Is the Fender Blues Junior Any Good?

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Күн бұрын

#fender #fenderamps #guitar
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What do you think about the Fender Blues Jr? Is it a good amp? Is it awful? Is it somewhere in between? Today we're going to talk honestly about this classic Fender Tube Amp, and play some cool tones with a Fender Stratocaster, a Gibson Les Paul and a Keeley Super Phat Mod overdrive pedal. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Check out my more detailed demos of the Blues Jr here:
How to make it sound good: • 4 Fender Blues Junior ...
5 great tones: • 5 Great Fender Blues J...
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@JackFossett 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching everyone! Remember to like and subscribe, and check out my personal gear recommendations on my webpage! www.jackfossett.com/gear-recommendations

@willwysowski5319 9 ай бұрын

I came here for the demos, and I was not disappointed!! Rocking!!

@Bladerunner007 4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for an honest review.

@user-nu7xx7pc1d 5 ай бұрын

amazing playing Mr.!!

@ronmoore1219 10 ай бұрын

You nailed it on the head again. This is why I keep coming back to your “upgrade”(?) videos on the BJ. I bought the BJ4 with an Emminence R,W, & B 12” speaker. And I bought it because it’s a Fender tube amp this relative beginner can use in his bedroom studio. I don’t like that it sounds like it has a blanket over it, and the other idiosyncrasies you mentioned that my improving skill level uncovers. It’s filling it!s role for me nicely and reliably. But I’ve heard a Bad Cat Black Cat recently and I’ll be trading in the BJ4 on one when I scrape up the difference. Thank you, sir. I appreciate and look forward to your videos.

@stevep1941 10 ай бұрын

The BJ tweed goes with me to most gigs and a many sessions, and I do a lot. It never lets me down and has a particular function- light to carry, gets a reasonable gritty clean, and works with pedals. For bigger rooms, I go through the PA. Keep them serviced, replace the output tubes every 4-6 months, and it will serve you well.

@Torquemonster440 10 ай бұрын

Just bought my 1st Blues Jr...[ Sweetwater tweed exclusive with Red,White and Blues Eminence speaker]setup as a great clean platform... then boost with the Bogner "La Grange" and Wampler "Velvet Fuzz" for all my drive tones. It Rocks !!.. Such a great step forward from my Boss Katana Mkll . The Katana is fun and convenient, but always still maintains that fizzy digital feel with any drive tone. The Bjr+ the La Grange definitely captures all the vintage vibe and warmth I've been lacking with the Katana. The Bjr sounds awesome with my Tele, LP Standard and Strat.. Really having a lot of fun with it.🤘 Thanks for all your input and opinions on these great little amps Jack.

@thujanet 9 ай бұрын

I have the same version of the blues junior and love it very, too! I tried a black Tolex Bl.Jr., version 2 or 3, don't remember exactly... and I don't liked the sound very much. Thinner, boxier, not so expressive. The seetwater excl. Bl. jr. 4 with this speaker is incredible, if with humbuckers or single coils....

@Dave-nm3xc 10 ай бұрын

I'm digging the tones you're getting with the Blues Jr.

@dmac3316 10 ай бұрын

Cool vid. I’d like it if they could make a better amp by combining resources for the Pro and Blues Juniors into one really good amp in that general price range area. Really solid playing in the demos btw!👍

@yurijo1 5 ай бұрын

Thank you for the video.Very informative

@JackFossett 5 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

@CathyHolton-jh1xv 10 ай бұрын

The intro sounded sublime!

@Amish_Trivedi 10 ай бұрын

I was so torn between getting this and saving up for the Princeton and it was your Princeton vids that drove me to that- but this is really lovely.

@JAugust 10 ай бұрын

You nailed it. 14 year old me in the late 80's would have loved a Blues jr instead of the "red knob" era Fender solid state Studio 85 I could afford at the time. Current me that has played a lot of amps and can own something much higher quality would not be thrilled by it. Even if it sounds ok for the casual user, the build quality leaves a lot to be desired and most of them will need substantial repairs long before a better built amp.

