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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:02 pm
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Tiger J, good luck on your new purchase, new gear day is usually a good day. Have fun with it.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 4:12 pm
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desertbluesman wrote:
Thanks, I never looked at the block diagram, however, the Volume Box did exactly the same thing for me in the TS15 head as it did in the HRD, it absolutely mitigates the highs in a similar way no matter what the signal path might be. And I might add the Tube Screamer did not do what the volume box did for me. I tried every setting I could think of on the screamer before I bought the 20 dollar volume box. Once I plugged in the volume box it did exactly the same thing as it did for me in the HRD. Sorry, but it does not do the same thing as in a HRDLx. You have simply added variable resistance between the tubescreamer circuit and amp circuit (just like putting a volume pedal between a tubescreamer and an amp's input); OR with the tubescreamer off, you have done what volume and tone knobs on the guitar would do.

Hearing the thing in person is more accurate than reading a block diagram amigo, no offense taken.......Don't forget, I own a TSA15H, a volume box, and the BDRI (which is the precursor to the HRDlx.)


Tiger J wrote:
Well, I pulled the trigger on a new-open box TSA15 combo amp on eBay! It was significantly reduced from the $449 pricepoint at GC and Sweetwater and the ilk and it came with the 2-button footswitch normally $30 extra.

I took to heart the idea of getting the TSA15H and playing it through my Mustang V cab, but I only paid $60 over the price of the head and got a free footswitch - plus it appears the combo has the same rear-amp features as the head so I can easily disconnect the combo speaker and play through my cab anyway.

All reviews, advice and video demos lead me to believe I will enjoy this little amp for the home use I am buying it for... especially with the 15 to 5 watt switching. I have been jonesing for a Fender Blues Jr. for a year now so I am a little nervous at switching gears at the last minute. But the TSA reviews favorably with the BJ and some reviewers prefer it. Also I am concerned that the BJ will be too loud for home use despite that it is also a 15 watt. And, of course, I saved almost $200 off the price of a new Blues Jr. III!

I'll post my thoughts when it arrives... although I will not be able to play it side-by-side with the Blues Jr. III.
Nice score! The footswitch is very important for me. AND as you state, you can still play through your cab if you wish. Enjoy, and by all means, update us on your assessment once you've played it.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 10:39 am
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Thanks guys... I am looking forward to receiving it next week! I thought I would also add for the record that the Ibanez TSAs also come with 5-year factory warranty like the Fender amps.

I will probably also want a few pedals for essential effects - especially a reverb to compensate for the TSA's lack of one built-in. Any suggestions? I have never used real stomps before!

Now to say goodbye to my little G-DEC... :cry:

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2015 5:57 pm
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IM4Tone wrote:
I own a TSA15H, a volume box, and the BDRI (which is the precursor to the HRDlx.)[/b]


Still it sounded similar, similar enough. But I went and sent the thing back, too freakin bright for my ears. Plus it did not take my overdrive pedal well. It may have been defective. It may have been a bad tube. It went back as a defective item, and did not cost me anything. They sent me a return shipping label.

However although what you say may be true, it sounded similar to what it does for the HRD, meaning it mitigated the harshness of the highs. I really don't care if it was slightly different because of the position of the signal path. It did a very similar thing.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:18 pm
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My Ibanez TSA15 combo arrived yesterday - a day late; and I got to put it through some paces today for the first time. I also got to fiddle some more with the Blues Jr. at GC... albeit in the noisy store so it is difficult to really compare the two. At strictly street retail new the TSA combo can be had for $100 less than the BJr. (The TSA15H head and single-12'' cab for $50 less.) Here are my initial thoughts:

I don't see any real difference in quality of build on either amp. TSA is white parchment faux leather with green faceplates and controls facing forward - BJr. III is black (tweed special for $50 more) and has black faceplate facing upward on rear. So that is all style preferences... not quality issues. Both sport 12'' speakers (TSA - Celestion 70/80 and BJr. - Fender Special Design) and cabinet size is about the same on both. No reverb built-into TSA. No TS9 Tubescreamer built-into BJr.

