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Post subject: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 6:09 pm
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I recently bought a blues junior NOS from guitar center and within 2 weeks it blew a fuse. I replaced the fuse and tried it again and it blew that fuse too, so I returned it and had them send me another blues junior.

I got my replacement amp yesterday and today it started acting up. The amp's volume dropped dramatically and the tone quality was very noisy and distorted at all settings. I had some 12AX7 tubes to test with and replacing them made no difference in sound. So I'm going to take this amp back to the store as well.

My real question is, are these amps really flakey, or have I just been very very unlucky? I love the sound of these amps, but I need something I can depend on for gigging.


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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:22 pm
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Jaggars...I can't speak for all the Blues Juniors being built today, but the Pro Jr (First Round of them with the Tweed Covering) I had performed flawlessly for 7 to 8 years...Not a single problem. It does seem that alot of the newer (III) versions have been having more problems but that may be to the fact they are selling more and production is up. But my educated guess would be you have had some bad luck.

FWIW

T2

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Tue Jan 24, 2012 7:35 pm
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jhjaggars wrote:
I recently bought a blues junior NOS from guitar center and within 2 weeks it blew a fuse. I replaced the fuse and tried it again and it blew that fuse too, so I returned it and had them send me another blues junior.

I got my replacement amp yesterday and today it started acting up. The amp's volume dropped dramatically and the tone quality was very noisy and distorted at all settings. I had some 12AX7 tubes to test with and replacing them made no difference in sound. So I'm going to take this amp back to the store as well.

My real question is, are these amps really flakey, or have I just been very very unlucky? I love the sound of these amps, but I need something I can depend on for gigging.


Welcome to the forum.

Around this forum you will find heated discussions on the issue of reliabitiy with this range of amplifiers. I am not fond of the range myself but many people love them. I suspect it's a hit or miss situation with respect to reliability. Some people encounter a tremendous number of issues while others claim no issues at all. Clearly the QA/QC parameter for this range is pretty wide. It's hard to fault FMIC for not using a more stringent approach to this line when they sell for such a low price. I am inclined to quote Bruce Cöçkbûrn,

♪♫♪ "You pay your money and you take your chance when you're dealing with love of small amps."♫♫♪

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 6:53 am
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I don't like the HRD series amps either. Be sure the tubes are seated properly. Take them out and put them back in and see if it helps. Personally, I sold my POS HRDlx and went with Egnater. The Tweaker is the same wattage as the Blues Jr with a lot more versatility. Just a suggestion.
I don't buy amps unless I can sit and try it out with one or two of my guitars. I never bring an amp home in an unopened box. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:22 am
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63supro wrote:
I don't buy amps unless I can sit and try it out with one or two of my guitars. I never bring an amp home in an unopened box. :wink:


The best advice there is..

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 7:33 am
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It's the way all the Mom & Pop shops worked. Nobody ever just pulled a guitar off the wall, cranked the amp and wanked away like you see at GC and Sam Ash on any given Saturday.

You usually went home with the guitar or amp off the floor. No box, just a guitar in a case, a handful of picks, a set of strings, strap and cord. :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:30 am
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I think I'm going to go for a refund and get back to shopping. I typically hate shopping at GC, but at least they have a reasonable return policy.


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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Wed Jan 25, 2012 8:38 am
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Try a bunch of amps. For Fender try looking at the Reissues. Way better built and great sounding amps. I would also suggest Jet City, Vox, Egnater and Marshall. Egnater is my personal favorite. I've had my Rebel 20 for nearly a year and a half with zero problems and nothing but incredible tone.

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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Sun Jan 29, 2012 1:25 pm
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Also try going to GC during the week. Even on a weeknight, that place is DEAD during the week! The staff is MUCH more helpful, and you don't have to contend with anyone to try out an amp. Take at least hour or longer if you are able. It's tough at the GC because their floor models are so abused during the weekend (and a particularly abused floor model may color your impression of a particular make) but, it will be worth your time to shop during the week, if you can swing it.


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Post subject: Re: Should I get another blues junior?
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 1:08 pm
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I bought one in Feb 2012 from a local music store. Saturday (April 14,2012) it went "pop" and blew a fuse. I put in a new fuse and it went "pop" again in like 3 seconds. Just took it back; it does have a 5 year warranty. I loved it up until Saturday. Kind of upset right now, but I'll give them a chance to fix it.


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