@honkytonkinson9787 10 ай бұрын

Lol I will say that the BJ is a little better than the 30 watt solid state Peavey amp I had in the early 90s! A little box of farts compared to the thin, harsh, covered with a blanket BJ. I’d have been happy with the Fender amp back then, but I’ve had some better amps since

@JimMorrisonsBathtub 10 ай бұрын

It's funny you mentioned the Amulet because I always thought the Supro Delta King is what the Blues Junior should be. I think you nailed it when you said Fender just made a tube amp, covered it in tweed and knew people would buy it because it's a Fender tube amp and it's disguised as the kind of amps they made in the 1950s. I think they sound okay but your money could be better spent on something else.

@josecubanosantiago4724 10 ай бұрын

I own both supro is a fragile amp better suited for studio the bj is a touring machine

@tom.m 10 ай бұрын

I preferred the Supro, but neither are built as well as they should be for the current asking price. IMO it's better to save up a bit more to get a good amp used. You're going to end up at your amp tech either way.

@ricardogomezvasquez3291 10 ай бұрын

@@tom.mgood point 👌🏼

@wulf67 9 ай бұрын

What better tube amp can you pick up new for $750 or used in excellent condition for $350?

@tom.m 9 ай бұрын

@@wulf67 I meant get a good amp used instead of an okay amp new. For example, about $100 more will get you a used Princeton. A better amp, and it will hold its value.

@denbodg9311 10 ай бұрын

Ok I watched to the end. You may remember I had 2 BJ’s, ran in stereo at times, one with a Celestion Vintage 30 & one with a Cannabis Rex. I did in fact have 3, the third with a Celestion Greenback. The stock Fender speakers never appealed to me. The best by a country mile IMO is the Cannabis Rex for this amp in stock form with no other mods. I only have that one now. Although I’ve never modded the amps otherwise, much can be done, BillM mods for e.g. The fact is Fender have always used cheap components in the BJ. Leaking caps & burnt circuit boards are the result. For me the easiest, cheapest way is to put a Cannabis Rex in & fire pedals at it. I use a TS9, Marshall Bluesbreaker, Marshall Drivemaster, a Chorus & a Delay. A Boss Bluesdriver BD2 works well too.

@robertlennox3607 Ай бұрын

I actually replaced my Blues Driver with a tube screamer, just find it better for me. I use a Fulltone OCD as well.

@denbodg9311 Ай бұрын

@@robertlennox3607 Since that post I’ve replaced the 2 Marshall pedals with a Blues Driver BD-2 & a Tone City Golden Plexi.

@julielocke-balish1707 10 ай бұрын

I love mine! I also bought a 57’fender Champ tweed so as it’s easier to carry when I go to practice with my friends and let me tell you it’s nothing compared to the Blues Jr. The champ seems to be a one trick pony and I’ll still use it to take to practice but not to gig with.

@malcolmsansom5026 10 ай бұрын

Great vid Jack, I had a blues jnr4 sounded great however I'm just a bedroom player in was way too loud so I traded it in for a blackstar ht-5r mkii, sounds great and better for home use 🎸🎸🎸

@wulf67 9 ай бұрын

I run mine in stereo with an AC-15C1 with a greenback and the sound is gorgeous.

@DrumStrum 6 ай бұрын

Same here, except my Vox has a Blue.

@adamstorfer415 10 ай бұрын

Sorry, I'm going to add a second comment. What pisses me off about the Blues Jr is if they got rid of the standard speaker, and replaced it with the Canibus Rex as standard, it would be such a better combo.

@TheSoundofForgetting 6 ай бұрын

Nice video and agree with some of what you said and with mine I modded my Jr.3 with a presence control, bias Trem pot, Filter cap mod and a tone stack mod😂 and a 3 way power switch and gigged with it A-LOT but the biggest difference you can make it the speaker! I put in a Warehouse ET65 and couple others but the Warehouse is the best at least for my sound but I also had the reverb messed with but for a at home or practice amp it’s worth it but haven’t messed with the Jr 4 yet but stumbled upon your channel and decided to subscribe and check out your other videos. Keep rocking 🤘🏻🎸🤘🏻

@JelleKramerSongs 3 ай бұрын

It always amazes me that Noel Gallagher’s favourite set up used to be a blues junior cranked through a 4x12 Marshall cab

@mjohnsfly 9 ай бұрын

I mounted my Blues Jr. Chassis in a 2 x12 pine cabinet. It sounds bigger than the little boxy original. My speakers are Eminence Swamp Thing. I love the “frankenjunior” that this created.

