AL SSS and this amp = Match made in heaven!!!!

[Spudmurphy]

I just borrowed a little Fender Blues Junior 15 watt amp and I'm just running it through it's paces - after 15 minutes all I can say is wow!!!!!!!!!

This thing has a great sound - so different to my Mesa F50 and Marshall Silver Jub. The cleans have a lot of character and theres no sterility there. The AL sounds great in all 5 pickup combinations too.

Looking forward to using it in anger tomorrow night - the trouble is I have to give it back on Saturday

I'll be scouring the ads for a second hand one of these that's for sure.
Spud

 

[mb99zz]

Spud, that's one of my all time favorite amps. Every EBMM I've ever played at my local GC has been through a Blues Jr. The Silhouette Special sounds awesome through it as well.

Not sure what it's like in the UK, but there are tons used Blues Jr's in the US. They're pretty easy to find -- even the models made in the USA. I especially love the Blonde ones with the oxblood cloth. A classy little amp that one is.

 

[banjoplayer]

how versatile is this amp? I´ve heard before that it is good, but it has only one channel?!?

 

[Spudmurphy]

how versatile is this amp? I´ve heard before that it is good, but it has only one channel?!?

That's right - only one channel.

I would need to run a stomp box (some stomp boxes) to get everything that I am after.

Man this thing just chimes - have it at quite a volume here in my loft.
Using it live tomorrow so I'll have a better understanding of it.

 

[mb99zz]

---Edit - Spud just beat me to the punch! ---

Correct, it's got one channel -- but it's a fine one at that. You'd need to compliment it with effects pedals or a processor to get overdrive/crunch. That single clean channel is extremely smooth. I'm guessing there are better sounding amps out there, but not at the price of the Blues Jr. It really sounds fantastic with the EBMM's I've played - especially the single coil models.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Spud, that's one of my all time favorite amps. Every EBMM I've ever played at my local GC has been through a Blues Jr. The Silhouette Special sounds awesome through it as well.

Not sure what it's like in the UK, but there are tons used Blues Jr's in the US. They're pretty easy to find -- even the models made in the USA. I especially love the Blonde ones with the oxblood cloth. A classy little amp that one is.

I can see why it's one of your favs!!- and I bet the Silo sounds sweet through it.

As usual, in the UK things are more than in the US and a good second hand one would be £275. circa $400.

The oxblood and tweeds look great but the extra money just takes it out of the equation.
I'm in no rush and I'll bide my time - but it's got my juices flowing that's 4 sure.

edit

Another thing is that the Piezo sounds great too - not as an acoustic sound but as another "mag" type option - if ya kinda see what I mean.

 

[Sweat]

Spud the blues jr is a very sweet amp fo the money, and does sound good with single coils, it is a one trick pony but a nice one at that, if I had room to have several amps about I would still have mine.

 

[mb99zz]

Hey Keith you getting rid of all your single coil guitars and going strictly hum/mini hum? I saw your note in the FS thread (for your DD Luke). Just when I was becoming a single coil convert, somebody heads the other way It's like balance to the Force

 

[Sweat]

Hey Keith you getting rid of all your single coil guitars and going strictly hum/mini hum? I saw your note in the FS thread (for your DD Luke). Just when I was becoming a single coil convert, somebody heads the other way It's like balance to the Force

LOL, while I have become a hum guy and prefer them now, not going totally singleless (is that a word), the FS thread your thinking of was for an SSS Silo Special, honestly the only single coils that have floated my boat in awhile is the BFR AL, the DD Luke went up for a different reason, new thread coming soon

 

[mb99zz]

new thread coming soon

Nice! Can't wait to see what you have cooking.

Regarding your comment about the BFR AL....man I've been itching to try one of those. I suspect those guitars sound fantastic. None of my local dealers have one in stock. That's one I'd like to hear through a Blues Jr. with a bit of reverb. Ahhhh....

 

[Jimmyb]

Spud, you should try the AL through a HIWATT....

 

[Spudmurphy]

Spud, you should try the AL through a HIWATT....

I used to use a hiwatt (a loooong time ago) and unfortunately, it was microphonic.

I used the Fender 15 watter tonight in a smallish venue, and used #1 (my BCB AL) and my EVH.

You just gotta believe me when people said after that they couldn't bleeb I was using a Blues Junior. It was awesome - I used my Tokai Metalzone pedal after the pitchblack tuner.

I just gotta get me one!

 

[robelinda2]

Any clean Fender amp + AL = TONE. None better. The tone my ears experienced when I saw AL and his rented Fender Twin was out of this world.

 

[whitestrat]

This thing has a great sound - so different to my Mesa F50 and Marshall Silver Jub. The cleans have a lot of character and theres no sterility there. The AL sounds great in all 5 pickup combinations too.

Spud, looking at what you normally play, I'm not surprised. Fender Amps are my fav. SPECIFICALLY for single coils.

Thing is, the blues Junior is great sounding, and it uses EL84 tubes. I've a preference for 6v6 tubes personally.

When you go looking for a nice used Blues Jr, Try to check out the Princeton Reverb Reissue as well. Then decide for yourself which tones you prefer.

 

[whitestrat]

how versatile is this amp? I´ve heard before that it is good, but it has only one channel?!?

Actually, with a good amp, that's ALL you need. Need some good drive? Just crank it up and boost it. Smaller amps are easier to crank. And small Fender amps are really easy to break up once you get past Vol 3 to 4. Then you start getting into SRV territory.

 

[PugNinjas]

I'm glad you groove on the combo Sir Spud. I actually tried out one of those amps the other night. Unfortunately the guitar I used was not an EBMM and was loaded with the most shrill sounding ceramic single coils I have ever heard. (To be fair, I always wanted to try one of the guitars out and was disappointed to see a strat style guitar come in at close to 9lbs !!!)

Anyways, the amp would probably sound incredible under the right circumstances

oh well, keep us posted Spud

 

[RocketRalf]

I have one, my Silo rocks trough it. The clean tones are heavenly, and when boosted it's a great blues amp. It likes PAFs too. I set it up for cleans: volume at 3, EQ all flat, Master to taste with the minimum perceivable reverb. I get my distortion tones from a Damage Control Solid Metal. The amp retains it's character with the pedal and needs a boost from the pedal's treble, but the outcome is really good, a very unique tone.

 

[mbgreene]

All hail Sir Spud and the AL
(it just had to be said)

 

[fsmith]

Hey Spud,
I've been curious about those Blues Jr's myself. I've seen them pretty cheap around here too.

I see they're re-releasing the '57 Champ, but at around a grand it's not cheap.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hey Spud,
I've been curious about those Blues Jr's myself. I've seen them pretty cheap around here too.

I see they're re-releasing the '57 Champ, but at around a grand it's not cheap.

Hey Fred . Those blues juniors are great - if they are cheap in your neck of the woods I would recommend you get one.
Would I be right in saying that the Champ will be a 5 - 8 watt amp? - if so I guess it wouldn't hack it in a live situation.

The 15 watt junior cut through a Matchless last night. I didn't have it miked up and it was fine. An amp building buddy (and a guy there last night) recommends swapping out the speaker and it just takes it up another notch.

I have to say that players and non players commented on my sound , and on the AL

I gotta get one - cheap though!!!