just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

[Skarekrough]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Natural amp distortion > a pedal?! Dude, no offense, but there's really no difference. Overdrive is overdrive, whether in the amp or on the pedal. Distortion is the same whether amp or pedal. Now as to how it sounds, that's a different story, but I know just as much (if not more) people that swear by pedals than by amp distortions. Honestly it's all just one of those things.

I know alot of people that drink Maxwell House pre-ground coffee and claim it's great stuff...but it doesn't mean that it is.

If this place is anything it's a locale for sheer and utter tone nazis to hang out and geek out. And overwhelmingly the answer has come back that the preference is for the sound of a tube amps natural distortion over what effect a pedal alone can achieve.

Now with the right pedal and the right amp the combo can be unstoppable. I have a shelf filled with modded SD-1's and TS-9's that all cotton to certain amps that I own and love. The hardest question when I get out to play is which pedal I'm going to grab because it's a given that the natural sound of a cranked tube amp is what's going to get the job done.

The Blues Jr. is NOT a high-gain amp. With its limited headroom and in a band situation it's going to get just swamped if the goal is to only use it clean and have the pedal be the sound for it. As a clean amp with headroom I'd be willing to bet it's probably only functional to half it's output. So therefore by using it only for the headroom is has he's only getting half an amp.

Add to this a few hundred for pedals for it....there are amps out there that do EXACTLY what he's looking to do for that total price.....they're just MADE to do what he wants.

 

[Mephis]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Actually...you're probably best suited to getting a different amp.

I own a Blues Jr (actually two of them); it's not an amp for metal.

Throw all the pedals you want in front of it, you might get near what you're looking for, but the sound of the amp just isn't likely to do what you're looking for it to do.

Misty-eyed or not odds are you're just going to end up aggravated in the long run.

I couldn't agree more.

Anyway, you'll just destroy your tone if you throw some stupid high gain pedal infront of a clean-blues amp.

Throw a TS9 infront if you need some O/D, and turn it up! Start liking to play with less gain.

I evolved from a metal head into country-southern rock.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Same thing happened with me. When I first started to play guitar, I wanted to play metal, even though the only metal band I listened to was Metallica. After I got my first guitar, I learned the simple riffs like AC/DC and other classic rock greats. I was a classic rock fan at heart really though. So I played classic rock. Then I got into the blues, like SRV, BB King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy (which is more of early rock) and Muddy Waters. Now Im listening to and playing acoustic blues, jazz and classical stuff.

For your amp decision, I couldn't agree more than with the majority that you should get a different amp. True distortion comes from the amp. Pedals can boost your gain/signal and give the distortion different sound qualities, but I think that if you play METAL that it is dumb to have an amp called the Blues Junior. If you really like the clean stuff and "pushed edgy blues" tone, then learn to play some blues. If you got money, keep the Blues Junior to start learning more clean and blues stuff, and buy a metal amp on the side. Or, just trade in your blues junior. Look on Musicians Friend, they got a crap load of tube metal amps.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Try a Maxon OD-9, and have it on the overdrive setting with a good dosage of gain (the most you can get from the Blues Junior) should metal it up alright, not like.. crazy metal, but hair metal perhaps.

 

[OlinMusic]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

I'd say try a different amp

and I couldn't agree more - we are geeks and tone nazis. Someone needs to liberate France here!

 

[neosadist]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Look, it's my opinion, I don't need someone shoving thier know-it-all information down my throat. I've played plenty of overdrive pedals (granted, none exactly were botique, but stock other stuff) and none really captivated me the same way as my amps natural distortion.

No, you just don't like being told that neither is "the best". You don't like being reminded of the truth. I don't like it when someone makes a broad and stupid generalization that distortion > overdrive. There is no "best". And no, I'm not "shoving" my "know-it-all" info down your throat. FYI, if you don't want to piss off smart people maybe you shouldn't say stupid stuff.

 

[neosadist]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

I know alot of people that drink Maxwell House pre-ground coffee and claim it's great stuff...but it doesn't mean that it is. If this place is anything it's a locale for sheer and utter tone nazis to hang out and geek out. And overwhelmingly the answer has come back that the preference is for the sound of a tube amps natural distortion over what effect a pedal alone can achieve. Now with the right pedal and the right amp the combo can be unstoppable. I have a shelf filled with modded SD-1's and TS-9's that all cotton to certain amps that I own and love. The hardest question when I get out to play is which pedal I'm going to grab because it's a given that the natural sound of a cranked tube amp is what's going to get the job done. The Blues Jr. is NOT a high-gain amp. With its limited headroom and in a band situation it's going to get just swamped if the goal is to only use it clean and have the pedal be the sound for it. As a clean amp with headroom I'd be willing to bet it's probably only functional to half it's output. So therefore by using it only for the headroom is has he's only getting half an amp. Add to this a few hundred for pedals for it....there are amps out there that do EXACTLY what he's looking to do for that total price.....they're just MADE to do what he wants.

