That Pedal Show - Get More From Your Fender Blues Jr, Loud & Quiet. And Other Small Valve Amps!

Welcome to That Pedal Show! Please subscribe to our channel and visit our store www.thatpedalshowstore.com
In this episode Daniel and Mick use a bunch of different boosts and ODs through the venerable Fender Blues Junior, in this case a version III model.
It’s an extremely popular small valve amp for good reason - excellent value for money, a range of good tones and of course, highly portable while being plenty loud enough for small gigs (and big ones if you’re mic’d!)
• Fender Blues Junior III - no longer made, link to latest version
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2O80417
USA: imp.i114863.net/yMLxG
The point of the video is to help you get a handle on what kinds of boosts, overdrives and boosts might suit your gain needs, depending on your playing style, volume level and of course your guitars. We make some interesting discoveries along the way!
Pedals In This Episode…
• Xotic RC Booster Today In G2 Loop 1
UK & Europe: Europe: bit.ly/2dYulwD
Australia: bit.ly/2PzobFw
• Xotic EP Booster. Today In G2 Loop 2
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2ed1cvg
USA: bit.ly/3F71mBe
Australia: bit.ly/2OYhH1K
• Boss BD-2 Blues Driver. Today In G2 Loop 3
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2nuCD65
USA: bit.ly/3n1Me19
• Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini. Today In G2 Loop 4
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2dRVXa2
USA: imp.i114863.net/5rLD1
• Thorpy Gunshot. Today In G2 Loop 5
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2ecWCgK
Australia: bit.ly/2XJq0By
USA: bit.ly/38vjJof
• Fulltone OCD V7. Today In G2 Loop 6
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2dhU2ro
USA: imp.i114863.net/ag69Y
Australia: bit.ly/2qgh9eW
• Strymon El Capistan. Today In G2 Loop 10
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2cVgRPr
USA: imp.i114863.net/GWq42
Australia: bit.ly/2pUnPeu
• Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Deluxe (loop 2)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2cbsLUm
USA: bit.ly/323rheM
Australia: bit.ly/2rPSRWo
As ever, all switching and routing is handled by TheGigRig G2. www.thegigrig.com
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalshow.com/partners
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
• Intro, background, today’s amp settings etc: 00:00 - 06:25
Amp sounds, no pedals: 6:26
Xotic EP Booster (loop 2) & RC Booster (loop 1) comparison: 9:00
Fender Super Reverb (60-watt 4x10) headroom example: 12:20
Boss BD-2 Blues Driver (loop 3) & Ibanez Tube Screamer Mini (loop 4) compared: 15:24
BD-2 (loop 3) & Tube Screamer (loop 4) boosted with the Xotic boosters: 18:00
Thorpy Gunshot (loop 5) sounds: 23:25
Fulltone OCD (loop 6) sounds (and Thorpy compared): 25:14
Less gain with the gainer pedals (today’s big discovery!): 30:14
What about playing very quietly? 36:06
Guitars in this episode
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster - watch Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Gretsch G6118T-LIV Players Edition Anniversary
• Fender Custom Shop ’63 Telecaster - watch Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dlZJ6K
• Collings 290DC S - watch Mick’s video at bit.ly/2dDG96k
• Gibson Custom 1958 Les Paul Standard - watch Dan’s video at bit.ly/2dbwbvS
We hope you enjoy this video. Please subscribe to our channel.
You may even want to buy a T-shirt to support our efforts www.thatpedalshowstore.com
We are also on Patreon - crowdfunding for creatives
/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedalshop.com/

[@anejo333]

This show should be mandatory for guitar players

[@davegetsspam]

it is ;)

[@miekgenklefin9616]

I honestly wonder what kind of player I'd be if I had this sort of resource in 1983.

[@troywm1016]

@@miekgenklefin9616 worse probably - TMI is bad. : )

[@squidwardjtentacles]

@@miekgenklefin9616 poorer lol

[@JiltedMonkey]

The release of this show every Friday has become one of the highlights of the week for me. Great job guys!

[@Tim_E88]

Paul Endersby: for me too

[@MrUltraworld]

This channel is a real jem.

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

Paul Endersby I just wish they did more shows per week.

[@MrUltraworld]

Chord TheSeeker It costs a lot to do just one episode. They have day jobs, but find the time to assemble the necessary pedals (that has to be a chore itself), put together a script of sorts, spend a long day taping, then a long day editing it all down to a cohesive 30 45min end product. These episodes are really well done, way above average You Tube stuff. Doing this once a week must be quite a task. But I'll watch everyone several times.

[@Chord_The_Seeker]

Yes, I realize all of that. I'm just saying that I could watch a new episode every day and not get tired of it.

