All user reviews for the Fender Blues Junior

Overview

The Fender Blues Jr. is easily one of Fender's most popular guitar amplifiers of the past decade. In addition to the classic black tolex model, there have been several limited edition releases over the years as well--often equipped with different speakers or electronic mods to offer a unique spin on the original amp. The original amplifiers were produced in the USA, but production was later moved to Mexico to keep costs down and meet the high demand for this little charmer of an amp. Currently (in 2015) the Blues Jr. sells for about $530 brand new, but they are extremely easy to find secondhand for a good price if you take a little extra time to look around. For settings, the Blues Jr. has it all: input gain, master volume, treble, middle, bass, reverb (from the included spring reverb tank), and finally a "fat" toggle switch that acts as mid-range/gain boost to the overall signal.

The Blues Jr.'s popularity is due, in part, to the fact that it's a solid, affordable tube-powered amplifier, which is often considered a step up from solid state amps (depending on who you ask). As its name suggests, the Blues Jr. has been tailored to suit blues and rock genres, and it definitely does what its supposed to. The Blues Jr. is powered by two EL84 tubes, and driven by three 12ax7 preamp tubes (although this is the stock setting…the 12ax7's may be substituted for other tubes…more on this later). The stock tubes can be easily dialed to produce the "warm, crunchy tone" that many blues and rock guitarists are looking for in a tube amp, which cannot be fully replicated by solid state amplifiers (I say this from experience). Another reason for this amp's popularity is its ability to retain tone and overdrive at low volume levels, making it a great practice amp for apartments, dorms, and houses with napping babies. No wonder this amp appeals to such a wide audience.

My Experience

Unfortunately, I bought my (Mexican made) Blues Jr. in (very) used condition, and that came with its own set of issues. Luckily, I was able to fix most of the problems myself with a lot of research and a little soldering (with repairs/parts, I paid about $325 total for the amp…still a good deal). My Blues Jr. also came with dying stock tubes, so I later replaced the stock EL84's and 12ax7's for a different set-up, but I will quickly touch on the stock tube sound.

My favorite aspect of the Blues Jr., which I have mentioned above, is that it can sound good at low volumes (as well as high volumes). In my opinion, this amp can be used for practice in the bedroom, recording in the studio, and even live amplification at a gig with a microphone on the cabinet (some would disagree with this, but they're probably thinking of playing in a freakin' huge stadium). The stock tubes can stay bright and clean with the gain rolled back and the master volume cranked. On the other hand, diming the gain and rolling back the master volume creates a powerful tube-driven overdrive that is not too harsh on the ears. The only problem in my case was that my used amp (before I fixed it) would occasionally give out and stop working, or it would start making loud cracking noises. This leads us to the next phase of my Blues Jr…

After making the necessary adjustments and replacements my Blues Jr. was back up and running, but this time I added a new combination of tubes to change things up. I replaced the stock Groove Tube EL84's with two Mullard EL84's, and I replaced the stock 12ax7's with two JJ 12ax7's and one Electro-Harmonix 12ay7 (in the V1 position). The reason I chose these tubes is two-fold: 1) I already had the EL84 tubes on hand and I needed affordable replacements for the preamp tubes, and 2) I wanted a combination of preamp tubes that would make my Blues Jr. less prone to naturally overdriving… this is where the EH 12ay7 comes in.

12ax7's are known for their ability to overdrive easily and create classic tube distortion. The Blues Jr. comes with three of them, but only one really works to create this overdriven sound--the preamp tube in the V1 position (in the image below, the tube on the very right)


Image provided by Billmaudio.com

For my own guitar rig I use a pedal board with several effects, including overdrive, delay, and reverb. When I would play them through my Blues Jr. at high volumes the pedal sounds would be influenced by the overdriving 12ax7 in the V1 position. I did some research and found out that the high gain 12ax7 could be replaced with a lower gain 12ay7, which roughly uses about 70% of the power a 12ax7 uses (in simple layman terms). In other words, I could simply replace one tube and instantly have a "cleaner" amp, less prone to overdriving at higher volumes. The Blues Jr. works on a 'fixed bias,' so swapping out tubes is extra easy--the fixed bias eliminates the need for bias adjustment with a new set of tubes, which is an area of electronics outside of my expertise. Since I have made these changes, I have yet to run into any real problems with my Blues Jr. amp.

