Alternatives to Blues Jr. ??

[Brokenpick]

Info like this has probably been touched upon, and maybe hammered on before, but..... I have to ask.

Are there viable alternatives to the Fender Blues Jr. ??
Amps that are not far off in price and features?
I started practicing through a BJR, and I just keep thinking I apparently have to have one. I liked the sound, right off the bat. My pedals seem to perform well with it. I used it at an outside gig, and was amazed at how it was able to keep up... I like the size and portability... they seem relatively durable and reliable... I don't normally need more power/volume...
I know there are amps in the boutique arena that have similar features - ( no doubt better) - but they cost 3 times as much.
Before I plop down $300- $500 for a Blues Jr. .... is there anything else that's near that price range/near that weight/near that sound ???

Thanks for any light you-all can shed, as always!

[tomfarnan]

I personally love Pro Juniors - they don't look versatile but they pull a great tone are incredibly portable and put out a lot of sound for 15W.

[indiobravo]

i have a Blues Jr and love it for all the reasons you stated. the only things i wish i had from it would be a more defined bottom end and ability to handle just a touch more volume (once in a while i get a farty noise out of it when i step on my fulltone fat-boost). I got mine for 400 which i thought was high at the time - but it didn't bother me because i love it so much. I really want to have my local tech do the billm mods but was in a bind since it's my only amp and i am gigging every week.

So I just picked up an Ampeg J-12T to cover me. i have read a lot about it and one just came up on CL recently so i jumped on it. it's 15 watts and has reverb and trem, and i think it looks cool too ;-). i paid 280 for it. i think it sounds very nice. i would say it is a little louder than the BJr, with less headroom, and more mids/lows.

as for pedals, from what i can tell so far, they both love distortion/boost (cept for farts on bjr at high volume) and tremolo, but chorus is clearer on the BJr. I think that's just the hotter nature of the ampeg vs the cleaner BJr. (I use teles with fralins mostly)

I'll get to put the ampeg thru its paces this weekend - so i'll have more info then. I am digging both amps because they are small, tube, pack a punch, were affordable, look great, and can handle my volume needs.

hth :-)

[Singin' Dave]

Alternates ~$500 used or under off the top o' my head:

Peavey Classic 20
Crate Vintage Club 20
Mesa/Boogie Studio .22+ (awesome amp!)
Mesa/Boogie Subway Rocket
Amepeg J-20 and J-12
Fender Musicmaster Bass

[Old Cane]

Laney LC15R. I have one and love it but it has a 10. Sounds great great but I wish it "went to 13". (it goes to 12 and it's just not quite enough). I did not like the NOS BJr I had for 3 days so I may be biased.

[Mike H.]

I have a few 15-18 watt amps, including a Peavey Classic 20, 1982 Super Champ, Ampeg J12-T, Tweed Deluxe clone, and a Relic Blues Jr.
The Blues Jr is the best of the bunch for my needs. The others are either too dark, overdrive too easily, or have 10" speakers that don't move enough air.
To get very much better than a Blues Jr, you'd be looking at something like a Dr Z Maz Jr 18, which is substantially more expensive.

[Little Ricky]

Peavey Classic 30 (used). I own both and feel the only thing this lacks in comparison with the BJ is that lush wet reverb, but the PV reverb is probably mor ethan most people use anyway when it's maxed. I think PVs are built better, with a better customer service reputation, and are made in USA.

[Chris S.]

There are several amps that share the same "formula" of 15w from 2xEL84's through a single 12, with reverb. One is the Crate V1512 -- same amp as GC's Palomino V16 with different cosmetics. There's also the Traynor YCV20 -- if you see the same model designated as "WR" that just stands for "wine red" tolex, another cosmetic distinction. You should be able to find any of these for a decent price on the used market and they'll give you BJr-like performance for likely fewer bucks.

Of course, you could always get a Blues Jr. ;-) Best of luck, CS

[Billm]

You know that the farty/woofy bass on the Blues Junior is easily cured, right?

[indiobravo]

Originally Posted by Billm

You know that the farty/woofy bass on the Blues Junior is easily cured, right?

that's the twinstack, right?

[Billm]

Different tone stack caps and power supply stiffening help mightily, too.

[strat a various]

Originally Posted by Little Ricky

Peavey Classic 30 ... I think PVs are built better, with a better customer service reputation, and are made in USA.

I agree with Little Ricky. Better amp. Widely available used, too.

[simon]

Vox AC 15

[Webfoot]

Funny question as I have a modded blues jr (Billm mods, texas heat and beam blocker) plus a new PRRI. I am trying to decide between the two and if I should keep the PRRI. With single coils, and the fact that I am doing hard rock also (with dirt pedals), the blues jr seems to be much better... louder and much thicker notes, more body to the sound and a lot more chunk. It really helps fatten up single coils. But it took a while tweaking the blues jr and my pedals. The PRRI is much more of a pretty sounding amp and very respectable when turned up also with the right pedals... but it can be a bit hollow sounding in the mids. Check out this link for blues jr... http://www.steviesnacks.com/gear/gea...o-texas-flood/

Of course a lot of this is subjective and based on the style of music you play. Wish I could seriously test run a pro jr. also.

