In the market for a new amp

I am in the market for a new amp, or at least new to me! I am stuck between the Blues Jr. and the Super Champ XD. I play manly blues, so I love the tube amp tone and vibe. Any thoughts from this group of experts??

I prefer the versatility of my XD but you might want to pose this question on the Amp Central Station thread.

I've owned the blues jr for a couple years and it's a really good amp. I like it with my fenders for cleans and overdriven sounds. I'm not a big fan of this amp with gibson guitars. The XD I bought a few months ago and returned it after a week. It's not that it's a bad amp it's just I prefer simplicity over all the options the XD can offer. The blues jr takes pedals extremely well so for me it's easier to line up my pedals and click on the effects I want then it is to have to switch a button. I'll admit I don't like a lot of options, I get overwhelmed and constantly try different amp models instead of just playing. Hope that helps.

A thought is you might want to consider the Princeton Reverb. About the same size. I put a Weber 10F150T speaker in mine which gives it gigging volume and mucho tone. Have fun, Wayne

Both are easily found amps, go play each and listen. I was considering both at one time too, played them and several more at a local music store, and ended up with a Champion 600!

Tele joe you took the words out of my mouth with one exception I play my epiphone casino and dot out of my blues jr. and really love the sound :) a real great amp for the money

Tele joe you took the words out of my mouth with one exception I play my epiphone casino and dot out of my blues jr. and really love the sound :) a real great amp for the money

I've never tried the dot or casino just les pauls and sgs. I did like the sound of the SG Classic with the P90s through the blues jr. The humbucker through the blues jr just isn't my cup of tea.

a vote for the Blues Junior....

I owned a Champion 600, not a bad little amp but sold it off and bought the Jr. I missed reverb...

have thought about selling off the Jr and getting a Princeton but my GAS seems to have passed and maybe I'll just keep the Jr. I play a Tele or Epiphone SG or Firebird VII through it. It's more than loud enough for playing at home..sounds good to me with all three.

there's LOTS of amps out there to choose from.

happy amp shopping!

I am in the market for a new amp, or at least new to me! I am stuck between the Blues Jr. and the Super Champ XD. I play manly blues, so I love the tube amp tone and vibe. Any thoughts from this group of experts??

Well, as long as you're playing manly blues, get the more manly amp, the Blues Jr.:mrgreen:

This might be worthy taking a look at, too:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Custom-AC15C1-15W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=423619

All tube, spring reverb and tremolo. Not much more than the NOS BJ.

This might be worthy taking a look at, too:

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vox-Custom-AC15C1-15W-1x12-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=423619

All tube, spring reverb and tremolo. Not much more than the NOS BJ.

That looks interesting!

That looks interesting!

I've been wanting to play through one. It has a 12" Celestion Greenback, and the Top boost channel, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6TvsfBKqwg

Take a look at the Princeton Reverb reissues or a vintage blackface or early silverface Princeton non-reverb. They are all around the same price point and are all a better amp than the Blues Jr.

I am curious if the cost is a major factor. It seems most scxd and blues jr are in the 3-400 $ range, and folks suggesting the vox and pr (tho great amps) are much closer to 600 and more. I got my vcxd for 200 and it is a great amp for the money, and I couldn't justify spending more for the scxd when the vcxd was plenty loud for me and more appealing. Anyway, I recently got a nice silverface Princeton (non reverb) for 500 cash, and hav seen them for less. Upgraded the speaker and it is a tone machine. I think the scxd and bluesjr are both cool amps, it would be best to try them out and se what you like best. I have seen good deals on used for both. Good luck.

Ruby
Cost is a factor. I wanted to max it at 500. Many have suggested the Princeton. I'm concerned about getting something that "vintage" and having to spend another 500 to fix it. I'm I just being a buzzkill or are myfears legit!! Thanks everyone for your ideas. Any reputable used amp dealers?

I've been rockin' the SCXD for over 3 years now, and it is still a great ride.

I did a speaker swap (Jensen C10Q) after 2 years, but it is great without it, too. I use the line out for recording, and it sounds pretty darn good.

I find that I spend most of my time on the clean channel, but the fender voicings have some very nice crunchy, dynamic, and bluesy tones in there as well. IMO it can do pretty much all the B Jr can, and more. I find it can get pretty close to that classic blackface sound, though the reverb isn't perfect (but useable).

You won't be finding an original Princeton Reverb for $500 unless the widow down the street is cleaning out her attic and doesn't know what she has.

This is what people are currently trying to get:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Princeton-Reverb-1966-Blackface-/250657699596?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5c5cf70c

You can probably find a good, used reissue for under $700, though.

There's a cool Princeton clone in the classifieds for $800. If I had the scratch I'd be all over it. Hand wired, has a 12" speaker and boutique tubes too.


I like my SuperchampXD. But I use mine for church with a drummer who uses electronic drums. It may not be enough volume for a hard-hitting drummer unless miked or updated speaker.


To my ears the SC cleans are much nicer than the BJ with both amps stock. That's where amps live and die for me.

I know this wasn't one of the choices, but you might consider the Egnater Tweaker as an option. 15 watts, 6V6 tubes, many tonal options, Fender/Vox/Marshall switch, Vinrage/Modern switch, Bright switch, tight switch, boost switch. Can use 6V6, 6L6, EL34 or almost any tube with the same pin configuration.

I've had a Blues Jr. since 1999, I recently bought the Tweaker and I think it's much more versatile and useful than the Blues Jr.

The combo is $579 new and the head/cab is $649 new, if you can catch them at a 15% off coupon from MF or GC then the combo is $493 and the head/cab is $551.

