Should You Buy the Fender Blues Jr.? | Unboxing Demo & Review

[@bmg696]

I have the Twin Tonemaster and a BJ IV. I only play clean, no pedals. I use the BJ IV with my guitars that have humbuckers. Humbuckers seem to have more inherent bottom end and seem to tame down the inherent trebley sound of the BJ. If I use it with my single coil guitars, I have to use my MXR 10 band equalizer to tame down the treble and add more bottom end. I can almost get it to sound like the Twin, but it just doesn't have the bottom end. I think the BJ IV is a very articulate amp. I like it a lot.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@bmg696 I appreciate your insights! I’ve noticed the same with humbuckers-they really bring out that natural breakup in the Blues Jr. With single-coils, I’ve had to crank the volume to get there. Do you think the MXR EQ completely bridges the gap, or do you still feel there’s something missing compared to the Twin?

[@bmg696]

@@MineLikeMeMusicFor my single coils, I set the BJ tone controls at noon, and I use the MXR to back off the highs and boost low end, but IMO, it still can't completely reach that natural full sound of the Twin. I think it's just physics. 2 12s in that cabinet vs. 1 12 in a smaller cab.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@ you’re correct. My twin has been at the repair shop for nearly a month but I just got it back a couple days ago. It is 1000% my preference and I missed it so. Lol.

[@joshuajohnston8452]

Don’t be afraid to crank that master .. that controls the power tubes and the volume is pre amp … once the power tubes get cooking some wonderful tones come out ..

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

You’re correct! I noticed that while editing. I didn’t get over 2 or 3 on the master. 😂

[@joshuajohnston8452]

@ it’s a great little amp

[@thedoodl38ug]

It also gets pretty loud then too for home use! 🫣

[@bmg696]

@@joshuajohnston8452 I have mine, Volume at 6, Master at 3. That gives me a nice clean sound around 75db. I live in an apartment, so around 75db ensures I don't disturb my neighbors.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

It’s a great little practice amp. I can see using it for some stuff that will really cut through a mix. I’m working on a new video for Funny Little Boxes ‘Dirt’ pedal and I did some of it with the blues jr while my twin was being repaired. I’ve since gotten my twin back and recorded everything again with the twin. I haven’t had a lot of time to compare but I’m gonna have to do something with both versions. Lots of editing to do! 😂

[@jrrlovecraft6505]

I have Blues Jr IV, use power soak and keep master volume at max most of the time. I think a lot of the problems people have with the BJ is the master volume assures that you are not pushing the power tubes and this makes the amp sound weenie. But I am looking to mod it with a send/receive loop for modulation pedals.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@jrrlovecraft6505 I recently cranked the master and dropped the volume. Super bright, crisp sound. It’s not what my ears prefer but it’s definitely worth knowing about. I was thinking about making a video showing the difference between those approaches.

[@jonnysophisticado]

Mine has the master at about one o'clock and volume around three. Love my blues Jr.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

They’re pretty great! What guitar/pedals are you using with it?

[@Vintage_375]

A decent Fender Mid scooped sound for at home practice. Reverb 6.5; Master 2-3; Mid 4; Bass 8; Treble 2.5-3; Volume 8. Fat switch not engaged. This amplifier is very bright and mid forward compared to my Deluxe Reverb/Super Reverb. I came up with them settings using an AB box back and forth trying to get close to the classic Fender Mid Scooped sounds.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

Sounds awesome. That’s actually about where my preference has gone with the amp. I usually don’t use the reverb much though. Depends on the guitar/pickups for the volume as well. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@jasonnorris5298]

I have a 1973 Fender Twin Reverb I got it in 1983 and it has Pyle Drivers in it , I have had many other amps over the years and currently have 5 others ,but the Twin is still it, I set the Normal channel for clean, and the other breaking up, I love her, but she is heavy and LOUD ,it is 100 watt and if you pull the volume knob out it is 135 watts ! How do you deal with volume on stage, I too don't love pedals.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@jasonnorris5298 dealing with volume on stage is kind of why I got a blues jr also but… My twin goes from quiet to loud somewhere just before getting to 2 on the volume knob. The week I got the blues jr by twin went haywire so it was in the shop until a couple days ago and voila - it no longer has that issue. But you’re definitely right - my experience with fender amps has been they are not very quiet - EVER. 😂

[@jonnysophisticado]

Blues Jr is great for pedals if you bring the reverb down all te way or disconnect the tank, keep the master high and volume lower than the master and it's a great platform

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

That’s a great tip!

