Blues Junior IV vs Blues Junior Lacquered Tweed

Blues Junior IV: amzn.to/2wh4060
Blues Junior Lacquered Tweed: amzn.to/2EswcqI
I honestly love the sound of both these amps for different things. Let me know what you think?
PRS SE Custom 24: amzn.to/2VYp9Mx
My website
www.richbischoff.com
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[@RichBischoff]

Hey guys, Thanks for watching! Please remember to like and subscribe, and stop by Spotify to listen to some music. open.spotify.com/artist/3GoaK66hG2Al2gf6ync58b?si=L7XJVS7aTCWMPUMLTpFD3Q&dl_branch=1

[@sublyme2157]

This was extremely helpful, thanks. They both sound amazing, and it was nice to hear the differences.

[@kraftrichter1599]

This is the best amp comparison video I have ever seen. Thank you!

[@RichBischoff]

Welcome!

[@nsbomb]

I recently did the same shootout, there was no doubt for me, the Tweed was MUCH more to my taste. It sounds, full, sweet, bright (sparkling), ultimate sound for playing clean with much reverb at home. I have a Deluxe Reverb but I’m going to have to purchase a BJ as well.

[@robm1021]

Wow. This was a great review. Thanks Rich. I found myself saying, “yeah man the tweed”. Only to find myself saying a minute later, “oh no, it’s the IV for sure”! Bottom line ... I would be happy with either one of these amps. They are both pretty amazing. With that said, I ended going out and getting Blues Junior IV. Deciding factor ... deal just too good to pass up fell into my lap. Love the amp and the sounds. Have a Marshall solid state but the Blue Junior is my go to!

[@glassslide]

Great demo, both amps sound excellent, I think the Tweed has more character and is a bit more dynamic.

[@barrettwissell9708]

THIS is how you properly do a comparison ( panned ). Good job, you earned a sub and share and like.

[@KelsterVonShredster]

Great video! This was exactly what I was looking for...and it answered my questions.

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks!

[@sledgehammer80sband37]

Great video, shows the differences really well, thank you. :)

[@AthelstanEngland]

What a clever idea panning the amps. Also made me realise I'm going a bit deaf in my left ear!

[@NiekkieNick]

Same here! I listened to the demo with a pair of headphones. As soon as Rich changed from left to right I changed my headphone from left to right to compensate the difference between my ears! 😂

[@williamsporing1500]

Yea man…I’ve got fluid in the middle of my right…getting better but very slowly. It sucks lol

[@deanridings4402]

This is a great comparison. I've had the Junior IV for a while now and just traded my Marshall DSL 401 for a Tweed. Junior The tweed is definitely brighter, but I really like both of these amps.

[@danielhorsley2259]

Newish subscriber here great demo and great playing. I liked the tweed the most I own the blues jr iii and been gigging it for a few years I love it

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks man!

[@gigmandrew8975]

Thanks for this video. I like the sound of your Blues Junior 4 in this video. And I've never played through one but I recently bought a Tweed Blues Junior what's the Jensen c12n and I love the way it sounds. Not even sure if the speaker is broken in yet.

[@moimeme7839]

I know the overdrive on the 4 is awesome, the tweed has more clarity in that demo. I would try both before buying one. They seem both awesome amps

[@mauropatrile2272]

Queste sono le prove A/B che hanno senso e sono utili!! Grazie Rich!

[@michaeljordan6008]

You’re playing is great on both, really enjoyed it. I just prefer the IV over the Tweed. Maybe I’m not as big a fan of the Jensen speaker, not sure.

[@davidjones500]

The Mark IV sounds a lot fuller, with a more balanced EQ and fuller mids. More of a detailed, full, 'recording studio' type sound. However, the Lacquered Tweed has a more romantic, bluesy, imperfect and gritty sound. I think for my purposes of playing Hendrix style blues and jazz, I am going to go for the Lacquered tweed.