Ok, now that I've clicked the RIGHT button,
1) I don't care if this place seems "tilted" towards tubes. Ignore it. Those who would just dismiss something (like overdrive for example) as being lame aren't worth befriending.
2) If the blues junior isn't the high-gain amp for using clean with effects, please recommend something else. I'm interested in your opinion.

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

No, you just don't like being told that neither is "the best". You don't like being reminded of the truth. I don't like it when someone makes a broad and stupid generalization that distortion > overdrive. There is no "best". And no, I'm not "shoving" my "know-it-all" info down your throat. FYI, if you don't want to piss off smart people maybe you shouldn't say stupid stuff.

It's not exactly stupid stuff. Sure, you may not agree with my opinion, and maybe I haven't played with every botique pedal on the whole market. It's is my experience though that my stock Blues Junior sounds better than it does with other distortion pedals. What I mean is putting my amp right at the brink of overdriving and then using a clean booster pedal to slam the input to overdrive it... that what I prefer. Maybe I should have clarified that. Whether I did or not, I didn't exactly ask for a science lesson.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Ok, now that I've clicked the RIGHT button,
1) I don't care if this place seems "tilted" towards tubes. Ignore it. Those who would just dismiss something (like overdrive for example) as being lame aren't worth befriending.

I'm not worried about being your friend. I AM worried about a young and impressionable player being given information that leads him to believe that an amp he owns is something that is going to work for him in the long run.

I'm a big fan of buying the RIGHT GEAR because you'll only have to do it ONCE!

You also seem to miss the idea that it isn't this place that is "tilted" towards tubes; it's the rest of the world that is also. There's a classic sound that tubes get when they're pushed that neither digital or solid state has ever nailed. That's why despite all the efforts of amp companies in the 80's to phase out amps with tubes the players kept on wanting them.

2) If the blues junior isn't the high-gain amp for using clean with effects, please recommend something else. I'm interested in your opinion.

As stated previously, the 5150 would be a fantastic high-gain pick that would fit into the $600 or so he has already doled out for the Blues Junior and the modded effects. I believe the Peavey Triple X would also fall into this category. No pedals needed; plug in and wail.

For something clean with headroom specifically for using with pedals Fender Twins can be had for around that price range and have more headroom than anyone will ever need. They're big, they're heavy, but you can be damned sure that the amp will NEVER get buried by a loud drummer or in a full band situation.

I'm not big into high-gain amps...but I do know what something like a Blues Junior WILL and WILL NOT do because I own, gig and modify them.

Telling a young player that he's going to work out fine with a Blues Junior and a few pedals and then have him not be able to keep up with his friends isn't helping him. You're only making it less likely that he'll stick with the instrument over the long run.

Buying the RIGHT gear means you ONLY have to do it once.

 

[reclempt smoker]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

allriiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.....you guys were 100% right-on the money with your advice, but a being a stubborn teenager I refused to listen. forgiven? :bowdown: :6: (actually I just turned 34 but who cares)

anyway, I received the Tonebone Hot British, Keeley Metal Zone, and AMT Metallizer yesterday, and while they all sounded really awesome through the Blues Jr, my whole tone just sounded squashed at any nudge above a bedroom volume level. again, tonewise each pedal sounded great, especially the Hot British.

so....I packed up the pedals this afternoon and shipped them back for a refund. I then took my Blues Jr back to the used dealer I bought it from and traded up for a ...drumroll... Peavey 5150 2x12 Combo. the store owner (a local blues monster) laughed his assed off when I told him what I had to tried to accomplish with the Blues Jr and he says "Dummkopf, you want distortion from hell?" then pointed to the PV combo. "that's all you need."

HE WAS RIGHT, SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO F-ING RIGHT!!!! this amp smokes. almost too much gain. I'm really loving the rhythm channel with the crunch button engaged. jeeezuz, I think that has all the distortion I'll ever need. the lead channel is just insane. :headbang: the bottom end of this combo is jawdropping, and it's tight and punchy with no mud...it feels like I'm getting slammed in the stomach. the whole f-ing house is vibrating. every old-school metal tone is in there. chunky crunch, endless sustain, harmonics from hell. NOW I'M HAPPY :dance:

with the Blues Jr trade-in, I got the PV for $300. it's pretty clean but has definetely seen some action (and smells like mary jane big time :fingersx: ) the tubes are JJ ECC83S's and 6L6GC's.

oh and as far as me ever morphing from a metalhead into a country gentleman, I don't think so. hey anything's possible, but I've loved metal since I was a teenager, but I never had the time or money to get into guitar playing until recently. (been taking care of relatives so long I outta get an honorary degree in nursing) so I guess you can say I'm a late bloomer. it's all cool though. music is music, whatever floats your boat.

thanks!

