Fender Acoustasonic Junior

I purchased my first Acoustasonic JR in 1998. The second one later that year. I was at the music store looking for a small bass amp. Nothing met my size and quality requirements As usual, I was sidetracked by a nice looking Fender 12 string guitar. What sold the guitar was the amp I tried it in. I later traded the guitar but kept the amp and bought another (I'm seriously considering getting a third) This is a lightweight, 2 channel amp made to suit any serious musician. If you only play an acoustic through it, which I don't, you'll be surprised by the rich sounds which eminate from this little gem. The chorusing is satisfactory and the reverb nice. Since the second channel has a balanced input (for a microphone) it's the perfect amp to do solo venues. This amp really cranks. I rarely have the volume above 4 because my drummer complains about the volume. The only features I would like to see is a speaker out and direct out.

Ok, here is the amazing part. This amp is so pound for pound the best bass amp I have found. It is the only amp it's size that can nicely handle the B string on my five string bass. Now for bass, I don't really crank it up. We mike our amps and I prefer to let our PA provide the power. I play an Ibanez SR885 5 string, a Ken Smith BSRB 5 string and a Peavy Foundation fretless 4 string through it. It also is a very sweet sounding Electric guitar amp. My Stratocaster and Peavey T-60 solid bodies sound great also. By the way my Strat is a Roland read Strat which I play through a Gr-33 Guitar synth and I haven't found any of the 300 plus sounds that this amp cant handle. My main acoustic guitar (oh yeah! this IS an acoustic amp) is a 1983 Ovation Deluxe Baladeer, which I think the Acoustisonic JR was made for. Anybody who plays an Ovation know about feedback and the feedback notch feature is wonderful. My current 12 string is a Yamaha and it sings. I have been musical director for my church for the last 8 years. We play contemporary worship music, which covers a broad array of musical styles. Before that I played in several secular groups. If I need a certain sound I just dail it up on the synth or guitar through my RP-7. This amp can handle it!

My church just broke ground on our first building. We've been meeting in a JR High School auditorium from the beginning. My amps have been dragged in and out every weekend since I purchased them. I'm embarrased to say they've taken more than their share of spills and even survived a pretty bad car accident. They are more than durable.

I've never had to deal with Fender's customer support. I've never neeeded them. I have been having difficulty finding replacement parts, like knobs.

I've been playing over 35 years, I listed my axes. These are the only amps I own. Either these amps are the result of incredible design engineering, or one incredible accident. (don't tell the bass amp makers)

This is a two channel amp. It has 40 watts running into 2 8" speakers. Plenty of eq. It has feedback notch, string dynamics, a mic input and chorus. FX loop Contains a line out via the send output in the fx loop Solid state but still very good

I use my Ibanez 7-string through it and it handles great with a low B I was suprised. The amp has a great sound to it. There are many more high dollar amps but I really like this one. The chorus is very good on it and the straight up clean is good.

This amp is pretty reliable. Thumbs up to fender

This is just a great amp. Invest in one if you havnt already.

I bought my Fender amp in 2000 from Musicians Friend. I mostly use it in church worship and special music events at the church. It has more than enought power, for I use it as a monitor and plug it in the main sound system.

I play a Ovation Legend and a Takamine guitar with a wide range of styles. My amp is very quiet, the other post have mention noise but I never had a problem. With the chorus I can add a lot of color in the music I'm playing on certain songs. The string dynamics features makes some differents but not a whole lot in the sound. I don't set the volume level more than 3, more than enought volume in a Church that holds 1500 people.

I had the reverb pot go out but the warranty took care of it and had it back in one week working great.

I had very good customer support on my amp, and as mention had warranty work done with no problems. Fender is a name that can be trusted to do the right thing and build quaility products.

I been playing around 19 years, mostly in church. I would get the higher model that Fender makes if I needed to replace it, just to have something a little different. I choose this amp after reading many reviews on the web, this amp got a good rating. You can't go wrong with Fender anyway. The amp has a nice look to it too, and the kick back legs make it easier to point the amp at your ears.

Dual stereo amps, spring reverb, stereo chorus, feed back filter, dynamic control, two channels, etc,,,,

Have no idea how people could give this amp a bad plug, it sounds great!

Some people complain about the hiss, this is a fact of life with a Fender and spring reverb, get use to it. The chorus is huge and lush, I own a Small Clone (in many peoples opinions an industry standard along with the CE2) I put it in front of the AJ, it sounded great but not as good as the stereo chorus in the amp. The reverb is fine also, yes there is some hiss, but this is a spring reverb, the only type I would use, go digital is you don't like it,and sound over processed!