[@mboyer68]

I bought the LTD tweed yesterday eggs stayed up all night playing. My ears are ringing and I'm tired, it's 8:40am! My advice to anyone who already has a guitar who's thinking of buying another guitar who doesn't have a nice amp...BUY THE AMP!!! I'm absolutely in love again with my guitars now that I have a killer amp to play through. It's so f#cking LOUD I can't believe it! I mean...It's actually painful above 4..and the knobs go to 12! Any of the Fender Blues Junior version will work, new, used, whatever. Just buy a nice amp and skip the guitar, you'll be so happy you did!

[@henriquelhrf]

mkIV?

[@alisonwallace3395]

Hey Rick, I'm a fan of the tweed , I love the brightness + the very wet reverb , mine handles peddles very well , with an EQ it is very versatile, I have no problems dialling in the tone I need , I love my tweed 🎸😘💕

[@ethanrogers2429]

helped so much, thinking tweed. thank you

[@micheleschenetti7791]

The IV sounds more "sterile" to me, much more character in the Tweed. Never thought there would be so much of a difference tho, both are great amp

[@damiankacprzak6211]

Great Blues Junior comparison 🤘

[@BodyjailedBlues06]

The tweed is my choice definitely 🎸🎸🎸🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@1willywonker]

This is interesting sounds like they take pedals quite nicely i have the tweed one ive not tried it with pedals yet after hearing this im gonna give it a go Thanks man love it, great tones sounds

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks Greg Happy New Year!

[@1willywonker]

@@RichBischoff Thanks same to you Lots more vids

[@olivla7440]

Very good job man

[@rickk1235]

By coincidence I listened to these exact two amps today at my local guitar store. I really like the fullness of the Blues Jr. IV. However, for surf music I think the Tweed would sound better. At lower volumes though I really like the Blues Jr. IV as it sounds more "real" and full. I think, and I know nothing, that the Blues Jr. would be a more versatile amp covering more genres.

[@altmanmitch]

Interesting - with the same settings, I want the Junior Reverb turned up and the Tweed Reverb turned down. Great review, thank you.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Fender revoiced the Reverb on the 4 so that it's more progressive. So putting the knobs at the same level makes no sense for comparing them. They are just not at the same level of presence in the circuit..

[@RichBischoff]

But that's exactly how you would compare them to show how they are different.

[@deddiev1718]

Played a guild blues bird through the tweed and it’s magical

[@gigmandrew8975]

My Tweed came with Groove Tube JJ ecc83 in V1 and V2 and a Groove Tube electro-harmonix 12at7 in V3.

[@mostyles328]

I think fender removed the “fender sound” out of the mark IV series. Thanks for the demo!

[@oscarduan2933]

The IV is perfect for jazz.

[@TeensierPython]

I’m also drawn to both of these!!

[@jfar3340]

A lot of the difference comes from th e fact that the reverb is a lot more 'progressive' on BJIV; it increases by smaller increments. So if the knobs have exactly the same position, reverb 3 is like reverb 0.5-1 on tweed; thats why theres such a big difference between the 2.

[@ignacioibanez6138]

I have a tweed with the celestion A type of the black iV, it’s best of both, give the tweed a warmer sound taking off the harshness and ice pick highs of the jensen and giving a full body sound without loosing the heart voice of this model, the IV sound very different as is voice different and the reverb is taken from different stage of the circuit colder biased, the SE is cathode bias, tweed is best with the right speaker

[@steveaustin4565]

I bought the BJ4 with the Eminence Red, White and Blues already installed from Sweetwater in a laquered tweed cabinet. I also have a heavily modded BJ1 (BillM Mods) with a Texas Heat speaker and I have to say the Sweetwater amp sounds better than my old one. Not only does the RWB kick out some great lows, none of the highs are sacrificed like they are in the modded one. If you're looking for a killer amp right out of the box this one is it. Incidentally they also make a tooled leather BJ4 with the Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker too for the same price. We'll see how it sounds as the speaker breaks in but right now its pretty awesome as it is and the tweed is icing on the cake.

[@gunkanjima3408]

That’s the Sweetwater exclusive, right? Tweed with the black control panel. I had to sell my BJ4 a year and a half ago and I absolutely hated the natural overdrive. I’ve been thinking about going for the tweed this time around but man it’s tough trying to figure it all out. The BJ4 also didn’t have impressive lows

[@bwall615]

I’m really happy to hear that. I just ordered the Sweetwater Exclusive yesterday. Can’t wait to get it in.

