New Blues Junior v4 Limited Edition

[Butch Snyder]

I once owned a version 1 Blues Junior back in 1998-2001. It was a decent amp. It didn't the trick for me. It was a good practice amp as well as decent gigging amplifier too. 15 tube watts is actually pretty loud.

About a month or so ago, I bought a new Blues Junior version 4 Limited Edition Tweed. It is leaps and bounds better than the original. The tone is crisper, brighter, and fuller than the original version. Due to the small size of the cabinet, it's still a little boxy-sounding, but not bad. I normally use my Hot Rod Deluxe for gigs. I would use my Blues Junior for gigs without hesitation.

 

[jeremy]

the tweeds have a different speaker which makes a big difference, but the circuit has evolved too. glad its working out well for you!

 

[Chistopher]

I mean 25 years, are you sure you don't just sound better?

 

[Butch Snyder]

I mean 25 years, are you sure you don't just sound better?

I'm sure I have improved, but the amp has too.

 

[Sam SG]

For the boxyness. Try cutting a couple sheets of thin road case foam and line the cab.
Worked on a small combo I once had.
And I know in tuned enclosures stuffing makes the speaker think its in a larger box.
If ya dont like it pull it back out.

 

[GuitarStv]

For the boxyness. Try cutting a couple sheets of thin road case foam and line the cab.
Worked on a small combo I once had.
And I know in tuned enclosures stuffing makes the speaker think its in a larger box.
If ya dont like it pull it back out.

That sounds like a cool, reversible experiment. I guess the idea is to kill some of the early reflections which tend to contribute to the boxy sound from small cabs? Wonder if it would slightly reduce the overall volume coming out of the amp because of the sound being absorbed by the foam, or if it wouldn't matter since it's mostly sound coming off the sides of the speaker.

 

[Mincer]

I always thought the Blues Jr could be a much better amp with a bigger cab.

 

[Bill Dennis]

That sounds like a cool, reversible experiment. I guess the idea is to kill some of the early reflections which tend to contribute to the boxy sound from small cabs? Wonder if it would slightly reduce the overall volume coming out of the amp because of the sound being absorbed by the foam, or if it wouldn't matter since it's mostly sound coming off the sides of the speaker.

It's likely to catch fire or melt with those hot tubes nearby

 

[GuitarStv]

It's likely to catch fire or melt with those hot tubes nearby

I wouldn't think thin road case foam would get too close to the tubes, right?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I always thought the Blues Jr could be a much better amp with a bigger cab.

I think they do sell upgrade cabs at Mojotone that fill the BJ's chassis.

And yeah, I agree. I have a friend who played his Blues Junior through his Orange 4x12 at band practice, and it was glorious.

 

[Mincer]

It is sad that Fender doesn't learn from this, and just put the Jr in a larger cab, or at least offer it as an option. Other companies come in and fill in the holes in the product line, I guess. I dig the size of the Blues Jr, but I think it needs something like a Deluxe-sized cab to sound the best. But hey, then just get a Deluxe or a HR Deluxe.

 

[jeremy]

i haul a deluxe around all the time, the small footprint of the blues jr is a nice thing. it does sound a little boxy sometimes, but at stage volume, i dont find it to be an issue

 

[Rex_Rocker]

I've read the standard Eminence speaker doesn't do it any favors either. I bet the version with the Greenback sounds great especially once you get some breakup going, though!

 

[jeremy]

when i used a blues jr as my main amp years ago, i ran an old g12m in there. the stock speaker isnt bad, but there are better options for sure.

 

[GuitarStv]

It is sad that Fender doesn't learn from this, and just put the Jr in a larger cab, or at least offer it as an option. Other companies come in and fill in the holes in the product line, I guess. I dig the size of the Blues Jr, but I think it needs something like a Deluxe-sized cab to sound the best. But hey, then just get a Deluxe or a HR Deluxe.

I don't think there's enough difference between a blues jr in a delxue sized cab and a hot rod deluxe to warrant having two different amps.