The Blues Junior in Small Venues

I had my first gig last night, using my Blues Junior. It was a very small bar, the kind about the size of a large living room, one in which the 4 piece band is shoved in a small corner of the room not big enough for 3 amps, a kit and a PA. Somehow, we made it work (I am sure many of you have been there). Anyhow, I played my Squier Tele through the BJ, and wow. It was great. I had no trouble cutting through whether I was on rythym or lead. After the show a guy, who has played at several of the same shows I have in the past, came up to me and said, "wow, that little things is loud, and is a rockin' little amp." I couldn't agree more. We will see how she does next week and at larger venue.

I know mine always comes through for me. Glad you had a good show.

It's a great sounding amp that really shines in this setting

Definitely the best sounding amp I've ever had right out of the box.

I'd have one in a minute if I could justify having another amp at the moment. 15W is plenty loud enough for small to medium sized venues and with the master volume/gain controls on the BJ you can dial in the right amount of dirt at almost any volume.

I liked mine so much I picked up a second one.

the only thing better than gigging with a Blues Jr is gigging with two!!

I liked mine so much I picked up a second one.

the only thing better than gigging with a Blues Jr is gigging with two!!

I sometimes run into noise problems (ground loops, I presume) when running both of mine. What method do you use to run both simultaneously? and have you ever had noise issues?

Ron

I liked mine so much I picked up a second one.

the only thing better than gigging with a Blues Jr is gigging with two!!

On BillM's webpage I saw that he built a nice cab that he could stack his blues jr. on top of and run the 12" speaker in it, along with the B. jr. It looked really cool. It probably sounded great, too.

Regarding the dirt, I really like this aspect. I find that in practice and the one gig that I have played through the amp that you have to adjust Master and Volume to get a good balance. I think that this is easy once you remember what combination you had on which song. The Tele also sounds great clean with the amp. It is just a great amp, thus far. And to think I got mine for $250!
It is stock. The only change I can see in the future is a tube change, but I am not in any hurry.

a couple of my buddies gig with 'em and love 'em ... big sound from a small box, and major bang for the buck! one guy retubed his with NOS and replaced the speaker and it got sweeter and a little louder. truly a cost-effective workingman's amp!

I absolutely love mine.... I used to have Hot Rod Deluxe and I like The Jr. a lot more.

Add a Bad Monkey and you pretty much have a two channel Amp.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/asc67/IMG_0563.jpg

I absolutely love mine.... I used to have Hot Rod Deluxe and I like The Jr. a lot more.

Add a Bad Monkey and you pretty much have a two channel Amp.

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k115/asc67/IMG_0563.jpg

I once had a Hot Rod Deluxe, too. I lost it in a house fire. I did like it, but it was very very very loud. I had trouble controlling it. I never got the thing past 3, if I remember correctly. It was too much for the size of gigs that I played and currently play. I think the B.Jr is perfect. At 15 watts it is enough. It may even force the guys that you are playing with to turn down to an appropriate volume. I personally believe in playing quiet enough so that everyone, on and off stage or far and near to the corner of the bar, can hear everything.

I love em, I just wish I had one! I played through one at the jam pictured and it was just fine. I'm not playing through it in the picture, but you can get a feel of how big the room is. I was competing with a SF Super Reverb and a Blues Deluxe.

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/500/Jam_01.jpg

+1 with JimiBryant, I own 2 BJrs, both stock USA Made in 2000. Sometimes I use only one, other times I'll use both. Never had any problems with noise when using both. I also use a Bad Monkey O.D. but have been thinking about trying an A/B box and setting one for clean and the other for distortion, and then being able to add the Bad Monkey to either one.

Can't think of another amp I'd rather use. If you need a little more out front, just stick a good mic in front of it! Congrats and Enjoy your BJr!

I'm looking forward to try mine for my annual gig in August, which is an outdoors private festival/garden party. They have a good PA so I can always mic it up if needed.

Is there really a need for an OD pedal with this amp? I get a great distortion from mine at bedroom level ...

I know the regular BJr's have an Emminence speaker, while mine has a Jensen. Is there any noticeable difference? (I'm all new to this amp :oops: ) ...

Telemarkman,

There is a whole thread on this amp in another forum that is loaded with great info.

Not sure about the rules regarding linking to another forum so just Google "Blues Jr. Mafia -- Stand up and be counted"

It's a great amp stock and with Billm's mods it's even better!

I sometimes run into noise problems (ground loops, I presume) when running both of mine. What method do you use to run both simultaneously? and have you ever had noise issues?

Ron

I've had my share of severe noise problems but they've been few and
far-between, thankfully.

generally I travel with my own power strip, and I position my amps as
best I can so as to not pick up radio signals and/or hum from lights or
whatever.. that does a lot right there, for a start.

the worst was one night when I had to turn my volume down completely for
every second that I wasn't actually playing something - that wasn't fun.

other than that - knock wood - I've been pretty lucky.

BTW I'm not as fussy as some are about noise 'cuz when the band is playing
nobody can tell anyway.

Is there really a need for an OD pedal with this amp? I get a great distortion from mine at bedroom level ...

I know the regular BJr's have an Emminence speaker, while mine has a Jensen. Is there any noticeable difference?

need, perhaps not - but they do take most pedals nicely.

I put a Jensen reissue in one of mine and an Eminence Legend in the other
to replace the stock Eminence-made Fender brand 12" (not bad speakers
themselves in the right amp, I'd say) and yes, it makes a difference.

I would generally have the Jensen amp set clean and the Eminence amp
set loud with a bit of gain for half the set, and then for the other half I'd
have the Eminence amp clean and the Jensen amp at a slightly lower
volume, fed from the dry amp-out line on my stereo delay box.