[@steveaustin4565]

@@gunkanjima3408 That is the same amp. I contacted Fender and was told that they make the modded BJ's. Sweetwater ordered the amp under the contract in several different configurations and speaker options. As far as my amp (Tweed), Fender packaged the BJ4 amp with one of their tweed cabinets and the Red White and Blues Speaker. Other options are available as you can see on the Sweetwater site and only available through Sweetwater. Its the nearest thing to a Fender custom amp you're going from Fender without paying over 2 grand. I am very happy with it as I play it every week at gigs and have done so since I got it 4 years ago. Most of the time it is too loud for the room and the sound guys always complain. I put it on the floor and tilt it back with the chrome fender legs I added and the sound shoots right over the crowd. About a month in I had a volume issue with it and contacted Sweetwater and they sent me to an authorized Fender repair in my area with a work order number. It ended up being a few cold solder joints so they resoldered every connection in the amp. The only thing it cost me was the gas to drop it off and pick it up and they had it done inside of a week. Its performed flawlessly since. I personaly think the RWB speaker enhances the lows over the stock speaker. I have no complaints at all with it in either sound or tone response or durability. Don';t confuse this BJ4 Tweed with the original Laquered Tweed with BJ 1 amp. They are not the same. The original has a modified preamp circuit which gives more crunch and warmth. Its tone and circuits with just that is different from the original BJ1.

[@sixbladeknife44]

Have owned both of these, the Tweed with the Jensen is a much better sounding amp.

[@fartzerelli1385]

And with a Texas Heat speaker swap, even better!

[@spacepodi]

Not in this clip it wasn’t however

[@skadesignetcetera]

True.

[@marcoscortelazzo]

Is it possible to put an externa cabinet?

[@JG-ux7of]

The Lacquered Tweed wins by a mile! It has such a glassy articulate tone. If you're a sloppy player, the Black Tolex would probably hide some of it better but you're not a sloppy player so the Tweed is the obvious choice.

[@mattgilbert7347]

Hmm. Maybe I should switch to the IV. :D

[@PFB1994]

Love and own the Lacquered Tweed version for a while. It was probably only the III version when I thought I Needed to go to a 15 watt amp, tried several BJ III and was not really into it. Then came across and demoed a LT version and bought on the spot. Much better. And from this demo, I'd still say it is the better sounding amp to me.

[@pinkiewerewolf]

For my preference, I like the IV over the Tweed III. The fuller sound always sounds better to my ear unless a country or surf riff is being played.

[@davidwahl3136]

Jensen's ceramic speakers have been voiced mostly to sound like original alnicos whereas Celestions are more modern sounding and probably more versatile and open to various genders of music. But if you're a blues classic rock addict, Jensens are the holly grail to me especially with single coils or underwounded pickups (they get muddy with high output). Less obsession for bass then nowadays, more note definition and so shimmy highs. Love them to bits. Lol. Interesting video as always proving once more that speakers more than amps are an essential key to tone quest. Cheers

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Have Celestion G10s and clean they sound like someone spray glued the cones. With fuzz they sound like cold bacon grease dropped in a hot pan. I have Jensens and they sound loose, jammy, and musical.

[@DLee1100s]

I did a A to B comparison in the shop between these two and brought home the Tweed. The Mark IV sounded too clinical.

[@Fadetoz]

I tried a few of the black Blues Juniors and some the reverb didn't work at all. Something is just flaky with the reverb on some I think. I have the Tweed version and it's awesome.

[@1willywonker]

the tweed amp sounds like its singing to you

[@metalfuryskulls]

Would be great to hear a new comparison using the IV tweed against the IV black. Have watched a few of these and it seems the black one is better if you use pedals and the tweed one is better when using on it's own.