[@Xenious]

Please do this one again with a Blues Jr. IV which seems to have a lot of changes from previous models esp. on the low freq range.

[@harrysachs2274]

Yeah, my iv seems to have more low end head room.

[@MrMd5555]

The BJ IV still has a low end limit as you'd expect from a small amp but it's so much improved to my ears at least in my opinion. Especially once I got to know the amp & it's strengths & weaknesses, i could really dial it in

[@n8dawg85]

How does it sound with pedals when your at that live gig volume?

[@ryangunwitch-black]

The IV also depends on the speaker. I have the Cannabis Rex in mine and that added darkness cuts out the boxiness people talk about and the electronic improvements definitely made a huge difference since the III. The IIIs are great for a good few mods though because they can get really close to a vintage tweed break up and they aren't terribly expensive on the secondary market.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

@@n8dawg85 mine sound great with pedals but wasn't quite enough amp for a live show without decent stage monitors. I have a smackin' drummer and none of us could hear anything because we played somewhere with severely lacking PA/monitors.

[@hittinskinz24]

Fender has done a great job addressing the bottom end and speaker issues nowadays. I bought a jr with an eminence cannabis Rex and it has tons of bottom end and sounds fantastic!

[@bannistersounds]

I use a Blues Jr and Mike Landau Deville depending on size of venue. Using an EP boost and RC Booster left on permanently with master cranked and volume really low sounds lovely.

[@jw.2507]

Dear Mick and Dan, Your channel is everything. You guys are awesome and have taught me so much, while also making me spend money on some great pedals haha! I built my first board thanks to you, with your guidance. I am so excited whenever a new episode of That Pedal Show drops, makes my day. Please don't stop making 'em. Im sure your channel is gonna get huge huge huge in 2017! Cheers lads, keep rocking! JL

[@tjnugent62]

This was one of the best informational videos you have made to date. Paring the right overdrive/boost/compressor with the right amp makes all the difference in the world. One word on the Blues Junior is that it sits perfectly in a mix and pares up with the Tube Screamer and the OCD, especially with a compressor. Nice job guys.

[@matthewscheiper6973]

As always, you guys have opened my eyes to dialing in truly awesome tones! Wonderful job! Thank you!!

[@nathanguilford2387]

I really look forward to my Friday mornings with the Pedal Show now. Thanks guys!

[@nathanguilford2387]

Edit: THAT Pedal Show.

[@NielsBeier]

This can't go on! I've had "Wicked Game" stuck in my head for a week now, finally got that magnificent melody out of my head, and then barely 30 seconds into this video, here we go again... Great vids guys. Keep it up!

[@lebowski2007]

Nick Brewer yup. Just bought some Chris Isaak on iTunes because of that...something I never thought I'd do...

[@harrisonhenley5760]

Just to let you know, as a coincidence, he plays it dead on the 30 second mark

[@simongodfrey629]

Magic episode guys. Loved hearing you work the OCD as a clean boost and it just goes to show that a little bit of experimentation can provide rich results.

[@EmilioConesa]

Just picked the Cali76. A compressor has been an essential part of my sound for a very long time The Cali76 CD is by far the best I've ever had. Huge thanks to Mick and Dan!

[@jksburke]

Another great episode in the books fellas, great job as always. Now that you have covered the affordable amp, how about an affordable pedal show. "How to get the most out of your Boss pedals." Cheers, Josh.

[@Andy000Burns]

just picked up a tweed blues Jr with a Weber DT12 speaker in it and I gotta say, the J rocket archer seems as though it was designed for this amp. Amazing combo.

[@harrysachs2274]

Mine came with a Jensen and I still want to change it out for a creme back or a green back. Do you have any experience with either of those?

[@aristotilus5188]

I wanted to thank you guys for putting this video out. I used a lot of your tips for the bedroom volumes. My apartment has some decently thick walls, so the tips on getting some good tones at these volumes (despite not being the same as a cranked amp) were fantastic. I watch videos of your show (getting through the backlog) daily. Thanks again!

[@blues61]

Love my OCD. Excellent full-dynamic range overdrive at a very affordable price. And, another great show. I made a big connection when you guys turned the amp down and turned the pedals up. I tried it on my rig and realized that I've got a whole other set of sonic and tone possibilities with that approach.

[@Restringlo]

Watching this because I'm sicker than a 🐶 best medicine! Thanks guys.

[@mickpedder5990]

Just casually waiting on a Friday night in Australia for this... thanks fellas!

[@roguejellybean2651]

Ditto...

