Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

[Skarekrough]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

I owned both.

Once I modded the Blues Junior the Peavey went on eBay.

I still own the Blues Junior.

 

[Kac]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

Well I bought the Classic 30 but have not been enjoying it as much as I should be. The reasons for this is that it is louder (feedback wise) that I thought it would/should be. Also, I'm having trouble dialing in the EQ to where I like it.

So, how versatile is the blues junior? Is it strictly a blues amp with a blues tone? Or can you play jazz/funk on it too?

Ahhh... I coulda seen this coming... Sell that Peavey and pick yourself up a Blues Jr! they are definitely not just blues amps (although they aren't bad for blues).
I just played in a pretty big bar with mine tonight. The other guitarist had a Peavey ValveKing 100 watt Half Stack. I was not miced and could be heard just fine. The Blues Jr. is an amazing amp, and takes pedals very well. I don't play much of anything in the jazz or funk area, but I can almost guarantee that you will be able to get jazz/funk tones out of it!

Rock On ~ kac

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

i've been wanting to pick up a Blues JR for a while now... i already have a C30 combo and love it... but i figure a Blues JR would be a neat toy....

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

Hard question, had to answer it for myself a few month ago:
The Blues Jr. is 15w which to my ears makes him sweeter - like my Classic 20 (also 15w) is sweeter then the Classic30 but that maybe because you can trun the volume knob higher on a smaller amp.
In band situations: I sometimes struggle against everybody... putting the amp in the right position is important and playing with a band that controls itself also helps...

If you're planning on gigging with the amp soon after you buy it (with a band not a single friend) - go for the Classic 30. If you see a band in your distant future - have fun with the BJ and maybe get another one or a bigger amp (igger then both) when the time is right.

 

[tubeman87]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

I really like both, but the Classic 30(IMO) only sounds good with the "fat" or the "boost" button engaged. Without it it sound to thin....again IMO. I would probably get the B. Junior, I think it sound great with and with out its "boost" or "fat" button engaged...and that just offers more tone possibilities again this is all JMO.

 

[thespricket]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

how about the crate V series. They make a 30 and a 15. Most people compare the 15 to the Blues Jr it always seems better. Those are the amps i'm looking into.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

I'd recommend looking on the used market for any one of following three discontinued Mesa Boogie amps: the DC-3, the Nomad 45: or the F-30.

My feeling is that any of these amps is superior to the amps being compared. You'll pay more, but you'll get a lot more.

Bill

 

[Markk]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

With the junior and a stomp box you could always hook up the stomp box to another amp, think of it like getting separate things! What better way to satisfy the GAS

 

[Cory_Dylan]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

The classic 30 is a very, very underrated amp. I can get any tone I want out of it. I've ended up with electroharmonix/JJ tubes and a g12h/greenback combo and it sounds amazing. First chaning to JJ tubes really warmed up the amp and got rid the harshness, and putting the EH in v1 later really added the sparkle it was missing. This speaker combo is also amazing. My favorite setting is about at 7 and it's perfect/ clean when you play soft and breaks up nicely when you use some attack. Very touch sensitive.

Also, for my overdrive I use 2 tubescreamers. (one stock and one modded by Spina) I love the sound of these things but a lot of people don't. I've also tried a Plexitone and it got along with my amp pretty good but it just wasn't my taste. (not a humbucker/hard rock tone fan much anymore) These are the only two I've tried but it's been very pedal friendly so far.

Another thing is, most people complain that the OD channel is too harsh. It really is. But, I really like the sound of my post gain cranked and using the pre gain as volume. It still gets a little harsh as I turn up the pre gain. I VERY seldom use this channel. I think peavey should make a lower watt version of this amp/ get rid of the OD channel and boost switch (that thing sucks) and it would be a perfect amp.

 

[WhoFan]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

The classic 30 is a very, very underrated amp. I can get any tone I want out of it. I've ended up with electroharmonix/JJ tubes and a g12h/greenback combo and it sounds amazing. First chaning to JJ tubes really warmed up the amp and got rid the harshness, and putting the EH in v1 later really added the sparkle it was missing. This speaker combo is also amazing. My favorite setting is about at 7 and it's perfect/ clean when you play soft and breaks up nicely when you use some attack. Very touch sensitive.

Also, for my overdrive I use 2 tubescreamers. (one stock and one modded by Spina) I love the sound of these things but a lot of people don't. I've also tried a Plexitone and it got along with my amp pretty good but it just wasn't my taste. (not a humbucker/hard rock tone fan much anymore) These are the only two I've tried but it's been very pedal friendly so far.

Another thing is, most people complain that the OD channel is too harsh. It really is. But, I really like the sound of my post gain cranked and using the pre gain as volume. It still gets a little harsh as I turn up the pre gain. I VERY seldom use this channel. I think peavey should make a lower watt version of this amp/ get rid of the OD channel and boost switch (that thing sucks) and it would be a perfect amp.

i've been using my stock C30 with pedals as well and it has been a great compact rig for sure.... been wanting to retube and maybe try a different speaker as well....

I have a pedal board with a bunch of Boss and Danoelctro distortion and oD's on it.... plus a few Chorus and Delay types... Between using Distortion pedals thru the clean channel and using the amps own Distortion i have more tones then i can shake a stick at...

 

[Dave]

Re: Classic 30 vs Blues Junior

I own a Blues Jr. and put JJ tubes and a Hellatone 30 in it, which really smoothed it out and opened up that little cab sound. I really like it, it's loud enough, the reverb isn't the "Fender reverb" we all love, but it does give some ambiance if you are playing at home just jammin around. I've heard the amp gigged by several bands and it works with some effects.

Either amp is not a bad choice. Look for a used BJ for 275 or so, sink 100 into it w/tubes and a speaker (hellatone 30, eminence texas heat, Greenback) and you'll have a solid little amp that covers quite a bit of ground.

FWIW the fat switch is unimpressive-get a good OD pedal and you're set.


Dave