Amp for Blues

Wayne27

Member
I want to get into Blues music and I can't figure out what amp to get. Should I get a low gain amp or are high gain amps alright. Also I know this is a silly question but are tube amps still worth getting?
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Tubes amps are worth getting if you’re going to get a tube amp that’s worth getting. I’d pick up a Fender Blues Junior. For more firepower, a Blues Deluxe or Hot Rod Deluxe.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

What do you think of Vox amps?

I have less experience with Vox amps. Their iconic tube amps have a sound that’s very different from Fender but are legendary in their own right. I think Beatles, Queen, U2.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Blues can be played on any amp... But to play blues you really need to get a good feeling out of what you're playing (and hearing). There's a real visceral connection there, so the obvious answer is to go try a few things out. But in order for us to help you as best we can, let us know what sort of blues you like, and what sort of guitar you'll mostly play through it.

Here's my take on each of my amps for blues playing:
Fender Blues Jr - The best all-rounder and best for portability. Gets quite dirty and has great reverb. Bulletproof.
Vox AC30 - Thick, warm dirty tones or sweeter and brighter cleans, and gets nice and lush with its reverb and tremelo.
JCM800 - Kinda similar to the AC30, but more abrasive in its dirty tones. Gets into rock territory quickly. Great with a strat or les paul. Think Gary Moore.
Fender Pro Reverb - Roy Buchanan all day long. Raunchy cleans, with a sharp attack and a 'thud' in the bass and percussive notes. Strat and tele are great here.

Overall, I love an amp (and guitar) that I can have an argument of sorts with when I'm playing. If I play it harder it dishes it straight back at me.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Blues can be played on any amp... But to play blues you really need to get a good feeling out of what you're playing (and hearing). There's a real visceral connection there, so the obvious answer is to go try a few things out. But in order for us to help you as best we can, let us know what sort of blues you like, and what sort of guitar you'll mostly play through it.

Here's my take on each of my amps for blues playing:
Fender Blues Jr - The best all-rounder and best for portability. Gets quite dirty and has great reverb. Bulletproof.
Vox AC30 - Thick, warm dirty tones or sweeter and brighter cleans, and gets nice and lush with its reverb and tremelo.
JCM800 - Kinda similar to the AC30, but more abrasive in its dirty tones. Gets into rock territory quickly. Great with a strat or les paul. Think Gary Moore.
Fender Pro Reverb - Roy Buchanan all day long. Raunchy cleans, with a sharp attack and a 'thud' in the bass and percussive notes. Strat and tele are great here.

Overall, I love an amp (and guitar) that I can have an argument of sorts with when I'm playing. If I play it harder it dishes it straight back at me.

I'll be playing with a Fender Standard Stratocaster SSS
 
Re: Amp for Blues

For a straight up blues amp, I'd pick up Peavey Classic. Only tried one once, but it felt really good, and they only get positive reviews. Very beginner friendly priced as well.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Crate Vintage Club 30 or 50 in the beige tolex. They are getting more expensive, but you can still find a deal if you look around.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

A 10–20 watt 1x combo is a good place to start for traditional blues. Princeton Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, Bassbreaker 15, Blues Junior, perhaps – things in that vein (there are many more than the few I named).
 
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Re: Amp for Blues

Well, blues has been played on pretty much every amp, but I would suggest a tube amp or a good modeler. Usually a lower wattage amp, too, like 15-25 watts will do it. The rest is technique and attitude.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Well, blues has been played on pretty much every amp...

I played in pretty hard core blues band way back when with a Fender Solid State Princeton Chorus.

Any amp will do for blues. Literally any amp.

If you want that Fendery break up sound, get a Blues Jr., or one of their Hot Rod series. Bassbreakers will do that but break up a little faster. Less headroom.

Right now, my "blues" tone is the clean channel of a Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII running a Suhr Eclipse OD/Distortion pedal in the front with a bit of reverb. I like a bit more of a trebly tone, so I'm not a huge TS-9 Tubescreamer a la SRV fan. YMMV
 
Amp for Blues

I played in pretty hard core blues band way back when with a Fender Solid State Princeton Chorus.

Any amp will do for blues. Literally any amp.

If you want that Fendery break up sound, get a Blues Jr., or one of their Hot Rod series. Bassbreakers will do that but break up a little faster. Less headroom.

Right now, my "blues" tone is the clean channel of a Blackstar HT Club 40 MkII running a Suhr Eclipse OD/Distortion pedal in the front with a bit of reverb. I like a bit more of a trebly tone, so I'm not a huge TS-9 Tubescreamer a la SRV fan. YMMV

I’ve got an HT-20 Studio head. Man, what a great amp!
I can get anything from blues to hard rock out of it.
Blackstar is such a good product.
Sweet water was blowing these out for $299 a couple of years ago. I’m glad I grabbed one.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

theres a big leap between muddy and srv, though both are blues. the advice of a small tube amp is a good one. blues jr is a fine amp for blues. a jcm800 isnt a great suggestion imnsho, good rock amp, not blues but if thats what ya had then use it. in general blues is low gain stuff
 
Re: Amp for Blues

How long have you been playing?

A lot of guys come on here, say they just started, and want to know what kind of pickups and whatever they should get. Not saying everybody's the same, but it took me at least a year before I could tell that one guitar played easier than another. The point is, use whatever amp you already have. If you don't have one, buy something that says Fender, has at least one 12" speaker or two 10's, and just play it. If you're not going to be playing with a band for awhile, get a little modeling amp like a Fender Mustang or Peavey Vypyr.
 
Re: Amp for Blues

Yep, I'd go with the Blues Junior. Great amp.
Was one of my first couple amps. Regrettably
I sold it to one of my students at for an extremely
fair price. Tried to buy it back, but the little booger
said "no way". Don't blame him. Good luck!

Peace,

Darrin
 
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