you'll recognize redplating when you see it . . . when you turn the amp on - you watch the tubes. There should be a wire in the center glowing red (this is the filament/heater). That's normal. But if you see the plates around that wire begin to glow red (a lot of red) - that's bad. Turn the amp of NOW. When this happens the amp will usually begin to distort badly, so when it distorts - look at your tubes. If red turn it off NOW.
Fender Blues Junior Club
- Thread starter electrablue
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Sneddo
Tele-Meister
Have had a couple of days with the little BJ. Lots of treble! Also, it does sound like a small amp.
Billm here I come
Billm here I come
JayFreddy
Poster Extraordinaire
How are you guys using the BJ3?
I find it a bit trebly, having to dial back the treble to 4 or 5.
Haven't got the footswitch yet, but since it's just for the "fat boost", maybe I won't need it? Usually I just leave it pushed in, then I dial the volume back on the guitar...
I'm thinking a tube screamer and a wah might be just what the doctor ordered, but I'm curious if any of you are using multi effects like the Boss ME-70?
I find it a bit trebly, having to dial back the treble to 4 or 5.
Haven't got the footswitch yet, but since it's just for the "fat boost", maybe I won't need it? Usually I just leave it pushed in, then I dial the volume back on the guitar...
I'm thinking a tube screamer and a wah might be just what the doctor ordered, but I'm curious if any of you are using multi effects like the Boss ME-70?
If you like the fat boost the switch may come in handy - any cheap standard switch will do. If you like the sound you may not need the screamer and instead go for real tube saturation as the power amp distorts pretty quickly. ;-)
marsh99
Tele-Afflicted
Lovin the tweed!
After lusting for a while I'm in with a tweed finish, Jensen speaker model. Great amp and plenty loud for its size with bags of that 'Fender' tone.
After lusting for a while I'm in with a tweed finish, Jensen speaker model. Great amp and plenty loud for its size with bags of that 'Fender' tone.
go49ners
Tele-Meister
That's killer man! I wish Fender made the Excelsiors in this color scheme instead of blue and green... Nicely done!!
Gearhead88
Tele-Holic
X2
I'd be all over an Excelsior in tweed , um , to keep the brown one that lives here company .
TeleKineses
Tele-Meister
I just picked up a Blues Jr Humbolt Hot Rod V3 from Pro Guitar shop. It comes with a modified Canabis Rex speaker (called Hot Rod Hempster), upgraded tubes, and salt & pepper grill cloth. I got it for $459 shipped. Once the tubes heat up a little it gets some really great tone, even at house volume. I know amps are subjective, but this one gets me really close to that tone I hear in my head. It's a keeper!
Edit: It does not have that shrill ice pick tone I've noticed on some other blues jrs I have tried.
Edit: It does not have that shrill ice pick tone I've noticed on some other blues jrs I have tried.
Kebmel
Tele-Afflicted
Stock standard BJIII owner here, considering replacing the eminence speaker with a celestion vintage 30
Can anyone give me info about this model of BJ? All I know is that it is a MIM version with a tan board. It is not a iii version, as it has the chrome/mirror control plate with the backward lettering, and as you can see it has cream chicken head knobs. The cabinet is blond and beige/tan or whatever you call this color. The speaker is a brown back Fender special which I assume is a Eminence version. Can you tell me anything about it? Thanks
image removed
image removed
Yeah, thanks. I am just trying to date the amp to see how old it is. I have a chance to buy it but it is not local and I am not where I can look at it again. I saw it briefly but didn't get the serial number. I thought I could just google images and find one like it but I only saw one pic and it did not contain any details on the amp. I think it might be four or five years old, since it is a MIM and not a Blues Jr III version. But thought maybe someone on here had seen one before or maybe even owns one.
dngrsdave
Tele-Meister
I'm also a Happy Blues Jr.III owner. I've had mine for a couple months now and I'm really enjoying the amp. The Clean tones are just Awesome using my Strats and Teles and even my Humbucker guitars sound sweet through it.
It's a Great little amp.
It's a Great little amp.
Sunrise Blues
TDPRI Member
Just traded a super sonic 112 for one. Those 60 watt buggers don't want to sell...so I traded it for a new tweed with the Jensen. Running it with middle and bass maxed and treble at 6. Volume at 9 and master at 3. It's all guitar volume and pickups from there.
Fernandomania
Tele-Afflicted
That's nice looking pair you have there.
Tbone1955
TDPRI Member
I've had a BJ exactly like that for just over a year now and absolutely love it. In the summer, I like to take it outside on the deck. So portable and great sounding.
The Blues Juniors in general are powerful little workhorses and love to be pushed at a jam.
I find no need for OD pedals with these as the preamp settings will give you all the singing crunch and sustain you could ask for.
Definitely a keeper.
lefty52
TDPRI Member
Hi All,
I just bought a used mint BJ III, for $275.00, killer deal I think. I've ordered most of the BillM mods, an Eminence Swamp Thang, blonde tolex and oxblood grill cloth, to do a complete makeover. After reading a few thousand posts, I've decided to invest a total of $600.00 to get what I think will be the "perfect" amp for my needs, about the same as a NOS BJ. I play a modded, left handed Squier CV Tele, in a roots/swamp rock band. I play rhythm and 95% clean with no pedals. I'll post some pics and sound clips when I'm done. Down the road, I'll do the Ruby/MOD reverb tank switch as well. Thanks to everyone who's offered their opinions and advice and I'm happy to join the club.
I just bought a used mint BJ III, for $275.00, killer deal I think. I've ordered most of the BillM mods, an Eminence Swamp Thang, blonde tolex and oxblood grill cloth, to do a complete makeover. After reading a few thousand posts, I've decided to invest a total of $600.00 to get what I think will be the "perfect" amp for my needs, about the same as a NOS BJ. I play a modded, left handed Squier CV Tele, in a roots/swamp rock band. I play rhythm and 95% clean with no pedals. I'll post some pics and sound clips when I'm done. Down the road, I'll do the Ruby/MOD reverb tank switch as well. Thanks to everyone who's offered their opinions and advice and I'm happy to join the club.
I get to join for a while any way
I have owned the two tone wood cab from 2003 ish ? a few tweeds and a bunch of tolex models over the years.
The blues jr is a fun and road worthy little amp for sure !
When this one showed up locally for sale I had to snatch it up.
I've replaced enough input jacks on Bjr's to be able to do it in my sleep, I would have to say that is its only weak point.
Was there a similar colored tele with it?
mattyj
Tele-Meister
I've had a iii for a few months now. I skeptically did a couple of the BillM mods (skeptically, because I actually liked the sound of it before!), and have been nothing but impressed: it's sounding, well, just... more. Bigger, warmer, vintagey-er, the lot.
Sounds lovely with my tele (with a Brierley Broadcaster bridge pickup, and 60's neck pickup) into a Red Llama and/or a byoc FET preamp.
Sounds lovely with my tele (with a Brierley Broadcaster bridge pickup, and 60's neck pickup) into a Red Llama and/or a byoc FET preamp.
No457 Snowy
Tele-Meister
I'd like to see Fender do a head version of the BJr, I'm kind of surprised they haven't already, think it would be a good seller as the amp sounds killer through a large cab and a BJr half-stack would be a nice little rig.
Snowy
Snowy
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