[@DirtyDavesDirt]

Mick Pedder ditto

[@TheMusicLoop]

Ditto ;)

[@MatthewJohnCrittenden]

Saturday morning treat in Aus for me. Now I'm looking forward to my t-shirt arriving. Jolly good show as always chaps (yes, I'm a pommy ex-pat)..

[@yokefellowsband]

I am loving this as a Blue Jnr Owner... picking up after a re-valve can't wait to get back into it. Thanks guys Brilliant!

[@m00nsplitter72]

This is certainly one of the most useful and informative channels on KZbin. Thank you, good people of That Pedal Show , for providing level-headed and well presented advise on a wide range of sound-related issues.

[@ThatPedalShow]

+M00nsplitter Thank you!

[@EricNielsen85]

Fantastic episode guys, really fantastic!!.. Loved the Spinal Tap reference and the knob setting graphic! [ you should always do it ;) ]

[@ThatPedalShow]

+ntfb85 cheers N :)

[@69MultiDiesel]

You should make a video about blues breaker pedals. (morning glory) etc. Transparent overdrive pedals. Love seeing your videos.

[@alexmurphy5289]

Your wish has been granted friend

[@Doctor-en8dj]

Stumbled across this one today, three and a bit years later. So good and so relevant.

[@GJSsongsmith]

Been gigging with blues juniors for years guys . Thanks for some new and interesting ideas , brilliant . Rock on !

[@MadMalibu71]

You guys are providing quite a service! I seem to learn something new about tone-shaping with every episode. Please do "How to get the most from your Hot Rod Deluxe". I think that is maybe the most common back-line amp (at least in small clubs in the US). Here's the scenario: You will show up and used a borrowed, clean fender amp (like the Hot Rod Deluxe). The amp DOES have some clean headroom. You normally play a Marshall, or a Vox, or a ??? Which pedals will give you something close to your Marshall/Vox tone/feel? Thanks!

[@johnhoolihan9452]

Great video. I’m glad you guys mentioned that the majority of us cannot afford fancy boutique amps so it’s important to run these tests on affordable amps like the Blues Jr. Also, I’m not sure if it’s fair to criticize this amp for lack of low end. IMO it should be obvious that a 15 watt amp is not going to have lots of low end. In fact even very powerful amps tend to sound muddy if overdriven on the neck pickup with lots of bass. That’s why pedals like the Tube Screamer filter out so much bottom end. For this reason I dial the bass back to about 3 on mine. I have one of the special edition ones with the Jensen P12Q speakers which is very bright until broken in. So I dial the treble back to 2. Good video but I think the low end performance should be expected and not highlighted as a big deficiency.

[@briandaugherty8180]

I posted this exact thing in a suggestion for shows a ways back. I've been dying to see you guys work your magic on amps we all can afford. very happy

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Brian Daugherty ah, cheers Brian :))

[@jorgetenamusic]

Yeah! Horn for Keeley, Mick and Dan!! Can't wait for the workstation show 😊 Love Mick's Strat, Dan's Tele... and that Greeetsch!!

[@jochen970]

I also put a bassbreaker up there with them. i have one and it sounds killer clean , bluesy and even high gain :) great episode!

[@shaunduffy3912]

I know this comment is years old but the bassbreaker is possibly one of the most versatile amps for clean, edge of beakup or utter filth or if you want to use it as a pedal platform it more or less does it all to a degree

[@gbaren]

That Gretsch sounds BEAUTIFUL. Love the show guys.

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Glenn Baren cheers Glenn, such an amazing guitar

[@hoagyguitarmichael]

As a young man playing in NYC where, at that time, playing loud was verboten, I soon learned the secret of a compressor through a Deluxe. It also allowed me to keep my overdrive pedal's gain low and still get the sustain I craved. While I agree, there is nothing like turning it up a bit, in those years the compressor saved my job and probably my ears. Thanks for sharing this and all of your amazing knowledge.

[@astewart9410]

I don't own one of these, but it's on my list of amps under consideration for my first-ever tube/valve amp. I'm only able to play at low volume at my place, so that section was most helpful to me. This was highly informative, thanks!

[@inglesdoteo]

Nice vídeo, guys. As usual. Just a little piece of advice. If you crank the master and turn down the preamp the BJ doesn't suffer on the lows. Actually, that's the way it sounds best, in my opinion. I use my master all the up and the preamp on 2. Fat switch on, bass past 3 o'clock, mid 1 o'clock and treble 11 o'clock. Killer sounding!

[@mattgilbert7347]

That's almost exactly how I run mine. I love it!

[@constantine412]

Does it break up on that setting?

[@TenThumbsProductions]

Dialing up the recipe now.

