Help, pro junior or MIM tele

dougvil · May 7th, 2004, 01:34 AM

I have a zoom fire 15 amp now and a digitech rp80 effects pedal. i play through headphones and the rp80 most of the week when the kids are in bed.I use the amp on weekends in the garage and even then i don't play loud. So would i find a greatly improved tone with a pro junior if i never really play at loud volumes? I prefer a clean tone with a little bit of overdrive which the rp80 can get, the zoom amp is ok for just a clean tone though(not a very good modeler for overdrive). Or should i just stick with this amp a get a mim tele. I have a dean cadillac now and am gassing for a single coil guitar.

Thanks to all that reply.

Rob DiStefano · May 7th, 2004, 07:43 AM

Only your ears will tell you what sounds "good" to you, not mine or theirs. You really need to listen to as many different amps as possible to build up a feel for what's sonically available in terms of both tone and volume. Buying an amp by proxy is just that - someone else's opinions. You've got to do this on yer own, there's really no other viable way.

So, hopefully you've got some local stores to check out a PJr. and perhaps some other smallish amps, then make the comparison to yer Zoom.

IMO, since you asked, I will tell you this - a PJr. is gonna be a *loud*, nearly one-trick pony as compared to that Zoom - but oh!, what a toneful sweet trick it knows oh so well.

If you want to taste some good 'n' fat single coil tone, replace the Dean's bridge 'bucker with a P94 - it'll drop right into the 'bucker pup cavity perfectly. Twang on ...

Jim L · May 7th, 2004, 01:44 PM

I think having a good amp is always more important than a good guitar...

Well, you want everything to at least be "good"... but in my experience, a mediocre guitar through a great amp sounds better than a great guitar through a mediocre amp.

I also am in the "tubes are better" category... I have a Yamaha DG Stomp that goes to every gig as a back-up to a tube amp. It's serviceable, but I don't think SS or Digital modelers ever sound as responsive and dynamic as a real-deal tube amp.

Rob's comment about the 'bucker-sized P-90 is something worth thinking about as well..

genelovesjez · May 7th, 2004, 08:51 PM

Just keep in mind that a Pro Jr. can get pretty LOUD if you want a little dirt.

Synchro · May 7th, 2004, 11:41 PM

doesn't mean they aren't loud. These little amps really put out the volume but they sure sound great doing it.

Ptrallan01 · May 8th, 2004, 02:16 AM

This is my favorite small amp 25 watts, an 8 inch speaker with effects. Sounds good, gets decent over drive sound has, if i remember correctly, a headphone out jack, a vintage/modern switch for the overall tone, two channels (no foot switch), multiple digital effects. It is solid state but sounds good and will probably work for what you want cost is about $189.

No, it isn't a tube amp but it still sounds good. And at that price it won't take you long to save up for a tele also! If you like your dean, don't do the pickup change but save some money and get tele. This way you can have the best of both worlds without constantly switching your pickups.

Just mho.

Peter

denny · May 8th, 2004, 03:12 AM

I have found that playing (rather loudly) through a "real" tube amp is important. I have played many guitars with headphone amps and "amp simulators" to line in, and the REAL sound of a REAL tube amp is the "magic" tone that will inpire you.

That being said, I wil also posit that the MIM Teles are the finest instrument for the money available. I have a 2003 MIM Standard, and I can attest to the quality of the finish and sound.

I also have a Digitech rp300a, and the tones from this processor pale in comparison to a straight cord into a '65 Deluxe Reverb amp. The DR amp doesnt have whammy, echo, or "simulations", but the amp sounds SO GOOD, I could play just about anything badly, and wet my pants because it sounds so F'n fantastic.