@electricurinal 10 ай бұрын

Had a version III tweed one. Liked the sound. It wouldn't stay not-on-fire. It would pop tubes left and right and I couldn't rely on it to work. Literally roasted the circuit board. Wished it was more solid cuz it sounded fairly groovy for its size and price. Maybe I got a lemon. So my thoughts are on par with what you expected ppl to say... rolled into one experience. Haha.

@biffleonetti5298 10 ай бұрын

I had a blues junior once and played it for my wife. It was right about the time she started having an affair with a guy that had a tweed deluxe. Now I live a life of loneliness and despair and I blame it on the BJ.

@marcob6880 9 ай бұрын

I can't understand how anyone can equate bad memories and a bj

@jimnorthrup8373 7 ай бұрын

@@marcob6880there's a couple types of BJs I don't really think either are bad unless one has Sharp pointy Teeth, a poor performer Blames his Instrument😮

@david-xg4hb 3 ай бұрын

I'm the guy with the tweed, sorry, if it's any consolation she left me for a dude with a Marshall silver jubilee 😂

@davebarone506 2 ай бұрын

Size must matter

@zedasiscas3830 10 ай бұрын

Man you nailed it in the core. I have a IV one with fancy brown paysley tolex (🤔) and a Eminence C. Rex - only 2 mods: V1 a EH 12AY7 and in V3 a balanced 12AX7; pair of EL84 matched - thats all and works marvel in studio - don’t gig with. Think Fender made this pair of EL84’s sound “american” as Marshall month ago made pair of 5881’s (6L6’s) sound “british” - clear? Rock on Jack you have unusual charisma!! Cheers and best wishes from sunny south Algarve - Portugal 🇵🇹

@garycooks 9 ай бұрын

Whenever I see something about the blues Junior, I always like to recommend that people try the mono price 15 watt tube amp because it’s about half the price and I think it sounds as good if not better.

@martybender123 5 ай бұрын

Ditto. The Stage Right (monoprice) 15-w combo amp is so very-very good.

@GPLP335 10 ай бұрын

Another great video Jack. I've had mine for at least 15 years or so. It's a very bright amp and you really need to dial in the sweet spot for it to sound good. Having said that, isn't that the case with most amps.

@jcameronferguson 9 ай бұрын

I had a 90's Blues DeVille 2x12 as my first tube amp. I never needed all that power, and a tech that serviced it biased it wrong, which affected its reliability, but the tones were really powerful. Maybe that's an effect of it moving a lot of air, since the Blues series voicing seems to get weaker with less bite and sparkle the lower in wattage you go. I currently use a combination of a 68 Custom Princeton and a Supro Black Magick, using one or the other for stage volume applications, and a Vox AC4C1 for practice and demos. I miss the ol' girl sometimes (though not when hauling gear -- that thing was probably 65 pounds), it did a particularly good impression of some of the drive tones on A Ghost is Born. But I agree overall that the Blues series isn't as rewarding or versatile as that sweet sweet tweed would have you believe.

@davolk9525 10 ай бұрын

I played a bunch of Blues Jrs before I picked mine. Thankfully there are always a good number of them at any given time on the used market (I live in Nashville so...). I liked the tweed but I found the III and IV black tolex to both be a little muddy. I settled on an older 1st gen black with an upgraded reverb tank, otherwise it's stock. Mine matches best with P90s or Filtertrons but does not sound great with double humbuckers. I really like mine and will definitely keep it, although I have a couple other amps that do what the blues doesn't. One thing a lot of people don't know is the mid boost on the Blues is footswitchable.

@RobertNolan 10 ай бұрын

The Blues Junior feels like it was intentionally nerfed to make the HRD and Blues Deluxe sound and thus sell better, but if you run this speaker line out to a bigger cabinet it's a fantastic amp. I think this should have been a 2x10 amp. But I agree, awesome and reliable. I can always get through something with the FBJ

@alancs85 8 ай бұрын

Good home amp. In a band, works great with 2x12 or 4x12. To mic it into PA system also works fine.

