Which is the best Fender Blues Junior edition?

[kmckenna45]

I just sold a guitar - to appease my wife (!!!!!) - and because we're moving. So, I'm gonna have a few bucks to spend - and still give her some $.

I've alway wanted a small Fender Tube amp. I think the Fender Blues Junior fits the bill for me, and the price point.

There are currenly (at least) 4 models of the Fender Blues Junior - Does it matter which version I get - or is the version number just aligned to when it's released?

In your opinion - which is the best version and why?

And if you believe there's a better Fender tube amp out there for about $500-750 (used), that makes the Fender Blues Junior sound like crap - I'd like to know that too.

I know I should go to a guitar store and play a bunch of amps - but I don't have a place like that near by. And I really trust the opinions of people here. They've always done right by me.

Thanks,.

 

[tubeToaster]

Version IV is the best in my opinion because it is cathode biased and has through hole pads on the circuit board that will make any future repairs/mods much easier. The cathode bias doesn’t cook the tubes like the older fixed bias amps do. Be aware that not all version IV have these new features. I’m not sure when it changed.

You might want to also look at the Pro Junior IV. Many people (including myself)consider the Pro Junior to be a better sounding amp.

 

[archetype]

Like @tubeToaster said, Pro Junior IV. Be prepared: they sound best when they're cranked. If you shop patiently you might get a Princeton Reverb RI for the high end of your range.

 

[tubeToaster]

+1 on the Princeton Reverb recommendation