Both amps carry a 5-year limited warranty. BJr. comes with a one-button footswitch to activate the "fat" circuit. TSA has an optional two-button footswitch (which was included with my amp) that toggles the boost circuit and the TS( circuit - when the footswitch is plugged in, the toggle switches on the amp faceplate don't operate.


The TSA combo is very unassuming - having only six knobs and four switches including the on/off and standby toggles. (Why does the BJr. not have a standby switch? Personally, I am convinced it is because Fender wanted room on the face to include a customary power-jewel rather than a small LED and thus, ditched the standby switch.) BJr. has six knobs as well - but those knobs comprise treble, bass and a mid (TSA has no mid) as well as a volume and a master and, of course, the reverb knob. Three of the TSA's knobs are the same three knobs you would find on a Tubescreamer pedal. So while the TSA is simple to dial - the BJr. has more tonal adjustment ability strictly assuming clean playing. But assuming playing with dirt - the TSA has the TS9 adjustments to add into the mix evening things out a bit.

At the 5-watt setting I can noodle in the front sitting room while my daughter plays video games and my wife reads in the TV room behind me without them complaining even while driving the amp with the Tubescreamer. At 15-watts; my wife said it would have to go to the basement! (I have now officially confirmed that the ability to switch to 5-watts was a crucial purchase point for this intended home use bluesy tube amp. I am still not convinced that the BJr. is really louder than the TSA when both are cranked - but at GC the BJr. sure seems "loud!") If I were to gig, I still don't see playing more than a large coffee shop with either amp and I wonder if even the BJr.'s "loudness" would quickly wane next to an acoustic drum kit.

On the clean channel the TSA does seem to gain volume more gradually than the BJr. The TSA doesn't really start to growl until the volume knob is at 2 o'clock and even then it starts subtly. (Hard to compare without having them side by side - but I think the BJr. starts to growl a bit earlier.)

Both are downright fun to play and, for a intermediate player like me - both are the kind of amps that make you want to play! The BJr. would get the point though for feeling like you own a "legendary" piece of equipment... its that Fender name!

The TSA is really fun with the TS9 circuit - I will use it a lot. The TSA also includes a 6db boost circuit that I believe would be just enough to put my guitar front and center for a lead assuming the TSA was keeping up with the band without the boost. The BJr. has a "Fat" switch.

Had I bought the BJr. instead I would have also bought a Bluesy gain pedal... quite possibly a TS9 itself or BOSS Blues Driver. Having bought the TSA I did buy a TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb which is a fantastic little pedal offering me much more reverb choices and adjustments than the BJr.'s single-knob spring reverb. In my strictly personal opinion - TSA wins here. I feel I get more with a built-in TS9 than a built-in spring reverb given I can always shop for pedals with either amp. YMMV.

I still love the venerable BJr. but I am happy with my decision. Had I bought the BJr. I would likely be purchasing a 5-watt amp soon. Having bought the TSA, I will satisfy my Fender fetish by purchasing a Hot Rod Deluxe or BDRI later (or maybe even one of Fender's flagship vintage classic amps!)... especially knowing I can use a pedal collection with either.

Right now, I am not giving up my Mustang half-stack... I still like to model!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 9:20 pm
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Tiger J wrote:
... I still like to model!


When you do your little turn on the catwalk, yeah on the catwalk? :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:15 am
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Enjoy! :D

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:16 pm
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Have a blast with it. Don't worry about the Fender name, Leo is probably spinning in his grave over some of the new designs. :lol: The Gender sound wasn't built around EL84 power tubes. :wink:

Good luck with your new amp!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:17 pm
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63supro wrote:
Have a blast with it. Don't worry about the Fender name, Leo is probably spinning in his grave over some of the new designs. :lol: The Gender sound wasn't built around EL84 power tubes. :wink:

Good luck with your new amp!


Thanks! Actually, that was another product difference between the TSA and Blues Jr. - TSA uses 6V6 instead of EL84 power tubes!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:25 am
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I just picked up a Blues jr from sweetwater and can't imagin another small amp sounding as good for the money. No pedals needed with this amp. Reverb is good and the breakup is spot on for what I play.


