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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:00 pm
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Roadie
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Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 282
Tiger J wrote:
My TSA15 should be arriving today... I am excited!

I highly second the suggestion to Fender that they offer a Blues Jr. head... especially one that is compatible with the Mustang V cabinet!

In my neck of the woods, a BJr. cannot be found used for $300 unless there are stated defects or the amp is in very rough condition. I agree that it seems pricey for what it is... I was almost wondering if I would be better off with a Champion 600 at under $200 for a home-use tube amp before I was turned on to the TSA. Also, I had no idea what the differences are between the older US-made silver-faced BJrs and the BJ III. My second big concern was its living room playability even at 15-watts. I love the feature of the TSA that it can be switched to 5-watts.

I will post my thoughts when I get a chance to noodle with it... will try to avoid the "honeymoon" bias!

Also, TC Electronic Hall of Fame Reverb pedal is on the way! :D


Good deal let us know what you think

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R/Jim
2016 Gibson SG Standard T
2014 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
2013 Fender Dlx Players Stratocaster
2013 Fender FSR American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro II
2012 Ibanez AR 325
Super-Sonic 112
GDEC 3 Thirty
Champion 600


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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:56 pm
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Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:53 pm
Posts: 349
A quality tuner is the first thing you should get. Not sexy by any means, but if you are not in tune you sound terrible. Doesn't matter how good you are.


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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:12 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:36 pm
Posts: 638
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 dare I dream of the $1k price-level Fender amps?)... especially knowing I can use a pedal collection with either.

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 8:35 pm
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Rock Icon
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Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2009 7:13 pm
Posts: 19025
Location: Illinois, USA
Congratulations Joel ! You should be able to place a mic in front of the speaker straight to the PA at larger venues. A pro piece of gear and looks like you are happy. :D 8)

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.


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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 1:16 am
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:46 am
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Happiness is a NAD! :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Can O' Worms: What are the essential pedals?
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 5:01 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:04 pm
Posts: 7056
Location: South Florida
If you're still looking for a reverb, I love the DigiTech Polara. Lots of different reverbs, trippy effects if you want them, and it's stereo.


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