A Few Objective Observations

Though my experience with my own Blues Jr. has been complicated at best, I do have a few objective observations to share (I have played several of these amps in different stores and borrowed a few from friends).

First, I have really never been impressed by the EQ and tone settings on the amp. The treble and bass settings have a fair amount of flexibility, but the middle control in particular has never made a difference to my ears. I've tried cranking it up and rolling it back, and it barely produces any variance in sound. As far as I'm concerned, the Blues Jr. would be better off without it.

Second, the stock speaker and cabinet combination could definitely be better. Granted, my Blues Jr. was purchased very used. But even on other stock Blues Jr.'s I have not been impressed by how the cheaply made cabinet projects sound from the stock Eminence speaker. This may be more of a flaw in the cabinet design than the speaker itself, but I have heard the Celestion Vintage 30 is a popular replacement for the stock speaker.

Finally, despite its design flaws, the Blues Jr. does offer a lot of bang for the buck. Though it's only a 15W amplifier, the Blues Jr. can be as loud or quiet as you need it to be. It's definitely a modern Fender amp, but it can still be dialed to capture the classic chimey tone that Fender is so famous for.

Bottom-Line

The Blues Jr. is a solid tube amp for an affordable price. It does not offer the same world-class tone and flexibility as high-end tube amps, but its a good alternative for the average joe who does not have $1,000 or more to spend.

See below

USE

Very simple config
this is what I needed
I customary due to turn the knobs, including live, to find what I want
the amp responds very well (the habit) such use
I'm not a fan of the FAT, which compresses too acute got my
damage, for once they had set the boost footswitch
and not on the reverb (still not understood why !, to fade ... I do not know)

SONORITS

I played professionally in many different styles
the amp is top !!
he does not like the powerful double (my taste) the sound becomes dull and compress ... beeeerk
this is very subjective, but I had a lucille, and the couple n'tait terrible.
with tl or a Start, shit is serious better !!
we do not have the choice of a 'low gain' in between so not everything.
the rverb is a bit zero, I find nothing at all ... but no balance
no one is perfect, that's when even my main amp

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it for more than a year in contexts very varis
I never retrouv me even short power
has sent !!!
V1 by changing the lamp, I could get a longer run clear
suddenly, the Pramp background saturation is much more natural
I am using more than fat, which crushes the sound ...
its advantage gnial
15 kg small size, high power (if I miss, I put the amp above)
formidable weapon for the small and big scenes
provided one knows how to use
this is not the most versatile amp that is, but sre and robust value

Tube amp. No effects loop. 15W. Reverb. Function '' fat '' controllable by footswitch.

UTILIZATION

Simple setup: you set the gain, tone: bass, treble and mid, volume and reverb.

SOUNDS

Easy to sound amp, suitable for blues and classic rock. I used Fender Strat, Tele and Gibson ES135. Clear and crunch sounds. Adding a pedal Marshall Bluesbreaker II

OVERALL OPINION

Amp sold in 2013. Before I had a Mesa Boogie 22W (too typical High gain). I liked my Blues Junior but difficult to use in apartment! I replaced it with a Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister 18 (switchable 5 and 1W).
The Fender Blues Junior is very easy to use, but it needs to be played at a volume to excite the HP 12 "and issued a typical Fender sound good.

amp lamp, jack .25 w 25 w but really, more than enough to live again and if there are returns (for large scenes) .We have a channel with a gain setting of + eq low, middle , treble, and master output. It also has a great reverb there is a button to boost the gain knob sides, to get faster saturation over tube.

UTILIZATION

Very simple, one branch, we listen, we rule, we play!

SOUNDS

It is suitable for all styles of music. One can get a wide array of sounds, playing with the gain and master.

