Change your Fender Blues Junior III Speaker

This video guide will show you how easy it is to change a Fender Blues Jr III Speaker. This also applies to any and all older versions Blues Jr amplifier. If you like the sound of your Blues Junior then you will not need to do anything because the stock speakers are fine but if you want to experiment with tone then change your speaker, don't waste your money on Tubes unless they are faulty, you will hardly hear any difference.
Check out the amp and speakers here:
► Sweetwater - imp.i114863.ne...
► Thomann - bit.ly/3jM7T9A
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This Gold Limited Edition FSR Blues Jr comes stock with a Celestion Greenback so I decided to try out a WGS ET-65 Speaker which is the same brand and power rating as a speaker I had in my Two-Rock Studio Pro 22 Cabinet. WGS make a great selection of American made speakers and I wanted something was a little thicker sounding while still having nice clarity in the highs and more low end - this seemed like the perfect choice.
This instructional video will show you how easy I swapped out the stock speaker in the Blues Jr III with the new speaker.
If you want to find out more about WGS ET-65 Speakers please click here - wgs4.com/conte... ‎
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[@jamesjackson7598]

Thanks, just switched mine after watching this, been watching your videos for at least, 15 years, your playing has greatly improved over the years, keep it up

[@tbone55]

After watching your video I swapped out my stock Fender speaker by Eminence in my U.S.A. made Tolex Blues Junior for a Jensen C12N speaker with no problems at all in about 10 minutes. The difference in the two speakers is amazing, giving me more bottom end and a full bodied, more mellow sound that is less shrill at the top. Thanks....

[@jeandanieldupuis]

want!

[@bluesrocker91]

I've done it couple of times now with my Hot Rod Deluxe... I found the easiest way is to take one side's screw out, turn the cab on its side, and remove the other side screws... Then take the two top screws out. This way you don't have to worry about it dropping onto the speaker. Makes it easier to put it back together again too, since you don't have to hold the weight of the chasis in one hand. Nice to see that the Blues Junior's reverb tank is properly bolted down, with the plugs easy to get at... On the Hot Rod Deluxe it sits a piece of cardboard, inside a vinyl bag which is screwed to the cab. You have to remove it when changing the speaker since the plugs are inside the bag... Fender could make it so much easier by just having a single plug, that could be unplugged directly from the chasis.

[@ivanposa8101]

Just bought a Limited Edition BJ 4. Replaced the speaker with an Eminence Red White and blue speaker and put in a Soviet 5751 tube in Preamp tube 1 position. Wow, what a difference, smooth as silk.

[@jonmorris9645]

I've learned when watching videos from down under to turn my tablet upside down. Seems to work better.

[@wouter5656]

Great instruction video! Makes it dead easy and prevents me from making stupid mistakes! Thanks a lot Shane.

[@jensk4140]

Your playing makes it even better!

[@maq15963]

HI Shane, Just getting ready to exchange the speaker in by NOS Blues Jr. This particular one I bought used and has a lot of the Bill M mods. All of the controls are much more responsive. Though I haven't quite figured out how to use the Presence adjustment. Love the standby switch, and the Reverb is much more adjustable. I'm hoping my Canibis Rex speaker will give it the sound I''ve been looking for. I googled , "how to change a Fender Blues Jr speaker and your you tube video showed up. Very nicely done. I probably would have taken out all the screws to remove the entire back etc. You saved me a lot of time. Thanks a lot Shane. Have a great day.

[@baldguy4]

So helpful! You inspired me to upgrade the speaker in my standard Blues Jr III...I went with an Eminence Swamp Thang, which I just installed, and it sounds AMAZING. 🙌🏽 Thank you for posting! 🙏🏼

[@dagnabbit3383]

Super cool video. I'm waiting for a jensen C12N8 to arrive any day now and I feel like I can change it out with my eyes closed now. Thank you so much.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

Just picked up my first USA made Blues Jr. and have not even explored those sounds yet but this was great info for future swap. Thanks!

