Really nice man. Almost avionic level. Don't forget, this amp is now probably going to last another 20 years rather than ending up on the landfill.

This 2 part series was so interesting to watch...and that is one lucky client. I hope he fully grasped everything that you put into this project...and tipped you well...

One of the best sounding amps you have fixed.

I gotta say. Even through KZfaq, I can hear some amazing magic going on with that amp. I’d say it was very much worth it.

Watching your videos on the BJ gave me the incentive to install a Fromel Supreme mod kit in my Blues Jr. It took me about 3 hours however I took my time and double checked everything I changed out to make sure of the polarities were correctly placed where applicable. Having a little expirience working on automotive circuit boards provided the confidence to do the mod. What prompted me to do the mod was the red paint on the EL84's had turned 80% grey from overheating. Luckily, the board had no signs of scorching on it. Thanks for providing the content on repairing amps.

Man, what you did there is a piece of art! Of course, money wise it makes no sense, but damn is it beautiful to look at!

Psionic, I discovered your videos a couple days ago while doing research on Blues Junior III Tweed amp I found on Facebook Marketplace. The amp is basically new. The gentleman I bought it from said he had all of about two hours on it and then it sat for the last two years. He just didn't have time to play it anymore. I got it for a good price. Anyway, I watched your videos with you repairing and modding the Blues Junior and it actually contributed to my desire to buy it. It seems like a great amp to tinker with. I assembled/soldered a StewMac Klon clone pedal not that long ago and had a blast doing it. I was looking at doing a Mojotone Princeton or Deluxe Reverb kit, but those were a bit out of my price range at the moment and I figured tinkering the Blues junior would be a good intermediate step. You mentioned in a couple of your videos that the Blues Junior has a cheap PCB with delicate contacts that can be easily damaged if you don't solder properly. Soldering isn't one of my best skills, yet. But I do have digital temperature controlled Hakko soldering iron and I'm willing to practice. Do you know of any cheap PCBs that can be obtained that would be good practice for working with a Blues Junior? Would cheap prototyping breadboards be a rough equivalent?

That sounded amazing. I have a dozen Blues Juniors in need of repair and one that needs a new board. I’ll have to watch this a few more times for inspiration.

I was in the same boat with a broken blues jr. Too expensive to fix, too expensive to throw away. Ultimately sent it to Carls Custom in NM and had it converted to a 5F1 tweed champ and it’s been fantastic ever since.

I like that you played something tragic there at the end... But I will say, that little money pit sounds rather lovely.

Your integrity is appreciated. Very rare these days. Thank you. Build me a Vibrolux 4/10 please sir. I really need to contact you...

Getting rid of that nasty ribbon wire makes it look like a totally different amp. Looks worth about $200 more.

One of, if not your best, and the most informative videos on the blues Junior. Thanks and keep up the great work.

Man, that sounds great, I remember in the late 80's it was such a popular myth to over bias amps, now I'm seeing that it's cooler amps that I prefer the sound of especially for clean tones... 😎👍

I have 2 Blues Jr.s. Both are old as can be. Both creme boards. Mine have both been giggged hundreds of times for 3 to 4 hour sets with no repairs. I change the tubes every year so maybe thats helped prolong their lives, but I always hear horror stories about them, yet mine have always treated me right. Granted I only push the amp to about 40% volume then use pedals. Mine have both been examined by myself during tube changes and everything always looks clean and well preserved. Hope I dont eat my words soon.

Nice job and good sounding

Brilliant job Lyle..You sure do know your stuff..! I'm trying so hard to get to grips with it all, and it's such an interesting learning curve.Thanks so much for sharing your expert knowledge & Great job..Ed..uk..😀

Looks like excellent quality work and it sounds good. Think that amp owner is very lucky! Thanks for the video, good job, enjoyed it!

Very nice work BTW.

Sounds amazing now!

Thank you. You have convinced me to save to buy a valve amp that is properly made and easily serviced. I agree with the consensus here, the amp sounds great!

Ahhh Maze ING! Very nice wor attention to detail!!!! Thanks for taking the time to film edit and share! You have motivated me to take the time to upgrade/fix my blues Jr. I can’t afford your time but I’d certainly be more than happy to pay for a listing of the mods (what resistors /wattage , locatation Etc.) you did on this junior! And if not , I understand thanks for your video !!!

