Blues Jr. vs. Princeton Recording Amp...thoughts?

[daacrusher2001]

Hi Everyone,

I can't seem to find this specific discussion in any of the threads...I need to get an amp for home use. Can't really crank it loud, but want to get some true tube distortion/breakup.

I was about to buy a Blues Jr., and then I played the Tweed version of that amp and I was thinking that would be a good amp for me. Until I played the Princeton Recording Amp.

I like them all...just wondering what you guys think of the Princeton? It seemed to have a lot of versatility, and the built in attenuator would answer my volume issues.

Do any of you have one, and also have a Blues Jr, and perhaps could compare/contrast the two?

Thx....

[T_red7882]

Princeton Reverb Reissue. Yeah buddy, ain't nothing but a peanut.

[daacrusher2001]

I didn't try the Princeton Reverb Reissue...only the princeton recording amp, which doesn't have any trem.

[nevadacalifornia]

I have a tweed Blues Jr. . Pretty hard to get some natural overdrive at household levels. Maybe a BJ and an attenuator. That would still be quite a bit cheaper than the Princeton recording amp.

[djinn1973]

Get the Princeton Recording Amp...
I really liked the tones I was getting from the few that I have tried. And like you say, the attenuator will let you get a good sound at a comfortable volume.

[Durtdog]

I had a Blues Jr. tweed for about a year, and I've only heard the Princeton on the internet. I'd recommend the Princeton. It's twice the price...from what I've heard it's probably worth it.

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by nevadacalifornia

I have a tweed Blues Jr. . Pretty hard to get some natural overdrive at household levels.

Ya know I've read this kind of statement many many times and the funny thing is I was going to post a new thread about it. But since it came up here I have a question.

I tried an experiment this weekend.

I plugged in my LP copy and turned the "Volume" (gain) on my Blues Jr all the way up to 12 to get as much distortion as possible. I started the Master volume at zero and started to slowly turn it up. "One" still had no sound. "Two" worked. It was a thick distored sound but at (below) bedroom volume level. A person could even go to 2 1/2 or 3.

So what is wrong with that? Isn't that what some posters have been after? Seems to work ok. Or what am I missing?

[teleplanner]

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Ya know I've read this kind of statement many many times and the funny thing is I was going to post a new thread about it. But since it came up here I have a question.

I tried an experiment this weekend.

I plugged in my LP copy and turned the "Volume" (gain) on my Blues Jr all the way up to 12 to get as much distortion as possible. I started the Master volume at zero and started to slowly turn it up. "One" still had no sound. "Two" worked. It was a thick distored sound but at (below) bedroom volume level. A person could even go to 2 1/2 or 3.

So what is wrong with that? Isn't that what some posters have been after? Seems to work ok. Or what am I missing?

I do the exact same thing with my Blues Junior and my 07 American Tele and I get all the distortion I need at even moderate household levels. Turn it up to "wake the neighbors" levels and it really does rock for its size, in my opinion.

[91xlntS-3]

+1 on the Blues Jr. I've been gigging mine for a while now and when I use it a home with my teles, I can get anything from crystal clean to near over the top distortion! Just had CS NoCaster p-ups installed in my Am. Std. Tele and tweaked them out on Sunday. Was playing thru my BJ and it sounded INCREDIBLE!!

BTW, I've never played the Princeton Recording amp, but for 1K seems like a lot of money for what you get. Just my opinion, but my BJ does all I want it to, at home or on stage!

[resonator]

Originally Posted by daacrusher2001

I didn't try the Princeton Reverb Reissue...only the princeton recording amp, which doesn't have any trem.

I bought the Princeton Recording Amp when it came out. I was very disappointed to say the least. Returned it after a couple weeks.

Moving ahead, I was looking for a smaller amp that still sounded good and easy to carry out. I was all set to go with a Blues Junior NOS. That's until I plugged into the Princeton Reverb Reissue. I've never had any amp knock me out like this little gem did. I knew I had to have it. It's sitting right next to me and has taken over as my favorite amp. The other amps are a Victorilux 115, Hot Rod DeVille 410, Mesa Lone Star Special 410 and a stock HRD.

The Princeton Recording Amp doesn't sound like the PRRI. Fender did it right this time. You really should try one before buying anything.