[@landonbailey]

This oldie came up after your Tonker video. That's a great place to keep your green screen when not in use! 😁🎸😋👍

[@ArtDonna84]

Thanks Shane for the easy to follow change out as I am getting ready to change my speaker out as soon as it arrives.

[@frantisca]

Hi Shane, IMO tubes can make a big difference. I recently re-tubed a Brunetti MC2 and switched from JJ EL-84's to EHX. The Electro-harmonix make a huge difference: the JJ's are darker and tend to breakup earlier, The EXH are much clearer and give a larger headroom to the amp. Additionally, I installed a Celestion G12T75 instead of the Vintage 30, that I kept as a secondary speaker in a cabinet I stack it over. The sound of both mixed rocks ! Finally, I changed the preamp valves and used a 5751 instead of the original 12AX7, put on a Telefunken on the clear channel and some premium Sovtek on the driver. The result is STUNNING :) Cristal-clear clean sound, lots of headroom, deadly crunch and lead tones... love it ! Cheers Shane, keep on the great demo videos \m/

[@anthonyderosa7730]

Was looking for a new tube to do exactly what you said in my blues junior. Your comment went to good use lol thank you ill check em out

[@dinofond]

I'm not sure about version III but on the original US made blues Junior trying to put the chassis back in why the speaker is front side down it's just impossible! For those of you that are trying this on a US made blues Junior, tip the amp up so the handle is on the bottom and put the chassis back in in that position. It will save you a lot of time and a lot of curse words believe me. Thanks for the great video it was super helpful

[@anthonyderosa7730]

For the newer ones, they made it easy to mod.

[@Jakal-pw8yq]

Boy that speaker change made all the difference in the world! That's going to be my next little project. I do however disagree with you on the topic of tubes and being able to discern the difference in them from one tube to another. My example would be my Dr Z Maz18 Junior which runs el84s or PN14 in the power section and 12 ax7 or ecc83 in the preamp section. I'm a tube nerd and I installed a true NOS pair of 1961 mullard el84s in the power section and I put a Telefunken ecc83 in the V1 socket and true NOS mullard ecc83 in the remainder of the preamp sockets. The difference was night and day. Particularly with that Telefunken in the v one socket. I got far more Headroom and Clarity which some people may or may not like. I actually didn't care for it because it was too clean so I put a true NOS mullard ecc83 Circa 1963 in the V1 socket and presto! It was the tone I looking for! Very warm and a very creamy and organic breakup that has to be heard to be believed. So yes speakers make a huge difference but don't discount the fact that tubes make an equal difference. You just have to be willing to experiment, shell out the extra dollars for true NOS which are getting hard to find and very expensive but in my opinion well worth it. I hope maybe that answers some questions and might help some of us further down the road in our quest for tone!!

[@nickf9392]

Don't change the speaker, just take it out and save it for another project. Then get a quality extension cab of your liking. This makes the Blues Jr an outstanding and easy to use amp. I paired it with a Boss OD pedal and this thing totally kicks ass.

[@bishlap]

jeez.. that was worth wait, and the speaker is worth its WEIGHT... Thank You, ladies and Gentleman, GOODNIGHT.

[@tomrickman6131]

Your Blues Jr. Sounds freakin awesome. I'm going to pick one up today or tomorrow. Just waiting for a phone call from the seller. Getting it for 300 bucks, it's like new condition. I value your opinion Share, thanks for another informative video...

[@intheblues]

Thanks for the nice comments mate. The more people share my videos the faster it grows. :) Thanks and all the best.

[@teza75]

Great vid thanks, just one thing not all speakers fit the cabinet, so make sure guys before buying. For my Blues Junior I wanted a Weber alnico, but I had to change the cabinet. For information, Watford Valves do some awesome one in tweed finish. A good address to find new valves for your amp as well, like the very JJ or others. Thanks for the vid.

