Fender Blues Junior

**Retroman1969** · 04-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Well I have wanted to own a tube amp for a while now, so I picked up a used Fender Blues Jr. that popped up on CL that was cheap enough to give it a try.
The previous owner supposedly put new tubes in it that are intended to increase volume and nearly eliminate breakup.
It has taken some getting used to, but so far I've noticed it is much, much louder and more dynamic than my cheapo 20w Crate SS amp. By comparison my old amp sounds sort of flat and muddy.
In other words, I really like it!

Now for the question...
I heard this addressed on another thread a while back but now can't find it: I used to leave my solid-state amp on all day so I could just grab the guitar and play whenever, without reaching over for the amp.
On a tube amp, is it better for tube life to just leave it on for the afternoon/evening, or to power it off and on several times a day when you want to grab the guitar?

Thanks in advance!

Nuff Said · 04-20-2012, 11:23 AM

The main thing is this:

Leave it on "standby" for a few mins before turning it "On". This will give the electrons time to warm up the Tubes.

I wouldn't leave it on for hours, if you're not playing, the tubes with burn out quicker.

Nuff

**SamBooka** · 04-20-2012, 01:56 PM

Dont think you have a standby switch (mine doesnt)

No worries turning it on for a few hours every night. You really arent going to kill you power tubes. It is power output that wears them down and you are probably not really pushing your power tubes that hard. Preamp tubes will wear out... but it can take decades (I have pre tubes for the 60s that still sound great).

Tube amps DO use more electricity so I would not recommend running it 24/7 but leaving it on for a few hours is fine. I have left amps on for days with no issues. Some people say "Noooo.. I left my amp on overnight and it was smoked!" In those instances there is usually something seriously wrong with the amp and it would fail sooner than later.

**RSY** · 04-20-2012, 02:16 PM

Great little amps loved by many.

Is yours a new BJ III, with the rubber dog bone handle, etc.?

**AlohaJoe** · 04-20-2012, 04:10 PM

Welcome to the wonderful world of tubes! The Jr us a great little amp, portable, flexible and not terribly expensive. Mine did benefit from a speaker swap (easy to do) but I gigged with it stock for over a year and it sounded fine. I think you'll like it, and it looks great with your new guitar!

**RSY** · 04-20-2012, 04:33 PM

If you like to tweak stuff, this guy has already done all the heavy lifting when it comes to Blues Juniors:

Billm Audio Billm Audio Blues Junior Mods

As for replacement speakers, the Cannabis Rex is a great choice.

**jorgemg1984** · 04-20-2012, 04:38 PM

Bill M mods are fine but some are too expensive and I thought the tone stack mod was not good at all for jazz.

**Retroman1969** · 04-20-2012, 05:02 PM

Thank you for the comments and info guys!

Good to know that I don't have to be squeamish about leaving it on from time to time. It's not the III, it's about 6 years old, but appears well cared for.
It melds really well with the 371.

**NSJ** · 04-20-2012, 05:32 PM

I had a Blues Jr and found it to a terrible amp--broke up too easily, terrible for a clean sound.

My Twin 65 RI is much much better with clean sounds and ample headroom. So it goes. Maybe I got a lemon before, who knows??

**Retroman1969** · 04-20-2012, 06:23 PM

I bet it's nice, but yikes, at $1,000 or more price difference I wouldn't be able to do it, and at 65lbs, I couldn't shuttle it around either, especially with my back.

Maybe it's the tube change, but I've experienced no breakup or headroom problems yet. It's pretty clean.

**AlohaJoe** · 04-20-2012, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

I've experienced no breakup or headroom problems yet. It's pretty clean.

Yes, once you figure out the Vol/Master (not too hard) you can get a good sound unless you need ear-bleeding volume and like really heavy gear.

**SamBooka** · 04-20-2012, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by jorgemg1984

Bill M mods are fine but some are too expensive and I thought the tone stack mod was not good at all for jazz.

Made mine useable.. paid 150 for mine so I cant complain but my jc55 has taken over for the bjr.

The one mod I did that was amazing (and I am hard to please) was changing the reverb tank. You can do it in 5 min and AES sells a good replacement for less than 20$

**SamBooka** · 04-20-2012, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by AlohaJoe

Yes, once you figure out the Vol/Master (not too hard) you can get a good sound unless you need ear-bleeding volume and like really heavy gear.

Yes.. mine sounded like ass until I figured that out too.. master around 8-9 (out of 12), mids off.. treble at 3 and bass at 10 worked for me on a 175 style guitar (es165)

**pingu** · 04-20-2012, 08:05 PM

Welcome to the club man !
You will get a few guys saying Bjrs are bad amps but we know different !

Love my old Mk1 Green board BJr too
Don't use the reverb much but its fine
Do you use the 'fat' switch ? I do and love that

The only mod I had done was the de-humming the reverb thing
(only applicable to the old green boards and doesn't change the tone anyway)

So its stock effectivly
When I took it to the Tech ( a mate anyway)
I said do not do the tone stack mod !!
Its great as it is

All that warm sound and 32lbs man , count em !