This video is making me want a strat. That amp sounds fantastic.

Thanks for rescuing this little amp.

Just beautiful work... Customer better be deliriously joyful or I'll find him and klonk him me own self. Cheers

What a beautiful job you made of that amp man. You should use that as advertising it's that good. I just upgraded my Hot Rod using your vid for guidance. 1st time I switched on, I lost 2nd channel, and bright switch. +- volts on ic were ok, but wouldn't switch, so redid job and tidied up a few things, but scared to try it again, as it means so much to me. I don't have the money to replace it.

I personally would always pay top dollar for professional repairs. This is now a great amp.

I'm thankful I bought my Fender Blackface Showman back in 1982-3 (think it was '82), $125 (also a Fender Squire for $125, but I consider the Showman the better purchase). I've obviously had to recap it in the years since, and replaced a preamp tube - one of these days maybe I'll splurge on new 6L6s, but overall it's been rock solid... Although it weighs like a good sized rock too. 😁 I picked up a Sears Silvertone at a yard sale a few years ago too, $20, that's been on my list of "to do" things though... Thankfully I grew up with a radio/TV repairman grandfather (and Extra class ham) so I can do the repairs myself, fixed my old TV a few times before buying a new one (gave the old one away to someone in need - two years later they called me, it got zapped in a lightning storm and they took it to a repair shop who quoted them $250 to fix - to con them into buying a used/refurb off them for $150... I told her to get it back - honestly, they never even opened it, the undisturbed 20+yrs of dust made that plain. Had to hit Radio Shack for a 1A/12V zener (eh, 2/$1.50 was a ripoff, but it was quick) and had a regular 2A rectifier diode handy, but under $2 in parts to fix - gave it away later to someone else in need). One thing I did learn from grandpa though, not something I want to do as a business - every TV we had growing up was a repair a customer wasn't willing to pay for and left with him (that he repaired and gave to us). It got worse as society got more "disposable" and TVs got cheaper - funny, people used to be more willing to pay for repairs when I went on house calls with him for those huge wooden console sets, and they could actually see what he went through (and me running out to the trunk of his car to find for some of the less common tubes). Somehow when people drop something off and can't watch what it takes (and how long) they think your time has no value. I got "dead" 14-15" monitors and working but "low end" PCs at my old job in the 90s (they'd let me raid the junk being sent for computer recycling) and would fix them up for friends wanting to get on "that internet thing", I'd make them pay for the modem card (had to buy those) but... Generally got a good dinner or a case of beer out of it otherwise (for an hour or two of basic training to get them online). That ended when I switched jobs of course, and by then LCDs were incoming over CRTs, and they were all surface mount... I don't mess with that unless it's my own stuff I'm willing to replace if I screw it up.

One thing about your videos... If I ever have the privilege to get back into playing, I'm definitely going to be checking out the guts of any amp I might find interest in!😁

Thanks - I came to the conclusion some years ago that it wasn’t worth the time and effort to keep my Blues Jr. running once the gremlins moved in. I hate those ribbon cables. There is visual evidence of heat problems all over. The input jack dying was the last straw for me, partly because several of the crappy pots are near failure as well. The amp sounded really good but with a replacement speaker and adjustable bias, but there’s no way I’m taking the time to put in the new tube socket board, filter caps, etc. However, there’s nothing wrong with the chassis or transformers. The cab is too small for a full length reverb tank, and workable tube driven reverb with only 3 preamp tubes is a challenge. Need to figure out what to put in that cab someday.

Nice repair. I had to do something similar on a Mesa Single Recto (50w) head maybe 15 years ago. The PCB that the output tube sockets were mounted to had just charred beyond repair. It was a friend's amp, so I took the time to mount new tube bases to the chassis and PTP wire that section of the amp. It sounded ok at lower volumes, but the tiny OT just collapsed at anything over half volume. Not really great considering they're aimed at the metal market.

Man, that little amp sounds incredible. Fat mid-range. Great work my man!

At least these piles of junk keep the lights on(sometimes). I mostly got out of fixing PCB amps, unless it’s a gut job. It’s just so much easier/faster/cheaper to replace the whole circuit with a hand wired turret/eyelet board. Always appreciate the work and the videos, Lyle.

