Fender Blues Junior vs. Fender Pro Junior

#fender #fenderamps ‪@zZoundsMusic‬
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Thanks to the Zzounds affiliate team for sending me the Pro Junior on loan to review! Thats an affiliate link, and shopping through it supports me, them, and gets you cool gear at no extra cost to you! Welcome to this shootout between two modern classic Fender tube amps, the Fender Blues Jr and the Fender Pro Jr! What do you think? Using a Fender Telecaster and a Gibson Les Paul Junior, as well as an Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer.
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[@BeantownToBigD]

PJIV = 1/4 Bassman

[@kimlombardy3393]

I have both…I love both …I play regularly through both …and I will keep both🤗

[@HamzaJamzaFamza]

Wild! I use my Pro Jr as a pedal platform at gigs with the volume barely on 2 and the tone on 10 or so. Once in a while, for fun, I turn the tone down to 1 and the volume up for really gnarly distortion- which is prefer to my Marshall’s distortion. Those Pro Jrs are crazy. That being said, my BJ IV is my favorite amp. Currently loaded with ToneSpeak New Orleans, a hemp come speaker like Cannabis Rex but with a Heavy H Magnet like a Swamp Thang or V30 has. I also have a custom 1x12 Pro Junior combo, but MAN!! That thing gets LOUD! I recently popped a Jensen C12Q in there, and it brought the volume down some and brought a really classic, scooped tone to the table. These lil amps are not only great for gigs and practices, but they are a lot of fun to tinker with!

[@ronmoore1219]

I have a BJr IV and I like finding the EQ I like the best for what I’m doing. The Pro was punchier and the BJr a little saggy, as you said. My “studio” is a bedroom and I play cleans, so the Blues Jr is perfect for me, at my current skill level. I also liked the overdrive through it better than the Pro. Mine is a tweed Sweetwater FSR with a 12” Emminence speaker so it does sound a little fuller. Thank you, sir, for another great head to head.

[@zwoelf160]

Great demo Jack. You can clearly hear the difference in sound between the two amps. I love the Pro Junior ❤. thx

[@buddhamus]

I'd go with the Blues Junior over the Pro Junior mainly because of the 12" speaker and the extended EQ. I've never been a fan of 1x10 amps.

[@neils9241]

I’ve used a fender blues jr as a bedroom pedal platform for decades. I love it for that. You did convince me to buy a hw champ and I love that too but not as a pedal platform.

[@dustinglass]

Which do you prefer between the Blues jr and Champ?

[@neils9241]

@@dustinglass I like the blues jr for sticking a bunch of pedals in front of. I love the champ but I can’t stick a distortion pedal in front of it! Feels wrong 😂 but the jr I don’t mind abusing to the max.

[@neils9241]

@@dustinglass I should clarify that I love the champ for the champ tones. The blues jr has always been a utility amp to me. My first tube pedal platform and it’s been great for me. Two different things for me. HW champ costs more than a Bjr and a Woodrow. Depends on what you’re after.

[@davideriolo8613]

Pro Junior 👍

[@chrish.4067]

I'm really curious and Will tune back in later. I had a blues junior, and want a pro junior. I have 3 Princetons, a Reverb, a Chris Stapleton brown face, and an a. Carl's custom octal Reverb. I really like my fenders, not that my 18w marshall is bad.

[@wildist]

do all Fender Pro Juniors have that hum? Mine did and I returned it and got a blues jnr which was much quieter with the humming noise.

[@StandbyCymbalist]

check out a P Bass through a Pro Jr at low recording volumes and an SM57 mic. you may be surprised

[@workaccount2415]

I thought running a guitar through a bass amp is good but a bass through guitar amp makes the speakers explode ?

[@denbodg9311]

Quite surprised at the Pro Junior with overdrive, punches above it’s size, that said, clean sounds very much like a practice amp to me, & here in the Uk £550-£600 new would put me off. My BJ Laquered Tweed (New £650-£700) & swopped Cannabis Rex speaker is much more versatile, especially with TS808 or BD-2.

