It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:49 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 69 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 5:03 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:46 am
Posts: 75
I have been reading mixed opinions about using an attenuator for the fender blues jr.
Reason why I am considering an attenuator is this :

I tested my SRV strat on my fender bl jr with me so I could hear the difference. (it's a navy blue, one of the last limited editions, still available I think)

The sound of the SRV was ok, but didn't impress me but ..I didn't crank the amp, I never do at home. I do use the master volume and try to make the amp work as hard as possible.. but still the amp doesn't sing at low volumes.

And with singing I am still talking about clean sound, just before or into breaking up...no distortion. (srv sound...) (I use my pedals for more distortion/grit)

Anyway, when I got home with the SRV I plugged in into a BLACKSTAR HT1-R
1 watt amp. I used the clean channel and cranked it and listened to the emulated output with headset. Now this is really a different story, while the tone is still clean, on the edge of breakup, its just singing... the sound is more open, wide, complete.. hard to describe.

The sound/tone is about on the same "clean" level, but it sings more on the cranked 1 watt amp.

Another example :
On my fender bl jr I hear little to no difference between my american special (with texas specials) and my SRV (also texas specials). I was thinking this was kinda possible, having the same pickups ...
If I compare both guitars on my 1watt amp, cranked on clean ... I think I can pick the SRV blindfolde anytime (this gives me an idea, I will test this !)

I don't think I can get that nice sound that I receive from my SRV out of my American Special on this little amp, but on the Fender Bl Jr at low levels there is little to no difference...

Think I will do some sound recordings next time for comparison.


So anyway : to attenuate or not to attenuate : that is the question !

(not for this question in case you can't read between the lines : pros and cons for attenuating, what is your experience, which attenuators you do recommend. Other solutions are welcome as well ofcourse...this has already been found : http://lmgtfy.com/?q=attenuator+fender+blues+junior)


Last edited by 4ntiClock on Thu Sep 20, 2012 12:53 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:05 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Attenuator is a good and usefulle tool. But amp cranked ,tube's life is shortened but what a sound..!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 2:52 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
That would be called a Champ Amp. I wouldn't bother with an attenuator on a 15 watt amp. I'd just either get a vintage Champ or a Champion 500. :wink: With the Blues Jr and an attenuator you'll be pushing the snot out of the tubes and be replacing them all the time.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2012 7:38 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:07 pm
Posts: 427
One think I would like to mention. When you say " I do use the master volume and try to make the amp work as hard as possible.. but still the amp doesn't sing at low volumes."

When doing that it's really not working as hard as possible. The power tubes are getting very little signal. All you distortion is coming from your preamp tubes (which isn't very pretty yo my ears)
Even though it's cleaner, this amp sounds better with the master maxed and the gain turned down (it will hiss a bit). Then use a pedal for a little dirt.
Power tube distortion is pleasing and retaines the character of the guitar, that's why the lower watt amps sound better at that volume.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 3:38 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
63supro wrote:
That would be called a Champ Amp. I wouldn't bother with an attenuator on a 15 watt amp. I'd just either get a vintage Champ or a Champion 500. :wink: With the Blues Jr and an attenuator you'll be pushing the snot out of the tubes and be replacing them all the time.


For home use , 15 watts is too loud , need attenuator, or no attenuator if you hate your neighborhood


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 12:57 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:46 am
Posts: 75
update.

I was wrong ...

after adjust pickup height on both guitars (american special and SRV) to fender specs I seems I can not hear the difference anymore between both guitars.
(made a little video fast for comparing both sounds :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NroOgVYY6sc )

negative is : I hoped my SRV to sound better then my american special
positive is : after adjusting pickup heights now my american special sounds good also

So, texas specials are sensetive concerning pickup height.

But anyway yes: in my little 1watt tube amp they both sound better at low volume, only thing is with these little amps : they have little speakers :)
And I think bigger speaker at low volume will sound better... no ?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:26 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Pickups height is very important and sometime not easy to have the best , trial and error.

Speaker . I don't know what size of speaker your 1 watt amp have but if it is a cheap 6 or 8 inches , sure a cheap 10 or 12 inches will sound better and a very good 8 inch even better. But IMO a 10 or 12 inches must sound better too.

First what speaker have you ?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2012 1:37 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:46 am
Posts: 75
stratele52 wrote:
Pickups height is very important and sometime not easy to have the best , trial and error.

Speaker . I don't know what size of speaker your 1 watt amp have but if it is a cheap 6 or 8 inches , sure a cheap 10 or 12 inches will sound better and a very good 8 inch even better. But IMO a 10 or 12 inches must sound better too.

First what speaker have you ?


my fender blues jr has a Celestion V30 (12"), I haven't seen any low watt tube amp from fender with that kind off speaker, that's why I am looking in the direction of an attenuator.

My ht1-r (1 watt tube) has an 8"... sound really good with headphone but thin with this speaker.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 5:37 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
stratele52 wrote:
63supro wrote:
That would be called a Champ Amp. I wouldn't bother with an attenuator on a 15 watt amp. I'd just either get a vintage Champ or a Champion 500. :wink: With the Blues Jr and an attenuator you'll be pushing the snot out of the tubes and be replacing them all the time.


For home use , 15 watts is too loud , need attenuator, or no attenuator if you hate your neighborhood



Depends on the size of your house :mrgreen:

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2012 7:35 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:07 pm
Posts: 427
You may want to check these out
http://www.eminence.com/speakers/speake ... l=Maverick
I have no idea if the sound good, but I'm a fan of their other speakers.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 4:23 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:46 am
Posts: 75
eddie_bowers wrote:
You may want to check these out
http://www.eminence.com/speakers/speake ... l=Maverick
I have no idea if the sound good, but I'm a fan of their other speakers.


I'm not looking for another amp or speaker :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:35 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2007 1:07 pm
Posts: 427
4ntiClock wrote:
eddie_bowers wrote:
You may want to check these out
http://www.eminence.com/speakers/speake ... l=Maverick
I have no idea if the sound good, but I'm a fan of their other speakers.


I'm not looking for another amp or speaker :)


Well this has an attenuator built in. If it sounds decent, then that would be an elegant solution IMHO.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:47 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 1:20 pm
Posts: 9640
Location: Indiana
Although using that speaker sounds like a great idea, according to the Billm site, it will not fit in the BJr (FDM depth 6.56").

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

_________________
---> "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.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:24 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:19 pm
Posts: 8827
Shim's right, that speaker has a big knob protruding from the rear of it. I think Chet Feathers has a beautiful oversized cab for his. You just need a little more depth.

_________________
Life...... It's sexually transmitted and always fatal


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Fender Blues JR - Attenuator
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:52 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Jul 04, 2012 4:46 am
Posts: 75
eddie_bowers wrote:
4ntiClock wrote:
eddie_bowers wrote:
You may want to check these out
http://www.eminence.com/speakers/speake ... l=Maverick
I have no idea if the sound good, but I'm a fan of their other speakers.


I'm not looking for another amp or speaker :)


Well this has an attenuator built in. If it sounds decent, then that would be an elegant solution IMHO.


Think it's kinda silly to buy a brandnew fender blues jr navy blue limited edition with celestion v30 speaker to then install another speaker in it. I would like to keep it original.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 69 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next
Go to page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: