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Post by slide496 on Oct 9, 2014 1:13:12 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 9, 2014 9:15:35 GMT
Hi Harriet,
The Hot Rod Blues Junior is a very good amp, there is no question about it. However, I think it is overpowered for what I think you want it for. 15 watts of tube guitar amp is loud, especially if you are only using it at home. I only use 6 and 7 watt tube amps on stage with a band. I don't know if Fender Hot Rod makes a 'Champ' size tube amp, but that is what I would recommend.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by snakehips on Oct 9, 2014 10:07:09 GMT
Hi there !
I love my Blues Jnr. I think it is a perfect amp for home and pub gigs.
I never have mine too loud.
Play many tiny ampa at full volume an the sound goes too fizzy, flabby distortion.
The Blues Jnr has the Gain aad Master volume controls, so you can get clean or dirty sounds (or anywhere between, like I prefer) at any volume you want.
Plus, it has spring reverb, which a lot of small valve amps don't have.
I actually have two of them - an original mark 1 version, and the lates mtark 3 version.
If you are not looking to spend too much, I can sell you my older Mark 1 Blues Jnr ?
I also had a larger cab made for the amp, in Fender brown tolex covering, with a larger 15" Jensen C15N ceramic speaker - for fatter bottom end, if you fancy that ?
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 9, 2014 10:11:02 GMT
I have been using little amps for 20 years on all concerts and recordings, and never turn them up above halfway (5) ....or 5.5 if yours goes to 11  There is no flabby distortion on any of my amps! Shine On Michael |
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Post by snakehips on Oct 9, 2014 10:28:30 GMT
Hi again
I was meaning that if you need more volume from whatever amp you might be using, you have to turn up the volume control.
If it's a really small wattage amp, then you likely end up being at 11 !
At that point of the amp being at full volume, you are unlikely to get a clean, undistorted tone.
So, if you want more clean volume, you might want a slightly bigger amp.
Too big then you need deafening volumes before you can get a bit balsy grit in the sound - hence why I believe a good - circa 15watt valve amp is a great compromise for home AND small gig use. I never have my Blues Jnr's Gain past about 4.5 and the Master Volume only in the 3-5 range.
Of course, YMMV !
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Post by slide496 on Oct 9, 2014 13:25:59 GMT
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 9, 2014 13:38:58 GMT
Hi Harriet,
The Epiphone is a very nice guitar. I don't think you need an amp with that power....and that weight. The little amps are so portable and good ones have the sound.
I agree that a new amp should be more reliable than an oldie.
Shine On
Michael.
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Post by slide496 on Oct 9, 2014 13:57:21 GMT
Thanks MM, its not a matter of "needing" its a matter of wanting in the ballpark of a certain sound and these two worked better than anything I have tried. I know nothing about electrics and appreciate your advise!
Its not a big deal to double check at the store and arrange for a replacement but I think the amp itself and the settings had something to do with it - I took a screen shot of them.
It should be here tomorrow and I'll double check next week before I open the box. I'll check both the volume on the one in store and a comparable smaller one if they carry them.
UGH it is heavy!
Best,
H
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 9, 2014 14:27:44 GMT
....'need' was not a good choice of word! My concern is partly to do with the weight, however if you like the sound and the pairing of the two, then go for it  I have recorded with the amp you are looking at, it is an amp that often gets lent to me on shows that I fly to, and it is a fine amp, but it is loud and it is heavy. Shine On Michael |
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Post by Brad Bechtel on Oct 9, 2014 14:58:09 GMT
I think the Blues Junior hits a very sweet spot in the range of available guitar amplifiers. It's plenty loud enough to play with a full band unless you're being stupidly loud, has a great tone at just about every volume level, and is highly modifiable (see billmaudio.com/wp/ for some ideas). The guitarist in my seven piece band plays a Telecaster through a Blues Junior and we ask him to turn down (but that's a different story...). I own and play the Pro Junior, which is the smaller cousin of this amp. It has a ten inch speaker and puts out 15 watts, but has no reverb or master volume. It's now discontinued but can be found used. If it's too loud for your need, consider the Fender Pawn Shop Series: www.fender.com/series/pawn-shop-special/If you can find a recent (but discontinued) Fender Champion 600, you might be satisfied with that. It's very small and distorts easily, but I like the distortion it provides. If you're looking for a very decent solid state amp, the Fender Mustang Series gets great reviews as well. |
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Post by slide496 on Oct 9, 2014 15:08:06 GMT
I thought the 175 had great tone at a low volume as Brad says -
Made a trolley with wheels for my 51 lb printer from a small table top and wheels- that's what I'll need to do for this if I keep it. Its 31 lbs. That was thought out. More attention to volume wasn't.
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Post by zak71 on Oct 9, 2014 20:21:07 GMT
I'd recommend a Silvertone 1481 or the earlier 1471. They sound terrific, are extremely simple circuits (one tone knob, one volume knob), use tubes readily available today, and are very simple to work on if a component were to fail. They also weigh only a little more than a large hardcover book.
For a little more money, something like a Supro Trojan would be my first choice if I was only getting an amp for home use.
The late 50s and early 60s single-6V6 amps have a sweetness to them that modern Fenders don't. They were also built to last, and to be easily repaired when something goes wrong. Modern amps and their printed circuit boards...not so much.
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Post by snakehips on Oct 9, 2014 20:47:04 GMT
Hi again !
Finding these type of amps, Zak, in the UK is difficult.
Obtaining one from the US or Canada is also tricky as that involves shipping across the world and very much dependant on how tough they are for that.
Something I don't know much about and something I'd not want to risk money on.
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Post by slide496 on Oct 9, 2014 22:25:51 GMT
"Something I don't know much about and something I'd not want to risk money on." ............. Two on that - But I just heard a vintage supro through one of those little vintage amps in the city and the salesman who played it sounded great, when I took over though, I didn't have the touch compared to him. The epiphone 175 through a blues I played well in the store. |
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Post by Michael Messer on Oct 9, 2014 22:29:22 GMT
...but Slide496 is in NYC where it should be easy to find 50s amps. I agree with Zak about old amps, unless you get a handbuilt one like mine, which is built exactly like an original. Old amps are lightweight and they sound amazing.
Apart from some of the so called 'boutique amps' like the Swart SpaceTone (as an example) which are very expensive, nothing can touch old amps.
Shine On
Michael.
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