Take your guitar down to the local music store and play them until they throw you out or you make up your mind.

Here's a link to some settings to try on the SCXD:

http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=245

I know this wasn't one of the choices, but you might consider the Egnater Tweaker as an option. 15 watts, 6V6 tubes, many tonal options, Fender/Vox/Marshall switch, Vinrage/Modern switch, Bright switch, tight switch, boost switch. Can use 6V6, 6L6, EL34 or almost any tube with the same pin configuration.

I've had a Blues Jr. since 1999, I recently bought the Tweaker and I think it's much more versatile and useful than the Blues Jr.

The combo is $579 new and the head/cab is $649 new, if you can catch them at a 15% off coupon from MF or GC then the combo is $493 and the head/cab is $551.

+1 on the Tweaker

GC runs 15% off all the time. In fact, they were running 15% off for 4th of July. You could go in and tell them that you missed it and they will likely give it to you if you indicate that you only have $500 to spend and are going to walk if they can't meet your price requirement.

You guys, as always, have been great with some good ideas. I need to take my tele on a road trip to GC and play. I'm leaning toward the blues jr but I'm open to any tube amp. Thanks for the ideas.

There's also the all tube Marshall Class 5:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshall-Class5-5W-1x10-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp-621064-i1482740.gc

There's also the all tube Marshall Class 5:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Marshall-Class5-5W-1x10-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp-621064-i1482740.gc

I was going to pop this one in the mix too... though I've not found one actually in a GC to try out yet!

I own a SuperChamp XD and play almost exclusively blues. It's a good practice amp and if mic'd probably does a good job in a gig situation. With the solid state preamp section I find it's not as loud for 15 watts as an all tube 15 watt amp. Don't get me wrong it's plenty dang loud if you crank it, but it doesn't compete with a whole band very well.

For gigs, I use a Deluxe Reverb and am eying something a little bigger, a Vibrolux or Vibroverb at 35-40 watts.

I've played through Blues Jrs a few times and really like them. The versatility of clean and dirty tones is very nice and it sounds really good with single coil guitars (it's all I've played through one). I thought about picking one up for a long time. Then the SuperChamp came out and I've been pretty happy with it!

There is a lot of versatility in the SuperChamp! Like many others, I've settled on a few of the voices I use pretty regularly... I like the tweed voices with my Les Paul and my Strat, the Marshall voice sounds awesome with my Les Paul. The Tele likes the Blackface voicings and the Gretsch loves anything with the slapback effect turned on! The built in effects are limited, but useful. The chorus actually reminds me of the old Princeton Chorus amp I had in the 90's and still wonder why I let it go....

I haven't played the Egnators, but I've seen a few videos that are intriguing.

Princetons are wonderful amps, but I do think they are out of your budget ('less of course you get lucky! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.) I played through one of the reissues last year and really loved it a lot! The SCXD can get pretty close to that sound. Pretty darn close actually.


So, versatility is the SCXD's game. It has lots of options and flexibility. With a tube and speaker change (which is still within your budget if you're careful) the SCXD can become an incredible amp (I have JJ's and a Rajin Cajun... I love this combo).

The Blues Jr is also an excellent amp with some versatility... from one clean sound to one dirty sound and two knobs versatility in between. It's a tad louder than the SCXD and lots of people love them (including me).


From there, it really depends on what your intended goal volume-wise is really.... I guess.

But really I think you do need to actually plug into them.

Ruby
Cost is a factor. I wanted to max it at 500. Many have suggested the Princeton. I'm concerned about getting something that "vintage" and having to spend another 500 to fix it. I'm I just being a buzzkill or are myfears legit!! Thanks everyone for your ideas. Any reputable used amp dealers?

Don't fret about spending too much to 'fix' anything, and realistically most worse case scenariois are caps, tubes, speaker and such for less than 200. But in my experience the Princeton (non reverb) is one of thee best vintage deals out there. I just knew going in I would need a reverb pedal, and wanted the better speaker, so I spent another 200 on those items, but well worth it. The amp will not depreciate in value and sounds great. It just comes down to what you really want. Like I said too, my Vibro Champ XD sounds damn good and I know for a fact it is just as loud as my Princeton...

New Fender Super Sonics? Twenty two watt or sixty watt......1 or 2x12....Blonde or BF. Supposed to have a #1 - Vibrolux or 59 Bassman channel and a more in your face Gain channel. Apparently still fairly hot off the press.

I have the Tweaker and SCXD.

Honestly, I think the SCXD does a better BF clean than the Tweaker. The Tweaker with the master dimed gets close but with the price tag difference, I think the SCXD is the clear winner here.

However, switch on over to channel 2 and start flipping switches on the Tweaker and the Tweaker pulls a head on the Vox/Marshall sounds.

The Tweaker is stock with a G12H so it may just be the speaker is more British voiced which is why it can't hit the Fender cleans like the SCXD. I'm not sure you can call the Tweaker one channel but it is not foot switchable. In fact, it takes quiet a bit of adjusting to go from one tone to the next. Also, the Tweaker has no effect extras.

So if you want a good solid base clean sound, can't go wrong with the SCXD for the price. But if you want a Marshally/Vox blusy sound, I vote for the Tweaker. While it doesn't have reverb, it does have an effects loop.

Also since the Tweaker and AC15C1 has been tossed in the idea hat, might as well toss in the Peavey Classic 30 since it is the same price. It has its own thing going on somewhere between Fender and Marshall but it is great for blues, 2 channels, spring reverb, and at 30 watts its loud enough to put any hard hitting drummer in their place.