Fender Blues Junior Amp

I bought the lacquered tweed NOS version of this amp which has the tweed cover and a Jensen speaker, and is over a hundred dollars more expensive. Some reviewers of the Fender Blues Junior amp have written that it seems to have only one sound, but it is really good at having that one sound. I would tend to agree. The word Blues in the product name tells it all--it is an excellent blues amp. Don't expect it to sound great for a fusion sound or jazz-rock sound without using pedals. One welcome feature is the fat switch, which really works well and gives a push to the overdrive sound. I am unable to get the brown sound (a la Van Halen, or Clapton with Cream) out of it at moderate volumes without using pedals. Interestingly enough though, I can get that brown sound at a very low volume setting of between 1 and about 1.5 on the scale of 1-12. It seems FAR LOUDER than its 15 watts indicates. I usually leave the volume at 12, but don't like to turn the master volume up past 4 since it is so LOUD. If you are a blues player and want an outstanding blues amp without a lot of fancy built-in effects, then you might very well give an overall rating of 10 to this amp. My overall rating was subjective at 7 only because I couldn't get the tone I wanted with my Stratocaster. I tested it with a Les Paul which sounded much better, fuller and beefier.

Great little amp!! I traded my solid state Fender 212R for it when I couldn't get the sound I wanted (warm, smooth, overdrive distortion). I now have that sound! (Best trade I ever made!!) It sounds great by itself (volume up to 10 or 11 - master to 2, and volume on the guitar rolled down a bit), and sounds great with any pedals I've tried. The power is plenty when you use it for home recording small gig use, and I will keep this thing forever!! You can't beat tubes!!

I recently purchased my Blues Jr. and I love it!!!! The amp is extremely powerful for being 15 watts and it has plenty of volume for practice, small gigs, recording and anywhere that you can drop a mike in front of it. You will need to run some pedals in front of it to get a heavier rock or metal sound. I use a Vox Tonelab and a Voodoo Labs Sparkle Drive and it sounds fabulous. Hardcore Gearheads may want to replace the Tubes and Speaker to get an even better sound. Maybe just a little bit overpriced but you get what you pay for :)