Nice

The ones that can reach you are so lucky. I have Marshall a late 80s vertical input, Orange Thunderverb head, GIBSON GA30RVS, Marshall Astoria custom,Blackstar 30 artisan handwired but no tech near me. I love tube amps but the fact that no tech near me just hinders me on my next purchase. Lookin at a Marshall Master model Mk2 100 watt head for a very good price but again no tech. Might as well get a Blackstar El34 St.. James. Love your channel.

Wow, that's first class tone. Like others say, one of the best Blues Jr i have ever heard. I have a butchered Fender Mustang III that needs work, can You make it in to a twin reverb? ;)

Lesson learned. I know that when I take on projects there are always unseen time and costs. And its hard to do jobs half assed. I usually get it done right the first time. It's my name and reputation. But there is a limit. Your integrity and work ethic are first class. I consider myself lucky to have such a professional working on my amp. Keep up the great work and awesome content. See you in July, take care.

“Mother puss bucket!” I know how you feel man. Not often, but sometimes I pull a real boneheaded stunt and think I should have just stayed in bed. 😂 But hey, it worked out for the best because you wound up using better wire anyway. Sounds real nice!

Told ya mate, shoulda got one of my PCBs!

wow - again I really enjoyed watching this (and I am NOT a gear guy at all) - so I am curious to know if you had charged your full rate what would the cost have been? I ask genuinely as I love my blues jrs and if I ever needed to would probably actually pay it.

I wonder where that amp is now. Maybe it will be famous someday

Was just about to say with all that work done on this thing I am sure it came close to the cost of the amp to begin with. Have no clue as to your rate per hour OR the parts cost involved BUT the owner will get back probably the best little Blues Junior around so that's something. It's not any of my business so I will not ask but I was trying to gauge how much this would cost as opposed to the cost of the amp in the first place as I think you can purchase one for something like $650 or so if I am not mistaken. Just wanted to take the time and say that I fully enjoy your videos and Thank YOU ! Wish you all the best in the future...

Well it definitely sounds better than any Blues Jr I have ever played! Love the Ghostbusters quote! I say that all the time and my wife cracked up hearing you say it!

amp sounds great noticeably different

Can get a price on a new amp like that will do all the blues he will do and more. I also hate that reverb too. Howard Black. Thank you.

I feel your pain sir. I have 5 Pro Jrs that I would like to strip and make them the old fashioned way with phenolic boards, not fish paper. 5 you say, I think the Pro Jr is the best sounding Fender amps made. Thanks for the video and honesty, Lyle

Gives me some ideas for my number three/Tesax Red Jr. I put the adjustable tube board in the one with the Fromel mods but it still sounds muffled compared to my number one Jr with Bill M mods. I like the hand wired tube board but it is a little above my skills.

so inquiring minds want to know what would have been the cost if you charged full boat? I can buy a used BJr for around $375 if i had someone put $250 -$350 time and parts into its still cheaper than a Dr z or comparable boutique amp,..yes?

tell us the truth you just did it cause John Mayer asked you kindly :D great sound after the repair! honestly i would do it myself, cause even if you buy an amp for 500 euros (yes im in EU) and then something similar in the mods/ repair, and that would make the amp last 10 20 additional years in the meanwhile giving it a nicer sound than many 1000 euros out of the box amps for me its still a deal. I would consider it as an investment. Of course i also understand not many people would say the same

$600 , new at Sweetwater , last time I looked . "When To Hold Em and When To Fold Em.'

Sounds very sweet. Did things go south when the bean counters took over ?

You mention you would rather just build an amp instead of doing what ya did here. How much would you charge to build your version of a Bjr ? Ive been wanting to get a Bjr head made that still has the reverb. Curious what youd charge to build one. :-)

The shields help hold-down the noise.

So what was the total bill on upgrading all these things?

Lyle, it occurs to me to ask, do you or have you worked on any or many Valco-built amps? Being as you're in Tennessee, I'd expect you might see a few Western-inspired Gretsch amps with cow-horns on the cloth grille, not to mention that Chet Atkins used them as well....

Been there, done that, have the flattened forehead to show for it. Don't beat yourself up, we all do it sooner or later.

With what you should have charged compared with the price of a similar quality replacement, wouldn't it be cost effective?

Do you have shchems on what you did or a note that wrote up what you did? I’d love to try this on mine.

Don't the tube shields do more than just retain the tubes, especially on the first preamp tube?