@RobertNolan 8 ай бұрын

@@alancs85 I have one of the last USA made FBJ's it's got the updated PCB but stamped made in america. Fantastic home amp.

@icu469 10 ай бұрын

I have a blues Jr tweed limited edition. Absolutely love it. Light amp. Great organic clean tones, perfect pedal platform. Very good reverb. I run it with the gain around 4, bass at 7, middle at 8, treble at 5-6 volume at around 3. All knobs go to 12. Definitely loud enough for gigging. It gives great tones. Not boxey at all. Amps are like guitars. Some are great and some are lemons. Mine is an original blues jr. Not a version 2,3,4 ,,, it just says " blues junior" I think it's great as is. At least mine is. If u want a amp with good built in distortion this is not it.

@TheRcurry75 9 ай бұрын

I have the Blues Jr IV Sweetwater exclusive with the Eminence Red White and Blues speaker. There are times when I love it and times when I hate it. Usually, the times I hate it are when I take it to band practice and can not get a good tone out of it

@seananiosoki 9 ай бұрын

what do you think about upgrading the blues junior with a pine cabinet? Maybe even one that's slightly bigger like on the 57 deluxe? or Princeton .. I've been thinking about this a lot

@djfuzzystump 2 ай бұрын

So, I owned, and sold a BJ IV after having it about 1.5 years. I thought it was a great little amp (granted it was the only tube amp I had owned" but I am pretty deep in the Helix ecosystem and didn't "need" it). Your intro jam was awesome! EDIT: One of the reasons I didn't keep it was because it didn't have an effects loop and really wanted that to play nicer with my Helix gear.

@Stratmanable 10 ай бұрын

I have two, and I love them.

@kirkgardner8772 6 ай бұрын

You hit it on the head. Boxy, I went with a deluxe reverb. I actually have a Champ, same thing. I hear other people play theirs and love it.🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

@robertlennox3607 Ай бұрын

My first ever tube amp was my Vox AC30 with greenbacks - I still have it but it weighs an absolute ton. I wanted a Fender amp (I'm mainly a strat guy) so I got the Tweed Blues Junior IV. I have gigged with it and I use it at home too.

@quinn4626 Ай бұрын

I have the Tweed LTD model and I love it's clean tone. I like other amps with EL84s (Vox, Orange) and similar to those amps, the Blues Junior has lots of chimey highs combined with a middly bite. I agree with Jack that it's more challenging to get a good overdriven sound as you have to find it by tweaking the knobs a bit. It's midrange makes it sound very garage-y when you hit it with gain. I happen to really like that sound, but not every player does. After my Ceriatone combo arrived, I decided to hold on to the Junior and I still bust it out sometimes when I feel like a change. The Ceriatone is a quality amp, so that's high praise!

@nekkon1989 10 ай бұрын

Fun fact. I ABed a blues junior and a 65 princeton reverb reissue, wanting to like the latter more. I kinda did, but not by much. It was just "a different clean tone, with better reverb".

@Michael_Paul_Chavez 10 ай бұрын

It’s a great amp. I have the 4 with the Rex-C speaker and I know you like the JR as well.

@matdowdall 10 ай бұрын

I bought a Blues Junior as my first proper tube amp and it was Ok but i just couldn't get the sound i really wanted , then i found a Bassbreaker 007 used for 30 bucks more than I paid for the B.Junior and its everything i had wanted the Blues to sound like .

@tpwitches 9 ай бұрын

Blues Jr with 12” Cannabis Rex…Running clean as pedal platform …has been stellar.

@marcob6880 9 ай бұрын

I just sold my BJ IV, nothing really wrong with it, and some things really right. What it failed to do is just thrill me, just getting those sounds that my Tele is capable of. So I always turned back to my Bugera V22 for quieter home play that I find has a wider more colorful palette.

@thomwilton3685 8 ай бұрын

In the 80's I had a twin rev. To get the sound you had to get, but now not in bands just recording. I can get the sound with the blues jr. at a much lower volume.

