Tube amp for small-medium sized gigs.

[pfflyer55]

Originally Posted by Steel and wood

Not sure about the Super Champ .... and I'm a big Fender amp fan.

I think the Blues Junior gives you a much more authentic Fender tube tone.

I have played both the BJ and SCX2 and the BJ is much better clean and the real spring reverb blows away the digital reverb on the SCX2. The bj has 5 tubes while the X2 has only 3.
Quite simply a better amp all around.

[otavio]

I find the BJ too much tweed. (just mids all over the place)
I much prefer the blackface tone sound of superchamp valv channel amps, like princeton, etcs...

[blue]

Originally Posted by otavio

I find the BJ too much tweed. (just mids all over the place)
I much prefer the blackface tone sound of superchamp valv channel amps, like princeton, etcs...

Too much tweed? I don't think there is such a thing... How about "Tweedier"

I agree it's hairier than a blackface. That's great when you want it. My big Fenders are blackface dual showman, and bandmasters, and my bedroom amp is champ, so I'm definitely in the clean camp normally. With a smaller amp trying to keep up in a big room a girthier tone can be just what the doctor ordered. For instance an unmodded strat on the bridge pickup (I never mod mine) through a clean fender will be heard, but do you necessarily want to hear a lot of it?

[brad2001]

A Silvertone 1471, at 5 watts is a nice little amp. We always miked it. My cab and speaker got trashed when a pipe burst in the basement, but the chassis is good. Imagine the surprise of opening the basement door to see your amp cab and best guitar floating in nearly 2 feet of water.

[The Old Gaffer]

Originally Posted by exterra1

I don't think he'll find neither the DRRI or the Princeton, unless they're worn out, for under $500.00, which is his ceiling limit.

Maybe, maybe not. I bought a used DRRI for $499 and a used PRRI for $450. I will admit that you don't see these prices every day.

[pfflyer55]

Originally Posted by otavio

I find the BJ too much tweed. (just mids all over the place)
I much prefer the blackface tone sound of superchamp valv channel amps, like princeton, etcs...

There is only 1 difference between the BJr and the BJr tweed besides the tweed finish and that is the speaker. My standard BJ has a 12" 50 Watt Celestion Lightning bolt for Fender, while the Tweed had a 12" 50 Watt Jenson for Fender. All the guts are Identical, The tweed has a much more dynamic sounding mid and base and the highs are crackly, my standard has a very crisp high, snappy mids and thumpy base! If I could justify it I would put in a 12" Cannibis Rex and warm it up a bit!

[wkgmusician]

The other great thing about the Fender Blues Jr. is that the BillM mods make for some really nice tone improvements.

I'm no electrician, but it was really easy to order the parts (with instructions!) from Bill M, and do them on my own.

www.billmaudio.com

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by pfflyer55

...If I could justify it I would put in a 12" Cannibis Rex and warm it up a bit!

Consider it justified - I put the big brother Swamp Thang in my Bugera V22, and it's gone from a Brit-voiced practice amp to a gigworthy monster that sounds like a 50-watt 2x12"...

[sbpark]

Originally Posted by roylor4

Well, I disagree about the AC10 not having the power for gigs. I just sent one back because there was something wrong with it (it was a demo, aka "return" - I found out why) - it had all the power I foresee needing. Keep in mind that we will be playing as a duo - no drummer, no bass. Just a guitar and blues harp.

I didn't hear and speaker flub or "fartiness" as it is sometimes called but didn't have it pushed real hard either.

Have you found the BJ to have more headroom than the Vox and other comparable amps in this wattage group? I haven't test driven one yet.

Thanks for the input.

Well, I'll disagree with you again, since the OP says he needs lots of headroom, and the AC10 does not have that.

I think the BJR definitely has more headroom. I also have an AC15C1 and that amp will break up pretty early. I don't have a BJR anymore. In addition to the AC15C! I have an old Princeton Reverb and old Silverface Champ that have been gone through component my component, solder joint by solder joint by a VERY well respected Princeton and Champ expert.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by sbpark

Well, I'll disagree with you again, since the OP says he needs lots of headroom, and the AC10 does not have that.

I think the BJR definitely has more headroom. I also have an AC15C1 and that amp will break up pretty early. I don't have a BJR anymore. In addition to the AC15C! I have an old Princeton Reverb and old Silverface Champ that have been gone through component my component, solder joint by solder joint by a VERY well respected Princeton and Champ expert.

Ummm - okay. Disagree all you want - but you realize that I AM THE OP, RIGHT???

Here is part of the original post: "I just sent back a Vox AC10. The tone and volume were enough to do what I need - sent it back because it had problems. I may get another, not sure right now. I will be playing blues w/slide in open G mostly but will use in Standard E too (eventually). I don't need a lot of headroom but would like some ability to play clean. I prefer simple and using volume and pickup selection to go dirty or a simple OD pedal. Channel switching isn't necessary."

It specifically says that I do not need a lot of clean headroom.

You want to correct me again about my own words?

I know what I need and the Vox will do it. Please also look at post #42. It kinda makes all this a moot point. No one seems to have noticed.

[myersbw]

Here's one more route to consider...if you're handy at either building a cab or transplanting it into a cheap Craigslist cab to keep the budget in order. About in line...?

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubP...a_Complete.htm

(I'd do this because I'm also a tinkerer, but the prices here are also for a completely built working chassis.) ?

[jseth]

Originally Posted by roylor4

Ummm - okay. Disagree all you want - but you realize that I AM THE OP, RIGHT???

Here is part of the original post: "I just sent back a Vox AC10. The tone and volume were enough to do what I need - sent it back because it had problems. I may get another, not sure right now. I will be playing blues w/slide in open G mostly but will use in Standard E too (eventually). I don't need a lot of headroom but would like some ability to play clean. I prefer simple and using volume and pickup selection to go dirty or a simple OD pedal. Channel switching isn't necessary."

It specifically says that I do not need a lot of clean headroom.

You want to correct me again about my own words?

I know what I need and the Vox will do it. Please also look at post #42. It kinda makes all this a moot point. No one seems to have noticed.

I just LOVE this reply! Just perfect, especially of late, as I keep seeing replies to threads where the writers have obviously not read all the replies before responding, not even the one or two on the last page!

This could be a "sticky"... Roy, you are my hero for keeping your response to this civilized and "nice"... I don't think I'd be able to do it!

I love how even THE VERY NEXT REPLY seems to not realize that the discussion is moot at this point...

People! God bless 'em...

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by jseth

I just LOVE this reply! Just perfect, especially of late, as I keep seeing replies to threads where the writers have obviously not read all the replies before responding, not even the one or two on the last page!

This could be a "sticky"... Roy, you are my hero for keeping your response to this civilized and "nice"... I don't think I'd be able to do it!

I love how even THE VERY NEXT REPLY seems to not realize that the discussion is moot at this point...

People! God bless 'em...

I think people get so wrapped up w/their own preferences and agendas that they just don't pay much attention to the original intent of the thread sometimes. It's all good - no worries. I did get some good suggestions and will keep them all under consideration.