OVERALL OPINION

I use this amp for 8 years. I also have a band master and a bassman 50, you can not compare them, but in general, I use mostly the blues junior for his versatility you can put another speaker output and that's cool !!
If you can get an old blues junior made in usa is better.
Finally I highly recommend this amp, and I do it again without hesitation that choice.

All-tube amp 15Watt
Integrated spring reverb
Button effective boost to "tweak" the sound

Ability to disconnect the HP to plug into a speaker (not possible to connect the two together).

No line out (but usually is taken up with a microphone and that's just fine).

UTILIZATION

Very easy to use.
One soft to crunch following channel settings.

SOUNDS

The sounds are crystal clear.
Coupled with good effects pedals, beautiful and very melodic sound is obtained.

Amp excellent for all types of music if you do not need a big distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years in rehearsal and concert with a rock band.

It is a practice amp, small, light, and we keep. It is a tool to always have on hand.

However for the more beefy (metal ...) rock is limited.

Suitable for small venues and bars, but it is better to take a microphone for better sound dispersion, as it is too prescriptive.

Everything has been said about the characteristics

UTILIZATION

Yes there is the clean sound easy and it's not bad, but not the best clean I know (for me it is the Peavy delta blues). But the crunch there is only one channel and a boost button pseudo unconvincing. On stage it may be very good but not in my room at all. This is not an amp made for the house, because you have to either push too hard to make it crunch naturally, or add a distortion and lose the natural crunch that you wanted this amp effect. This is the reason for the return at seller to finish with an excellent little Roland Cube 40 watts, far more versatile (many crunch sounds with foot control pedal if purchased), more malleable and therefore less fragile lamps without frequent trips to the in my case ...

SOUNDS

Just the clean sound and the reverb and that's it ... this is very expensive for so little I think.
Well for jazz and that's it not for the blues at home and so big regrets.
The volume is too loud I could not exceed 2 !!!
Unable to leave home a nice crunch without blowing my ears or those of neighbors. I made it because of screwy.
It lacks a real crunch channel as my Peavy Delta allows much more without blowing the eardrums.

OVERALL OPINION

I did not keep. Because the prices are too expensive for what it is, this big problem of volume and low to nonexistent crunch. My peavey yet more powerful delta to much better it was redundant and was looking for a good little amp for getting out there and playing with pals or repeated. I have not found the exceptional clean, I tested it with my 8 guitars and I ended up back at the seller to take a final roland cube 40 nice little more suited to my needs and I ' love and that I carry around everywhere.

Characteristics are very well detailed in previous reviews and the Internet. My opinion is on the model 2000/2001 (bought OCCAZ in 2002).

UTILIZATION

This is a single channel tube amp everything there was more classic.
The reverb is actually a bit special and less friendly than other Fender combos. I find it very usable up to 2 .
The eq is quite effective for small corrections.
It is possible to play "reasonable" volume with a small sound to help, but no way to do it in an apartment while your partner / companion pionce in the next room.
It is just terrible in live situations in small venues and bars: sufficiently powerful, compact and not very heavy.

SOUNDS

Suitable for a wide range of sounds, excels in the blues / rock, funk or tape very very rock with a tele, sounds poisseusement jazz / funk with half cash.
The sound is faithful to the characteristics of the instruments and with the EQ is refined easily depending on the room and power to cover.
When you push a bit the beast we get a nice sound texture that allows to express and qualify with a nice grain. Riding the gain can have a nice little crunch not dive beetles.
The grain is a little special, quite characteristic of the Hot Rod series and very different princetones and deluxe reverbs, plus vintage and sparkling. For me it is the sound a bit blues / rock of the late '90s.

OVERALL OPINION

To play in small venues is just great: lightweight, compact but powerful in terms of volume. More volume together it makes perfect size and goes effectively with different guitars and pedals.
I mainly played with a strat and a copy of .335 at the time and frankly I was very happy. Since I'm done help me out several times with this type of amp and each time it was a cakewalk.
on the other hand it is not very suitable for playing at home. A low volume can troubleshoot without more because it takes a little shake Jr for it to become interesting. Too bad for the reverb especially when compared to other similar power fender combos.
In three years it was mainly used for rpeter and concert and not beaucup home. I never had any glitches with. I find the quality / price very good time.

