Big sounds in a small package
Written: Aug 14 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Portable, reliable, loud, user friendly
Cons: Poor reverb, average tone
The Bottom Line: Extremely portable and pretty versatile amp for a fair price. Highly recommended for those on a tight budget but want a decent amp.
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| bluesboy_g's Full Review: Fender S Junior |
The Fender Blues Junior looks like a small & simple amplifier. Well guess what...it is! But it's a potential diamond in the rough. Here's my take on this little work horse combo amp.
I bought my my Blues Jr. brand new in February 2002 for $600 Canadian. That converts to about $400 US. So my amp is a 2002 model and it was right out of the box when I bought it. I was the first and only person to play it.
The main reason that I bought this amp is because I wanted a loud amp in a portable package. The amp is roughly 16" x 18" x 10". It weighs in at around 30 pounds. So this makes for a very light and portable amp. The amp is 15 Watts. Some people say that's not loud enough for bars & clubs. They're wrong. The 15 Watts is plenty loud.
The amp's other features are; all tube (three 12ax7 pre-amp tubes and 2 EL84 power tubes), FAT switch, reverb, vintage "chicken head" knobs, footswitch jack, and treble, middle, bass, volume, master volume.
Pretty basic features right? Of course, but that suits my playing style. I play blues, rockabilly, jazz, 50's, 60's, funk, and a little country. You can get all of these sounds from this amp.
Okay. I have played this amp for 5-6 months at home and at many gigs. It has not let me down.
A typical gig for my band is to play at a mid-sized bar. Usually one that seats about 100 people. The Blues Junior has performed well in these venues. It's so loud that I do not need to crank my master volume past 4! I'm serious. My typical amp settings are Treble at 8-10, Middle at 8-10, Bass at 4-6, Volume at 9-11, and Master Volume at 3-4. I also have the "FAT" switch on for overdrive dirt. This setting cuts through the band's mix well (I play Telecaster guitars) and provides me with some great tone.
However, the Reverb on the Blues Junior is awful to my ears. To remedy this problem I bought my self an Electro Harmonix HOLY GRAIL reverb pedal. Wow! This combo works well making my Blues Junior sound like a mini Twin Reverb amp! Great sound & tone!
Some people like to change the tubes and speakers on their Blues Junior's in order to make it their dream amp which generates killer tone. If I had the money I would do the same. I would recommend modifying the Blues Junior because I think it would be more expensive to just my a higher level Fender amp such as a Twin Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, a Vibroverb, '59 Bassman Reissue. With a few modifications you can get an amazing and portable amp in the Blues Jr.
My biggest complain is that the stock reverb is not a typically great sounding Fender reverb tone. The stock Fender speaker is also a bit lacking in quality. When I use the stock reverb on the Blues Jr. I get a muddy sound. I think it's the combination of the poor reverb unit and the average speaker.
Overall though I am not disappointed in my purchase. The amp is pretty versatile for what you get. You can always add some effects pedals to shape the sound of the amp. For example, I use my TS-9 Tube Screamer overdrive pedal instead of the FAT switch. And if you use a good reverb pedal instead of the amp's stock reverb unit you will notice a pleasing difference.
The amp is very inexpensive considering what you get...a perfectly loud gigging amp that's highly portable and quite versatile. I would recommend buying a used one. That way you can get the amp and afford the necessary modifications you want...all for the cost of a brand new Blues Jr.
Great little combo amp Fender!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
bluesboy_g
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Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 1 member
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