@cblizard6850 10 ай бұрын

As a metal guitar player, I love the blues junior!

@davebarone506 2 ай бұрын

I own two of them, BJ4s, one became really cheezy sounding, so i replaces the tubes, and brought it back to life. Did it myself, i dont know much about biasing, so i suppose im rollin the dice.

@al271987 10 ай бұрын

Just get a Quilter Aviator Cub. It’s about the same size as a Blues Junior, but it’s lighter, louder, and sounds amazing. I love mine.

@BobPerrone 10 ай бұрын

Playing my Jr. for years and as a great, reliable amp for either studio or gig (yes, you can gig with this) it is for me perfect. I'm not a crazy fully loaded pedal board player. I'll use a reverb pedal and a looper maybe, but with my Jazzmaster and Chapman T style it kills it. My volume knob on my guitar brings in the dirt the way I like it mine has the TRex speaker which is terrific.

@yaniv-nos-tubes 10 ай бұрын

after years of trial and error i have found a way to beef this little sucker up: 1. swap the v1 preamp tube to a vintage mullard i63 (70$ used on ebay 100 at online stores) 2. press the fat switch 3. no more fizz and you can actually play the bridge pickup without a helmet! enjoy!

@Skelterz 10 ай бұрын

I have the Jenson speaker in mine and it’s great, awesome cleans drives quite nicely (edge of breakup) style, and as a pedal platform it’s a great base amp, Not to mention a real spring reverb! Honestly it’s probably the best tube amp you can buy in it’s price range in my opinion.

@friedrudibega6384 10 ай бұрын

It’s the speaker. I use a 112 closed back Jensen loaded cab with a Tiny Terror and it sounds open. I use it as a pedal platform but the change from a vintage 30 really makes it. Opened up with no pedals it roars but cleans up perfectly with volume.

@nekkon1989 10 ай бұрын

I sold my Tone King Imperial MKII and got a blues junior. I love it. I feel like I'm not missing out on anything. And I am obviously joking

@marcofioravanti4176 10 ай бұрын

True fact ( at least for an older Blues Junior model we have: Inside there are two jacks. One is to disconnect the speaker - so you can (*) use an external speaker cabinet. The other jack is for a "Fat Switch" footswitch! Great stuff. (*) Warning: Never! Run! A tube amp without a connected speaker or load!! I just hinted, that you can disconnect the internal speaker for REPLACING it with an external speaker or Load Box!

@mortonwilson795 10 ай бұрын

In the 70s I had a 50W Fender top + 2 x 10" cab - all I ever used live. 80s / 90s would use a Fender Twin for occasional live work. My Mix Engineer emigrated 3 years ago and left me his Blues Jnr. (I think it's around 20 years old) and that's been in the studio ever since. I really like it but I'm not a purist (guitar straight into amp and that's it, sort of thing). I certainly don't find it 'boxy' or 'thin' - if anything it's pretty fat when wound up a bit, great for Les Paul & Strat BUT I have been using the Effectrode Blackbird Valve Pedal in front of it for a few years and can attenuate accordingly for the guitar I'm recording with. That said it seems the Princeton has emerged as 'the Fender' on a lot of KZfaq demos and reviews and if I open a full blown studio again I would love to try that one. Supro, Suhr and Magnatone are also names that keep popping up . . . lots of fun to be had, then! Maybe I need a Vox 15 ? (I am a child of the 60s, after all). Anyway thanks again for another cool vid - enjoy the way you approach things and also a lot of the really informed comments from people in today's conversation.

@jamieskillman6972 3 ай бұрын

I have the custom and a 4, there very different especially the reverb, for me laoud its great even with no pedals but at low volumes I absolutely want pedals , Togeather as wet dry makes for fun all day

@Arbuckle_A Ай бұрын

That's a gorgeous red strat!

@JackFossett Ай бұрын

Thank you! Thats one of my very favorite guitars.

@joerobertson795 10 ай бұрын

Big fan of my BJ-IV. Edge of breakup, no fat switch. Takes Pedals great! Can't believe they are up to $700 bucks though....