[@Colin-o9t]

I love my pro jnr, very brittle with the jensen speaker( great vintage break up) put a celestian creamback into it, smooth and crunchy, great amp for the price...

[@pharmerdavid1432]

Jeff Beck toured with a Pro Junior, so He liked it, but almost too loud for a homie (wee wee old tube amps), but sounds lovely with Jack's beautiful playing. I have a Vox with EL-84 power tubes but it sound MUCH different, an AC10 clone with EF86 channel it sound lovely at reasonable home volumes (so neighbors don't hear it), the Pro Junior needs to be cranked a bit to read its sweet spot. I could probably do with a Blues Junior newer version, but no room here for anymore amps, as it is my service dog and me can't pass each other on the migration corridors (time to sell some gear?). Not needing amps, I just came to have a listen to Jack's great playing...cheers!

[@mattgilbert7347]

Beck used two Pro Juniors, I think!

[@eldorod]

@@mattgilbert7347 He used those on the Les Paul tribute

[@EdibleDeodorant]

I haven't watched yet but, Pro Jr - 100 times out of 100.

[@scottcutrer223]

Absolutely. I’ve hard Blues Jrs sound great. But never with me playing it.

[@davidmurphy4844]

Pro Junior for me. Mine is at least 20 years old and it's probably a V2 model. I run a 12ay7 as the first valve in the preamp section. Sounds great when the volume is about 75% when I push it with an overdrive.

[@seanhershey3390]

The pro in a bigger cabinet is great..( I have both)

[@dwainmcbain5263]

I've always loved 10" speakers whether its one like a pro Jr or 4 like in a Bassman.

[@derekhand7904]

Wow these things got pricey fast, a new Blues JR $750!! That’s crazy 4 years ago my prinston was $800 now there $1,200 hopefully I’ll never have to buy a new one

[@AnkurWow]

Have had both. Prefer the Pro Junior for it's weight, punch, Fender clean sounds, and as a pedal platform. If they were the same size/weight and price, I'd probably go for the Blues Junior (since I may not need pedals with it).

[@JackFossett]

It definitely has punch - the Blues Junior is much saggier.

[@schaffner555]

I have both. Pro Jr is my pick. It projects and breaks up better. Neither sounds as good as my 5e3 tweed clone though.

[@stauffrt2]

Thanks for this Jack. Useful education here.

[@jimhart1959]

I have both amps, but I prefer the Pro Jr....it gets more playing time. I put a Swamp Thang speaker in the Blues Jr, though, and it sounds great. But I still love the Pro Jr

[@seanfromaustin]

The Pro Junior gets a great distortion when you turn it all the way up but it is incredibly loud!!!

[@VintageRadius]

Jack, I’d be interested in how you would rank Fender’s current production tube amps that are 15 watts and under. Based on my personal preferences, not considering price/value, I think it would be 64 and 65 Princetons, 57 Custom Deluxe, 62 and 68 Princetons, 68 Vibro Champ, Blues Junior, Pro Junior, 57 Champ (yes, pretty sure I'd put the Pro Junior above it), Bassbreaker 15.

[@SlickWilly79]

My modded cream board blues jr is one of the best amps I own

[@Megarobotsquadron]

I have the pro junior 3 and it has way too much hiss going on to be that useful

[@darwinsaye]

I’m the kind of person who prefers more controls on gear over less controls, and larger speakers and cabs over smaller, so logically I should prefer the Blues Jr. But every time I’ve ever heard them back to back, I’ve always preferred the sound of the Pro Jr. I’ve never played a Blues Jr myself, but I’ve used a friend’s Pro a number of times in live situations, and it was always a treat.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful day Jack ❤❤❤❤😂❤❤😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@sixbladeknife44]

I’ve had multiple versions of the Blues Junior, I have and use the same one used here (the III) for years…for the cleans and as a pedal platform, it loves drives and fuzzes and it excels in that role. I’ve also had the Princeton Ressue, Supersonic and Bassbreaker but still prefer the BJ III to all of those. The Pro Junior sounds good here too, nice option to have as a quick plug in and play amp.