One reviewer complained about feed back, and the lack of control of the aforementioned feedback. By its very nature an accoustic guitar is prone to feed back, the better the quality of the guitar the more likely it will feed back. It makes sound when the top vibrates, so it stands to reason that if you have a good quality accoustic guitar pluged into an amp and are in the proximity of the amp the sound coming from the amp will cause the top of the guitar to vibrate putting presure on the transducer (bridge pickup) which will generate a voltage which gets sent to the amp which in turn will,,,,,well you get the idea,,,it called feed back. One way around this is to put some very expensive electronics in the amp, or between you and the amp. Fender chose to put a notch filter in, this is a relatively low cost alternative. It works OK but not great. Depending on how it was done, and you must realize that it is the resonate frequency of the instrument that is feeding back, and there for each guitar will be different, the goal is to prevent feed back with out adversely affecting tone. This is difficult to do on an amp with out driving up the cost significantly, so a notch filter is a good low cost compromise, is it perfect? No! Another low cost solution is to put a sound plug in you sound hole, this is what I have done on my D35 and it works great!

No problems in 3+ years. Use it all the time!

I like this amp, yes it has some weaknesses but don't they all? I have been playing for over 20 years. I love the look and size of this amp, with the kick back legs I have it pointing directly back at me when I'm on stage, at home it sites on a box, the volume is never past 7. BTW if you are playing in a loud band this amp will not be loud enough to hear over the drums and bass, you will have to elevate it up a bit. However I do not consider this a weakness of the amp, if you requrie more power get the next model up. They sound about the same but its louder with more features.

1999 Acoustasonic Jr. This was the First Acoustic amp I purchased. The amp was versatile at th time I purchased it. It had effects, and 2 channels. I play fingerstyle acoustic music. It was fine for small gigs, and practice. The other reviews will describe the features and construction.

At the time I purchased the amp in 1999, I was using a Martin 000-M with a Martin Gold+ saddle transductor pickup. The sound is difficult to manipulate, and a LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI, helped mellow-out the crunch of the pickup. To get a true acoustic sound is difficult. However, it is dynamic and the volume holds well for small rooms. The EQ settings could not go over 4, and the volume must be kept low to avoid distortion and a crackling tinny sound. even at a low volume thre is a strong hiss. In playing in different locations the hiss would vary, and I can't figure out how to eliminate the hiss.

The amp is reliable: no failure in 3 years. As long as I play small gigs, there is no need for a back up. I purchased a cover for it a couple of weeks after I purchased the amp. This helped keep safe during transportation, and from fading.

N/A
The warranty is 5 years.

I have been playing on and off for over 25 years. Played acoustic seriously for the last 4 years. I play a Marting 000-28, and a Martin 000M, and do some home recording. If this amp were to get stolen or broken I would not get another one. I would prefer to shop around for some other new gadget amp, with less effects, and more power. I would also shop around and test the SWRs, I heard they sound great. This amp is good for realy small gigs. After trying some othr amps withn the last 3 years, I seem to feel that the Fender Acoustasonic Jr. does not sound good as it did 3 years ago. The cost for a used Jr. is about $225, this is a pretty good deal. I think I will sell mine.

OK folks. this is my 3rd review of this amp and the second time I've owned it, having just bought a brand new one - again...

First off, this is an acoustic/electric amp, but certainly usable for jazz with a humbucker-equipped archtop.

As I said above, this is my second new AJR. I bought one back in 1998 (see all reviews with "Greg") and 2 years later upgraded to an Acoustasonic Pro (also reviewed under "Greg" here on HC). In my APro review, I said how much better the APro was than the AJR, but what I should have said was, How many mroe features the APro had than the AJR. Both amps use the same form factor - cab, 2x8 speaks, single tweeter. The AJR costs over half as much as the APro.

Quick recount of features - solid state, 2x8" speakers, tweeter, reverb, stereo chorus, effects loop, primitive direct out (use of send port of effects loop), guitar input, mix XLR input, tilt-back legs, 2x40 watts = 80 watts stereo, 43lbs, styled like a '63 Vibroverb styling (really, look it up at http://www.ampwares.com/ffg), and all metal input connectors (versus plastic on the Acoustasonic Pro).

The amp has a foot switch jack for toggling chorus. Any generic, single button switch works.

My new AJR is made in Mexico and is very quiet.

After owning the APro, I'll downgrade the feature list to a "9" from my previous appraisal of "10". This is not a bad thing as i thought the APro had too many features. In this case, the AJR is an example of less is more.

I'll stick with my previous assessment of this amp - great A/E tone and excellent jazz tone with an archtop.

These amps are well-built and rock solid. the 5 year transferrable warranty is nice, too. This is my second one and I love it.

5 year warranty with original receipt.

OK, here's where it gets weird... since buying my original AJR in 1998, I have been through about 2 dozen amps, including but not limited to a Super Reverb, Princeton Reverb II, Rivera Sedona (expensive all-tube a/e & rock amp), APro, Ultrasound AG100DS a/e amp, SF and BF Champs, Crate VC's, Polytone, and many more.

Depending on my mood, I was looking either for the best A/E amp, the best rock amp, the best jazz amp, one amp to do it all, etc, etc.

