www.fender.com/products/hotrod/m ... No=2230300

So does the Blues Junior III,
http://www.fender.com/products/hotrod/m ... No=2230500

I guess it's up to you! Good luck!!


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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:04 pm
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FWIW, the Pro Jr is a better sounding circuit, to my ear, than the Blues Jr.

You might also try some non-Fender 15 watt combos in that same price range. Many players, including me, find the Egnater Tweaker Combo (which I mention as an example, not as an absolute) to be a great sounding, extremely versatile amp for about the same money.

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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:11 pm
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fhopkins wrote:
The Pro Junior III has a external speaker jack. Is that the model you looked at?


Yeah, I checked out both of them in person last night and specifically looked for an output jack, but unless it's well hidden, it isn't there. The sales guy figures it's just referring to the speaker wiring being external and makes it easier to swap speakers. But who knows.

Does anyone have opinions on either amp? I'd love some validation or a second opinion at least.


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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:28 pm
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The output jack on the Blues Jr is indeed well hidden. It is to the left of the tubes. You need to be careful, as there are two 1/4" jacks. When facing the back of the amp, the right hand jack is the external speaker, and the left hand jack is for the footswitch that runs the Fat switch.

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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 2:38 pm
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Hi cadred,

The BJr has reverb too. For me, the BJr is more versatile, and can get some grit at lower volumes as it has a master volume setup. As has been pointed out, both amps definitely have a speaker jack. So, my vote is for the BJr. :idea:

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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:52 pm
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Awesome guys, thanks for the input. I think I am going to go fora Blues Jr!


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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:29 pm
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Good call.

If you're contemplating any sort of live playing, the BJ has the 12" driver rather than than the 10" in the Pro. You can't buck physics.

Even if you just play at home, the BJ is still the best bet as you have a master volume for low level amp distortion. Crank a Pro jnr to get distortion in the average town house, and your neighbours will quickly assemble outside your home with pitch forks and flaming torches..

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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:48 am
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I checked out some more Blues Jr's this weekend. I played a blonde one I didn't really care for (too dark for my tastes).

I also played a pre-III standard that sounded pretty sweet but I've been told that the III is probably the best choice for guitars using humbuckers due to the built in sparkle mod and upgraded speaker.

I found the speaker output, which is where the built-in speaker connects too, which makes a efficient kind of sense :)


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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 3:23 pm
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Not sure if this should be a separate thread, but I had another question.

So far I've seen the following Blues Jr III variations:

Standard w Lightning Bolt speaker $499
Western LE w Lightning Bolt speaker $499
Blonde Top LE w Lightning Bolt speaker $549
Red October LE w Eminence Redcoat Wizard speaker $559
Humboldt Hot Rod w Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker $539

First, am I missing any current models? Second, it is my understanding from reading Bill's page is that the III has a new Lightning Bolt speaker that is significantly better than previous models. Are any of the worth the extra $$ over the new Lightning Bolt?


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr (Decided)
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 8:02 pm
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Check the Billm site for the speaker comparisons that he has done, including the CR, Wizard and stock speaker. I believe that the CR in the BJr gets some great reviews by just about everyone that has tried it.

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr (Decided)
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:20 am
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That's actually a great list. It's only missing a comparison to the updated Lightning Bolt.

The only thing that makes me nervous is that there is a particular sound I like out of the Blues Jr's I've heard, but some of the ones with different speakers I haven't cared for. So buying without hearing one first is probably not something I want to do, even if it's a popular sound.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr (Decided)
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 10:49 am
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Absolutely, hearing it for yourself first is best. The Lightning bolt speaker is talked about on another part of the site, and compared to the previous Gold label speaker.

"What about that new Lightning Bolt speaker? Overall, I’d say it’s an improvement. The fizzy highs of the old gold label Special Design are gone, but the speaker is plenty bright. The bass is tight, a bit better defined than the gold label. It’s well balanced top to bottom, but the bottom isn’t very deep. I didn’t have an Eminence Red White and Blues on hand to compare, but the Lightning Bolt sounds rather similar. That isn’t a good thing for the Blues Junior. I A/B’d it against the gold label and against my trusty Swamp Thang. The Swamp Thang is the speaker the Series III deserves: full, round bass and moderate highs."

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

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr (Decided)
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:03 pm
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Thanks for everyone's input. I ordered my Blues Jr III (standard) today!


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Post subject: Re: Can't Decide: Fender Pro Jr vs Blues Jr
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 6:31 pm
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cadred wrote:
Not sure if this should be a separate thread, but I had another question.

So far I've seen the following Blues Jr III variations:

Standard w Lightning Bolt speaker $499
Western LE w Lightning Bolt speaker $499
Blonde Top LE w Lightning Bolt speaker $549
Red October LE w Eminence Redcoat Wizard speaker $559
Humboldt Hot Rod w Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker $539

First, am I missing any current models? Second, it is my understanding from reading Bill's page is that the III has a new Lightning Bolt speaker that is significantly better than previous models. Are any of the worth the extra $$ over the new Lightning Bolt?


You missed the ltd edition Texas Red BJ, but it may have been a pre mk3 model.
It's red (fairly obviously) and has a Celestion V30 driver.

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