[@super2thesam]

Makes some sense. Ideally, if your amp was running the cleanest/loudest it could, it would be hitting the power amp as hard as it could while using the least amount of preamp gain as it could. By opening up the Master all the way, you’re making sure that every drop of that preamp gain is making its way straight to the power section, ensuring you don’t put your signal any closer to the preamp headroom ceiling than what is needed. Makes complete sense as long as we assume that it’s the preamp section that has low end issues and not the power section.

[@SirBelvedere333]

That’s so very close to how I run mine. Sounds great.

[@JensLarsen]

Great video! Thanks! Fit's much more than just the Blues JR if you think of it as an approach to what an amp or pedal does to the signal in terms of EQ. I am surprised you didn't use an EQ pedal to demonstrate it? But maybe I am too scientific... That Gretsch sounds absolutely beautiful, I never really got into that before but now....

[@amirhosseinmashaherifard9852]

I learned a lot from this guy. Best Jazz guitar lessons on Internet.

[@TheStrataminor]

@@amirhosseinmashaherifard9852 Yes, a fantastic player and really decent human being too!

[@jerime1]

Billm mods fixed all the issues with my blues jr. I actually ended up selling my Dr. Z Maz 18 after the Billm mods were installed on my Blues Jr. I use my Blues Jr. with a Keeley TS9 mod + and an RC booster. They pair really well with the amp. Love the show guys!

[@idomoshe]

Thanks a lot guys. Great, informative video as usual. I own a blues junior and I've found this very helpful. Keep these videos coming, they're awesome!

[@growtogether]

P90s & the Blues Junior seem to go well together

[@andyhojguitar3126]

I just bought a Blues Junior yesterday and this video has really helped me understand it a bit better. Love this channel, btw you are both brilliant guitar players as well! Thank you!

[@mrpzak]

I’ve had mine for like 18mos and have only started really digging into exploring the different sounds you an get. A rat does a great job if you want heavier distortion, but my tube screamer does a fine job normally.

[@andyhojguitar3126]

@@mrpzak I have a tube screamer so excited to see how that works. The Blues Driver sounds great on this video as well

[@dsholt]

I have found that an EQ pedal goes a long way to filling out the bottom end on mine. I think it sounds pretty great with a Boss OD-3 too.

[@mrpzak]

@@dsholt what eq do you use?

[@dsholt]

@@mrpzak I just picked up the cheap Beringer one, which is a knock off of the Boss GE-7

[@markkretsinger-harries9169]

Thank you guys for doing this video! You answered so many questions I had about my amp.

[@MARK4625]

Some really useful information here guys and very relevant to the type of gear many of us gig with. I'm using an RC Booster and other stuff into an Egnater Rebel 20 so very comparable to the Blues Junior. Please keep up the great work.

[@mark7166]

:-O That Gunshot sounds INCREDIBLE!

[@jasonkerr931]

I recently changed my blues junior tubes to Mesa Tubes and put a Cannabis Rex speaker in it! Amazingl! The OCD pedal I have is spot on to this video. Wondering gents, what is in your opinion the best low cost mic for this amp, and best placement for your ears?

[@suhailcouto1832]

I love my blues jr, I can drive it with a tube screamer and it works surprisingly well with fuzz, blend both and you get loads of great sustain and drive

[@philipbrister]

The education that I’ve gained from watching you guys has been priceless

[@notaniche]

Can't help but laugh every time Dan forgets the name of the most common amp on the planet

[@gilh3947]

Even funnier when on a vid published a couple months earlier he calls it a great amplifier.

[@youren8]

The Waltz Jr.

[@stanlawson3472]

I think he is going out of his way to “forget” what it’s called.

[@joebryant8500]

And a year later in another video he genuinely claims he'd never heard of it.

[@otsomiettinen4049]

15:23 ''So.. here is the Blue Screamer.''

[@FxBrawler]

I'd love to see a revisit of this video with the blues junior iv and the compressor, but then playing around with other pedals to get some bedroom lvl sounds of clapton, vaughan, Gilmour...

[@cyrusfontaine2598]

That Collings always makes me smile. I have a single-pickup Tele, and there's just something magic about it!

[@TOBIBORNGuitar]

Great video ! You guys helped me out with this one. Got an 1990s Blues Jr tweed ( US Made )....Now I know how to handle it right. Thanks !!

[@stevesteve1965]

I have a tweed blues Jr and have had it vastly improved by changing the mains power supply to the correct 240v which soothes out the amp for a tighter bass response also fitted a Hammond 125E output transformer for wider frequency response. other mods now running 6v6 valves,too many other mods to mention,make this a great amp along with a change of speaker.

[@mabul513]

I heard its wire spade swap black to white switch around at the power switch. ? Is it only this? No reason why 230 when I get 247v in?