[Del Pickup]

Having played both the BJ and new Princeton Reverb I think it boils down to whether you would prefer the more typically Fender-ish BF clean tones of the Princeton as opposed to what I hear as more Fender tweed tones from the BJ.

The BJ has been described as being more like a baby Bassman.

Maybe it's my ears but I don't hear the same sparkle from the EL34s in the BJ that come from either 6V6's or 6L6's that are the backbone of traditional Fender BF amps.

But, don't get me wrong, either amp would be a very good one to have. I think you've got to hear them for yourself though before making the decision.

[daacrusher2001]

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

Ya know I've read this kind of statement many many times and the funny thing is I was going to post a new thread about it. But since it came up here I have a question.

I tried an experiment this weekend.

I plugged in my LP copy and turned the "Volume" (gain) on my Blues Jr all the way up to 12 to get as much distortion as possible. I started the Master volume at zero and started to slowly turn it up. "One" still had no sound. "Two" worked. It was a thick distored sound but at (below) bedroom volume level. A person could even go to 2 1/2 or 3.

So what is wrong with that? Isn't that what some posters have been after? Seems to work ok. Or what am I missing?

I'm not in a rush, so I'm going to try out the Princeton Reverb Reissue. A lot of people recommmend it. I have a Weber attenuator I used to use with a Mesa amp. Seemed to work fine with no impact (that I could hear) on the sound.

or...maybe I'll get my wife a pair of earplugs...8^)

[FirstBassman]

Originally Posted by Del Pickup

I think it boils down to whether you would prefer the more typically Fender-ish BF clean tones of the Princeton as opposed to what I hear as more Fender tweed tones from the BJ.

The BJ has been described as being more like a baby Bassman.

Exactly. Well put.

[Hoodster]

"Maybe it's my ears but I don't hear the same sparkle from the EL34s in the BJ that come from either 6V6's or 6L6's that are the backbone of traditional Fender BF amps."

BJ = 2 x EL84.

[Del Pickup]

I meant EL84's - oops!!! Silly me - it was late at night when I typed that!!

[daacrusher2001]

I tried the Princeton Reverb reissue and I agree it's a very nice sounding amp. I love the tremelo. But...it's kind of loud for the house. Or so I thought...until...

I happened to see a Mesa Boogie 5:25 Express...all I can say is "WOW". What a great amp. A lot of money tho'...over $1K, and I didn't think it sounded any better than a Rivera Clubster that was about $200 less. But it did sound really good. and it can be loud. I was able to get amazing sounds out of it....

I also A/B/C'd the Princeton Recording Amp, Blues Jr, and Blues Jr Tweed again. I didn't like the PRA as much this time. And I'm still undecided between the two BJ's. Seemed like the standard model was a bit louder, and brighter.

So it's back to the drawing board.

[daacrusher2001]

So...pretty sure I'm going to settle in on a Blues Junior NOS. Everytime I A/B it with the stock Blues Jr. the NOS wins (to my ears).

Gonna skip the Mesa, way too much amp for what I'm doing, but it does sound great to me.

Also, fwiw, I tried two other fenders...the Hot Rod Deluxe, which I liked, but too loud, and the Super Champ XD (too tinny sounding, although my son liked that one).

Well...think I'll go order the NOS.

[Rumble]

You didn't try an AC15? Louder than the Blues Jr., gets far dirtier at low volumes and high volumes, has tremelo in addition to the reverb, has tons of chime and compression, and is only a little bit more expensive.

[mikespe]

I just got a Blonde Blues Jr 2 weeks ago and can't stop playing it! I like the stock sound in it and I also can get all the distortion I want. I live in an apartment complex so it's imperative I keep the volume down. Plus I use pedals for any HEAVY distortion I need...LIke Black Sabbath type distortion....

[maggieo]

You know what? The best sounding amp I've ever played through is the 1965 Vibro Champ I put a Weber Sig 8 into. Absolutely gorgeous and you can get them for around $500. Heck, get a late 60's or early 70's Silverface and you can get into it for $350 on up, if you're prudent and shop around.

No volume problems whatsoever and I can't think of a better sounding amp with a Tele.

Vibro Champ. Accept no low volume substitute.