If I were to pick between a tube amp or a guitar, I would go with the amp first, but man those MIM Teles are great guitars, and a great value for the money.

denny

May 7th, 2004, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
dougvil NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: cleve. oh. Posts: 8	Help, pro junior or MIM tele I have a zoom fire 15 amp now and a digitech rp80 effects pedal. i play through headphones and the rp80 most of the week when the kids are in bed.I use the amp on weekends in the garage and even then i don't play loud. So would i find a greatly improved tone with a pro junior if i never really play at loud volumes? I prefer a clean tone with a little bit of overdrive which the rp80 can get, the zoom amp is ok for just a clean tone though(not a very good modeler for overdrive). Or should i just stick with this amp a get a mim tele. I have a dean cadillac now and am gassing for a single coil guitar. Thanks to all that reply.

May 7th, 2004, 01:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jim L Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrimac, MA Posts: 378 13 Photos	a good amp... I think having a good amp is always more important than a good guitar... Well, you want everything to at least be "good"... but in my experience, a mediocre guitar through a great amp sounds better than a great guitar through a mediocre amp. I also am in the "tubes are better" category... I have a Yamaha DG Stomp that goes to every gig as a back-up to a tube amp. It's serviceable, but I don't think SS or Digital modelers ever sound as responsive and dynamic as a real-deal tube amp. Rob's comment about the 'bucker-sized P-90 is something worth thinking about as well..

May 7th, 2004, 11:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
Synchro Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ. Age: 54 Posts: 328	Just because the Pro Jr. & Blues Jr. are small; doesn't mean they aren't loud. These little amps really put out the volume but they sure sound great doing it. __________________ Synchro; My Guitar Website "The secret of life is honesty and fair dealing; if you can fake that, you've got it made" -- Groucho Marx

May 8th, 2004, 02:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
Ptrallan01 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 571 3 Photos	Peavey Transtube 258 This is my favorite small amp 25 watts, an 8 inch speaker with effects. Sounds good, gets decent over drive sound has, if i remember correctly, a headphone out jack, a vintage/modern switch for the overall tone, two channels (no foot switch), multiple digital effects. It is solid state but sounds good and will probably work for what you want cost is about $189. No, it isn't a tube amp but it still sounds good. And at that price it won't take you long to save up for a tele also! If you like your dean, don't do the pickup change but save some money and get tele. This way you can have the best of both worlds without constantly switching your pickups. Just mho. Peter

May 8th, 2004, 03:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
denny Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: North of Dallas Posts: 454	Both may be in order here... I have found that playing (rather loudly) through a "real" tube amp is important. I have played many guitars with headphone amps and "amp simulators" to line in, and the REAL sound of a REAL tube amp is the "magic" tone that will inpire you. That being said, I wil also posit that the MIM Teles are the finest instrument for the money available. I have a 2003 MIM Standard, and I can attest to the quality of the finish and sound. I also have a Digitech rp300a, and the tones from this processor pale in comparison to a straight cord into a '65 Deluxe Reverb amp. The DR amp doesnt have whammy, echo, or "simulations", but the amp sounds SO GOOD, I could play just about anything badly, and wet my pants because it sounds so F'n fantastic. If I were to pick between a tube amp or a guitar, I would go with the amp first, but man those MIM Teles are great guitars, and a great value for the money. denny

May 7th, 2004, 07:43 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 63 Posts: 4,915	Only your ears will tell you what sounds "good" to you, not mine or theirs. You really need to listen to as many different amps as possible to build up a feel for what's sonically available in terms of both tone and volume. Buying an amp by proxy is just that - someone else's opinions. You've got to do this on yer own, there's really no other viable way. So, hopefully you've got some local stores to check out a PJr. and perhaps some other smallish amps, then make the comparison to yer Zoom. IMO, since you asked, I will tell you this - a PJr. is gonna be a loud, nearly one-trick pony as compared to that Zoom - but oh!, what a toneful sweet trick it knows oh so well. If you want to taste some good 'n' fat single coil tone, replace the Dean's bridge 'bucker with a P94 - it'll drop right into the 'bucker pup cavity perfectly. Twang on ...

May 7th, 2004, 08:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
genelovesjez Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Age: 41 Posts: 3,735	Just keep in mind that a Pro Jr. can get pretty LOUD if you want a little dirt.