[@JasonMcFly]

Totally agree. I can't stand Blues Jrs, most vanilla thing ever. The Tweed version has a really cool flavor, was really close to picking one up.

[@psb962]

I had a tweed one, did all the mods including the transformer. Sadly you cant fix the fact that the cab is too small for a 12" speaker so it sounds boxey.

[@stevesteve1965]

Mine now sits in a bigger cab, and has an extention cab.

[@donkeydarko77]

That Pedal Show: Pumping & Shoving bottom end since 2016.

[@daveychainsaw5685]

That moment when you're playing quietly at 36:06 was a lightbulb moment for me. I don't gig anymore and my big amps sound rubbish quiet. I decided to try an Orange Rocker 15 terror and tried it on the 0.5 watt setting. Also picked up an EP booster and a Keeley Compressor Plus and Oh My God! I have never had a 'quiet' sound like this at home. Adding a Tumnus Deluxe after the Ep booster and the compressor sounds absolutely immense but is not too loud for the family. I thought i was going to have to get a small modelling amp but this set up is perfect. Thank you guys!

[@MrKenward777]

You guys are the best! Love every single show for completely different reasons! Thanks!

[@JasonVanzant]

I've been wanting to recommend for a while that you guys do a comparison of various speaker cabinet/configurations, ie: 1x12", 2x12", 4x12", closed- vs. open-backed, high vs. low power-handling/efficiency and/or impedance, but have resisted so as not to infringe upon the "pedal show" premise. With the recent shows on Blug, low-wattage amps, wet/dry vs. stereo, etc. and now this week's show, I feel more confident to respectfully request this; I think a lot of us would find it incredibly informative, and it might be fun to have a "let's see how different these things sound" show compared to the "let's see how many of these things we can make sound alike" shows that these comparisons frequently end up resembling. Great show as always!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Jason Vanzant Good shout. We'll Do it. We have a bunch of classic speakers and configurations. Cheers!

[@EriksAnarchy512]

I love these more realistic videos :) all your content has been great, but every now and then it's really great to see you using amps and pedals that a lot of us use! Would be cool to see a series of you guys doing different rig set ups for different styles (blues, rock, etc.) and different budgets (cheap, mid-price, 'boutique')! Considering you guys have incredible knowledge on pedals, amps, guitars! Great video as always though! My Blues Jr. has gotten a lot of love in the last couple days :)

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Erik J Hello Erik, thanks for the kind words. We tend to steer clear of genre specific shows, largely because there's so much crossover. Dan and I don't do metal as you can probably tell, so we live loosely in the blues/rock/rock'n'roll world, and all of the stuff we talk about is relevant in those worlds. We're trying to be increasingly mindful of the fact that not everybody is as prepared for the financial sacrifice of owning nice stuff, so we'll try to include cost conscious choices where relevant. As for leading on cost though, it's not what we're about. It doesn't mean everything has to be expensive, but it does mean it has to be inspiring. Inspiration first, cost second. You'll notice we live in small houses and drive rubbish cars. :0)

[@boonexy]

I use two blues Jr's now. One is the new Tweed one, which is entirely different, and the other I bought used and replaced the speaker with a Lady Luck eminence from my old broken Epiphone amp. It's actually perfect, and it was because of you guys that I finally considered using two amps. I get a big Vox tone from the used one and a bitey top from the Tweed. It's amazing, I totally recommend it. Thanks guys!

[@Dan.L.Oliveira]

That natural harmonic at 34:39 is so clean and audible!! Absolutely stellar work as always guys!

[@TenThumbsProductions]

"Reverb to taste" it is like a recipe. Haha

[@joelonsdale]

Yes, that is the joke - like "season to taste"... Welcome :)

[@alanyau3270]

Please also do AC15, probably a lots of people having problem with the high end , keep up the good work guys!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Alan Yau so many people have asked for this so we'll get it done :)

[@greenmanmusic1259]

Spot on chaps. This is exactly what I am wrestling with when gigging my BadCat Hot Cat, particularly when trying to tame and get the best out of the O/D channel. Thanks for the info!

[@DerbyCityRockCo]

Dude. Always with the Wicked Game lick! Hilarious. Love the show, guys. I look forward to every Friday, and I've learned more in the last year with you guys than in the other 16 I've been playing. Keep it up!

[@mikeadams4605]

Would love to see the same show with a 65 Princeton Reverb, Marshall Class 5 (or equivalent) and a Vox AC 10 (or AC15). I get yelled at a lot from my family on volume and would love to see some pedal options at lower volumes across these types of Amps

[@Student311178219]

Tubescreamer + Fender Blues Junior. Heaven!!!