Thanks for your advice, guys :smile: !

I'm looking forward to try mine for my annual gig in August, which is an outdoors private festival/garden party. They have a good PA so I can always mic it up if needed.

Is there really a need for an OD pedal with this amp? I get a great distortion from mine at bedroom level ...

I know the regular BJr's have an Emminence speaker, while mine has a Jensen. Is there any noticeable difference? (I'm all new to this amp :oops: ) ...

Only reason I use an O.D. pedal is because the BJR is a single channel amp. I set mine up for a clean sound and then use the O.D. pedal for my "dirt". That's why I'm considering using an A/B box and setting one up for clean and the other up for distortion/O.D.. I really love the O.D. tone I can get out of the amp, but with the O.D. pedal, I basically have a 2 channel amp at my disposal. :lol:

Hi, I've got a 60W 85 deluxe solid state.

Any ideas how the BJ would compare volume wise with the 85?

I always play the 85 clean and never have it above 2 or 3.

99% of the venues I play will have a PA so it will be miced up.

Worth a try as a replacement?, the 85 has some issues so need to get another amp anyway, was looking at the hot rod deluxe but fear it could be too loud.

Thanks

Hi, I've got a 60W 85 deluxe solid state.

Any ideas how the BJ would compare volume wise with the 85?

I always play the 85 clean and never have it above 2 or 3.

99% of the venues I play will have a PA so it will be miced up.

Worth a try as a replacement?, the 85 has some issues so need to get another amp anyway, was looking at the hot rod deluxe but fear it could be too loud.

Thanks

The thing about using a smaller amp is to be able to push it and get to the "sweet spot". I've used larger amps, and like you, only able to use it at low volumes. If you can try a few smaller amps out, by all means do so. 15 watts (tube) can be a very loud amp. I've got several other tube amps, Fender Blues Deluxe, Kustom '36 Coupe and Traynor YCV-40. All great amps, but the others can be too loud for most gigs I play. I've found the perfect compromise with the Blues Jr. amp. Even at just 15 watts, I still don't use 50% of the power it has. My Master Vol. is usually around 5-6 and my Vol. is usually around 4-5. I get plenty of stage vol. and put a good mic in front just to add to the FOH mix.

I play in a 3 piece band, and we cover oldies, classic rock and classic/new country. With my Teles, I can cover all the bases and get an incredible, versatile tone. :mrgreen:

IMO, anything over 30 watts will probably be too much, and I've owned/played thru amps up to 160 watts! Combos to full double stacks. I won't be letting my Blues Jr. go anytime soon! :rolleyes:

So it competes with drums?, even at a cleanish level?

So it competes with drums?, even at a cleanish level?

I don't have any problems at all with clean headroom. And I leave my "fat switch" on all the time.

My Teles include an Am. Std. w/CS Nocaster p-ups, An Am. Ash Tele w/Modern/Vintage p-ups, A MIM Classic 50's Tele all stock and a Tele Special all stock w/humbucker in neck position. I use a Ernie Ball Vol. Pedal, DigiTech Bad Monkey O.D. pedal and a BOSS CH-1 Chorus pedal.

Both of my Blues Jr. amps are all stock as well, both are 2000 model USA Made. Will the amp do heavey metal? Probably not. But for country, oldies and classic rock/southern rock; it's the bomb for me. We play small to medium size clubs from 100 to 400 people. We're not a loud band, but we have found the "sweet spot" so all our gear rarely needs any tweaking, sans any EQ changes per individual room acoustics.

After my Blues Jr, it's a toss up between the Blues Deluxe and the Kustom '36 Coupe. Versatility wise, I'd say the Kustom beats out the Blues Deluxe and doesn't get near as loud.

Can you give me (us) an idea of what kind of music you play and how many pieces are in your band? This may help in recommendations. As long as the other members of a band are conscious about thier respective volumes, it shouldn't be a problem, IMO.

Hi, I've got a 60W 85 deluxe solid state.

Any ideas how the BJ would compare volume wise with the 85?

I always play the 85 clean and never have it above 2 or 3.

99% of the venues I play will have a PA so it will be miced up.

Worth a try as a replacement?, the 85 has some issues so need to get another amp anyway, was looking at the hot rod deluxe but fear it could be too loud.

Thanks

Unless you are playing very large venues, then go with the B.Jr. I played a really small bar with mine last week. This week, I am playing in a bit larger setting. I am not afraid that it won't keep up with the 3 other guys I play with. I really did not push it all that much in the bar last week, and it was loud. It sounded nice clean, and when needed, I could just crank the volume up a bit for some distortion. Personally, I like plugging straight into amps.

I think that anything above 15 tube watts would be too loud. I have been gigging for about 10 years now, and have gained some wisdom. I used to lug around a Hot Rod Deluxe (too loud), and last summer I used a Peavey 112 Valveking (a good amp) but I think that I found it with the B.Jr. I play in bars and sometimes see other guys who are stuck on the idea that you need a huge cab, and 100watt head. I am happy to say that I can walk in with my BJr, and guitar, plug in and play, no hassles or backaches. It sounds great too, and loud enough.

Hi thanks for all replies to my questions!

We are a five piece, I guess we play a broad range from pop through to rock blues, but people often comment on our clean sound. However I would like a little more depth to my cleanish sounds as I'm playing Tele's and the other guitarists uses a humbuckered semi through a marshall valvestate. Therefore I dont mind if it is not completely clean at gig volume. Dirt wise I'm happy to use a pedal OD1 or something, or a clean boost where just a lift in volume is required.