[@pseaman5]

So glad I found this, its exactly what I needed! Really did not expect they would sound that different, so great work all around demoing them both. Quick question (and sorry if you've already talked about it somewhere else) but did you slap a Fender neck on a Squier Tele? That antique burst finish (or at least that's what it looks like to me) is one of my all-time favorites, had it on my first Squier Jazz bass but I've only found it on Squiers so I was just curious. Either way thanks :)

[@RichBischoff]

It's not even a Fender Neck. Just some neck I bought on amazon. The body is a squier.

[@enakki]

many thanks for this comparison. I'm still 'confused' as I'd like to choose one of these. I like cleans of tweed but overdriven tones are much more pleasant from IV. Yes jensen does a lot of job for the clean tone. I'm wondering if circuit in tweed has been modified as well like mk IV or it is still the same as mk III . btw stereo mix sounds nice but as the comparison (what is the main topic of this video is pointless) but nice job anyway.

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks man! I think the tweed is voiced like the three. Dont quote me on that. Yeah, the stereo thing i thought would be cool because I've known some guys who like to run two of these on stage. I thought they'd would sound good together. Thanks for watching!

[@mitsterful]

The tweed sounds more 'open' for some reason, less 'box-y' than the IV. I would want the IV for darker tones but I think overall the tweed has an openness and live feeling to it that I like.

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks, Agreed!

[@Bill-se4gr]

Nice demo. What were the settings for the amps when playing Tele and no drive pedal (volume, eq’s, reverb, master)? Thanks!

[@RichBischoff]

Volume was like 2, Eqs were at noon, reverb was like 3, from what I can remember.

[@rodolphep0nthus555]

Fender revoiced the Reverb knob on the Blues Junior 4 so that it is more progressive. Therefore in your demo, since you set the 2 amps equally, the reverb is way more present on the Ltd Laquer which is still the III version

[@jamieskillman6972]

I have a BJ limited in tweed and the BJ 4 with the RWB speaker there both great so I have kept both, and in wet dry rig amazing. Also stero, between both there are so many options.

[@4bradm]

How would you compare the Red White and Blues speaker to the Jensen? Which would you recommend?

[@jamieskillman6972]

@@4bradm I like the red white and blue, I have a Cannabis Rex in a prinston that is also very good

[@4bradm]

@@jamieskillman6972 Thank you for your input, I appreciate it.

[@christophervincent8420]

The tweed seems to sound better with the OD pedal.

[@mustafaaks2737]

Gonna buy tweed

[@MMN19906]

blues junior 4, it's a better rock sound for me

[@Prajnana]

Recently played a tweed III at GC (with a Strat) and its clean tones (at moderate volume) blew away the two IVs they had - both sounded dark, and muted, plus their reverbs were blah. What was Fender ever thinking by mucking with the III? If you want a 15W tube amp with good distortion buy a BB15.

[@firmandarussalam]

What is BB15?

[@RichBischoff]

@firmandarussalam Bass Breaker.

[@gregs8685]

I preferred the Tweed in every mode.

[@patrickdolan.]

Put a swamp thang speaker in the IV and get the best of both

[@elvan12581]

Don't know about the amps but that PRS though ;)

[@justvandenboogaard4191]

The Tweed sounds Fender, warm, sparkling... The IV is very straight, closer to a Marshal Studio Classic with a reverb.

[@mattmanley7118]

Cleans on mklll tweed are better imo love mine. I don't like the darker tone the mk 4

[@fullmoonfool]

Might be time to do a speaker swap in my black VI

[@SouthMeckStunna]

Tweed all day

[@edwinmartinez9787]

Have both great amps but they serve a different purpose on what you play. I like Santana so for me the blues Jr does it not the tweed. Also not a fan of helix I'm old fashion regular pedals friend have it and they love it but as usual playing is great and demo

[@MatzeMaulwurf]

But what *is* the difference between them? I believe the speaker, but also the schematic or some component?

[@margovallen]

Tweed is superior.. IMO. Albeit you don't have the tones matched.. in spite of the amp settings. Tweed is brighter, clearer and more pristine in tone. The IV is darker in tone.. much less lively and not nearly as exciting nor inspirational.

[@doonilevitin]

Didn’t you guys feel that the tweed amp hurts the ears after a while?