[@gnatiu]

I guess you are catholic. You don't seem to expect much from Heaven. Happy you.

[@harrysachs2274]

Wish they would've played a guitar with humbuckers. Edit, as soon as I posted that he says, let me see that les Paul real quick. Ha!

[@joelonsdale]

@@gnatiu Ooh, that's harsh.

[@danabiondo9243]

@@joelonsdale so what's your take now on the Blues Jr? Talk about harsh.

[@joelonsdale]

@@danabiondo9243 Not sure what you mean, but I love my Blues Junior!

[@joshmuz9018]

I had fallen asleep so this had come on auto play, I heard mick playing and the turn the pedal off and it woke from my sleep, my head in my sleep had literally gone what was that sound, what made it so much better. Turns out it was the Cali 76. Man I finally thought I was done buying gear but here we go again

[@Hexolotl00]

Some fine, fine tones from that LP junior Mr. Mick. Fine tones indeed. Thanks for the insight on how to deal with the low end issue with the Blues Jr.

[@GavinMcLeod]

Mick finally got that tortoise shell guard he wanted for his Collings. Looks and sounds perfect man!

[@markinthemix6055]

There’s also the version 4 Blues Jr. that seems to address these so called clubby issues.

[@Volcom1323]

Great video guys! It helped me a bunch! I have a Hot Rod Deluxe and an OCD, so this was right up my alley. Cheers

[@Jossblues]

You guys are both great! I love see your videos...learn a lot and besides enjoy like seeing a concert! Thanks!

[@LESPAULplayer1014]

You all should do this again with the Blues Jr. IV Tweed model that has the Jensen speaker!

[@KipCount]

Is that the C12N? God, I hate that speaker. lol.

[@jacksimmons1999]

Rick Graham as a special guest would be awesome

[@landonkirk2825]

I have 2 blues jrs. Swapped the speaker to a cannabis Rex and put JJ 5751’s in it and it’s my favorite amp!

[@natelucasmt7]

I have just begun watching your channel. This was a very important episode. It really describes the way amplifiers react. Thanks for the insight into how Pedals affect an amplifier. I always had this problem with fender amps like the blues junior and even my current Blackstar St James 6L6 has a lesser problem but the knowledge helped me adjust my EQ to compensate for different pedals. It makes me much happier with pedal board

[@PentUpPentatonics]

The horn at 14:33 sounds like the start of Sweet Child O' Mine

[@mmatthewias280]

I feel like you can make any amp go into “fart city” if you try. While I do agree the blues jr gets there a little soon after having one in the past. But I do have real good things to say about them. I was always about to get done what I needed with it - I don’t play metal at all though.

[@TheOpinionatedGuitarist]

As a side note the EP booster has internal dip switches to add bass or treble. So you can tweak it do a bit more in either area depending on what guitar you usually play. I like to run mine with both switches set to the nonboost position and the dial set to about 8 o'clock. It's great for giving your clean sound a good bump or even on top of an overdrive to boost your solos. I do all of this through a twee Blues Jr. as well.

[@JediAxis]

Loving the OCD love in your last few videos. It's the one pedal I got based on what I learned from you guys but never saw on your show....and I LOVE it! So glad you guys are digging it now too.

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Dave DiLeo yeah, it's been a joy to rediscover

[@mojoman2001]

@@ThatPedalShow -- Thanks for all you do. Question: why did you never adjust any of the EQ settings on the amp? You talked about too much bass, but never touched the knob labeled "bass". You left it on 8 the whole time? I'm confused. I know it's That *Pedal* Show, but the video title had me thinking you would tweak the amp settings.

[@thisdyingsoul76]

The suggestion of using a pedal that has low end attenuation for boosting a blues jr... That's a very good situation for a Timmy.

[@ThatPedalShow]

+thisdyingsoul76 Good shout!

[@mikestibor1]

Please tell me next week is the AC15

[@jasonkerr931]

OCD into Junior clean tone for the win! wow! And I have this amp and pedal and have never combined them this way! It works!

[@JamFactoryUK]

I have a blues jnr, this was perfect for me! Thank you! Off to go and tweak now...

[@albertsmit1544]

Im a strat type of guy but damn that tele sounded fabulous

[@chupeRodriguez]

could you do a video for the vox ac15 ? plzzz guys!!! amazing show anyway!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+chupeRodriguez Yep - just waiting for one to arrive. Cheers!