@michelvondenhoff9673 10 ай бұрын

Amps in this tier all have one or more qualities. And more often than not it is a matter of taste or even phase you're going through. Matching guitars like you mention... In the end: Does it talk to you and would you buy with your own money?

@dwocelot6913 3 ай бұрын

I think this video is spot-on. I would extend the same review to the Hot Rod Deluxe and Blues Deluxe. Same pros, same cons.

@andresstoner5839 4 ай бұрын

Hey man awesome video and I like my fender IV , I have a question for you or anyone here! Before this amp I got the Ruby 63 Pedal and I was told by Universal Audio that I can connected to my Fender, how do ver as much as I try to get a clean sound from the amp just I turn the pedal on, and start to play I sound some kind of distortion like air distortion and saturation…. Do you have any recommendations to try and see if the amp takes the pedal well? Tia

@ricardorodriguez5549 9 ай бұрын

I really wanted the Harmony 20w but the back orders were brutal. Settled for the Blues Junior over the Supro. Probably should’ve saved more for the Princeton or ToneMaster DR

@mkrj2576 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for another great video. I notice you are not playing the Tolex Blues Jr with the Cannabis Rex speaker. Do you still have that amp? What are your thoughts on it after having it some time with the CR speaker vs stock. I’m thinking about picking up one but can’t try before I buy. Thanks again.

@JackFossett 9 ай бұрын

I wound up trading that amp - its I think objectively better in most respects than the III, but this one has more personal significance to me, and I really didn't need 2 blues juniors. If you're in the market, I'd definitely get a IV over a III.

@mkrj2576 9 ай бұрын

@@JackFossett cool. Yeah, I hear the IV is the way to go. But as far as the CR speaker…. Thoughts on that vs stock? Some say it lacks high end and sounds dull in person.

@randyzingaro1986 10 ай бұрын

I love my Blues Jr 1. Having said that, I just got it 4 months ago and I use it at home for a practice amp. I always wanted a tube amp at home, I've never taken it anywhere other than to my buddies to put a stand by switch in it. I have an AC 30 to jam with so no need to use it in that way, although I would certainly try it for a jam sometime. But I love the tone and am very happy with it, though I am going to swap our the reverb and may at sometime change the speaker. I'm a modder and like to change things up and see what the difference would be.

@jasondorsey7110 10 ай бұрын

An eminence red white &blues speaker and an older accutronics spring tank made a big difference in my bj3...it's not my go-to amp, but it's always good to have around and I have no intention of getting rid of it

@thujanet 9 ай бұрын

@@jasondorsey7110 I have the BJ 4 with this speaker and I love it very, too! Recommended (on stock in the sweetwater excl. tweed)

@dankers12 10 ай бұрын

I think it's a great amp for a pedal platform. I love the look of the tweed version. That being said, I wouldn't pay full price for one. Get it used.

@murpsman 10 ай бұрын

I did just that. $350.00 off Ebay in mint condition.

@davebarone506 2 ай бұрын

Anybodyever notice how tube amps sound better, or different, after they warm up a little?

@keestoft250 10 ай бұрын

Do fender sell enough to warrent a BJ tone master? Map the EQ out a little better and add attenuation? I'd buy one.

@josecubanosantiago4724 10 ай бұрын

Amazing sounding amp but you got to fix the bias problem or it will fry the tubes easy fix though

@STF_YVR 9 ай бұрын

Love the IV … wish the Master Volume was more progressive and the footswitch actually switched the Reverb On/Off though

@mjolnircarlssen4211 29 күн бұрын

I like it. I think that it sounds good for what I play. I also have a Blues Cube, which is an absolutely incredible (solid state) amp. They both serve a purpose for me. I will say that I like it better than a Hot Rod Deluxe that I used to own, but just couldn’t get dialed in for what I was looking for.

@RJ_HTx 9 ай бұрын

The best thing I did to my BJ was to converted to 6V6 but once I bought a Deluxe Reverb then a Princenton Reverb I never looked back. So if you are planning on buying a Blues Junior save your money and buy a used Princeton Reverb.

@windsweptguitars 10 ай бұрын

It is one of the most versatile 1 channel amps around.

@RomanticDrip69 3 ай бұрын

Thoughts on the pro junior?