Hello, I know I have asked this but lost my information, what is the type of Kestor solder you use? what is the product number. thank you for your time.......

Sounds killer on my phone though.

09:43 Indeed.

I'm trying to build up enough skill & courage to do your bias mod

If you knew a gigging guitarist who owns EIGHT Blues Jrs in various states of useabilty would recommend they just continue to replace them with new ones when they malfunction? If you were going to build one with reverb from scratch what form factor makes the most sense? I understand that the regular Blues Jr chassis doesn’t readily allow for reverb circuits. when hand wired? I keep imagining getting a solid hand-wired version made for him so he’d finally have a reliable Blues Jr.

Please, I noticed you chose a Celestion G12 M for a certain HRD. I saw some reviews on that speaker and liked it. What would be your choice for a Blues Jr ?

The value of time

So the caps you change for better caps when you say better, do you mean sound wise or longevity wise

Tube shields add micro phonics in a combo amp?

Look on the bright side side; you said it yourself" " The best little Bluez jr in the World" that player is going to happy. People still drop 2k on PCB amps everyday that are made badly and even wired back to front(Reverb etc). Do have done a good deed and that is worth more than money.

That amp was never so well built. Fender should be embarrassed by the choices they make. My MIM Deluxe Strat looks like a child soldered the electronics. You sir however rock!

I have this amp. The reverb sounds way better than mine. Did he change the tank ? Did you change something involving the reverb?

The Law of Dimishing Returns...

No need to be Super Man, you either build boutique hand wired amps your way - or you repair these cheap amps in the most budget way possible that gets ‘em fixed. Which means using a stock replacement pcb board and leaving the plastic Jack alone if it works. You didn’t build nor buy the cheap amp. I use to paint houses and poured over 500 man hours into one home, that’s $20,000 in labor alone at the time @ $40/hr plus materials. But being a fixed cost contract. The total cost to the customer was 11k. I took a bath, homeowner thought he was being charged up the wazoo. All because I had a Superman complex. Then someone told me about a 200k interior painting job for the wrestler Chyna Phillips. Then he went on to explain exactly the process used and I almost crapped in my pants! I learned a valuable lesson that day, there is no such thing as a “quality” job. There is only different levels of quality, and which one is the customer willing to pay for?

Which type of blues jr is that?

Hoffman board?

We all lose money on a repair. Well, we do if we are honest anyway. I know a jeweler that loses money on repairs too.

How much do you charge to do this to a Blues Jr ?

Regretting buying a 68 Custom Pro Reverb now and havent even got it yet

Why not mention the other changes you made?

Most people today want two things: Fast and cheap. If you try to sell reliability and longevity, or if you try to explain that money spent now equals no headaches later, (such as failure in mid song right in the middle of the gig) your words often fall on deaf ears. "If I pay you extra to do it right I won't have anything left over for beer money"! So you give them fast and cheap....the customer is always right. Then, when it fails, everybody in town hears about what an incompetent bonehead you are, and how you're out to gouge poor musicians out of what little money they have. Might as well play Russian Roulette with a Glock. If they don't want me to do it right, I just send them down the road.

I send those jobs to the other tech in town.

I'd rather invest (full repair price) in your upgrades, than buy a new one with all it's flaws.

As much as I dislike ribbon cables, it could be worse: they could have been secured to the boards with corrosive/conductive glue, as so many manufacturers of stereo equipment did from the 1970's onward. Originally a tan/brown rubbery glue (generally known as Sony-Bond) that dries up and turns dark brown, crusty and brittle with age and (especially) heat, creating leakage paths and causing corrosion that creeps up the leads of diodes, resistors, transistors and voltage regulators, anything that runs hot, causing the device to become noisy and intermittent and eventually destroying it or eating through the component lead. I've even seen it eat copper foil traces right off the board! I have spent countless hours scraping it off circuit boards, and replacing corroded parts, and have broken dozens of dental picks in the process. Some manufacturers in the past couple of decades have switched to a different glue that is known as "the black goo of death"; Different color and different texture but the end result is the same ---- yet another device that dies prematurely and likely doesn't get fully recycled..

Sorry about your 1 1/2 hours but it is reassuring for newbie’s like me to see a pro goof and admit it! I mean you could have edited that out and no one would have known. Thanks

This is not a "Blues Jr." anymore ... my two cents.

By the time you stop wiggling the tubes they will be loose.