All user reviews for the Fender Blues Junior

I recently demo'd a ton of amps. I thought I wanted a Fender Deluxe because of the effects and a lot of power, but that quickly changes the second I plugged into the BJ. I got mine at Sam Ash and paid around 360. It was certainly worth the extra cash.

This amp sounds very warm and full. Its smooth and sound just seems to roll out from it. I play mostly with cd's in my house, but occaisionally jam with some friends. It is plenty loud and sounds better than my buddy's Marshall. It is in my opinion the best amp by far in its price range.

My only complaint is that it only has one channel. (well, kind of, you can actually hook up a foot pedal for a little more pre-amp distortion) However, I hooked up a tube screamer to make up for it and have been in heaven ever since!

Seems pretty durable. I noticed when I opened it fresh from the box that a screw was not in place, and seems to be stripped from its original home.

Far and away the best amp for anyone who wants that fat, warm tone that our favorite classic rockers have had for years! and best of all, it won't cost a fortune.

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

Purchased: Guitar Center Boston
Cost: $300 used (like new condition)
Purpose: I’m a non-professional musician, and about 95% of the playing I do is at home w/o other musicians. I was looking for a lower watt tube amp that would be easy to push to that edge without having the police show up. I also wanted a single speaker unit, as they are easier to mic and generally better for recording.

That really left me with only a few quality choices: Fender Pro Junior; Fender Blues Junior; or a Vox AC-15 (no longer in production?). Vintage amps tend to be high maintenance, high priced, and accompanied by the usual variety of hums and buzzes which I can live without.

This amp really does only one thing, which is to deliver that nice Fender tone. I think the circuitry is derived from that of the Bassman, and the tone isn’t too far off. I play with a Tele and a Gibson ES-175 knock off (made by Halifax). Both guitars sound superb through the Blues Junior.

In this price range, you have to make compromises. The Blues Junior simply lacks features. Although you can buy effects laded amplifiers in the sub-$400 range, the effects tend to be on-size-fits-all, and usually not to my liking anyway.

The two built in effects it has (reverb & gain) are tolerable but not outstanding. What this amp really needs is an effects loop and maybe a vibrato.

Construction seems very solid, although I can detect a slight buzz when I play low A at low volume.

The Blues Junior delivers the gamut of Fender amp tones, minus the Fender effects. In my amp shopping I played several mid and high end Fender Tube amps, and almost settled with a used ’59 Bassman Reissue, but ultimately settled on the Blues Junior. This amp is serious about tone, and the tone on this amp rivals the very best of Fender tube amps.

If you’re looking for a versatile workhorse or if you are a newer player who likes to play with a variety of sounds, check out Line6.


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

I purchashed my amp from Musicians Friend
new for $340.00. I felt this would be a
great amp for my small gigs. I almost
bought PV Prowler instead.

This amp is great for all my needs. It's very versitile and easy to work with. It's
my first choice when I go to open blues
jams.

My only complaint is that I had to purchase the gain boost pedal on my own. I was surprised that it did not come with one.

I feel for the price of the amp, the quality was remarkably well designed.

Over all great amp for the money. Good
work horse, A fun little amp with a big
bite!

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

I purchased my Blues Jr. from a local music store in New Orleans that was closing. It was a black tolex floor model in mint condition but was missing the paperwork (warranty card, owner's manual ,etc.) I tried it out in the store and it sounded GREAT! Because it was the store's last day before closing and with the missing warranty, I was able to negotiate a great price - $250 out the door!

I was interested in the Blues Jr. (nicknamed "BJ" on the Fender Discussion Page) after listening to my brother's BJ bought about a year ago. (We both play guitars in a band together) We played a gig at a small club - he brought the BJ and plugged his vintage Gibson SG into it. It was plenty LOUD with a great, straight ahead tube tone and thick, smooth distortion when overdriven. I was amazed at the sound coming out of the little thing. (Even though I was playing thru a '65 Fender Super Reverb I had to tell my brother to turn down!)I bought one and have liked the single channel design, simple controls and most of all GREAT SOUND! A wonderful practice amp, studio amp or miked gigging amp. And it's small and lightweight to boot!

If I had to list a dislike, I'd say maybe the reverb could be better - it's not very deep or rich-sounding. (I've read about a reverb mod you can do which greatly improves this) I use the 'verb sparingly anyway so this is not a big factor for me.
I also wished I had the blonde tolex/oxblood grille model.