[nosuch]

Hm. in this price range I think the blues jr. is as good as it gets. I would never have considered it (they never sound good in the shop) if I did not use it in a concert where I couldn't bring my own amp. so my bass player (who is also a fine guitarist) borrowed me his. I used it for some time with my archtop which sounded verx nice in the kenny burrell, grant green style of sound with just a bit of breakup. then I switched back to tele (and went also back to playing blues) and can get every tone I like from it, which is from clean to slight overdrive. never needed more volume. just recently I found out (never tweaked the eq much before) that the mid control has a lot of effect on the bass frequencies, they tend to be more warm with the mids rolled back, while they sound tighter with the mids cranked. once I found out I thought the little cube is more versatile then I knew. I like to use it for gigs, for recordings and at home (with the master turned down) also.

[TNO]

SCXD with a more efficient speaker.

[jefrs]

In addition to the previous suggestions, lower price and very versatile but much heavier (and louder), Epi Blues Custom 30, quite different to the BJ.

I exchanged my BJ for the BC30 because the BJ was too similar to my better and much more versatile Laney L5T.

[eugenedunn]

They're blowing out the Ampeg J20 for 299 Quick!

[Brokenpick]

Eugenedunn

-Wish I'd caught this Sam Ash heads up a couple days ago....
Seems like a few folks got 'em - or will get 'em- the rest of us heard the
"don't make 'em anymore/don't have 'em anymore" story.
Day late & dollar short - story of my life. Too bad, 'cuz even I was ready to
throw money directly at that, -- Blues Jr. love or not!!!
Thanks though!

[nielsnielsniels]

Originally Posted by Mike H.

I have a few 15-18 watt amps, including a Peavey Classic 20, 1982 Super Champ, Ampeg J12-T, Tweed Deluxe clone, and a Relic Blues Jr.
The Blues Jr is the best of the bunch for my needs. The others are either too dark, overdrive too easily, or have 10" speakers that don't move enough air.
To get very much better than a Blues Jr, you'd be looking at something like a Dr Z Maz Jr 18, which is substantially more expensive.

I'm looking at a Fender Blues Junior Tweed edt. that comes stock with a V30. Would you say the Blues Junior tends to lean more to the blackface sounds ( with scooped mids etc ) or tweed sounds? I don't really like the scooped mid sounds on overdrive settings, so i'm hoping that unlike it's brothers and sisters, the BJ has more mids in it's sound, can you confirm this?

[FenderGuy53]

+1 on the Pro Junior.

Compared to the BJr, the PJr has less headroom and no reverb, but it's another EL84-powered, 15-watt tone machine, with the industry's best warranty - and it's lighter than the BJr!


+1 on the Crate V1512.

See Chris S.'s reasons. Right now, you can buy a brand new V1512T (Tone tubby option) on Ebay for $350/bo. LOUD provides a 1-year warranty.

[Tdot]

Carvin Vintage 16 is in the neighborhood of a BJr.

[TG]

Perhaps not an option for you since you get them online thru a German retailer...but the amp I have as a backup/alternative to my Blues Junior is a Fame GTA-15 with a Ragin Cajun speaker in it. Less than 300 euro altogether (when I bought it), but it's a 15w class A handwired amp with just a volume and tone. It has some hum (class A maybe?) but in a band situation plugged straight in with a tele, 335 or Les Paul I have to say it outperforms the BJ in general. Very responsive and it has loads of headroom and a respectable low end, especially since I put the RC in.
It's just the size of a Pro Junior.

[Middleman]

Had an interesting occurrence with a Blues Junior at GC last week end. I have a BJ and have done a few of the Billm mods like the twin and tone stack mods. I will try the power supply stiffening this weekend. There is a sustain and warmth you get with a 5E3 or even the Blues Deluxe that is not quite resident in the BJ. It seems a bit flat or hard sounding in the lower mid range but overall, given its size, weight and tone, it's convenient. This even after the mods.

Last weekend I went to the Hollywood GC and they have their amps setting inside small cubicles which are the normal display racks for multiple amps. The cubicles have Styrofoam inserts on the left and right of the amp to keep it snug in it's cubicle. Other stores may or may not have these. I came to a Tweed BJ with the Jensen speaker, turned it on and was amazed at the tone it had. In fact I have never heard, across multiple BJs I have played, such an amazing tone. It sounded closer to a 5E3 with great warmth, smoothness and sustain. I thought this amp must be one exceptional example across many and pulled it out of the cubicle to check its speaker and tubes. Everything was standard as far as I could tell.

I set the amp on guitar stool and played it again. Suddenly, all the richness and sustain I had experienced just moments before was gone and it sound exactly like mine at home. I have to admit I was taken back a bit as to how much better the amp sounded up in the cubicle so I put it back and tried playing it again. The sustain and warmth came back.