@jasonjstdr 10 ай бұрын

Fender Blues jr for the win. When I was at Berkelee guitar camp , they had multiple Blues juniors in each classroom. Also, not all Blues juniors are the same. I have a red tolex with cannabis rex hemp speakers that is awesome. I have received compliments from pros who have used my amp.

@tom.m 10 ай бұрын

People too easily overlook speakers, when really it's almost as important as the guitars we all obsess over. Just not nearly as sexy. Everyone who hears my DRRI gushes, but it's nothing special. The key is the Alessandro speaker I put in.

@arlo12345678910 9 ай бұрын

1:07 Thanks Jack that's all I need. The FBJ sounds friggin awesome!! Edited: It's a first amp for a kid and that kid is a lucky kid. I got a 299$ Strat style (Blade guitar) and a Gorilla amp. Give a kid a strat player series and FBJ and they are in a way better spot than I was, $hit they have actual gear!

@johndaugherty4127 Ай бұрын

I paid $125 for a Rumble 25 for my son and it rocks. Fender makes some good amps.

@honkytonkinson9787 10 ай бұрын

I had one about 20 years ago. Too loud to sound good in the bedroom and only loud enough for a quiet drummer in a small room. The only tone it made that I liked was when running it through a 2x12 It was $400 when I bought one. Not sure it’s worth $800, though I’m getting older and having trouble reconciling the current inflation I have a tweed vibrolux clone, which is a lot like a Princeton, and it’s sooo much better than a BJ. I think I’d recommend a used Princeton reissue over a BJ. There’s a lot of choices for good amps, new and used, for around $1000! The BJ wouldn’t be a top pick for me

@GuyNarnarian 2 ай бұрын

The FSR versions also have all different kinds of speakers. Mine has a Greenback. So, it takes distortion really well, etc. That being said, I still ended up buying a Princeton eventually and keep the Blues Jr. as a backup.

@olddogguitars23 3 ай бұрын

Just bought a used one in surprisingly good condition. Going to do a bias modification to cool it off a little because those tubes are running entirely too hot. Fender should have fixed that after version 1

@tjnugent62 6 ай бұрын

Perfect for the enthusiast. It isn't a pro amp, but it is a tube amp. I wish it was less expensive, but it is decent quality as is.

@joequintana5546 10 ай бұрын

As a user of BLUES JUNIOR since they first came out in the 90s I can tell you that this amp depends entirely on the speaker you decide to upgrade it with. Also, the Blues Junior IV is the best version so far, but it still depends on a speaker upgrade.

@VintageRadius 10 ай бұрын

What speaker do you like in it?

@joequintana5546 10 ай бұрын

@@VintageRadius I tend to like the Eminence Cannabis Rex. I've used many different speakers over the years but that one has become my favorite. It takes a very long time to break in, but when it finally does, oh man, it really brings a Blues Junior to life.

@robertlennox3607 Ай бұрын

I use the stock speaker and I'm happy enough with it.

@gerryloughran1676 10 ай бұрын

Great tones ...cranked mids works for me !...more

@jordanpratt3821 10 ай бұрын

When I finally do buy a fender tube amp its going to be the deluxe ,or princeton.

@richardmottern7358 10 ай бұрын

Almost every time I hear a Blues Junior, I don't like shat K am hearing. In fact, I like the Pro Junior better.

@newgunguy4176 10 ай бұрын

The first thing I do with any amp I try is the Buddy Guy Bassman settings. Bass: 0 Everything else: All the way up!

@ray_maestro_ 3 ай бұрын

Can you use modulation pedals like chorus Delay and others?

@Mtn603 10 ай бұрын

Jack of all trades, master of none. If you’re chasing a very specific tone, make sure you’re ok with “close enough” before purchase. But with that said, it really can get within 5% of some great tones. With the right settings, it can sound nearly like a classic American amp, or on the other hand, a little bit British(ish). While not perfect, it can always be set to a pleasant tone. And if you’re gigging dive bars, and need an amp that can get a couple beers poured on it, this is a killer option for the price, that will sound great in a band setting.