[@ingraeb]

did you have to solder to the new speaker? I want to do this but I don't have a soldering iron.

[@Aljoshaaa]

nice demo Shane, thnxx for posting :))) cool playing and pretty nice sound

[@froidevalian]

Thank you for this video! It allowed me to change the original speaker against a Jensen and this safely thanks to you! Thank you!

[@dusanvainer8983]

Hi Shane, thanks for the video. Is the amp louder after the speaker was changed?

[@stevengriffin1676]

I was thinking as you took the old speaker out you should have taken the "harness" off it and ready to put on before you mounted the amp back in and plug the lead in while you had room. Yes, past experience has taught me "lots" from my mistakes!

[@intheblues]

Hey man, thanks. Yeah that's a live clip from a sound check at a gig - we were just noodling around getting levels etc. :-) Thanks for the comments mate.

[@howlcoproductionhdfi]

Did you forget to plug in speaker … I heard it helps!

[@thunderberg]

Shane. I have a few stock peavey Sheffield’s from red stripe bandits laying around and wondered if you have tried throwing one in the BJr. What are your thoughts?. Is it similar to any of the current eminence offerings? Thanks

[@nicestrat]

"every time I do this I tell myself I need to get a power drill".....how often do you do this?.....

[@anthonyderosa7730]

Man that speaker sounded clean

[@javiceres]

I used to have a MKII Blues Jr with all the Bill M infamous mods, stock speaker tough. This seems to sound A LOT nicer... I'm really impressed...

[@Mark70609]

Javi G why the infamous Bill M mods, I have listened to a modded amp and a stock BJ and the Bill M modded amp sounds better. The size of the output transformer on these amps is tiny too, Bill M developed an output transformer to get a better bass response too.

[@Official_Cyberwolf_Ledgic]

@intheblues which speaker would you recommend for putting into the blues junior 3 if I’m playing both SRV and 80’s Clapton, Swamp Thang, Texas Heat or the ET65 speaker?. (I own a Blues Junior 3 & play a Clapton Strat through it).

[@giuseppegricia]

the new cone sounds really good!

[@tjnugent62]

How does it sound when you put some juice behind it? The clean is amazing... Do you still use this configuration?

[@buska100]

Thanks Heaps for this Vid Shane. I just put a Lorantz 75watt Greenback clone in My Amp and following Your Vid step by step made it a very simple procedure. Cheers Mate

[@kylekitmartinez9938]

Doesn't holding the chasis give u an electric shock?(the metal back part) Keeping the back cover is genius tho, less work & less danger from the inside. Thanks for that tip!

[@Distantfieldproductions]

Cool video, thanks for posting. Love the Blues Junior.

[@ed1978ed]

haha, I took the rear cover off, too :)). This is by far my favorite speaker, really great. Glad you like it!

[@playmovingpictures]

Does the amp have enough depth to handle the new speaker 100% volume? Nice playing and do you really notice more sound depth quality?

[@utsabgurung5930]

Hey Shane, is there is any risk of electrocution while changing the speakers the same way u did (without opening the chassis). I was wondering if there are any places where ur not supposed to touch besides the capacitors which is inside the chassis.

[@marksutherby770]

Sounds very great I am putting in a vintage 30 in my blues Jr

[@MP40meatballTR]

Have you replaced the panel where the knobs are? The black panel and old school fender diamond light came with the Blues Junior IV as far as I remember

[@ebandcamp]

I have the blues jr. Type iv limited edition ( exclusive to Sweetwater music western tolex is embossed with leaves it’s gorgeous ) And it has a “Cannabis Rex “ speaker . So far I’m enjoying it but may swap it out someday ?

[@Psekupsrock]

now it's Blues Junior IV -)

[@intheblues]

Yep! I did the same thing with a Blues Deluxe as well :-)

[@elij.doummar4623]

Was changing the mustangIII speaker as straight forward as the blues junior ? ie, just plugging a jack ? or is there any soldering ?

