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

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....

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

+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!

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.

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.

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^)

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.

"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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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....

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.

+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!


I just received my Limited Edition Blues Junior in relic'd tweed from Wildwood, and I agree 100% with 91xIntS-3!

You just press the FAT-switch, turn the volume on 12, the Master on 2, and you're in Hendrix/Cream landscape at bedroom levels. And I mean with a Telecaster ...

Here's Wildwood's own picture, but I'll post a pic of mine with my '52 RI soon.

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/amps/fender/hotrod/relicbluesjr/relicbluesjr.php

You didn't try an AC15? and is only a little bit more expensive.


And weighs almost 20 more pounds!

I can't lift it.

And weighs almost 20 more pounds!

I can't lift it.

Can't lift a 48 lb. 1x12 amp? Ouch. I feel for you.

Even though I think the AC15 is by far the best bang for the buck (a great amp for live, jams, studio, or home for less than $500), if I were to pick between the Blues Jr. and Princeton Recording, I'd get the recording amp, pull out the 10" speaker, and replace it with a 12" Celestion Blue, a Greenback, or an early breakup, low wattage Weber. That would be one sweet amplifier.

Hi,

This is my first post and saw this older thread. I thought I'd post my thoughts on these two fine amps. Hopefully it can give some people insights when comparing the two.

Last weekend I played both my ‘77 Princeton Reverb and my 90's era tweed Blues Junior for a side by side comparison (with my ‘92 USA Reissue ‘62 Strat). For overall distortion and power tube breakup purposes, I set the master on 10 for the BJr so they were both similar in setup. Please note that the speakers are very different. The BJr has a C12N style speaker (stock Fender 50 watt). The PR has a Jensen C12R (25 watt) speaker. The PR was previously modified to fit the 12". The C12R alone brings a TON of jangle and brightness to the PR. The C10R is the standard speaker on most 60’s PR’s. When I bought the PR, it had a generic Fender replacement speaker (Eminence no label type), which was actually very similar to the BJr. It was less bright and more midrange heavy. It had a larger magnet. most likely a 50 watt.

But the main thing I did was play both at full volume to hear the distortion characteristics of each. Here's some insights I had:

-------------------------

PLAYED FULL VOLUME (10)

Blues Junior sounded a lot louder at 10 that the Princeton Reverb. More Bass as well. Probably from the larger wattage speaker. Scary how loud it can get! When you have it 6-7, it had a nice warm distortion. It just oozes blues. I think that's its strong point in design.

The Princeton Reverb, with the stock-type speaker, has a lot of brightness which you have to turn down to get some bluesy distortion out of. Otherwise it gets raw sounding. Seemed to have slightly less distortion. If I was thinking blues all the time, I would have kept the speaker it came with or get a blues friendly speaker.


-------------------------

PLAYED MEDIUM/LOW VOLUME (3-5)

Blues Junior sounds overall pretty flat in terms of frequency response. You can't really take out the mids. It kind of dominates. Even with the Mid turned down all the way, you still have a lot of mids and not enough bright end (for me).

Princeton Reverb has a really nice jangle and thinness to the sound. More scooped. The speaker is really accentuating that. It pushes the brightness (if treble on 10), which gives you that Clapton "Let It Rain" type Strat sound. Not everyone's cup of tea. But I love having the option to dial up the treble to get that. You can always turn it down for warmer sounds. It also helps with brightening my dark sounding ES335.

-------------------------

CONCLUSIONS:
Noodling factor:

I do like the “noodling” ease of use with the BJr where you sit down in front of it, turn the volume to around 6-7, Master on 1-2 and jam away some Blues licks without killing your ears. The PR is more of a clean “noodling” amp at lower volumes. For me to have more cranked sounds, I'll have to plug into boxes to get that.

Love to keep both! But I think I really need to have the better clean sounding amp, which the Princeton Reverb gives me and couple it with a good distortion/overdrive pedal. When I jam, it’s mostly clean rhythm playing with distorted solos dropped in. I also want better spring reverb, which the PR has. The Blues Junior’s is mediocre. Having a tremolo is just add-on gravy. I also play with three different types of guitars: Strat, ES335 and a Ric 330/12. The ES335 being the darkest sounding. All three guitars really shine with the PR.

Speakers play a major role in the tone. I chose the brightest speaker I could because I love that jangly, raw sound. Think early Johnny Cash picking, Surf style stuff, etc... (if only I had a Tele! Sorry Strat only!)

I’d love to get a speaker cab (2x12") so I could take advantage of bigger sounds from both the Princeton Reverb and my old 60's Gretsch 6150T amp. I think my favorite sounds are from these low wattage amps.

I have played both,my conclusion, everyone has a different style,and is looking for there tone,so this is very objective, I playalot of blue's and jazz,
I found that the blue's junior has one sweet spot, if you like it , it's great-
but for me the difference in the 6L6 tubes made the big difference with the princeton, ,you have alot more play with the tone,and alot more sparkle,
the el84 tubes in the junior did nothing for me, turn the treble and it gets very dull-with the princeton it;s maintains that sparkle and is very jazzy
the Mesa 5-25 I also had for awhile, but all those dials do not take you out of the Mesa universe--very disappointing, the clean is muddled and very sterle sounding, like solid state, but they make a great cabinet- to much tweaking
for me, sold that one fast--my vote for the princeton-