The one I purchased seemed very well-built and solid. But I have read several posts on the Fender Discussion Page that have mentioned screws not tight enough, reverb hum on older models and a few misc. construction complaints. There is also a consensus that replacement of the stock speaker greatly improved the tone.

I think the Blues Jr. is one of the best tube amps Fender makes right now. I have A/B'd it in the same room with Deluxes, Tremoluxes, Twins, etc. and been very surprised at the results. It may not have the power of those amps but the tone is definitely there. I also own a vintage Fender amp collection and my Blues Jr. is the ONLY new Fender amp I have in my arsenal. Go figure? Crank one up and you'll see what I mean!

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

I live in an apartment and needed a small amp that had good tone at low volume, yet could be ranked up a bit outside the domicile. I actually brought home a Fender Champion 30 and was pretty disappointed at the thin tone at low volume. I took it back to the music store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and traded up to a Fender Blues Jr. I'll tell ya, it was just what the doctor ordered. It's an all-tube amp (5 tubes), and has luscious tone at lower volume (compared to the competition). I play a Strat through it, and it took some tweaking of the treb-mid-bass to optimize my pickups, but once found it is sweet. I haven't played it at higher volume yet, so check out the other reviews here for more on that.

I like the fat tube tone in the small package (15 watts w/1x12)...it projects a solid presence at lower apartment volume with a nice bluesy tone, or you can dial it in pretty clean. Other reviewers here have gigged with it and say it's great at higher volumes as well.

The tone is a little darker than I was accustomed to, and took a little getting used to. But once I did, I really, REALLY like it.

It's well built, looks and feels solid. The design is simple, but I happen to like the no-nonsense, get-the-job-done look.

I like it better than anything I tried under $500. I think it's a great amp at $385. And I really, really like the tone with my Strat. The thing is, alot more money may buy you a bigger and better amp, but for $385, I think it's more than worth every penney. And, check out the other Blues Jr. reviews at this site.

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

I was looking for a compact low wattage all tube amplifier with one 12” speaker, I was considering the Peavey Classic 30 as well as the Fender Blues Jr. I bought mine for $300 from Musicians Friend, it was a blem.

This little amp has that classic Fender tone, it is light weight and very compact and has enough volume to use as both a rehearsal and a practice amp.

I wish the reverb was foot-switchable. I also think the tubes could be protected a little better. The device that is designed to keep the tubes in place works as much to bend them in their sockes as it does to keep them centered.

The quality and constuction of this little amp are in a word, solid.

Worth every penny I spend on it. I'll take this amp anywhere. I love my other amps but in this case size matters in the reverse. If I need more volume I'll just mike it!

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

I payed about $400 for this guitar at Mars Music, in Roseville, Minnesota.

I love this amplifier because it has such great sound. I needed an amp that I could carry around, but that would have good sound and enough punch to effectively play over a drummer. This was the perfect amp. It is loud, but it retains quality when you turn it up. It's a tube amp, so it has that vintage warmth to it. I play a Fender American Strat through it, and it sounds just like Stevie Ray Vaughan's version of Little Wing, which is one of the greatest songs ever.

The amp is a little heavy, but I must say, that between carrying my guitar and this amp, I've built some muscle. It's a good workout. I was a little disappointed that it only had one input, but I learned to live with it.

The amp is built like a tank. I am a highschool student, and I'm constantly carrying the thing to school, and it get's banged around quite a bit. So far, the casing is vertually unscratched, even after being closed in doors, sat on, and carted from house to house, from school to school, and from garage to garage.

If you want the best sound for your money, this amp is the way to go. It is the little brother to the popular Fender Hotrod Deville, and it has the same punch and sound, but in a smaller form.

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

I acquired it about 3 months ago. I bought it used from Daddy's junky Music for $250.00. Which is a great deal I bought it because I loved the way it sounded. A friend of mine had one and I had been wanting one when I stumbled across mine.

I like everthing about this little amp. Size, volume, tone, looks. It's got it all. I play out with it a lot. I mic it to the PA if needed. Has a nice blues / rock sound to it. If I want more dist. I put a pedal in front of it.