[@JohnHorneGuitar]

What about breaking in the speaker? Do you feel that impacts the tone? My amp guys says this needs to be done.

[@hash_bandicoot2]

Hey, would you recommend a Fender Blues Junior IV or a Marshall DSL20C considering the Marshall is $500 cheaper in New Zealand

[@sonnylee630]

I have 2 100 watt Frontman Fender amps. I'm planning to mod them with these speakers and maybe combine them with Veteran 30 speakers. What do you think? Thank you.

[@Qstick333]

I've never changed a speaker before. what do you have to do to attach the plug wire to the speaker ? how hard is it to remove the wires from the old speaker ?

[@kjguitarman]

Warm, wide dynamic range sound. Highlight of this video is the sweet Steely Dan riffs in the background! Is that you?

[@theendofacircle]

Great video! I always wished the blues jr was available in a mini head. Fender never really hopped on the bandwagon with the lunchbox amps

[@lorenzorizzello4414]

Did you try the et90? If so what were your impressions? Does it fit in the cab?

[@kenaiello4851]

Those sticky cushion things that go around the speaker is just extra's? just got one for my dsl 40:)

[@thegolfnut812]

Do the BillM mods and change the speaker transformer. Makes a huge difference in this amp.

[@intheblues]

Thanks - that was a sound check at one of my gigs :-)

[@RyanJCherry]

Is this the same procedure for replacing a Blues Deluxe? I don't want to have to take the tubes off if I don't have to.

[@marcuspsico9261]

hello. I have followed your videos, and how you have a fender blues junior tweed and decided to change the speaker by warehouse et 65. the speaker is perfect to clean, but it was dirty and matted with pedals. what you say? Thanks

[@rocco777777]

It sounds amazing! What would be your recommended speaker upgrade for a Peavey Classic 30?

[@TheParanoidAndroid79]

Hi Shane. Great tone. Do you recall how you had the amp set at the end of the video? Thanks.

[@annonuhm617]

What did he do with those foam stickers he took out of the box last? They are included with every WGS speaker but people in the tutorial videos don't use them.

[@bryanthevanayagam7472]

Can you guys make this same video except for a Deluxe Reverb? I think I've figured it out but it took a while and I imagine it would help others too.

[@yur1bgw9i]

Shane....this is Billy down in Texas. Hey, I see you have changed out several speakers in the past few years in all of your Fender combos....you swapped for a Warehouse Guitar Speaker ET65 in your Blues Junior, then an Eminence Swamp Thing, you used a Lorantz 12" as well.....out of all these, which ones are you still using today??? Have you found anything else that you like??? Thanks so much Shane!!!! - Billy in Texas

[@intheblues]

Billy Pope The ET-65 is a nice speaker but it didn't have enough clean headroom the Eminence Swamp Thang and Eminence Texas Heat speakers are my favorite right now. I really want to try a WGS ET-90 because I heard it addresses the issues I mentioned. :-)

[@yur1bgw9i]

Have you ever tried any Celestion speakers??? The new V speaker sounds interesting, how about the Alessandro speakers? There's just too many choices these days...well, love your videos and keep up all of the great work!!! Cheers mate!

[@wesleyryanjohnson]

Billy Pope This is a ltd amp, the speaker he's replacing in this video is a celestion. Great speakers. Love them in a more gainy amp. Great English tones. Love your videos intheblues. Thanks

[@jjasmay]

I wanted to order the exact model et-65 8ohm like yours. It will fit like a glove as no modification needed right sir? Tq

[@intheblues]

Hi Brian, I've noticed some harsh qualities (or lack there-of) on some blues juniors before yep. Mines not so bad because the tail end of the reverb doesn't seem to linger around too much. I think it might be speaker related too possibly - some speakers might make it more prominent than others. Thanks for the comments mate. :-)

[@shreddy412]

Ever have an issue with the reverb in these things? Mine has a hollow ghostly trail to it but only during high pitched notes. Kinda bothers me. Great video btw, I used to go through the back to get to the speaker too.