@ghalston5641 9 ай бұрын

I like a big open clean sound on the edge of breakup and my Okko Diablo GH for added girth. My BJ iii tweed doesn’t really do it for me, much less with the Cannabis Rex I have in it now, which is hairier than the stock Jenson. Cab is too small for what I am looking for. My Marshall DSL 40cr nails it.

@kimlombardy3393 10 ай бұрын

The biggest problem with them, and I have had 3 and just bought my 4th, is the bias was running too hot in earlier versions. Fender listened to players and critics and corrected this, also the CR speaker is a great match for this amp. It sounds better with certain pickups so you need to have fun and experiment with different instruments. Overall it is one of the best values in the Fender amp line up 😜

@wulf67 9 ай бұрын

Yes, everyone bitched for years that Fender amps were biased too cold, so they biased the Blues Junior a little hotter and then everyone bitched that it was too hot. Throw some JJs in it and it's perfect.

@kimlombardy3393 9 ай бұрын

@@wulf67 You are right on. JJ's are a great improvement over the GT's that come stock. Also what helps is learning to use the Master/Volume knobs correctly, which I did thru trial and error, mostly error. I have 4 other Fender amps and next to the Bassman , the JR. is turning into my favorite.

@kimlombardy3393 9 ай бұрын

@@wulf67 You are right on, JJ's are the way to go. Also learning how to use the Master/ Volume knobs to get the right volume for your space. I love this little amp and other than my Bassman it is one of my favorites. But there will always be different opinions on any sound, but I think a Blues Jr. is a great place to start.

@wulf67 9 ай бұрын

@@kimlombardy3393 Exactly. I didn't like mine, myself, until I figured out how to optimize the settings. I thought it was harsh and fizzy. Now it's warm and round and lush.

@gnatiu 8 ай бұрын

Why has Fender to listen to players? Is / Was Fender not professional enough to make things working right in the beginning?

@bobsmith-ji2uh 3 ай бұрын

I bought one of these a year ago. I see they’re about $100 less now. I’m happy with the thing though admittedly I’m mostly an acoustic player and only play my telecaster occasionally.

@stratosexual1329 10 ай бұрын

For the price it is hard to beat. I love the looks! Can you do better, yes. I think if the cabinet was just a little larger it would help a lot. However I know giging musicians that use it because of it’s size and weight. Throw a few pedals into it and it’s good to go!

@spencerludman3915 4 ай бұрын

On the subject of Fender resting in their laurels, why do they never add power scaling? Or have I missed that?

@sereneandkeen Ай бұрын

Do you prefer Nylon or Celluloid picks?

@c.j.wilkerson9112 6 ай бұрын

I guess I'm just not the gear head I thought I was. I went in to guitar center today and played this amp and loved it. Before I had a cheap hand-me-down practice amp and the difference is amazing. For under $1000 (I paid $550 used). I don't gig. I just want to make music at home recording with a mic at the amp. I really don't like turning up and like using pedals (OCD 1.7!!). To me, this is all I need. I just want to make music and forget about the gear.

@neilgorham6786 9 ай бұрын

Princeton or supro amulet in your opinion if you had to choose 1?

@JackFossett 9 ай бұрын

Thats really hard to say. Lately I've been more into Supro, but the Princeton is one of my all time favorites. I'm going to be like Switzerland right now and remain neutral, and stumble on all kinds of smuggled art and riches and wonder where on Earth it came from?

@josea.fazano8829 9 ай бұрын

You should try the new super cub laney. Great amp.

@JackFossett 9 ай бұрын

I'd like to! I love the Laney VC30. Very unsung amp company.

@bishimatsu 10 ай бұрын

Jack, do you recommend replacing the stock Jensen speaker and, if so, which speaker would you recommend?

@JackFossett 10 ай бұрын

The speaker rabbit hole is pretty serious with this amp. The Eminence C Rex is good, the Tone Speak Austin is good. I’m sure a Creamback would be good

@bishimatsu 10 ай бұрын

@@JackFossett I put the Eminence C Rex in my old Fender Champ 12 amp (red knob) and it sounds very good.

@jeffbitzinger1961 6 ай бұрын

I have a Celestion Vintage 30 in my tweed IV - love it!