Does Fendr Blues Junior IV have bad treble?

[loopfinding]

.

 

[loopfinding]

as noted before, the transistor is just for switching in a capacitor for the FAT setting. the signal path doesn't run through it.

take a look at the channel volume knob. it has a 100pF bright capacitor C2 across it. the coupling capacitor C1 is a 2n2, presumably to cut bass down for distortion.

if it's a problem with treble, then the bright capacitor may need to be removed. people often have the bright capacitors removed even in non-master volume fenders. the effect of that capacitor will be more noticeable with the master volume up if you have the channel volume lower for less distortion.

 

[Swirling Snow]

When an amp comes in for service, step one is putting in known good tubes.

EL84s, reverb, boost... I think this amp was meant to compete with a Peavy Classic 30. It may be more jangle than sparkle on the high end. (hope that translates well)

 

[Wildeman]

There's alot of Blues Junior bashing around, and while it's not my favorite amp by any stretch, it's widely available and fairly cheap for what you get. I gotta say that if you can't dial one in with some decent, enjoyable tone, the amp may not be the problem.

 

[Skydog1010]

Everything about it is bad. ALL OF IT!!!!

 

[Marc Morfei]

The BJ is a very bright amp. At least some of the versions. Back when I had one I swapped in a Cannabis Rex speaker and it solved the problem.

 

[bottlenecker]

as noted before, the transistor is just for switching in a capacitor for the FAT setting. the signal path doesn't run through it.

take a look at the channel volume knob. it has a 100pF bright capacitor C2 across it. the coupling capacitor C1 is a 2n2, presumably to cut bass down for distortion.

if it's a problem with treble, then the bright capacitor may need to be removed. people often have the bright capacitors removed even in non-master volume fenders. the effect of that capacitor will be more noticeable with the master volume up if you have the channel volume lower for less distortion.

Only one mention of this in two pages! I hope the OP finds this post in all the noise. I was told this is basically a permanently on bright switch, and clipping this cap is like turning the bright switch off. I'm not a blues jr fan, but I've used one that was provided to me and survived ok. If someone ever gives me one I'm glad I'll know how to turn off the bright switch.

 

[JRapp]

In his infinite wisdom, Shane decided to have a 100pf bright cap hardwired into those things (C3). Chop it out with a rusty steak knife and get a better speaker too.

 

[PI Mullard]

Only one mention of this in two pages! I hope the OP finds this post in all the noise. I was told this is basically a permanently on bright switch, and clipping this cap is like turning the bright switch off. I'm not a blues jr fan, but I've used one that was provided to me and survived ok. If someone ever gives me one I'm glad I'll know how to turn off the bright switch.

Turn up channel Volume to 6 and beyond and the effect of the bright cap is neutralized.

Many players have found that certain amps sound better when played loud...There's more than one reason behind this, but it's partly due to the bright cap.

Too loud? Then there are a number of options to consider;

i, Turn down Master Volume when available. The Blues Jr got one. Don't believe in internet wisdom that suggests that the MV must be cranked for the Blues Jr to sound good. Maybe there's some truth to it regarding the first version from the '90s, but it's not relevant for later versions. Just set the MV to taste, but make sure you turn up channel Volume to a point where the bright cap is out of the equation. Too much distortion? Then lower guitar Volume.

ii, Turn down guitar volume. The guitar volume control is there for a reason. -Not enough distortion? Then crank guitar volume and channel volume and turn down MV. (It'll sound awful, because there's just preamp distortion and the speaker is barely moving, but it's your tone.)

iii, Put in a low gain tube in v1. You then have to turn up the channel volume, which is exactly what you want to do.

iv, Get a smaller amp. If you think that the Blues Jr looks small and that there's no way you could lower yourself to anything even smaller, then ask yourself why you need an amp?

 

[JPKmusicman]

Yeah i had a Blues Junior. Worst thing about it was my guitar playing.

 

[Wally]

I don’t care for the speaker in the BJIV.

 

[Willie Johnson]

Tone knob on the guitar, homie.