Members Crxsh Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 I realize that this is HCFX, but with Phil's permission I've decided to start a Blues Jr. lounge. I'm sure there are a lot of Fender lovers in here, as well as guys who dig this little amp and would like to have a place for discussion on all the mods, upgrades and secrets of this amp. So ... welcome!!I hope this thread will become a resource for Blues Junior owners, as well as assist those with any questions they may have about this phenomenal amp.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crxsh Posted January 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 I guess I'll start off. This is my beloved Fender Blues Jr. that I picked up on eBay from this guy out in Spokane, WA. He put it into a custom Teak enclosure with an Oak base. The Oak is busted because he shipped it with the casters on (why would you put casters on this amp???) so I'm going to have to replace that, but this is EASILY one of the coolest Blues Jr.'s I've seen to date. It came with several of the BillM mods including:-Tone Stack Kit-Twin Stack Kit-Power Stiffening Resistor-Metal Input Jack I'm thinking about adding a few more of his mods, including: -Bright Switch/Presence Control-Reverb Kit-Simple Adjustable Bias KitI'm also going to need to retube it (It's got the Fender Sovtek's in it) and replace the stock speaker. That said, I'm wondering if anyone here has done the mods I'm thinking about and can tell me about them, and what tubes/replacement speakers are good for it?I've heard good things about the Eminence Cannibus Rex & Texas Heat ... but I'd like to hear more from someone who has done this replacement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnrambo Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...ighlight=blues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnrambo Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 i'm not sure about the reverb kit you're talking about but i'll share my experiences. i replaced my reverb tank with one made by ruby. i got it at mojo musical supply for $25 after hearing some people on the FDP talk about them. it made a big difference for not much money. the 'verb is more spacious and seems to dwell longer. i'd definitely recommend it and it's easy to change out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Crxsh Posted January 12, 2008 Author Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by johnrambo http://acapella.harmony-central.com/...ighlight=blues Well then ... Still, that one doesn't say "official," so this one feels a bit more qualified. Thanks for the reverb tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members veil Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Clips of how these sound? That teak/oak enclosure is gorgeous. Is it much heavier than regular tolex? I'd imagine so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members booher Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Crxshdxmmy I guess I'll start off. This is my beloved Fender Blues Jr. that I picked up on eBay from this guy out in Spokane, WA. He put it into a custom Teak enclosure with an Oak base. The Oak is busted because he shipped it with the casters on (why would you put casters on this amp???) so I'm going to have to replace that, but this is EASILY one of the coolest Blues Jr.'s I've seen to date. It came with several of the BillM mods including:-Tone Stack Kit-Twin Stack Kit-Power Stiffening Resistor-Metal Input Jack I'm thinking about adding a few more of his mods, including: -Bright Switch/Presence Control-Reverb Kit-Simple Adjustable Bias KitI'm also going to need to retube it (It's got the Fender Sovtek's in it) and replace the stock speaker. That said, I'm wondering if anyone here has done the mods I'm thinking about and can tell me about them, and what tubes/replacement speakers are good for it?I've heard good things about the Eminence Cannibus Rex & Texas Heat ... but I'd like to hear more from someone who has done this replacement. That's a gorgeous looking guitar you got there. What is it?Right now my BJ is being used as a speaker cab for my Mesa DC-10 until I can buy an avatar cab and get a warehouse greenback and an alnico blue in it. I've really considered modding the BJ though. I just wish it got louder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members machine gunner Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Right now I'm playing through a Crate Palomino which is a great amp in its own right, but I'll be adding a Tweed NOS BJ in a few weeks- can't wait!! Used to use a Fender Twin for gigging, but it was overkill for my uses now so I had to let it go Yours looks awesome Crxshdxmmy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members star0nfire Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Well, I figured I should post mine here as well. I love it! I've played countless amps, and I still love the tones I can get out of this little beast! I'm planning on buying an Orange Tiny Terror to get some more distorted sounds, though.This is my Blues Junior: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratStevo Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Unleash the Blues Junior's true hidden tone....swap out the POS/OEM speaker for a real one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aussy Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Crxshdxmmy That said, I'm wondering if anyone here has done the mods I'm thinking about and can tell me about them I had the adjustable bias and presence mod done to mine. I didn't do extensive testing beforehand, so I can't tell the difference with the lower bias now. Longer tube life is good enough for me though. The presence mod really gives the amp a whole 'nother level of sounds. Very very useful. Tell me how the reverb switch goes if you do it. I'm looking to continue upgrading my amp even more.Also, does anyone know a similar speaker to the stock one? See, I love the idea of changing the speaker out to get better sounds, but not necessarily different sounds. I love the way my BJr sounds now and don't want to waste a ton of