Everything has already been said so just a few words about its power.
For a night in a small room or a bar is more than enough with knob 2 or 3.
Despite its specificity "blues" ... I find it relatively versatile (except perhaps for metal??)

UTILIZATION

Easier it is not possible.
But to find his own sound to play with the volume and master.
To get a good sound ... I would say plug a guitar properly ... and play it correctly ... I'm kidding of course, but on this amp it is hard not to have a good sound.

SOUNDS

Originally this was fine.
Now mounted with an old Jensen ... this is perfect.
From clean to crunch ... yum.
For I will add distortion pedal.
I rather play blues or rock and it was the amp that I had.
I often have the opportunity to try other amp (lamp of course) and I have 3 others, but 99% of my time playing ... it is on the Junior.

OVERALL OPINION

I have since 3 years now.
I had other amps before and even now.
It is simple, it sounds, it is powerful.
I could redo this by choice because for me, there is more choice => This is the BJ

15 (or 18?) Watt lamps, a jack, 3-band EQ, and reverb built.

UTILIZATION

The sound is more than adequate. It was my first tube amp. I knew nothing, I thought it was great.

In fact it is not so great as that. It is true that it is quite suitable for the Blues (it's written on it ...). But by using it we learn to tame it, you learn to draw sounds good.

It has bizzareries: for example, the knob of mediums, from scratch, still leaves spend mediums. One wonders why. Fortunately the mod is simple to adjust it, I could get a more manipulated Equalization.

SOUNDS

With distortion (volume knob between 5 and 8) it is pretty decent and it takes pedals very well.

I played when I started with a Korean Epiphone Dot. It was going. In fact I would even say that the amp was worth the instrument and that the combination was quite happy.

Once I bought better scratch (or that I had in my hands) on better amps I've heard the difference.

The reverb is pretty ugly. With minimal medium and treble and bass background, it is quite interesting.

OVERALL OPINION

Used for 5 years in the studio scene. He dropped me twice, it is quite fragile because the lamps are used preamp to max capacity. It therefore heats.

It was my first tube amp. Although her to discover the lamps. And light enough! Compared to many other amp can be transported by hand for a hundred meters without asking (try that with a Twin ...).

Pretty good value even if the resale price that it is better to buy it to keep it.

There are many site on the internet offering mods to do to improve it. It's pretty cool that, it makes you want to work on it.

Everything has been said about the beast. Ample power for rehearsals and concerts at clubs.

UTILIZATION

Extremely simple configuration and without a manual. You plug it sounds.

SOUNDS

Playing rock "indie" it suits me very well. Highs are still a bit irritating after the guitar used. With the TV for example. Right now I use a clean sound with a Les Paul Classic and a BB preamp overdrive and it really a hit. It is warm and punchy, perfect for snapping riffs murderers! What Rock'n'Roll ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years. I also have a Carvin XT112 (great amp ...) that weighs a ton and is too powerful for the scenes that I practice. This one is small, not too heavy, a more than adequate power, the sound is good although it can sometimes be a little irritating even though we play on equalization. The fact that there is only one channel does not bother me as my overdrive and distortion are my using pedals and it works fine. So yes, I would do this choice.

I acquired this unit from the Guitar Center near SLC for a little under $400.

Theres is only one thing about this amp that I dont like. the reverb seems to be broken, (but that may be thru it bumping in the back of my car), the reverb seems to drown out everything and it doesnt seemt to work at all. But the tone definitley makes up for it. Ive owned a marshall amp before, and this little combo definitely smokes my marshall out of the water. Although its small in size, it can definitely fill a small/medium sized venue.

reverb, as seem above.

As I can see the construction is very good, very durable. From what Ive read, other users of this amp have had the same problem with the reverb unit, but other than that it seems very durable.

The Bottom Line is, this is the best amp you could get for this price range. Its an amazing amp. Sounds amazing with my TS9 Tubescreamer, and amazing just by itself without the pedal. Great great amp, I love.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com