[@jimlutz6691]

Thanks for the tip on the Thorpy Shotgun, just ordered one. You guys are great - Thanks -

[@mrtambourineman6107]

I just bought the Blues Jr (blood red + Celestion greenback) on YOUR recommendation........and well !!! WOW! I I fell in love in seconds :)

[@MNGuitars]

Im strongly considering the same amp..how is it in a band? Can it cut thru without being miced?

[@RodClark]

Wow, how much would I like to see a similar video on "the other" popular combo, the DSL40C.

[@Robstafarian]

It would be great for them to have a DSL5C on hand, as a low-power/small box exemplar of a similar voice.

[@keithfaust8925]

I need a "How to get more from your Twin Reverb without the neighbors calling the police" episode. ;)

[@thedudeaars8527]

My neighbours call the police when I crank up my roland micro cube :P

[@matthogan-jones117]

Kill your neighbors. Problem solved. Note: I do not endorse this message.

[@justinpaquette224]

Pull 2 power tubes and unplug 1 speaker

[@themcnabinator]

RC BOOSTER has a dial in that dials back vol without amp knowing, so can crank amp and then just edge off actual vol at the pedal. Works for me. Tubes really warm up and glow, but the vol is apartment friendly.

[@titussardonicus338]

Weber mass 200 attenuator

[@jep3305]

Very nice feature of amp settings! Good reference for comparison with other amps. Since you guys introduced me to the Cali76 and I got one, it's a constant source of joy - and what a GREAT sound with the Gretsch - one just HAS TO love that sound! To me, this vid is a natural "progression" in your "small amps/great sound" series - highly informative and most welcome. Thanks a lot!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Jep! Cheers J :))

[@andrewpollock9332]

I have a blues jr and have not been in love with it until I heard this video with the ocd man what a difference! went out and purchased an ocd now it's my favorite overdrive for all my amps!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Andrew Pollock Yes! Now that is a result. Nice one!

[@konstadinosorfanidis2400]

So i am planning on getting the blues junior,i have a mex strat and no pedals.If i could get one pedal for blues which would it be?Overdrive or booster and which one

[@fredhem]

Cap10Barbossa Maybe ibanez tubescreamer, boss od-3 or bd-3. Good and cheap (at least the boss). Buy used, they are built well, and you can get them at half price

[@Notjay95]

Boss tu3

[@JamieClark]

More than any video you've ever put out, THIS shows the MAGIC of pedals! Made that weak little amp sound great, even at bedroom volume with the compressor! I'm shocked - But I can't afford a 76, so what's the poor-man's alternative?

[@fletches4084]

Agreed. I think the pedals in that chain cost more than the amp did. Is anyone making anything like the old Epiphone Blues Custom 30 any more? That was a great amp for less the price of a Blues Junior so it can be done if someone wants to put their mind to it.

[@SlowhandGreg]

I've a keeley compressor and they have a chart on typical settings (always on / lead boost / Twang) which I assume will give similar results on other makes so worth getting hold of then down the store and try some out.

[@JamieClark]

SlowhandGreg But the 76 is an 1176 (UREI?) in a pedal box. It def sounds different from other compressors. I guess any FET compressor? I don't know, though... Hoping @ThatPedalShow can weigh in!

[@SlowhandGreg]

Try the TC at your local store Toneprint is an awesome tool I have the flashback mini. They have examples on the website. Main thing is there dead easy to use

[@JamieClark]

SlowhandGreg I looked at the editor, and there's no way to choose the "type" of compressor (optical, FET, etc). So you won't get any "flavor" especially that you would get from preamp/op-amp transistors and transformers of real compressors (or models of real ones via digital software in a tone-print, etc). I wonder how expensive it would be to build a Cali76 type circuit...

[@pjlenny22]

Finally brought myself an OCD after seeing it in this and other That Pedal Show vids. Why oh why didn't I get it sooner?!? What a pedal!! Also have top wrapped my 335 after much deliberation. Sounds great. Never noticed Dans Les Paul was top wrapped.

[@TheCrispinCK]

Love this video! I just got my Blues Jr back from getting some mods and a new speaker and checked it with my EP Boost, vintage muff and TS clone before watching this. affirmed my views on the amp and the proper mods for it! Would love to see a video from you guys on guitar maintenance, string changing and the sound difference when it's done right. Constantly explaining this stuff to my friends but they always believe it better from TPS! thanks guys

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Crispin Cotton-Kinch ha! Yes ok, going to get one of the best techs in the business to come on the show and do a guitar maintenance special

[@ronlight7013]

This demo once again shows how wonderfully insightful and useful your channel is for the practicing guitarist. I often find myself going in circles trying to figure out what goes with what - but generally as either an abstraction or an ideal. Your channel debunks this whole messy world of guitar and amp effects and replaces it with good, sound empirical understanding brought on by a full appreciation for the interaction of all the components in a chain. Now I know, don't buy the EP boost for my 1-watt practice amp! Question answered. And the demo of an OCD as a low-gain tone sculpting tool is exactly what I needed to see. Thanks for the Fender focus, we Yanks like that!