money trying out different speakers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by star0nfire Well, I figured I should post mine here as well. I love it! I've played countless amps, and I still love the tones I can get out of this little beast! I'm planning on buying an Orange Tiny Terror to get some more distorted sounds, though.This is my Blues Junior: OOOOH! AAAAAAH! Who did the cabinet work? VERY nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Daryl Chaney Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Phil O'Keefe OOOOH! AAAAAAH! Who did the cabinet work? VERY nice! I think thats a limited edition one by Fender themselves. I've seen a few about in Europe.It looks fantastic ! Crxshdxmmy, yours looks fantastic. - what guitar is that ?So i take it the general concensus on these amps is good ?I've been thinking of getting a smaller tube amp for myself and i've always wanted a fender anyways.Are they loud ? - ie could you gig with one (miked obviously) Can you get to the sweet spot at bedroom/house levels ? (ie, not too loud) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members aussy Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Daryl Chaney Are they loud ? - ie could you gig with one (miked obviously) Can you get to the sweet spot at bedroom/house levels ? (ie, not too loud) Yes and yes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members josh27 Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Daryl Chaney Are they loud ? - ie could you gig with one (miked obviously) Can you get to the sweet spot at bedroom/house levels ? (ie, not too loud) They have a master volume which is nice so you can get great overdrive without the neighbors complaining Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members openE Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 i have the NOS laquer tweed...and i also have a USA edition black tolex...i am currently usin the tweed version in stereo with an orange ad15...great amps...pics to come... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members star0nfire Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by Phil O'Keefe OOOOH! AAAAAAH! Who did the cabinet work? VERY nice! It's a limited edition, I was very lucky to get one I'm thinking about replacing the speaker on it, not sure to which one, though.Suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members openE Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 Originally Posted by star0nfire It's a limited edition, I was very lucky to get one I'm thinking about replacing the speaker on it, not sure to which one, though.Suggestions? the "fender special design jensen speaker" in my tweed version sounds so much better the speaker in my regular blues jr...it sounds a lil more "open"....where as the speaker in my black one tends to make the amp sound dark and very boxy.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members star0nfire Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 The "fender special design jensen speaker" is the one in my Blues Junior, I think. Still I'd like some other speaker.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratStevo Posted January 12, 2008 Members Share Posted January 12, 2008 I have a Weber Ceramic Blue Dog in mine, I also like the Weber 12F125 for use with any Fender amp I'm sure a Celestion 25 watt Green Back would be a marked improvement over the OEM Eminence. The Jensen that comes in the tweed Limited Edition BJ's is a 100% improvement over the stock speaker...the Jensen I heard didn't quite have the bottom that I was use to in the Weber's, but I'm not sure it was broken in all the way yet either? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DonK Posted January 13, 2008 Members Share Posted January 13, 2008 In the 35 years since I began playing, I think I've owned 75% of the amps Fender ever made (never had a Dual Showman, Bandmaster or any of the '50's tweeds). The blackface Twin and Deluxe are my two all-time favs, but the Twin is a load to lug these days for most of the gigs I play. I just got a Blues, Jr. a few months ago and it's become my go-to amp. I love it. I got the Blonde since I really like the retro look of old Fender blonde/oxblood/brown/tan amps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members StratStevo Posted January 13, 2008 Members Share Posted January 13, 2008 Originally Posted by DonK In the 35 years since I began playing, I think I've owned 75% of the amps Fender ever made (never had a Dual Showman, Bandmaster or any of the '50's tweeds). The blackface Twin and Deluxe are my two all-time favs, but the Twin is a load to lug these days for most of the gigs I play. I just got a Blues, Jr. a few months ago and it's become my go-to amp. I love it. I got the Blonde since I really like the retro look of old Fender blonde/oxblood/brown/tan amps. So when I passed the joint to the left...you're the guy that took it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members johnkline Posted January 13, 2008 Members Share Posted January 13, 2008 I picked up a fender blues junior this week! I haven't been able to really turn it up since the kids have been asleep when I come down to the basement. I've been playing my fender g-dec for a while and wanted to hear some real tube tone. Oh I also just ordered an ibanez ts-808 by Robert Keeley mods, so I look forward to seeing how it all sounds. Post some good settings for some SRV type sounds for the blues junior if you don't mind! thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members only_shallow Posted January 13, 2008 Members Share Posted January 13, 2008 i might pick one up, i have the money, i'd just feel bad if i spent it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Surrealistic Brillo Posted January 13, 2008 Members Share Posted January 13, 2008 I had mine modded by Curt Emery over at Emery Sound. I also dropped in a Celestion Greenback speaker in it. It sounds awesome and I've owned it longer than any other amp I own. I also had it recovered in purple vinyl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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