I didn't care for the stock speaker. So I replaced it with a Celestion and it sounded 100% better. Well worth the pice of the speaker. The other speaker could have sounded the way it did because it was used. So try it out and let you ears decide.

Built very good. No complaints at all. I haul it around everywhere and no problems what so ever.

Go buy it if you like blues / rock!!!! Great tone, portability and price.

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

This was mail ordered from Musicians Friend, on sale for $329.99. I had been looking for a small all-tube combo amp, and did not want to pay boutique prices. I had recently been using an original 1964 Fender Vibrolux Reverb combo, but it was too heavy and too valuable to lug around town, and to get it to the point of mild distortion by itself required far too much volume. I play swing, jazz, blues and R&B, and play straight into the amp. The junior weighs in at 31lbs., has a master volume so I can drive the preamp tubes hard enough to distort sweetly, and still have overall tone.

THis is the Musicians Friend custom Blonde Tolex version, 15 watts of good old fashioned Fender tube tone, a 12" Eminence speaker (easily replaced or bypassed!) leather carry handle... the look of the old tweed style amps, "chicken-head" knobs, master volume, spring reverb... simplicity itself! They market this as a "practice" amp, but I have gigged with it, and it has plenty of power for a small to medium sized club. I have yet to turn it above 5 (on a scale of 12) in a club! To find this many positive features under $400 was a real surprise.

Please keep in mind that these are minor issues:
1) Why does Fender think they have to satisfy the Spinal Tap mentality and mark the settings to 12? 1 to 10 would be fine!
2) The controls face the back of the amp...who adjusts their amp from behind?
3) The control nomenclature is printed in white on a shiny metal background. It is virtually impossible to read on stage (plus reading them upside down!)
4) The Eminence speaker is "stiff", but bypass it into another cabinet with a pair of 10"s (like the Vibrolux has)or a single 12" and you can hear the difference.
5) There is no stand-by switch, so either the amp stays on during breaks, or you wait for the brief warm up, which, by the way, is surprisingly quiet compared to the older Fender reverb amps which tend to roar when they wake up.

For a low-end unit, the cabinet seems reasonably sturdy. You can sit on it and not feel like it's going to collapse. The Tolex is correctly applied, the visible hardware all matches.

They put a spring loaded support under 2 of the tubes, but not the other 3. Why?

Obviously at this price it is not a hand wired "Class A" chassis, but so far it seems to hold up well.

For the price... amazing! I recommend this amp to anyone who wants warmth, tone and volume in a small package. note that my rating of 4 should be taken as a 4.5!

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

Tube amp etc. ... it's always the same config. My Blues Junior is the basic model, the next generation.
He has a good look anyway. I like seeing the 'diamond'. It's stupid but I like it. On such small amp there could have been seeing a plastoc. Besides the rest is aesthetically coherent. It looks vintage combo. In short pass, it's everyone's tastes.
I read on this page that the settings were not on top. I always thought the opposite! Three knobs for EQ that are effective. I play rock, I get my set in two seconds. I play jazz, I put the bass 3, treble and midrange to 3 to 8 and go! The reverb is a little afraid, okay, but I do not buy an amp for the reverb. And since it is there, and well, I'm using ...
The button 'FAT' adds fat to the sound. In fact I am not using the amp without the 'FAT'. The interest for me is to work the amp to the max.

UTILIZATION

Work to make the amp max: This is also where the strength of the Blues Junior. Imagine that for stage I ask to rent an amp for me not to carry it on the train. They rarely provide me with anything other than the hot rod deluxe (the big brother of the blues junior). The latter is probably very good, but the problem is that I've never made more than 1.5. Result, I never use the lamps to good diet and I have a tiny sound of kiki (all transparent and bodiless) on stage just to not tear the ears of others zicos (this is music that sound almost I do, so not too much volume).
With the blues junior is different. I push the volume and master up to three (not below it sounds), and there magic!, He began to roar and the sound is to die for. The volume is not necessarily the strongest but the sound is much better.
And it can still send 'naughty when pushed a little. I do not even see the point of having a bigger amp. In repeat I am not ready to put it back on stage and there are returns. then the walls of Marshall amp to Iron Maiden is over!

SOUNDS

I played with jazz guitars (half case), a sheraton 2, a Strat. Everything sounds good, with a preference for the sounds 'round' (type gibson). For some time with a HBE powerscreamer overdrive and I really broke out. Looks like this pedal was made to go with.
it has been said, but the effects go well in this amp.