The cubicle ran about 6 inches deeper and maybe six inches higher than the actual amp, but that larger resonant chamber made a huge difference in the sound that was projected. Maybe it was the low end bass throw that the cubicle created over the top of the amp but whatever, it was fairly obvious that either a larger amp cabinet or a shell cubicle around the existing amp will make a very large difference in the sound of the amp.

Call me crazy but I went out and bought some thin plywood to build a portable amp shell see if I can duplicate the tone I heard in the store. If I don't get the results I am looking for you can chalk this up there with Big Foot. If you have some time, try this experiment, you might be amazed.

[Apok]

Originally Posted by Chris S.

There's also the Traynor YCV20 -- if you see the same model designated as "WR" that just stands for "wine red" tolex, another cosmetic distinction.

I've got the Traynor YCV40WR and the difference is not just cosmetic, you get a Vintage 30 instead of the stock speaker which I find sounds a heck of a lot better. I'd highly recomend anything from the Traynor line though

[Marshall Thinline]

Get a Tweed Deluxe 5E3 clone from Weber.

I would order a Weber 5E3 assembled (So Watt!?) chassis for $225. Choose the cabinet, color, grill cloth and handle for an additional $220. Get a Weber Signature speaker for $45.

For $490 you'll own a hand wired amp with your cabinet choice that kicks butt!!!

[Tonemonkey]

Originally Posted by Apok

I've got the Traynor YCV40WR and the difference is not just cosmetic, you get a Vintage 30 instead of the stock speaker which I find sounds a heck of a lot better. I'd highly recomend anything from the Traynor line though

Roger that.

My '73 Traynor YGM-3 has shown my BJr the door, with tone to spare.
Best kept secret in tubeage....300 bucks for a vintage amp...No brainer!

[tazzboy]

Vox Night Train

[Teleblooz]

The Blackhearts have been nagging at me to try lately. Anybody here put one through its paces yet?

The Handsome Devil is available as a head (BH15H, $299.99 street price) and as single 12-inch combo (BH15H-112, $399.99 street price). This is a 15-watt, Class A amplifier design.

http://www.blackhearteng.com/bh15112.html

[guitaradelic]

Just got it, so it is still the honeymoon, but I am very impressed with my Blackheart BH15. After two years, I still love my Epiphone Galaxie 25, wonderfully clean, great for the country stuff! There is a lot to love with a BJr., mine still gets a lot of playing time.

[holgaguy]

I'd take a SCXD over a Blues Jr any day, although I think the BJr is louder. I have both amps in my rehearsal space and I really like the tonal versatility of the SCXD.

[Sleph]

There's also the Traynor YCV20 --

+1...AB'd one of these and a BJ some time ago....no contest to my ears....I ended up buying the 40 watt version as that suited me better at the time.....not sure how they compare price wise over on your side of the planet though.....

[nosuch]

Vox AC 15 is similar in features (+tremolo) and price, yet sounds completely different.

[rhomco]

Originally Posted by Middleman

Had an interesting occurrence with a Blues Junior at GC last week end. I have a BJ and have done a few of the Billm mods like the twin and tone stack mods. I will try the power supply stiffening this weekend. There is a sustain and warmth you get with a 5E3 or even the Blues Deluxe that is not quite resident in the BJ. It seems a bit flat or hard sounding in the lower mid range but overall, given its size, weight and tone, it's convenient. This even after the mods.

Last weekend I went to the Hollywood GC and they have their amps setting inside small cubicles which are the normal display racks for multiple amps. The cubicles have Styrofoam inserts on the left and right of the amp to keep it snug in it's cubicle. Other stores may or may not have these. I came to a Tweed BJ with the Jensen speaker, turned it on and was amazed at the tone it had. In fact I have never heard, across multiple BJs I have played, such an amazing tone. It sounded closer to a 5E3 with great warmth, smoothness and sustain. I thought this amp must be one exceptional example across many and pulled it out of the cubicle to check its speaker and tubes. Everything was standard as far as I could tell.

I set the amp on guitar stool and played it again. Suddenly, all the richness and sustain I had experienced just moments before was gone and it sound exactly like mine at home. I have to admit I was taken back a bit as to how much better the amp sounded up in the cubicle so I put it back and tried playing it again. The sustain and warmth came back.

The cubicle ran about 6 inches deeper and maybe six inches higher than the actual amp, but that larger resonant chamber made a huge difference in the sound that was projected. Maybe it was the low end bass throw that the cubicle created over the top of the amp but whatever, it was fairly obvious that either a larger amp cabinet or a shell cubicle around the existing amp will make a very large difference in the sound of the amp.

Call me crazy but I went out and bought some thin plywood to build a portable amp shell see if I can duplicate the tone I heard in the store. If I don't get the results I am looking for you can chalk this up there with Big Foot. If you have some time, try this experiment, you might be amazed.

I experienced the same effect after loading my S2 modded BJ with a G12H Celestion speaker into a Mojo Cab designed for the 5E3 Deluxe. The slighty larger volume of the cab let the 12 inch speaker bloom. Nothing else was changed, I had the same speaker and same chassis in the BJ cab before making the switch.

Rob