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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 3:40 pm
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Tiger J wrote:
63supro wrote:
Have a blast with it. Don't worry about the Fender name, Leo is probably spinning in his grave over some of the new designs. :lol: The Gender sound wasn't built around EL84 power tubes. :wink:

Good luck with your new amp!


Thanks! Actually, that was another product difference between the TSA and Blues Jr. - TSA uses 6V6 instead of EL84 power tubes!



Don't get me wrong, I really do like EL84 driven amps, just not Fender. It's not the "Classic Fender Sound" that I've enjoyed for over forty years. I'm not saying the Blues Jr is a bad amp, it just doesn't do it for me. In the realm of EL84 amps, there are so many that IMHO do it so much better. Put that Bjr through a bigger cab and it's sounds way better, just not old school Fender.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2015 4:33 pm
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63supro wrote:
..................Put that Bjr through a bigger cab and it's sounds way better, just not old school Fender.

I can attest to that having converted mine to a head and driving one of several 2X12 cabs.....Great sound. BUT certainly NOT Old School Fender!

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 7:02 am
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IM4Tone wrote:
63supro wrote:
..................Put that Bjr through a bigger cab and it's sounds way better, just not old school Fender.

I can attest to that having converted mine to a head and driving one of several 2X12 cabs.....Great sound. BUT certainly NOT Old School Fender!


But that's not always a bad thing. I have no problem with Fender coming out with new products, but don't call them "Classic Sounding" or "Legendary"' they're new! Making teh Bjr a head, you have greatly reduced the chance of tube rattle raising its ugly head and took vibration out of the equation possibly helping reliability. I did a slight mod on my 74 Champ replacing the RCA Phono jack for the spaeker with a standard 1/4' Switchcraft jack so I can run extension cabs. I use a Weber Z-Matcher so I can match any cabinet's impedance. That little six watter can get crazy loud and sounds amazing.

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:27 am
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63supro wrote:
.....................I did a slight mod on my 74 Champ replacing the RCA Phono jack for the spaeker with a standard 1/4' Switchcraft jack so I can run extension cabs. I use a Weber Z-Matcher so I can match any cabinet's impedance. That little six watter can get crazy loud and sounds amazing.

There are so many people on the various forums that cling to the OLD of using 50 and 100 watt amps and 'diss' the small ones. I have 3 amps of 15watts, one of 13 watts, one 20, one 22, and one 40 (plus a ss 65 watt which I rarely play). Even though I play in a band, the 40 gets used the least. Anyone who thinks the lower wattage amps can't get loud, and aren't enough, either hasn't given them a fair test (mic'd if necessary) or plays much louder than I ever will again. JMO

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Post subject: Re: Blues Jr. vs. Ibanez TSA-15???
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2015 10:56 am
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IM4Tone wrote:
63supro wrote:
.....................I did a slight mod on my 74 Champ replacing the RCA Phono jack for the spaeker with a standard 1/4' Switchcraft jack so I can run extension cabs. I use a Weber Z-Matcher so I can match any cabinet's impedance. That little six watter can get crazy loud and sounds amazing.

There are so many people on the various forums that cling to the OLD of using 50 and 100 watt amps and 'diss' the small ones. I have 3 amps of 15watts, one of 13 watts, one 20, one 22, and one 40 (plus a ss 65 watt which I rarely play). Even though I play in a band, the 40 gets used the least. Anyone who thinks the lower wattage amps can't get loud, and aren't enough, either hasn't given them a fair test (mic'd if necessary) or plays much louder than I ever will again. JMO


Yep. I no longer have any amps over 20 watts. I have my 74 Champ at 6 watts, a Modkits DIY 102 five watt that I built, a 5e3 clone that puts out close to 18 watts, and a Marshall 1974x that I also built both of them, an Egnater Rebel 20 and a couple of solid state amps as well as a little 5 watt hybrid I built. I have a GDec 30, but that thing doesn't count because my Champ has more balls than that thing. Low wattage amps give you everything that tube amps are cherished for without the ear splitting levels. Before these amps, all the rest I've ever owned were between forty and one hundred watts. As much as I loved my 76 100 watt Twin, there wasn't much call for it anymore. I don't play large venues on large stages anymore. I really prefer smaller, more intimate gigs where I can actually meet the people in the audience.

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