:smokin:

 

[Mephis]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

oh and as far as me ever morphing from a metalhead into a country gentleman, I don't think so. hey anything's possible, but I've loved metal since I was a teenager, but I never had the time or money to get into guitar playing until recently. (been taking care of relatives so long I outta get an honorary degree in nursing) so I guess you can say I'm a late bloomer. it's all cool though. music is music, whatever floats your boat.

thanks!

:smokin:

Heh to each their own. Even tho I went from playing nothing but heavy metal down to playing alot of country style southern rock, but Tony Iommi is still one of my favorite players.

Glad to hear you like the 5150, I'd like to demo one next to my classic 50 and see the tonal difference. I can do judas priest to black sabbath without pushing the gain on the amp very much. (Pre around 7, post around 10.)

 

[firebirdVII]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

All is well that ends well :smokin:

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

I love it when a plan comes together!

Enjoy the 5150!

 

[neosadist]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

I'm not worried about being your friend. I AM worried about a young and impressionable player being given information that leads him to believe that an amp he owns is something that is going to work for him in the long run.

I think you misunderstood. I was encouraging you to be yourself no matter how other people on here are. I was actually on your side. If this place is tilted towards tubes but you're not, then don't let it bother you.

And I did want your opinion about amps. Thanks for sharing. I'm very glad you have the same goal as most others here including me: to try to help young impressionable people get the right gear the first time. If anything, I consider you a friend. I think he's having some interesting decisions.

RECLEMPT SMOKER: I would say go to a guitar store, a LARGE one, even if you have to drive out there. Then go and grab a new Blues Junior, since you already have one. Then try out all the pedals one at a time. Don't just dismiss a pedal once you start playing it with all knobs at 50%: play with the tone knob, etc, with the knobs. One thing about pedals is that you should learn how to use them and what you can do with them. This is the only reason I suggested the Boss Metal Zone MT-2 because it has EQ abilities on it.

Or, you could do like me and get a multieffects board. It's totally up to you. I find musiciansfriend.com helpful when you go sorting stuff by price range and by customer rating. My opinion is that ratings are important because it's like getting the opinion of 500 people at once

 

[Rushfan2112]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

I think you misunderstood. I was encouraging you to be yourself no matter how other people on here are. I was actually on your side. If this place is tilted towards tubes but you're not, then don't let it bother you.

And I did want your opinion about amps. Thanks for sharing. I'm very glad you have the same goal as most others here including me: to try to help young impressionable people get the right gear the first time. If anything, I consider you a friend. I think he's having some interesting decisions.

RECLEMPT SMOKER: I would say go to a guitar store, a LARGE one, even if you have to drive out there. Then go and grab a new Blues Junior, since you already have one. Then try out all the pedals one at a time. Don't just dismiss a pedal once you start playing it with all knobs at 50%: play with the tone knob, etc, with the knobs. One thing about pedals is that you should learn how to use them and what you can do with them. This is the only reason I suggested the Boss Metal Zone MT-2 because it has EQ abilities on it.

Or, you could do like me and get a multieffects board. It's totally up to you. I find musiciansfriend.com helpful when you go sorting stuff by price range and by customer rating. My opinion is that ratings are important because it's like getting the opinion of 500 people at once

Are you blind? He just got a Peavey 5150.

Hope you like it, dude!

 

[Gunny47]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Yeah, Im glad that you got your 5150, you'll be much happier with it in the long run. Ya know, you could have kept some of those pedals and used them on the clean channel of your 5150, sounds redudant, but if you are really into metal, it will give you some more different flavors of metal tones. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with that sucker!

 

[Bob Zombie]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Congrats on the 5150! Rock on!:headbang:

 

[Aceman]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

OK guys-lets take it outside...Love the 5150 Setting on my Cube. Love my Pro Jr. Would never try to do same thing with each. Did run a Boss HM-2 into the Jr. for a while. Any of you guys want a piece of me?

Glad you like the 5150. And I was gonna suggest try high gain tubes plus an overdrive - just for the record.

 

[Mephis]

Re: just got a Blues Jr...need a dist pedal

Yeah, Im glad that you got your 5150, you'll be much happier with it in the long run. Ya know, you could have kept some of those pedals and used them on the clean channel of your 5150, sounds redudant, but if you are really into metal, it will give you some more different flavors of metal tones. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with that sucker!

They kick ass for classic rock too... I wouldn't mind having a 50watt 5150 head if there's such a thing.