[@blakewright9649]

I just bought a vox ac10 in tan and black, but am also loving this demo. Which would you prefer and why?

[@RichBischoff]

I feel like those little vox amps are similar to the blues Jr, but I seem to remember liking the vox tone on those small amps a little more.

[@doonilevitin]

I have both pro junior. I think the tweed is more bluesy and interesting However even having the tone at mine ocklock, I feel some pain in the ears from the high frequencies

[@stevewalsh5479]

Great chops, but it seems you had heavy verb on the tweed and the IV was dry. Also they were mic'ed differently, no? Tweed looks like you were at the edge of the cone and on the IV, the center.

[@RichBischoff]

If you watched the whole video I talk about both. They were micd the same. Reverb set the same. The IV just sounds different.

[@BrandonKJohnson]

P.s. speaker placement IN CABINET may be different too . . . So to us on the front side of the amp it doesn't look the same.

[@shawnreese6538]

Boid's the woid!

[@cmkilcullen8176]

reverb more present on the tweed to my ears, yes...mark 4 is tighter all the way around...

[@dangitdan9938]

Always the tweed brother.

[@sooparticular]

fantastic as usual! is that a standars usa tele? or mexican?? thanks

[@RichBischoff]

Parts caster. I got the neck on Amazon, the body is a Squier body, I bought on ebay, and I think alnico pickups.

[@sooparticular]

@@RichBischoff thanks Rich greetings from nyc!

[@thematrix7225]

Is this the BJ3 or BJ4 version of the tweed?

[@davidbarlow431]

To me the mark IV sounds like a modelling amp trying to voice a mark III. The tweed sounds much more 'real'. But honestly, I think the old III was better. I get what Fender have tried to do, tightening up the bass etc. but in doing so I think the amp lost a lot of its mojo.

[@Kokopellli]

Is the tweed the one that called NOS limited edition?

[@rjsvids]

Rich Bischoff , what pedal do you use in this video, distortion pedal off course

[@RichBischoff]

It's the tube screamer copy in Helix.

[@rjsvids]

@@RichBischoff Line 6 Helix Multi-Effects ?

[@RichBischoff]

@@rjsvids yup

[@mattgilbert7347]

Great demo, loved the stereo spread with those delays. Subbed :) Both have their good points. I have the Tweed Mk.3 and get good results using the "master volume trick" and with my Bassbreaker15 combo, I have a nice stereo or (my preference), wet/dry rig with the Jnr as my wet amp (more headroom than the BB15). running a germanium Fuzz, T-Rex Comp Nova, MI Boost n Buff, Tubescreamer, Tapestry Fab Suisse and/or Hotcake (depending on my mood lol ) then stacking either of those ODs into a Tumnus, RC Booster or just a Boss Ge-7. It can handle a Muff as well if you tweak the pedal, amp, and set up the Ge-7 or booster "just so" then drive the Muff with a BD-2. Fat switch on. Gonna swap out the Jensen for a Cannabis Rex at some point. If I am just using the Tweed jnr. on its own, gain-staging with a TS9>SD-1>BD-2 is the business! Just got a new stereo chorus, Maxon ASX-10. Can't wait to try it with these amps, as it's true stereo, not a vibrato/dry like a Boss CH-1 or similar.

[@RichBischoff]

Thanks Matt.

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@RichBischoff Thanks Rich?

[@philippweritz6011]

what is the master volume trick?

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@philippweritz6011 Ok Turn both your preamp volume and master to zero. Turn your master as high as possible. 8-11 is a good sweet spot. Gradually raise the preamp volume until your happy with the clean tone. This basically means that you are using the volume as a de facto master. It really opens up the amp. There's videos on KZbin showing how this alters the response and tone of the juniors.

[@mattgilbert7347]

@@philippweritz6011 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmqkZ2Z8i9alobs

[@Nicolas.440]

I prefer the IV, sounds fatter to me.

[@charlesm7646]

What pedal did you use for the distortion?

[@RichBischoff]

Klon clone from the helix line 6.

[@pablofichaje]

Tweed sounds a lot better for me

[@shewh0rn]

I would venture a guess that the Tweed has a regular pot, and the IV has an audio taper pot on the verb.

