lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 5, 2008 10:02:44 GMT -5
Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS (differences from standard Blues Jr are: rectifier tube instead of solid-state device, nice old gold tweed, and an Italian made Jensen speaker). 31 lb, 15W RMS, 1 x 12 speaker in classic narrow panel styling, $549 at MF. Now that I've had an opportunity to play this little rascal, I really like it. As I mentioned earlier, I bought a new Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight in July, and it's become my #1. To compare between the two, the JM sounds more compressed, with a rounded-off top end: think '65 Deluxe Reverb reissue. It really punches through the band and sounds great with both my '70 Les Paul Deluxe (clean channel) and my '95 Epi Sheraton II with Seymour Duncans (drive channel). But the Blues Jr is chimey and responsive: It sounds good on its own in a way the JM doesn't. Soon enough I'll play it ensemble, and we'll see, but so far I love it. I like the reverb better in the Blues Jr, but that may just be the different feel of the tone. I can see myself using this as a harp amp. Cool little box for not too much cash.  |
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Post by ChrisK on Sept 5, 2008 19:00:15 GMT -5
6V6'S!
EL84's!
The regular Blues Jr. has a solid state reverb circuit (the rest of the signal path is tube). I haven't seen schematics for the Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS yet.
The tube rectifier will actually make a compression difference in the Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS since it's a Class AB amp.
In a Class A amp, it only reduces output power compared to a solid state rectifier.
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 6, 2008 10:39:38 GMT -5
6V6'S! EL84's! The regular Blues Jr. has a solid state reverb circuit (the rest of the signal path is tube). I haven't seen schematics for the Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS yet. The tube rectifier will actually make a compression difference in the Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS since it's a Class AB amp. In a Class A amp, it only reduces output power compared to a solid state rectifier. That's interesting. This is the first EL84-equipped guitar amp I've had (the other was a '60s Dynaco integrated stereo hi-fi amp). I'd gotten pretty used to the 6L6 sound, I guess. All my other tube amps, with the exception of a Music Man HD-130 Reverb (EL34s) and a '63 Ampeg B15N (whatever the RCA salesmen could convince Everett Hull was the latest killer tube). Fender enclosed a schematic for the Blues Jr NOS. I'll see if I can post it. |
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 6, 2008 13:52:07 GMT -5
"All my other tube amps, with the exception of a Music Man HD-130 Reverb (EL34s) and a '63 Ampeg B15N (whatever the RCA salesmen could convince Everett Hull was the latest killer tube)" shoud have read: All my other tube amps, with the exception of a Music Man HD-130 Reverb (EL34s) and a '63 Ampeg B15N (whatever the RCA salesmen could convince Everett Hull was the latest killer tube) used 6L6 tubes, and did I mention a '60s Dynaco stereo integrated amp with EL84s? ;D ChrisK, I emailed you with the Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS schematic. Here's a pic:  |
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Post by ChrisK on Sept 6, 2008 15:08:02 GMT -5
Ya know, that there Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS coupled with that Epi re-geared with a set of P-Rail(s - if'n ya have both) pickups and some of my re-demented wiring would make a dastardly nasty Blues grinder.
Hmmm, P-90s, rails, hot series hums, and parallel '59-like hums with some overall series/parallel and SooP/PooP....
The only other thing that might help a tad would be a demented but disconcertingly cute monkey to collect the coins.....
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Post by ChrisK on Sept 6, 2008 15:09:48 GMT -5
And I see that deleted neck box hidden back behind the amp. The nerve of some kid's people.... (Yeah, yeah, I know.) |
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 6, 2008 15:45:43 GMT -5
Ya know, that there Fender Hot Rod Blues Jr NOS coupled with that Epi re-geared with a set of P-Rail(s - if'n ya have both) pickups and some of my re-demented wiring would make a dastardly nasty Blues grinder. Hmmm, P-90s, rails, hot series hums, and parallel '59-like hums with some overall series/parallel and SooP/PooP.... The only other thing that might help a tad would be a demented but disconcertingly cute monkey to collect the coins..... I played the Epi at church Sunday (the preacher called us the "Baptist Blues Band") and it was a hit except for the non-musicians who couldn't see me, who asked me what kind of an instrument I was playing (we did a rendition of Blind Willie Johnson's Nobody's Fault But Mine, me playing slide on the Sheraton).... It's got a Seymour Duncan Jazz at the neck, and a JB at the bridge. Your suggestion might be good, but damned if I'll pull out all those pots and switches through the f-hole a month after I put them all in. |
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Post by warmstrat on Sept 11, 2008 10:02:36 GMT -5
Vox AD30VT FTW.
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nomadh
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Post by nomadh on Sept 22, 2008 14:52:20 GMT -5
Old thread I know. I just wanted to add The crate V and VC series amps can be had for a bargain. Something like the V15, V16 V30, V32, V50 and similar numbered VC models. Any of the cream colored crate palominos also. The newer V series V18 and V33 may not be quite as good but still an outstanding deal at <$200 new. I also think the Peavey classics 30 and 50 or DB are great amps and can be had for @ $300 used generally. I personally hated the Peavey Valve kings but they may be good for metal but I preferred the peavey windsor. Try them all out and see what hits you. If none do then maybe stick to your solid state amp, after all if they are good enough for B.B. they can be pretty good.