[@frankswildyear]

Same here, I preferred the blues jr over the Princeton and the supersonic. I played a 57 champ next to blues jr the other day and the bj blew it away! Maybe I’m just one of those guys who thinks cheap wine tastes better than a 25 yr old expensive one

[@sixbladeknife44]

@@frankswildyear I haven’t tried a 57 Champ before, but that’s good to know. I do have an original 1970’s Vibro Champ, and the Princeton Reissue sounded very boxy/stuffy next to it and lacked warmth. The Tweed BJ III never sounds stuffy, nice and open and dynamic. I’ve owned some pretty nice Fender tube amps throughout the years and the BJ still impresses me, classic amp in its own right.

[@johndaugherty4127]

Daggone you can play! I am tele biased, but both amps sound awesome.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

No offence Jack, You need a FBJ IV for these comparisons. The FBJ III and IV are very different sounding amps.

[@JackFossett]

I've had one. They aren't very different sounding. The IV is a bit more refined, but all Blues Juniors Ive played have had pretty much the same character.

[@EdibleDeodorant]

FJB

[@misterknightowlandco]

If you take apart all four versions of the blues jr, they all have the same electric layout. Some amp techs on KZbin have done this… every variation has been the exact same amp. Just marketing and bs. Different variations do have different speakers but that’s it.

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

@@misterknightowlandco I bought a FBJ IV two months ago and I am going by the sound/tones I am able to get from it and the demo comparisons on YT of the III and IV and my ears can hear the difference. If somebody offered to trade me a mint III for my IV, I sure as hell wouldn't want the III. There is definitely a difference and I still stick with doing amp demos with the latest versions. Same goes for people demoing an amp and half way through they say, Oh yeah, I modded this and swapped the speaker too. WTF? ha

[@misterknightowlandco]

@@johnsmith-ug5tp as long as you’re happy with your amp, that’s all that matters. 🍻

[@dmac3316]

Cool demo. My vote is the Blues Jr

[@dustinglass]

Which do you prefer between the Pro Jr and Supro Delta King (I know you did a comparison vid between the Supro and Blues Jr, but curious how the Pro Jr compares)?

[@MrMrjauregui]

My stock pro junior IV sounds awesome cranked and pushed with a tubescreamer.. Btw. All these amps benefit from the Fromel supreme mods. I have modified a couple now..

[@mikeracine1]

I did the same to mine. And upgraded the cabinet with a pine tweed-covered unit from Mojotone, added a better reverb tank, and an Emminence Cannabis Rex. Spent way more than the amp is worth, but I love the way it sounds now.

[@MrMrjauregui]

@@mikeracine1 I find that to be worth it, especially if you intend to keep it. Or simply just an excuse to tinker!

[@PhilDietz]

hey thanks. I've had a dead reverb forever and the supreme kit includes one.

[@braddietzmusic2429]

Which is better or sounds better? I’d probably have to A/B them, myself, and I’m probably biased to feel an amp with reverb sounds better. Beyond bias, I feel there are situations I could run a guitar straight into a BJR because it has reverb, and an amp without reverb would always require me to bring at least a reverb pedal. That scenario alone makes the BJR the rational choice for me. Mine has a factory-stock Cannabis Rex speaker, and that specification GREATLY improves the otherwise very boxy character of that amp.

[@DrumStrum]

If it had entered this shootout, the winner would have been that Dumble singing voice of yours!

[@mikeme4456]

When I bought my PJ IV had the chance to connect the speaker from BJ to the PJ. I mean a 12” speaker inside a bigger open back. Even compared both amps in the shop. Yeah… bought PJ no doubt!

[@guillem8106]

Thanks!

