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Post subject: Is the Blues Junior A Worthy Out-of-the-Box Amp?
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 8:31 am
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I play classic rock and blues and I'm looking for another small, portable & affordable, Fender all-tube amp in the 15-watt range (I already own a Fender SCXD, which I love) and it seems that the Blues Junior may fit the bill.

I'm not a tone snob, but I do appreciate good tone. I've read about speaker shortcomings and cheap stock tubes, but everyone has an opinion. I want to know if the BJr can produce acceptable tone right out of the box. If not, then I'd like to hear your recommendations for speaker and tube upgrades.

In any case, I want to preserve that classic Fender sound.

Thanks for any help.


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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:13 am
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The short answer is:

Yes.

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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:19 am
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CAFeathers wrote:
The short answer is:

Yes.


CAFeathers:

You seem like you've been around the block a time or two. Have you modded your BJr?


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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:22 am
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FenderGuy53 wrote:
CAFeathers wrote:
The short answer is:

Yes.


CAFeathers:

You seem like you've been around the block a time or two. Have you modded your BJr?


the short answer is:yes

and if you ask nicely he may show you a picture of it too!...

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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:23 am
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FenderGuy53 wrote:
CAFeathers wrote:
The short answer is:

Yes.


CAFeathers:

You seem like you've been around the block a time or two. Have you modded your BJr?


My Blues Jr. doesn't look like a Blues Jr. any more. The chassis itself is completely stock. I have it mounted in a custom made Walnut 2x12 combo cabinet with 2 Scumback speakers. I am also using NOS tubes.

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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 11:39 am
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Hello FenderGuy53,

Blues Jr. does it for me.

I did change the AX7's to AT7's

Go play and listen to see if it's
your cup o tea.

Cheers.


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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 1:57 pm
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Mr Bill wrote:
Hello FenderGuy53,

Blues Jr. does it for me.

I did change the AX7's to AT7's

Go play and listen to see if it's
your cup o tea.

Cheers.


Actually, I DID that a while back, when I bought the SCXD. Of course, the price was definitely a factor.

Now that I've had the chance to play the SCXD for a while (and I love it, by the way), I'm hooked on the tube tone. Yesterday, I was able to sell my Fender Frontman 212R on Ebay, so I have some spending money. ;-)

With the 6V6's in the SCXD and the EL84's in the BJr, I'll have some very nice tonal options.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:41 pm
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A great little amp. I've had mine for 4 years. It goes from clean and bright to as much tube breakup as you want. I'd even say it sounds quite a bit like my 1950s tweed Deluxe did. The only thing I would change is the speaker. The stock one is OK but I think a C12K Jensen would give better low freqs. Out of the box though it's hard to beat. It gets loud, too.


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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 9:04 am
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The Blues Junior is an awesome "out of the box" amp. I have the blonde version and all my guitars sound great through it. IMO, it really is very good w/o mods. I would suggest to take your guitar to your local shop, plug in and play through it. I don't think you'd be disappointed. 8)

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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 11:54 am
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I'm certainly not going to bash the Blues jr. I have one and like a lot. However, I don't see it as being as great as many on this forum do, and here's why.

It is IMO quite expensive for a single channel 15 watt amp. (Although it is loud enough for almost any use, especially if mic'd.

If you are playing in a band and do any lead work, you'll have to buy either a boost or a tubescreamer to facilitate going into a lead quickly. I wasn't fond of the eq response and bought a Boss eq pedal to go with it. The reverb is OK but not great- no other effects. Pedals add $ to the overall cost of the setup and soon I had another $400 added to the cost of the Blues jr.

For around $200 more, I much prefer my Blues Deluxe Reissue. It, however is around 12# to 15# heavier, but if you want to, you can play it at a gig with no additional pedal costs.

So, I'm not saying you'd make a bad decision by getting a Blues jr., just that I think there's a better value and far greater flexibility in the Blues Deluxe Reissue.

As for tubes, Fender has a lot of tube rattle in all their amps. I had it in both my Blues jr. and BDRI. Replaced the preamp tubes in both.

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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 12:54 pm
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Many, many guys perform the Billm mods to their BJ's. Just google it.


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Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:04 pm
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I love mine!
But I use it as a practice amp.


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Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:40 pm
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I have the Fender Master Series Custom Shop Two-Tone Amplifier. It's essentially a Blues Jr. in a larger pine box. It also has a 10" and 12". There is reverb and the amp sounds incredible. I bought mine used $800. Fantastic amp! Stylish Boutique style.
Here's what I've read about it on Harmony Central:
Larger Cabinet is a plus. It eats Blues Jr.s for lunch.
The two speakers is a plus. There's more bright shimmer with the additional 10" speaker.
It's an 18 Watt wonder for blues and classic rock as well as other genres of music.
I use a Gibson ES 175 (Mahogany body with maple top), a '52 RI Tele, and an '83 Strat.
This amp sounds great with them all.
It's a beautiful investment and IMO certainly takes the Blues Jr. to a new level.
Check it out. 8)


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Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:02 pm
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joeymetro wrote:
I love mine!
But I use it as a practice amp.


I love mine too but it is jut used for pratice and when my wife is home otherwise I really love my 65 TR RI


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