[@MZel5]

I've seen you use the swamp thang before for some amps. Do you have any thoughts on the swamp thang in a blues junior? I'm getting one soon (my fifth one ;) and it comes with the Jensen. Thanks for the demo also. Great stuff.

[@sethalewis6]

Hey, man. I am seriously considering doing this mod to my Blues Junior within the next month. What is the difference between the 8 ohm and 16 ohm version? Thanks in advance.

[@MisterTee]

Seems like a pretty nice gentleman

[@Jalpow]

Great video man. Do you mind giving a quick reply on the differences in sound now? I have a BJ III too and at times it can sound a bit weak with not much low end.

[@Leftyguitarnut]

Hi Shane, what are your thoughts on the new WGS ET65, compared to say the Celestion Vintage 30 (in the Blues Junior III)? BTW - I'm the guy who now owns the Little Crow prototype :-)

[@intheblues]

Hey man, thanks for the question. Sorry this video get's too many questions to keep track of them all. I think it's a much smoother speaker without the ice pick highs. Hope you're enjoying the little grow guitar :)

[@jp6l6]

I have a 212 cab featuring these WGS ET 65 and like it with much amps.

[@latorta1000]

Didnthe black wire go to the negative connection on the speaker? And the black and white wire go to the positive connection on the speaker?

[@jasonmaltz7040]

Sounds awesome! Wonder how it would sound in a Hot Rod Deluxe?

[@TheConnorBear]

Great video Shane, but I've got one more question before I do a swap on my own. I've got a blues deluxe and I'm looking for a speaker to get rid of the ice-pick while still maintaining some brightness. I almost always play single coils, and was wondering if you recommend the ET-65? How well has it worked in the Jr?

[@arnyarny77]

so i play metal and hard rock as well, this speaker is more appropriate than jenson? thats what my tweed blues jr has

[@mrenice1262]

It's easy to notice to change in tubes if it's loud and clean or if you're using Overdrive. At bedroom levels it's gonna be hard to notice.

[@wesleyryanjohnson]

Thanks for the videos, intheblues. I know how you feel about tubes, but I would love to see you try some different glass in v1, and then in the inverter position.... there is a myriad of tonal flavor to be had in doing this, sometimes making as much, if not more difference to the responsiveness of a BJ as the speaker. Not being critical here, just an idea.

[@magmaman641]

Sooo.. Did you have to solder a speaker cable onto the ET65 speaker? It didn't look like it came with one

[@magmaman641]

+michael Pelletier word. My bad

[@benlogan430]

Celestion green back should be just fine? To each his own. But, good video, a lot of the inexpensive amps are that way because of the speaker. Same here with the Chinese celestion so on second thought change it out!

[@easyriderbubba]

Speaker was installed in a direction than original; making it difficult to remove the speaker connectors after re-assembled.

[@l.e.b.3803]

Did you take off the aluminum tape that is inside the amp?

[@DavidLarew]

Hot Rod Deluxe the same? I've been looking for a tutorial like this, thanks!

[@Stratboy999]

Nicely put together vid. And yes, it sounds great!

[@ckjjclan]

This was a great video. In all honesty, I do not know you you only have the # of subs you have...You should have a LOT more. Thanks for this. I was thinking of the Cannabis Rex speaker, but you've made me add this too the mix. I did the Bill-M mods and that was a GFREAT addition to my Blues Jr. Hmmm, so many options!

[@playmovingpictures]

I hope you asked mum first 😝🎸✊ Rock on buddy 👍 your Aussie mate? Cool.

[@rhykko77]

Tasty playing ! Is that your work on the background track also ? Thanks for this video, now I will save time , each time I exchange my speakers.

[@umac76]

It would be helpful if you played something through the Celestion before you removed it so we could hear the before and after.

[@CedricSatterfield]

Thats really not the point of the video.

