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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:29 pm
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Good to hear jrwblw375! (pun intended)

You might check out the "Billm" website for some ideas. You're at about the same point that I was with mine, played for a while and enjoyed the sound, but wondered if it could be even better. I didn't really do a whole lot to mine, added a bias adjust pot (most important), extra cap for first stage of power supply, jumper on the mid pot, different value tone stack caps, tried different tubes, and tried another speaker. The speaker change was really only because I wanted the Eminence speaker from the BJr for a HRDlx cab, because it matched the speaker in my HRDlx.

http://billmaudio.com/wp/

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:48 pm
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I have looked at billm mods. He seems to be "the" guy for Blues Junior's. Also, Chrome Dome audio, fromel, and Fargen. Overall, they all sound pretty good. With what I have read and heard I think I would regret anything but billM. It seems like he's is the BJ guru. I'd like to send him my amp and sign the thing when he is done. It's like he is a superhero or something. With all that being said--I think I read somewhere that he wrote that the "king" of clean is a Fender Twin. And for the money invested I could go that route in the future....or maybe I should consider what some other guys have said and find a nice 5 watt amp for home practice. Blackstar maybe?? VOX AC4 who knows. I wish I lived next to a store. There are so many great offerings.


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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2014 12:38 am
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Good thinking. I feel that the only mod that could be considered "necessary" for the BJr is adding an adjustable bias, as the output tubes are running so unreasonably hot, and setting the bias to a lower level can greatly improve tube life with no loss of tone. But there are many cool mods available that can make the BJr more versatile. And yes, nothing beats a TR for clean.

Depending on what you are looking for in a 5 watt amp, definitely check out the Blackstar HT-5R head or combo. I first heard and tried the HT-5 awhile back, it sounds awesome, especially for distortion sounds. While thinking of getting an HT-5, I got a good deal on the HT Studio 20, and have been enjoying the heck out of it. The 20 sounds very similar to the 5 but with more power and more tubes. I still want the 5, and will probably end up getting one.

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:22 pm
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jrwblw375 wrote:
Almost a year later. I really do like this amp. Blues Jr NOS sounds very nice to me. Maybe I can make some upgrades soon!!


If you like it, why upgrade it?

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:20 am
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It's been some time now since we discussed this but I modded my Blues Junior with pretty much all of the BillM mods that were available at the time. They say hindsight is always 20/20 and with that in mind I'd have to say the OT swap and the tone stack mod and the bias pot mod are the only BillM mods that would be worthwhile in my opinion. Maybe the standby. However, a much easier and more effective mod would be to simply replace the puny cabinet that is choking the amp off and keeping it from sounding big.

Carl's Custom BJ Cabinet

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:56 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
However, a much easier and more effective mod would be to simply replace the puny cabinet that is choking the amp off and keeping it from sounding big.


That cabinet upgrade looks like solid bang for the buck IMO. Cover it with lacquered tweed and it'd be a great package all around!

8)

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 8:21 am
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That reminds me, I did add a standby switch, which is non-invasive and easily reversible.

I agree, the BJr does benefit greatly when using an external cab. But, it is a small amp, great for low volume, and light weight for grab and go. For me, it's great for what it is, and I don't expect it to be big, physically or sound-wise. :)

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:37 pm
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That's the problem with the Pro Jr too. It's the price you pay for a grab and go amp, even though I considered my Twin a grab and go amp compared to either my Sunn Scepter or my Bandmaster. :lol: The Vibrolux Reverb was easier but my little Deluxe clone is my new favorite. Funny thing is my old 74 Champ doesn't sound boxy at all and that's a pretty small package. But Fender didn't try to cram a big speaker in a small box back then. Sometimes Less IS more.

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:40 pm
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63supro wrote:
even though I considered my Twin a grab and go amp


:shock:

My "grab and go" Twin weighs close to 115 lbs!

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 12:46 pm
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Yeah man, first I was a lot younger, and I could lift the Twin myself. The Sunn 4x12 cab took at least two of us to get the thing out of my 75 Chevy Vega, sometimes three. One inside the car and two outside. None of us had a van at the time. :lol: :lol:

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Last edited by 63supro on Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:02 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 07, 2014 1:03 pm
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Sounds like when I used to manhandle my big-box Dual Showman cab into the back seat of my mom's Valiant sedan.

Hulk Hogan didn't have nothin' on me!

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2014 11:20 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
That cabinet upgrade looks like solid bang for the buck IMO. Cover it with lacquered tweed and it'd be a great package all around!

8)

Arjay

Actually, I kinda like it the way it is myself. I think I'd just protect it with clear coat or maybe some oil based stain and rub it.

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2014 7:09 am
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You would think Fender would improve the Blues Jr/Pro Jr by offering a larger cabinet for these amps instead of putting so much effort into the Porn Shop Series. A Blues Jr in a Vaporizer cabinet would be pretty nice actually. A Blues Jr with a 15' speaker like the Excelsior would be a nice option. It's so easy to get rid of boxy tone.

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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2014 8:54 pm
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As a response to an earlier comment "If you like it why modify it". Well, there are some characteristics I hear that seem to fall in line with other peoples critics of the BJr. I just a watched a you tube video "Fender Blues Junior III Clean" from Mark Sheffler--I think this sounded great. And then I watched "stratocaster HH" by MrSpeedcat 82. Mine seems to sound more like the second. boxy sounding, not a lot of depth of tone.

Also..FYI. I am new at all things guitar, but I am studying. While I study and prcatice I play with knobs here and there. I also realize the tone chain is very involved with many factor starting with the fingers, talent and pick attack or any little thing along the way. If you read this and care to respond please watch the you tube videos so that we understand each other. Perhaps you can guide me in the right direction to get to Mark's sound. I read in the comments he did the tone stack mod and replaced the speaker. I will try his settings Saturday when I have time to practice. have a great night everybody!!

PS my setup is a strat, SD hot rodded humbuckers with a 5 way switch


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Post subject: Re: Amps and tubes...
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2014 6:49 am
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I wouldn't worry too much about the videos. A lot of times it just depends on what gear was used to record it. iPhone/iPad vs.real recording gear, then some some people do a lot of tweaking after the fact. Live and in person is the only way to go. The easiest thing to do is unplug the stock speaker and plug in an 8 ohm extension cabinet with a single 12" speaker or other combination. As long as it's an 8 ohm cab, you'll be fine. Try an open back and a closed back cab too to see what you like. As long as it has a decent speaker in it, you'll see a huge change in your amp. It's funny, I have a 74 Champ that doesn't sound boxy at all and a huge part of it is it only has an 8" speaker in that small box. There's room for it to breathe. I replaced the stock Jenson with a Weber. I also installd a 1/4" phone jack in place of the RCA Phono jack so I can run the Champ through my two 1x12 cabs with a Weber Z-Matcher to match the load. Sounds really huge. You just need to get that signal out of that cabinet and you'll add a new dimension to your tone for sure. I've heard them through 2x12 cabs and it's pretty impressive. It will also sound quite a bit louder too.

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