OVERALL OPINION

I for one year. I bought it quickly because I needed a lamp versatile amp for the studio and because I knew it would sell easily seen its popularity. Finally the more I play, the more I feel that I will keep it a good time.
Some of the change. I will change the HP may be one day for a greenback but today I will like that.
it may be a tad expensive (530 euros for me), but everyone knows that the price you think the day of purchase, the quality however, you think about every day.
I conclude with this sentence that I authorize you to quote.

well we know

UTILIZATION

uh I think yes

SOUNDS

Then this is the slap because this amp is modified
the input transformer and output have been changed by mercury
the hp is a weber alnico condos have changed by oranges
lamps by lamps (all) of cryo English at Watford Valves
a detail of the output tubes and it's not EL84 E84L is not the same thing that makes more sins
and especially the sound is warmer.

result sound garish original no longer exists and make room has a more versatile with incredible presence, a gentle compression and low

typed his fender with a natural distortion at top

OVERALL OPINION

3 or 4 years I do not know
I heard not when I say that's
the reverb is bad
the value moueh but I'm with modif in the upscale
yes I do it again this choice

See other opinions or characteristics of the manufacturer.

I NOTE THE BLUES JUNIOR MADE IN MEXICO 2 telex, CREAM BOARD

UTILIZATION

Simple and intuitive (except taken to pedal and HP).
The sound is good, the reverb is poor beyond Level 2.
We must push a little to get a good sound especially with the second channel (button down).

SOUNDS

it's perfect for blues, rock.
j'obtient mostly clean sounds, crunch, and a slight distortion (blues), for cons for Hard rock is not possible.
Guitar squier stratocaster deluxe (SSS), fender stratocaster United States (SSS).
I like the sounds I made an Excel spreadsheet with my various settings.

Note, with a multi-effect, as I try (BOSS GT-10, DIGITECH RP255) is really very average (I will soon try with analog pedals).

OVERALL OPINION

3 years of intensive use.
This is the only amp that I use regularly, I try other long enough to really compare.
+ Pros: The simplicity of the whole lamp, clear sound and distortion, the warmth of sound when you push a little sound.
- Cons: Sometimes the sizzle, the reverb (I have changed a RUBY TANKS), I changed what I did not like (see site for many BILLM info on this amp in ENGLISH) a manufacturing defect repair by a single weld.

A thought: it is better to buy a more expensive amp that works well with all, rather buy a cheaper amp and make modifications necessary but not see the difference (reverb, solder, capacitors, reglgae bias, add button LINE, EH 12AX7, EL84 JJ) thereafter (thus losing the 5-year warranty). Otherwise purchase for editing.

But we must recognize that for a tube amp for "apartment" is really not bad, I always find its sounds, and it's always a pleasure.

Combo 15 Watt All Tube (2 EL84 power and two 12AX7 in pramp)
EQ 3-band: Treble, Middle and Bass
A grant-knob reverb
-A "Volume" which acts on the volume of prampli and a "Master" who gre gnral volume.
One-switch "fat" supposed to give body to the sound.
Hp output into 8 ohms, a footswitch jack to enable / disable the Fat.

My version, while buying new this year is a panel rglages Submitted chrom.
The finish is exceptional, the new version has a black panel also benefitted from amliorations in this area.
All knobs are gradus 1 12: louder than Spinal Tap!

UTILIZATION

The configuration is simple and will basically the amp is single channel, dpourvu loop effects. Plug 'n' Play are the watchwords.
Some regret labsence a standby ... if only one gaffe to make time for heating / cooling, the lamps should last, especially since it is Groove Tubes, the rf ences in the Contents.

The main strength of this amp is its relationship qualitprix / weight / power. It can carry around everywhere, concerts RPTES, quite easily and we can make blush power tubes without exploding the ears of everyone.

Strong point, you can switch between lead and rhythm sound has a clean sound simply by assaying the attack and grant the volume knob: thank you to the single channel!

SOUNDS

I play Rock, Blues, Heavy Metal or Hard. I am interested in Jazz recently also.
The amp does not have as many 6L6 Fender, they are EL84, rather common to Vox amplifiers, which in this sigent Blues Junior. This hybrid mid gtrain rsulte a Fender, Vox half, trs singing, leaping with mids.
The amp starts to sing vritablement when the master is the third party.