[@ViaticalTree]

@@CedricSatterfield how is it not the point of the video? He changed the speaker to get a different sound. It would have made total sense (and made the video more interesting and useful) if he showed a comparison between the 2 speakers.

[@CedricSatterfield]

@@ViaticalTree why? The point was HOW to do it, with any speaker, not what the sound difference was.

[@anthonyderosa7730]

Amp sounds killer with a greenback

[@CrazyCalabrese78]

@@anthonyderosa7730 Which model did you put it into? I have a recent Tweed version with the Jensen speaker. Sounds nice clean but don’t think it’s the best choice for overdriven sounds.

[@krazykill698]

Are tube amps worth it? Shluld i get blues jr or champion 100?

[@Worshipcaster]

Ricky Bobby dude, this is the never ending debate. if you're lucky enough and haven't yet been infested with one criteria or the other (tube vs solidstate) i'd highly advise you to go to a shop and try them both. at the end of the day you'll walk out of there a happy man, grasping the handle of the amp that sounds best to you. Watch a few demo videos of the two, you'll get an idea of what they're like, then you go to the store with your own guitar and FX and test both amps within the context of the music you play/like...btw, i'm picking up a blues jr in the next few days

[@mrjamesgrimes]

It's actually no debate at all. If you are a decent guitar player, have any aspirations to play in front of people or if you even care about your tone sounding good then you should buy a tube amp. Solid state amps are for beginners, amateurs

[@wesleyryanjohnson]

Worshipcaster No debate. In the slightest. Bought my first tube amp a few years ago after playing axe fx, and every line6 gadget under the sun, along with some traditional solid state amps, a peavey bandit to be more specific. The way a solid tube amp pushes sound is sooooo much different. Put a mic in front of it, and you will totally understand. No contest. save a few bucks and get a low power tube amp to start with.

[@pookibowah]

Thank you, your video helped me out!

[@matthewdykeman146]

Great Video but I would certainly recommend upgrading the $3 plastic speaker cable while you have it opened up. Not doing your new speaker justice. Minimal cost with big difference.

[@intheblues]

Yeah, I don't feel like there's enough of a difference. I did re-tube my Excelsior because the Chinese tubes it came with were pretty crap and they rattled something shocking. You can't really go wrong with JJ tubes if you need to swap to something good. Some people notice a difference, but I don't really.

[@rodysk8]

question my blues jr came with jensen speaker,do you think that the WGS ET-65 Speaker it will sound better then the jensen?

[@arnyarny77]

i have the same question well as far as a hard rock speaker what is good out there?

[@rodysk8]

i try 2 wgs and they suck! don't think in replace the jensen there's a reason why fender put jensen cause they sound better! like some said don't try to make a blues jr into a marshall! just add some pedals and the tone will come out!

[@arnyarny77]

i had no idea it was so easy to replace that would be awesome if i could replace with better speaker

[@candoslayer]

i cant say the best speaker for rock but i am a fan of the Celestion vintage 30

[@get_downed_boi6270]

is there still risk of dying? do i need to drain the tubes or whatever?

[@intheblues]

No just don't put a screw driver inside the amplifier head. :)

[@arnyarny77]

my tweed has a Jensen special design, made in Italy. don't have any idea how it would compare to this or the t rex

[@DrMtz]

Min 2:30 Hi, what is the second jack for, next to the speaker out? Tks. Nice videos.

[@DrMtz]

foot-switch for the fat boost. Nice for solos, Tks for the video, the jack is hidden. Maybe this help someone else.

[@MaximVful]

mid boost!

[@giuseppegricia]

hello! I have to buy a amp for playing at home and live. What do you advise me a BJ 15watt change of cone (Jensen) or the Peavey Classic 30 with 30watt? I really like the sound of BJ and has a great sound to be just a 15watt .. I play only blues SRV, CLAPTON, JONNY LANG, MAYER, HENDRIX .. I do not know which one to take .. on second have the same price. I'm a fan of yours Italian (ROME) your videos are helpful!