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Post subject: Blues Jr question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 12:57 pm
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There are a couple of Fender Blues Jr amps at the local pawn shop. On the back of one it says made in Mexico and on the other it says made in the USA. They are both listed for $399. My first question is whether their is any material difference in sound or quality between MIM and MIA models and second is $399 a decent price given that they don't have any issues?

I really would like to invest in a tube amp, and I am hoping (like everyone else) to make sure I don't buy a problem and over pay for the privilege.

Thanks in advance for any advice you are willing to offer.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 1:28 pm
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Hi StratDad67,

This is one of those instances where I actually prefer the sound of the MIM over the sound of the MIA. I have A/B'd the two side by side, and found the MIA is too dark, and hard to get any good highs at all. There is no difference in parts quality, or build quality. The MIM version had the circuit revision to "fix" the reverb issue with the MIA versions. The change involved the insertion point of the reverb into the circuit and the associated noise.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 2:16 pm
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I've tried out a lot of amps in Fender's Hot Rod series, of which the Blues Jr. is a member. I've also owned the Made-in-Mexico versions of both the Hot Rod Deluxe and DeVille.

I am not an expert on amp maintenance or repair, but in my opinion, both sounded great (I think the Hot Rods have among the best clean tones available in the price range). Neither have had any maintenance issues (other than having to replace the reverb tank on the Deville after a few years).

From my experience and research, there is little-to-no difference between the MIM and the MIA versions of these amps -- either in terms of build quality or sound quality.

Fender stopped production of the USA-made Hot Rod amps when they began building them in Mexico in 2002. So, all other factors being equal, I'd actually lean toward the MIM version simply because it's newer.

The used Blues Jrs around here generally seem to sell on CL for about $300-400 (there's currently one listed for as low as $275). The new ones currently retail for $529.00. So $400 is not a crazy price to pay. But I might personally be inclined to either: 1) try to talk the pawn shop down to around the sub-$300 mark or, 2) spend the extra $150 and get a brand-new Blues Jr. III (complete with brand new tubes and capacitors, not to mention a 5-year warranty -- a big plus for this or any other tube amp).

There are also some other amps in the price range (say, a Peavey Classic 30) that might give you a little more bang for your buck. So it may pay to look around a bit.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 3:24 pm
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schnepf13 wrote:
The used Blues Jrs around here generally seem to sell on CL for about $300-400 (there's currently one listed for as low as $275). The new ones currently retail for $529.00. So $400 is not a crazy price to pay. But I might personally be inclined to either: 1) try to talk the pawn shop down to around the sub-$300 mark or, 2) spend the extra $150 and get a brand-new Blues Jr. III (complete with brand new tubes and capacitors, not to mention a 5-year warranty -- a big plus for this or any other tube amp).


+1

$399 is nothing to write home about.

schnepf13 wrote:
There are also some other amps in the price range (say, a Peavey Classic 30) that might give you a little more bang for your buck. So it may pay to look around a bit.


+1000

Compared to Peavey's Classic 30, the Blues Jr is a one-trick pony.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2014 8:36 pm
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I think $399 is high, also. I tried to sell one (mim) in perfect condition for $300 and got no takers in the small market area that I live in.

I then converted it to a head and am very pleased using high sensitivity speakers in 2X12 cabs. It's a far better sound, BUT, I ended up with more money in it than I would have if I'd gotten a Peavey Clsc 30 as others have suggested. Starting from scratch, I'd go the Peavey route (either new or used). JMO

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:20 am
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Thanks everyone for the responses. I'm glad I checked here before I went ahead and purchased it.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr question
Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2014 10:42 am
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Have you taken a look at the Peavey yet?

Arjay

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