The grain base of the amp is definitely bluesy. Warm, it is difficult to get out a clear its strictly Manir has a Twin or a Roland Jazz Chorus.
Outright saturation is unattainable, the volume of pramp located on 12 gives at best a crunch pushed. We will not fawn all bought this amp to make Mtal ... has less to add to it one or more pedals!

The amp as a level hair chtif its grain and my taste, I added an MXR Micro Amp to give it body and shine no more. Leads for Rock or Blues, I boost with an Ibanez TS808 and when I want more rubber, activate a Proco Rat. The versatility of the amp it is dmultiplie, and as long as one chooses good pedals, it does not lose momentum, thanks to the low power of the amplifier and simplicity of its design! The amp accepts pedals well trs of Manir gnrale.

I play a Stratocaster, a Les Paul and a Flying V.

I do not find that the legalization particulirement be effective, but it will calm a Telecaster too bright or too dull a Les Paul.
The original speaker does not seem to capture the richness that the amp could offer ... Can I be the change one day! ^ ^

The new versions seem to be more versatile and offer a much better saturation. Yet it is the version "chrome" that I chose because it seemed warmer, less sharp ... basically, if your thing is the riff Keith Richards and Rory Gallagher, the Blues Junior III you will get better. I was looking for a grain closer to that of Vaughan, I am delighted.

Note that to have it plugged into a Marshall 4x12, this little Fender can be transformed into bte Hard / Blues Vintage, confirming the Reserved What many users on the quality of the firm / loudspeaker. I also think a 1960 Marshall acqurir trs soon so I will appreciate the combination! ^ ^

OVERALL OPINION

I use it now for about 1 month.
I possdais before a Mesa Boogie Mark II, for the absolutely outstanding sound, at first silent far too powerful for home use or even live (they taient barjos has the power issue era srieux ...)
So I was looking to replace just a small portable lamps and usable volume level.
From the Hard Basically, I have become over time a big fan of Blues. And I think better a vintage amp that can boost an amp sound that's Higain donf and which can not draw any distinction!

The Class 5, in Marshall is great, but the abscence of the Master pnalise lot to me. In addition, it Submitted as 5 watts, and if 50 or 100 is often too much, 15 watts Submitted an excellent compromise.
The Vox AC-15 Custom Classic gnial also silent, but not as warm and fat than the Fender could be.
In this price range, and single-channel (my favorite setup!) The Blues Junior is untouchable in my opinion for those who love the Blues Rock.

I would do exprience with this choice, even if I think in the future to add to it an AC15 or a Marshall, because the Blues Junior is not everything.

DEFINITIONS In and as others before me have said, I'd say this amp is an excellent compromise between power usable, affordable prices, a warm grain, a dynamic and well-tural weight quite acceptable. This is not the best amp in the world, but it does a good job

I was surprised at how great this Fender Hot Rod Series Amp actually was. I was able to dial in a sound that I liked out of all 16 preamps. The clean and distortion channels all sound great at low and high volumes. This amp is more than loud enough to play over a drummer.


UTILIZATION

A lot of the presets are even pretty good, but I would definitely recommend spending some time dialing in your own tones because of how versatile this amp is - you can pretty much get any sound you want.

SOUNDS

Another thing I like about this amp is that you can plug the amp directly into your computer for recording. The built in tuner is easy to use, but the screen is pretty small so it's a little hard to read. The effects are very good, definitely comparable to what you would get from something like a Boss compact pedal. It is pretty light at 36 pounds, and is very easy to carry around if you're going to a friend's house with it. i would definitely recommend the FBV MKII ($200) to go along with this, it makes it way easier to use, and you pretty much need a pedal if you're going to be playing live though.


OVERALL OPINION

I play an Epiphone Les Paul Studio Limited Edition through this one and all of a sudden I'm a rocker (I'm really not, but it sure seems like I am and that is all that is important!) The thing about this amp is that it is fun and because it's not that expensive, you won't be worried about how much you paid. .I recommend this to anyone not just using a Les Paul but to almost any guitar on the market, even a cheap one. The Fender Hot Rod Series amp will make it sound top notch no matter what. Try It!