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Post subject: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:20 pm
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Just got a new one and while I like the sound,it is just not very loud at all.I mean I can still hear my electric guitar(new Epi SG 400) accousticly a little while playing it dimed.Took it to jam with my buddy 2 nights ago and ended up having to use my Mustang 1 because the BJ'r just couldn't hang in any config and was totally overdrivenjust to be somewhat audible over the other amp(old Crate GX80)on 3.No drummer playing low enough to sing w/o a mic.
The Mustang 1 was easily more than twice as loud at 20 ss watts 8" speaker,with room to spare.I was thinking the BJ'r at 15 tube watts 12" speaker, would bury the 'Stang and still have clean headroom to spare.I use a pedalboard and nothing I had could goose it to anything other than a completely overdriven tone that wasn't bad but again,just not loud at all.

All the tubes are lit but I havn't taken the back off to tinker yet.I pushed in all the tubes as much as I could though none really seemed loose and I can't really get at the EL84's w/o taking the back off.

Please understand I am not knocking the amp I'm just wondering if this is all she's got or if something is amiss with the amp.I had read some posts and reviews that make me think the latter.
So,what say you???


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:48 pm
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If it's new, take it back and get another one!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:53 pm
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cupajoe, I know this sounds really basic, but did you have the Master turned up to 12?

Running a BJ with "Master" at 12/12 and "Volume" at around 5/12 is insanely loud inside your average lounge room, if you can also hear the guitar "acoustically" in that scenario something is definitely amiss.

Snowy


Last edited by No457 Snowy on Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:57 pm
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That would involve Re shipping and I'd like to keep it if it's something minor.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 9:13 pm
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Yeah I dimed everything at one point.Guitar,amp,pedals.Overkill I know but I was trying to get some balls out of it.Even bypassed the whole rig and still seemed like a wet blanket was over it.The thing is I really don't usually play that loud either.My music room is directly below my bedroom and the misses is a light sleeper.I played it basicly dimed the first night at home and she had no complaints.
Again the sound isn't bad just not any headroom and not much louder than an accoustic.I usually play two amps in stereo(main amp is 60 Bandmaster)and was hoping this would be a nice little buddy for it.I had to turn it's input way down to let the BJ'r be heard.I realize that the other amp/amps have alot more power but I'm not usually using them past 2 or 3 except the Mustang is usually about 3 or 4.
This is giving me more like what I would expect from a 5 watter,if that makes any sense.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 10:55 pm
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Definitely not normal, there is something wrong.

Check to make sure the speaker jack is pushed in properly, try unplugging it and plug it back in again firmly and feel the "click" (make sure the amp is turned OFF when doing this, otherwise you can damage the Output Transformer).

Try swapping around the preamp tubes so a different one moves to the V1 position (furthest to the right when looking from back of amp). If still no good try new power tubes (EL84's) if you have spares.

If still no good you need to return the amp, as it has a deeper problem and if you go into it too much further you could compromise your warranty.


Snowy


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 6:45 am
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No457 Snowy wrote:
Definitely not normal, there is something wrong.

Check to make sure the speaker jack is pushed in properly, try unplugging it and plug it back in again firmly and feel the "click" (make sure the amp is turned OFF when doing this, otherwise you can damage the Output Transformer).

Try swapping around the preamp tubes so a different one moves to the V1 position (furthest to the right when looking from back of amp). If still no good try new power tubes (EL84's) if you have spares.

If still no good you need to return the amp, as it has a deeper problem and if you go into it too much further you could compromise your warranty.


+1

Snowy

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 9:36 am
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Ok,Thanks guys.I will get into it this evening to see if I can suss out the problem.I'll check back in with a progress report as soon as I have a chance.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:29 pm
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Ok,swapped pre amp tubes v-1 for v-2,pulled v-3 out and put back in.Swapped EL84's sides checked speaker connections,all good.No burnt pieces on pcb.I'm gonna try a couple rca 12ax 7's and maybe head down to the local shop to see if they have one I can sample,but I am pretty sure she is gonna have to go back.
I want to try another.If the one at the shop is the same volume I will know I need another amp,but I think maybe it's just a faulty amp.Maybe OT.The tone is there,sorta,just not the volume.Would be cool for recording though,maybe.
Thanks for the replies gentlemen.I will post updates when I have em.
Also...saw the infamous blue glow for the first time today.Have been using NOS in my Bandmaster so had never seen that.....pretty. :)


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 5:54 am
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The blue glow usually isn't a problem at all with the power tubes.
http://thetubestore.com/blueglow.html#blueglow

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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?(Updated)
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:21 pm
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Hello all,
Just got the replacement in and aside from a busted 12ax7 in v2(Hey,shipping happens:),it sounds fine.Plenty loud,desired tone achieved through eq,no snaps crackles or pops,plays well with my pedals.I have probably got about 6 hours on it so far.Definitely sounds like it could hang with a drummer if needed.Will have to wait and see on that though.Headed to jam tonight and if all goes well,she should be a keeper.I'll post up tomorrow with a progress report.Thanks again for the help,guys.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 5:58 pm
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Yup,amp is good.Had a blast jamming the other night.Sounds great,no complaints at all.Carry on.Thank you.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 6:06 pm
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" I mean I can still hear my electric guitar(new Epi SG 400) accousticly a little while playing it dimed. "

I'm glad you found the problem. If a Fender amp does what you described... carefully check the logo & see if it's sitting over an "imposter brand." :lol:

Most complaints I've ever got is the dang things are TOO LOUD. Good to carry known good spare tubes, fuses, patch cords, around from gig-to-gig. Just for the reason you discovered.

BTW.. I have one of those SG400. Nice guitars. Lightweight. Pretty good tone.

Have fun with the amp!


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Post subject: Re: Blues Junior NOS,not very loud?Tubes?
Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2012 9:24 pm
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Good to hear cupajoe, glad you are liking your new amp. I don't play my Blues Junior much now but when I did my fave starting point settings for a loud fat tone are below, I would then just treat the Treble as a "Tone" knob and dial it to taste:

Master 12/12 (always flatout)
Volume 5/12
Bass 8/12
Mid 3/12
Treble 5/12 (adjust to taste)
Reverb 3/12 (adjust to taste)
Fat Switch - Off

Have fun and thanks for keeping us updated too, hope you decide to hang around the forum, pretty good crew here.



Cheers,

Snowy


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