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Post by Teleblooz on Sept 24, 2008 13:43:04 GMT -5
Another vote for the Crate V series. Great value for the money, and MF is blowing them out for dirt cheap right now. Just picked up a V33H for $180. While I will have to do a few mods to make the OD channel gig-worthy, they are easy (just a few cap/resistor swaps), and it's still a steal.
For a small combo - the Blues Junior, no question in my mind. Just a sweet beast.
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 26, 2008 14:06:33 GMT -5
I mentioned my Pignose G40V some time ago. I've put it aside, due to the acquisition of a Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight (lighter than Piggy!) and the Blues Jr shown above. I've been reading about the Weber Beam Blocker and decided to order a couple for the BJ and the Pig (12" and 10" speakers, respectively). I just installed one on Piggy -- as a retro touch I also ordered an aluminum dust cap from Weber, and glued it to the BB -- and here is a pic:  The speaker in question is an Eminence Distraught Huguenot (yeah, I know, they call it a "Ragin Cajun" but I have scruples against corporations using names like that); the only other mod is a 12AU7 for the middle pre socket. It now sounds really cool. It went from a convenient amp that'd overdrive pretty good to one that sings, for not very much money. I bought the amp 3-4 years ago, new, and I may be up to around $400 total, now, for a 40-watt tube amp that's small and gets a good sound at low volume...but it won't replace the BJ, which is next up for the Beam Blocker mod. |
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 26, 2008 14:08:00 GMT -5
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Sept 30, 2008 12:15:09 GMT -5
I just finished installing a Weber Beam Blocker on my Blues Jr: nice improvement in the sound. It now has an upper midrange peak that really pulls the notes out.
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Post by mlrpa on Oct 1, 2008 11:17:45 GMT -5
For those long term people here, this will come as a shock comming from me. But the FENDER (Yes, I said it.) DELUXE is a wonderful sounding beastie. 40 watts, 'verb to kill for, 2 channel with a boost, a nice amp. My friend found one for about $300 used. It's worth checking out.
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Post by D2o on Oct 1, 2008 11:21:37 GMT -5
For those long term people here, this will come as a shock comming from me. But the FENDER (Yes, I said it.) DELUXE is a wonderful sounding beastie. 40 watts, 'verb to kill for, 2 channel with a boost, a nice amp. My friend found one for about $300 used. It's worth checking out.  From you ... [glow=red,2,300]!![/glow]  |
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Post by mlrpa on Oct 1, 2008 14:46:17 GMT -5
Yep, from me. Looking at it in $ vrs tone realm, for 300, it's great! For the street price of, something near 600, it's ok. I'm SERIOUSLY thinking about getting one. (May the Gods have mercy upon my guitarded soul.)
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Oct 3, 2008 19:18:43 GMT -5
I have the pignose G40V.? Try a Weber Beam Blocker: it really did the job on my G40V + Eminence speaker. |
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Post by newey on Oct 4, 2008 11:49:11 GMT -5
I've sort of had my eye on one of these: Nady GTA 1060But I've not seen any in stores, so probably I would have to buy one sight unseen off the net. Any experiences with this amp? |
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lpdeluxe
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Post by lpdeluxe on Oct 5, 2008 8:22:34 GMT -5
deleted: pic didn't post
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newswede
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Post by newswede on Nov 6, 2008 18:08:19 GMT -5
I just bought a Blackheart BH5H head with the 12" cabinet (Eminence speaker) for $250. What a work of art. There are plenty of mods for it, but right now I think it sounds great. The tubes were upgraded to JJ tubes to replace the stock ones. For me...can't beat it!
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Post by newey on Feb 6, 2009 19:59:58 GMT -5
This is just out, straight from NAMM '09: Vox AC4TVThey're taking pre-orders for spring delivery. 4 watts, 10" Celestion, on-board attenuator for 4W /1W /½W output, for $250. Looks retro-cool too. I figure they'll sell a few of these. |
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Post by sydsbluesky on Jun 22, 2009 22:32:14 GMT -5
I plan on checking out the new Vox Night Train once the GC here gets its twig-grippers on one.
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Post by angelodp on Jun 23, 2009 0:25:30 GMT -5
I Just built a Deluxe 5E3 amp from Mission amps. One of the best sounding amps I have ever heard and for under 500 if you make the cab yourself. Speaker extra.
ange
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Post by ChrisK on Jun 23, 2009 15:17:13 GMT -5
I bought one of these kits two years ago. If I ever get around to finishing it, it might be good sounding too.  what I need is an exit level tube amp. |
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Post by sumgai on Jun 23, 2009 21:51:37 GMT -5
I bought one of these kits two years ago. If I ever get around to finishing it, it might be good sounding too.
what I need is an exit level tube amp. Nah, all you need is a Break somewhere in your DoNothingWhile loop.... ;D |
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