[@BITESIZEJONES]

Both sound good to me. Two very useable tones. The amp is only as good as the player blowing through it.

[@josephthompson6942]

Man if they could get that dirty sound from the lV into the tweed that would be the perfect amp. I like cleans so I will go with the tweed but I just wish it had those dirty tones. Is there a pedal that would help me out in that area?

[@RichBischoff]

I'd get any Marshall in a box pedal. Like the Wampler plexi drive or something.

[@josephthompson6942]

@@RichBischoff ok thanks for responding not everyone does

[@RichBischoff]

@@josephthompson6942 I try

[@yanblondin7490]

And even better than those 2, traynor ygl-1, by far

[@mikecorey8370]

The Tweed for cleans and the 4 for dirt. Still don't like the reverb in either one.

[@deddiev1718]

Which one sounds less boxy that’s important

[@oldschoolprepper2273]

Tweed

[@jettrohugoherrera3696]

settings?

[@bassiclogic]

Why the volume difference? The wattage are the same! I call this BS!

[@NiekkieNick]

I own a Fender Mustang III V2 modelling amp and it is great amp for the money! At low volumes the sound isn't bad at all and you can play with this amp on volume levels without p*ssing of the neighbors. It want to upgrade to a tube amp, but not sure if a small tube like the ones you have reviewed aren't to loud for home practicing. The Blues Junior IV has a master volume control and the other amp not. What is your opinion? Will one of these amps be a good choice for home practicing?

[@RichBischoff]

I didn't feel like they where crazy loud. Especially if you use pedals, and turn down the volume on your pedals. You can get them pretty quiet.

[@NiekkieNick]

@@RichBischoff Thanks! I think the Blues Junior IV has the advantage of the master volume control. It also has reverb. The Mustang III that I own has a ton of effects in it, but I only prefer clean sound and some with some slight distortion. A tube amp has more character!

[@RogerThat902]

@@NiekkieNick I hope you bought it by not, but the tweed has a master and reverb. Not sure if I understand. And it depends what you are going for. If you play clean mostly or get dirt from pedals this thing is easily to play. You might not be able to enjoy it at night on a week day, but I would hesitate to have a solid state playing at that time and that's what headphones are for. Otherwise, you can definitely play it during the day no problem. It's a great amp. And if you are gigging it's really great size to take and due to lower watts you can play most gigs and get that cranked tube sound. It really is an amazing amp. Added bonus that the tweed looks interesting enough that you can keep it in the living room and not get yelled at by the wife lol

[@surfinjim]

I also prefer t8tweed (purchased it a few days ago before watching this video). I don't understand why it's literally destroyed on a lot of guitar communities!???

[@john-zw9rw]

Greenback, AU7'S, pull the reverb v3...........ahh !!!!!!!

[@angel_7544]

el sonido del back tiene mas cuerpo, en cambio en el tweed suena mas agudo, solo le gana en reverberación

[@gordonpatterson44]

You say they are the same settings. It would have been good if you showed us this. They sound so different. Tweed is way louder and lots more reverb. I bought a tweed new last year and love it. After having a Marshall jcm800 combo for years. I feel like I always had the wrong amp and should've always had a junior.

[@RichBischoff]

Trust me, same settings.

[@guy6567]

i cant decide :'(

[@ProzKhmer]

The Junior tweet has cleaner sound. The Junior iV has darker , slightly more distorted sound, and a little louder.

[@mabul513]

One minute one sounds emptyish then other does. Unless my earphones are faulty..

[@RichBischoff]

Ones panned a little left, the other right.

[@mabul513]

@@RichBischoff i know it was sometimes oh that one then no the other... in ? nicest sound.

[@abetteryou2025]

speaker size in both?

[@RichBischoff]

12 inch

[@DENIEL381]

THEY BOTH WOULD SOUND BETTER WITH A CELESTION SPEAKER UPGRADE PERIOD.

[@hlrgrr66]

You need to break out that 5 what fender and plug a strat into it and play some good blues.30 minutes worth lol..thanks in advance.