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Blues Junior or...
In the process of getting an amp for my son, who plays jazz and what passes these days for funk (Vulfpeck, Snarky P, Thundercat, etc). So we’re looking for inexpensive, clean and more warm than loud.
Did a trade for a Blues Jr (some kind of custom IV with a Celestion Greenback speaker) which had been modded with older tubes. One of the caps failed, so the trade was undone. For the short time he had the Blues Jr, the kid liked it. Since starting to look for a replacement, I’ve read some good things about the Peavey Classic 30, which I assume is a comparable amp. My question then, is; do any of you have experience with either or both? I’d love to know what you think, including any thoughts on reliability. Thanks. |
#2
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i would recommend first to take your son with his guitar and go to your local big box store and play thru as many as you can. you are testing for the right sound so you don't have to buy that day. once you know what is wanted, you can check for a used version of that amp or a sale in a store for that amp.
play music!
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2014 Martin 00015M 2009 Martin 0015M 2008 Martin HD28 2007 Martin 000-18GE 2006 Taylor 712 2006 Fender Parlor GDP100 1978 Fender F65 1968 Gibson B25-12N Various Electrics |
#3
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I had a Blues Jr (first year they were out I’m pretty sure) for about ten years. I liked it but I always thought it’s sweet spot was REALLY FREAKING LOUD! Sold it when we moved from a house with a pretty nearly soundproof basement into a condo with nothing that even slightly attenuated sound. Currently have a Roland Blues Cube Hot, which I love. There are three models - mine is the one voiced like a Marshall. Has a power circuit that allows me to play at half a watt for bedroom levels and turn it up to half or full power when the situation calls for it. Also have a little Blackstar HT1R which is a great sounding bedroom amp, but it really doesn’t get very loud, at least clean...
-Ray Last edited by raysachs; 02-24-2019 at 03:57 PM. |
#4
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Roland JC40 is the ticket. Not overly expensive or weighty, great cleans and takes pedals really well. The stereo chorus is just icing on the cake. You say your sonny is playing jazz and funk, but the two amps you speak of excell at the grind and dirtier tone side. I know i’m old, so it is very possible jazz and funk are played differently now.
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#5
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Quote:
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#6
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The Fender Blues Jr, now in the 4th edition, is good but not inexpensive. I managed to pick up a NOS 3rd edition known for clean and bright.
I would look at Monoprice and Bugera for lower price 15watt or less. |
#7
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Quote:
I currently have a Fender Blues Junior III Musician's Friend Custom with Jensen Alnico 12-inch speaker and two-tone Tolex covering. It sounds pretty nice but I don't play electric much so it just sits doing nothing.
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#8
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I recently got the Blues Jr Humboldt Hot Rod from Musicians Friend and it sounded much better than the B Jr III. Wood cabinet, cannibis rex speaker. They will knock some money off if you ask.
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#9
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Good luck in your search. If you end up with another Blues Junior, check out this site: http://billmaudio.com/wp/
I've had friends who have followed some of the advice and modifications to their Fender amps (specifically Blues Junior) from this website. One person in particular modified his Blues Junior per Bill M's advice, to increase clean head room. His amp sounds wonderful...and it's much lighter and more compact than his Deluxe Reverb.
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“Sometimes you have to play a long time to be able to play like yourself” — Miles Davis. |
#10
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Big fan of the Blues Junior but like others have said, a Roland amp might be the go.
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#11
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Se my post down below...N A D Monoprice 15w amp. Tube tone for 200 bucks or less.
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Free speech...its' not for everybody |
#12
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I probably should've mentioned that we're definitely looking for a tube amp, and not so much interested in any kind of modeling features.
Wish I knew how to quote multiple posts so I could respond to them specifically. Failing that; I don't have anything against solid state, so a Roland Cube and some of the other amps mentioned were good suggestions. It's just that we're kind of interested in what the Blues Jr "seems" to offer. And Livingston, thanks for the link to the mods page. The person we initially traded the Blues Jr from was somewhere along the road to becoming an amp expert - he is certainly keen to learn all he can about them - and very much into modding. He tracked down something online about the problem we experienced with the Blues Jr. Apparently it's a common issue. Not sure if his modifications had anything to do with it, though I suspect they didn't. Thanks all for the replies and suggestions so far (keep 'em coming). Still hoping to hear from someone who has something to say about the Peavey Classic. |
#13
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My previous Blues Junior III was well on its way to a decade of worry free service with the exception of the input jack which has plastic internals and should be upgraded. The way I avoided wear on it was always to have it plugged in with a cord.
I know the BJr is a popular modification platform but I remember someone talking about how they modified theirs so many times the back panel no longer held securely due to stripped threads. My philosophy is to leave well enough alone. Last edited by Jaden; 03-11-2019 at 06:12 PM. |
#14
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Definitely look at Rolands. JC and also the Blues Cube line of amps.
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Breedlove, Landola, a couple of electrics, and a guitar-shaped-object |
#15
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If it's a tube amp you desire, Reverb.com has twenty Peavey Valve King II 50's for sale. New and used from $250 to $600. Great clean and overdrive channels. Takes pedals really well. 1x12" combo, good reverb, really loud. All tube preamp and power amp. I've used it with a semi hollow jazzer and a pedal steel. Very versatile. Used they are $325. Not a big investment.
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