[@ronlight7013]

Oh, and BTW. Bought a T-shirt and subscribed via Patreon. I'm paying for good advice!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Ron Light Thanks so much Ron. If we can help you demist the bits that are most interesting to you, we've done our job. We don't know everything, and we have a particular view on things, but we're just glad to be part of the endless useful information online!

[@vulturiel89]

Could you guys post the low volume blues junior settings please?

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Pochola Hello! Everything the same, but we turned the master down to just below 1. Cheers!

[@vulturiel89]

That Pedal Show Thank you! Keep up the awesome videos guys!

[@mmma9201]

That Pedal Show

[@georgezadvitsky]

Thanks for very cool video. I can't make so many tests by my self so, your videos are very-very useful. If someone wonder why blues Jr. doesn't sound good with boost here is small explanation. On the moment I'm building my tube amp and I have played a bit to make overdrive sound which I like from one stage. The thing is that when you overdrive tube negative potential start to grow on the grid. Then you shift bias to negative side and your overdrive starts to be very-very asymmetrical which sounds like pbtpbtpbtpbtpbtbptbpt smashing all the sound (I'm not speaking about little bit unsymmetrical overdrive from the some pedals). And as you see in this cool video tube overdrives more from lows. So if you will cut some of the a bit before the amp you will clear overdrive much. For really heavy drive it is better to go to other amps where you have many stages of relatively small overdrive. In my amp design I still use one overdriven tube but I decreased grid resistor to 20k (from 1M) to make grid potential smaller and placed double tube before to drive so small impedance. Works well for me.

[@taylorshapiro79]

31:30 Mick you made the point about the OCD being a better booster for a Blues Jr. than a EP booster. I have been using an OCD with my Blues Jr for 4 years now and have been using the OCD as a rather clean boost. I have the OCD's gain is set to minimum. Such an amazing sound! Great video! OCD and Tube Screamer sound great together as well! Thanks guys!

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

Any perceived variance in bass response with the Tweed version's Jensen vs. the 'standard' BJ III's Eminence?

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Rob B S It will be different for sure. Haven't heard them with my own ears though (Mick) so hard to say. In my last Blues Junior, I had a Celestion G12H Anniversary and that worked pretty well. Cheers!

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

That Pedal Show Thanks Mick. Would happen to know if it's possible, and if so worthwhile, to swap out the solid state rectifier in my Tweed BJ for a valve (5AR4 or similar) based version. If so, are there any mod kits you'd recommend?

[@ThatPedalShow]

+Rob B S Not sure Rob. Check out the Billm audio pages....

[@RhythmMethodBand]

What speaker is in the demo'd Blues Jr from the video?

[@rob_in_stowmarket_uk]

Vince Versaci On the basis that it's standard spec, the BJ III would be fitted with (per Fender site) a 'highly sensitive Fender Special Design 12inch "Lightning Bolt" speaker (made) by Eminence'

[@amitsapir2]

Maybe you should review the best home - practice valves amp. from all the known brands like Fender, Marshall, Laney, Blackstar, Vox, and etc? (because I am intrested in buying one :) )

[@mikes062]

Amit Sapir the first vox night trains are awesome! I run mine into a greenback and get compliments all the time on my tone! It's a great amp!

[@amitsapir2]

mike s I was actutally thinking of buying Blackstar HT 5T. By the way, do you think that 20w valave amp is too much for bedroom practice?

[@peterpasulke8830]

Amit Sapir I used a 18w Vox combo for bedroom use. It was ok but the volume never left the first quarter of the dial. Now I use a Blackstar HT1RH with a 10" speaker and it's absolute fantastic.

[@SlowhandGreg]

I also use a Greenback they are easy enough to drive and sound better at lower volumes than say a Vintage 30 which to me sounds awful unless its cranked. Number of watts is subjective, I like clean headroom others want a low volume O/D sound which is harder to quantify as amps tend to have sweet spots which may or may not be within neighbour/spouse tolerance ranges

[@amitsapir2]

Peter Pasulke but isn't the 1 watt goes to overdrive too fast?

[@chrisventer2970]

Love this channel! Thanks so much, in finding this very helpful! Cheers!

[@NickMessi123]

That cali76 pedal is hands down the best pedal you guys have used on the show. No matter what scenario it's used in it always sounds incredible. Defo the next purchase for my board!

[@ThatPedalShow]

+NickZoso it really is such a special pedal