**jorgemg1984** · 04-20-2012, 08:07 PM

Yeah I guess it's a personal thing... too much bass and didn't solve the piercing highs for me. But for rock it's awesome! I actually liked the stock tone stack better. I changed the reverb on mine for a belton and it was the best mode I could have done!

**Retroman1969** · 04-20-2012, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by AlohaJoe

Yes, once you figure out the Vol/Master (not too hard) you can get a good sound unless you need ear-bleeding volume and like really heavy gear.

LOL! Yes, I currently have both vols. at (4) and for practicing at home even that is insanely loud. My other settings are:
Bass-11
Mid-8
Treb-3

I keep the 'fat' switch on, quickly realizing my preference there!

The reverb tank (not that I use reverb much) is shot on it anyway, so I'm going for a replacement. I'll check out your suggestions, thanks!
Otherwise, I don't see a need for mods for the time being. Pretty happy with it stock with the right settings.

Thanks for the additional comments!

**RSY** · 04-20-2012, 10:22 PM

Retroman:

What kind of Fender is that in the chair in your photo? I'm curious. Looks like it may be a Strat of some sort.

**ES350** · 04-20-2012, 10:29 PM

The green board versions are pretty warm, but the later ones can use some help. Get somebody to clip out the 100pF bright cap (it's always on...). BTW, those EL 84 tubes are run pretty hot in that amp, so turn it off whenever you're not using it.

**Flint** · 04-20-2012, 10:35 PM

I tried out the BJ for about a week. Nice sound, but just a bit too weak in the bass, so I thought it sounded thin. What I wanted was the HR Deville 410, but I couldn't lift it! So I compromised and got the HRD, which isn't too heavy to carry, has good bass response, and plenty of volume considering that any venue that needs more should have a PA system anyway.

**Retroman1969** · 04-21-2012, 12:27 AM

Ah, RSY, you're really observant! That's a 2009 American Standard Stratocaster in charcoal frost with the maple board. I'm more into archtops, but I have to admit I love that guitar!

ES350, I'll be sure not to leave it on for too long. It has had the tubes replaced for a different type, but they may run even hotter since they're intended to up the volume.

Flint, actually the first time I tried a BJ in a music store it sounded thin and bright to me too, so I forgot about them for a while. But then I started trying several in different shops and playing around a lot with the controls. I found many of them to sound really fat with good bass response, yet still that clarity Fender is known for. I decided that either i was figuring them out, or they're not all consistent.

**jorgemg1984** · 04-21-2012, 07:22 AM

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

LOL! Yes, I currently have both vols. at (4) and for practicing at home even that is insanely loud. My other settings are:
Bass-11
Mid-8
Treb-3

I keep the 'fat' switch on, quickly realizing my preference there!

The reverb tank (not that I use reverb much) is shot on it anyway, so I'm going for a replacement. I'll check out your suggestions, thanks!
Otherwise, I don't see a need for mods for the time being. Pretty happy with it stock with the right settings.

Thanks for the additional comments!

Just to clarify the reverb tank I choose had a much longer decay, probably closer to a hall digital delay than a traditional Fender spring. I like it but I am nor sure everyone will (I like it so much I took it out of the Blues Junior before I sold it and put it on my Fender M80 that I still have)

**marcwhy** · 04-21-2012, 08:45 AM

Tube amps? Welcome to the Dark Side! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!

Congrats on the amp! Have you been able to perform/rehearse with a band yet? I think amps in a bedroom vs. amps with a band are incredibly different, and performing is when you really notice what works (or not).

Tubes rule!

**Retroman1969** · 04-21-2012, 08:49 PM

LOL, thanks marcwhy! I don't play out with bands, just a hobby at home so far, but I know what you mean. It seems like this amp would get loud enough without distorting, and I got it from a jazz guitarist/music professor at the OCU music department here. He gigged with it successfully, but apparently decided SS amps were lighter and less hassle on gigs.

Jorgemg1984, you're right, if possible I should try out a few types of reverbs on existing amps before deciding what to install.

**AlsoRan** · 04-21-2012, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Retroman1969

Well I have wanted to own a tube amp for a while now, so I picked up a used Fender Blues Jr. that popped up on CL that was cheap enough to give it a try.
The previous owner supposedly put new tubes in it that are intended to increase volume and nearly eliminate breakup.
It has taken some getting used to, but so far I've noticed it is much, much louder and more dynamic than my cheapo 20w Crate SS amp. By comparison my old amp sounds sort of flat and muddy.
In other words, I really like it!

Now for the question...
I heard this addressed on another thread a while back but now can't find it: I used to leave my solid-state amp on all day so I could just grab the guitar and play whenever, without reaching over for the amp.
On a tube amp, is it better for tube life to just leave it on for the afternoon/evening, or to power it off and on several times a day when you want to grab the guitar?

Thanks in advance!

I'll say it again. You are one darn good photographer!