[@jeddred-e3m]

Thanks for the review, i am thinking about it

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

You’re very welcome! What have you narrowed your choices down to?

[@jeddred-e3m]

@MineLikeMeMusic fender pro Jr and blues jr

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@ that’s where I was too. Which way are you leaning?

[@moyhennabuchanan1076]

Reverb was a non-negotiable, and glad we stick to our guns. It's hard to describe how happy/ lucky/ relieved we feel having committed.

[@MikeW-u4z]

Another factor once you get 40 hours on that speaker it’ll improve. As others reference the master level will really allow it to bloom.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

You're absolutely right. I didn't have much time to break it in but the master volume is something I have been thinking about.

[@col145]

The answer is NO ! not until you’ve tried the Roland Blues Cube Artist, a little bit more expensive but what price do you put on your tone ? Killer Amp 👏👏🎸

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@col145 Thanks for the suggestion! I’ve heard great things about the Roland Blues Cube Artist-definitely on my list to try out. Tone is such a personal thing, and it’s awesome to see what amps people are passionate about. What’s your favorite feature of the Blues Cube?

[@col145]

@ love the clean channel but it’s so versatile. I’ve had em all, boutique the lot, I’m an old blueser & if that’s your thing, this is the baby 👍

[@brucegrimes29]

I sold my Blues Jr IV in preference to my Pro Jr IV LTD. Not only did my Pro Jr sound better to my ears it is lighter in weight.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

I would’ve like to have gotten my hands on both but I think it was having reverb available that made my mind up. Even though I rarely use it 🤣 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@Jopes17]

what model is that black telecaster?

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

‘76 standard Tele. It has nocaster pickups in it too.

[@honkytonkinson9787]

lol I had a twin 20 years ago. It was too big, too heavy, and way more than I needed I got a blues jr and it was the exact opposite, not enough for what I needed. I didn’t like how it sounded either Years later I finally arrived at a tweed vibrolux reproduction, with a 12” Jensen P12R. It kinda looks like your Jr but louder and more better, but no reverb If I could go back to 2002 I would have bought a vintage brown Fender, or if I had to get a new amp, probably would have done the deluxe or Princeton reissue. Seems like the Vox amps back then were really good too! Your demonstration is good but I still have the same opinion. It sounds like a Fender amp but kinda thin, fizzy, and a bit lacking

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@honkytonkinson9787 I understand what you mean. I got to play a twin this weekend (mine is in the shop) and it really is my preference. Even if it is heavy and a bit of overkill. lol.

[@iananslow494]

Sweet water

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@iananslow494 Sweetwater’s a great place to grab gear! Did you pick up your Blues Jr. from them, or were you referring to the tone in the video?

[@johnhopkins7447]

You look just like a guy who runs a pawn shop where I live

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@johnhopkins7447 handsome fella! Hehe 😜

[@mitchpalmer5116]

Played a few. Not a fan. Very thin sounding, underpowered and the reverb is WAY too much.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

Totally understand where you’re coming from! The Blues Jr. definitely has a distinct sound that doesn’t work for everyone. I found that pairing it with humbuckers or tweaking the settings helped balance out some of those characteristics. Curious-what amp do you prefer for a fuller tone?

[@mitchpalmer5116]

@MineLikeMeMusic I don't play out anymore so I sold my Marshall JCM 800 combo. I'm currently playing through one of those small Joyo 15 watt heads through a Marshall 1X10 cab. I run an EQ pedal through it's effects loop and run my pedal board to the amps input. 3 drive pedals. Soul Food, Blues Driver and a Rat. It gets me any tone I want.

[@jessejuno5317]

I heard no tones that I like….

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I appreciate you giving the video a chance. The Blues Jr. definitely has a unique sound, and it’s not for everyone. Out of curiosity, what amps or tones do you prefer? I’m always interested in hearing what others are into!

[@jessejuno5317]

@ I play mostly a Strat into a Marshall JTM45 going to a Marshall 1960 AX 4x12 cab . I’ll use dev/verb pedal by Universal audio and maybe a Klon clone.

[@MineLikeMeMusic]

@@jessejuno5317 very nice! Is that all you’re playing on? Your neighbors “love” you I’m sure if so. 🤣