[@JackFossett]

Thank you! Send me a message through my webpage and I’ll get you the downloads ~ www.jackfossett.com/contact

[@RulgertGhostalker]

I will take a pro junior in the amp head version ( when they come out with it as a mini-head )

[@mattgilbert7347]

If I have an external cab, like a 2x12, 4x12, or even a 2x10? Pro Junior all the way. Otherwise, with the right speaker and the Fromel mods - Blues Junior IV. For a stereo or dual mono/wet-dry I think two Pro Juniors sound absolutely killer! Good enough for the late great Master, Jeff Beck.

[@kylebaker8619]

I've been a blues Jr player for years now. I have never played a pro Jr. For me, I love the blues Jr, it's been my main amp. I love the petal for my tele setup. It brings in just enough mids when I need it. I also enjoy the more smooth and even tone I can get in the Jr. Overall, I think both are great, but I'll stick with the blues jr.

[@jonswoveland]

Which pedal are you referring to?

[@kylebaker8619]

@@jonswoveland the foot switch that comes with the blues jr. It is a FAT mid boost switch.

[@jonswoveland]

@@kylebaker8619 Ohhhhh, right right right. Thanks!

[@Megarobotsquadron]

From my understanding is that the blues junior is a bit more neutral in it's tone. Probably better for a gigging cover band.

[@cuinoz3569]

Great job Jack, once again you are making it hard to decide which one sounds the best. I like them both but if I had to pick one for home use I’d pick the pro junior. Plug an overdrive and the flint into it and play all day long. Appreciate your presentation.

[@gunkanjima3408]

I absolutely adored my BJ4. The natural overdrive was extremely muddy though

[@davebarone506]

I think he touched on something important, the amps sound better when the tubes warm up

[@ebandcamp]

I have a limited edition iv blues jr with the western Tolex and Cannabis Rex speaker . I always play mid settings and volume . Good for pedals . I love it ! Want the champ next !

[@hal312]

Hey Jack kind of a random question but how would you say the Pro Junior compares to the '68 Vibro Champ reissue in terms of headroom?

[@JackFossett]

Im honestly not sure but the Pro Jr has way more volume

[@loiclebrun6519]

Je suis surpris de la tone passée midi avec la telecaster !! Je ne passe pas 3 sinon c'est trop brighly

[@graemero5532]

Tbh I did not particularly like either of those, clean or driven. I just like a rounder/bigger tone.

[@JackFossett]

I generally do too. Much of the time I use a big 2x12 nowadays

[@thiagofavaro2005]

I had a Blues Junior limited III and I loved it. Specially for bedroom playing for its master volume. But listening to the Pro Junior it has a fuller sound, while the Blues Junior is a lot more boxier. The 10' speaker of the Pro seems to project the sound better, giving it more punch. And a more vintage sound to my ears.

[@VintageRadius]

Would be interesting to hear the BJ with a 10” speaker! I bet someone sells a conversion bagfle

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@VintageRadiusI've run my bj3 through a mesa 1x12 with a celestion mc-90 and it didn't sound boxy or muffled at all...also ran it through a homemade 1x10 rotary cab and it sounded even better, though that's not practical except for home use

[@nekkon1989]

Well a Bassbreaker sounds better than both, and you don't need pedals as well

[@brucegrimes29]

I owned both at one time. Both were the version IV, the Blues Jr. was the black tolex with the A type speaker and the Pro Jr. was the tweed version with the Jensen. I found the Pro Jr. To be more to my liking. I'm not a big tweaker so the Pro Jr. fit my needs better. Both are great sounding amps and sound great with pedals. I ended up selling the Blues Jr., the bonus is the weight savings. Also the Pro Jr. sounds great through a 2x12 cabinet!

[@OmnyDevi]

thanks for all the info through the years so noobs like me can be better informed Amigo. o7

[@OmnyDevi]

never used elixir strings, but like that the super lights are linked. i usually use 8s, but will snag a good bundle of 9s via your link. i got a blues jr 4 sweetwater exclusive after watching about 5 of your videos. still using it. def agree with your assessments. used a vox ac4 before that. but the power outlet died. hoping the jr lasts a bit longer. ^^ thanks again, and cheers.