What I found was that no one amp can do it all and that I was more likely to find an A/E amp that can handle jazz and leave the rock/blues thing to yet another amp. That's how I arrived - again - at the AJR. I really enjoy this amp and remember being bummed out about selling the first one I bought.

The only reason I sold the first one was that I thought I needed more volume and the AJR's teweeter squawked at volume of 5 or higher. My new one doesn't seem to do that.

The lower end Acoustasonic line has gotten more expensive with the A30 rising from $279 street to $314 and the AJR going from $399 to $433. Still, the AJR is a great A/E and jazz amp as long as you don't play at concert hall volumes. With a full band, you may have to mic it, but if you're playing an A/E with a full band, you'll feedback before you reach the limits of this amp.

Keep in mind that I am only a hobbyist, bit for a good all-around A/E + jazz amp, you won't be able to do much better for $400 new.

As for rock/blues, do I like I do and use a BF Champ (or amp of your choice) and a multi-FX pedal.

made in 2000, I nought tis amp for my Yamaha something acoustic Guitar, I've had my Guitar for about 20 years and it sounds great un-plugged. I tried ots of amps first and bought this because it seemed to capture the accoustic spund of my Guitar and make t sound just like I heard it un-plugged, just louder...that was excellent. What I don't like about it is the effects loop, but then I am a bit of a bonehead as you'll read later on. But it is a great amp for what is is designed for

I like it for my acoustic Guitar, but here's the kicker......... I have an electric guitar that I haven't played for years. I bought this amp becuase I was playing my acoustic in a band,,,, one thing lead to another and now I've dusted off my Electric and am using it throught here...not the "A" plan that I had. But I have no idea what to get for an amp for my Electric so........ if someone know of something not too expensive that sounds great (line 6 spider??) then let me know I mike the amp anyways or go directly from line out into the board......

not had a problem with it in over a year... and hey 5 year warranty so they (Fender) must hafe made it good.

lame, the tech I talked to couldn't answer my question, said he'd get back to me and never did,,,, I hate that

if you want a good acoustic amp and have a good guitar (better have or it will sound crappy no matter what amp you use) then this is the amp for you. I looked at bigger and looked at smaller, this seemed to have a good sound and adjustment for the price....I've been playing acoustic for 20+ years, and electric for on and off too many times..remeber I welcome some comments for an Electric amp, I use a Fury (Hand built) guitar,,wicked sound.....

2000 Model Acoustasonic

Blues/Accoustic
Probably the best all around practice amp you can buy for accoustic.
VERY, VERY clean. Don't know what others on this thread are doing with this amp, but as long as your pickups are all good you got "quality-in-a-box." I'm using an Applause (Ovation). It makes this guitar stand right up and sing. This is a first rate amp. Not a lot of variety, but who needs it with an accoustic amp. It's got what you need and a few extras. Nothing fancy though- just all-around quality sound.

Very, very reliable. Built like a brick "sh!t house."

Never had to deal with them. N/A

A+. Nobody is selling this amp as a performance model. This is really a practice amp and it lives up to that as one of the best for the money. GET IT!

Made in 2000 in Mexico. Two channels, notch filter, reverb, chorus.
40 watts. Piezo tweeter

I play a Taylor 814 with LR Baggs Duel source with ribbon pickup/microphone/preamp. Style is mostly figer-picking, some strumming. This amp hisses a lot, even at low volume. I cannot get a good clean bass response out of this amp, not sure why. It booms quite a bit, even at low volume. Other acoustic amps did not boom so much as this one does. Mid and treble sound ok, but not much volume, even with amp amd preamp cranked. Sounds funky (yes funky!) with the on board blender's mike.

I would gig it without a backup, if some one actually paid me to play. Just kidding, it seems reliable.

Never had to deal.

Been playing 30 years. Own the Taylor, strat. I've owned most major brand guitars. If it were lost or stolen, I wouldn't replace it. Since I have onboard mic/ribbon/mixer/preamp why bother? I have since played through a Marshall acsoustic amp, and some SWR weird-looking thing that sounded awesome. I don't really need an amp, so I am selling the acoustasonic, it is useless to me. Not a bad amp, but not a great one either.

2 independent channels reverb, chours, notch filter,tilt back legs,

After reading the review that gave a rating of 2 I felt compelled to inform the guy that IT'S YOUR PICKUP MAN NOT THE AMP! pizoes just do that. If you put a magnetic pickup in you connot make it feedback. However if anyone is truly serious about there acoustic sound I will share with you the answer. PUT A FISHMAN PREFIX ON BOARD BLENDER IN YOUR GUITAR!! these come standard in Taylor guitars. By blending the built in microphone and the undersaddle pickup through this fender amp It will sound better plugged in than it does unplugged. I never thought It would ever be the case but hearing it for myself knocked me down! And the other thing, this amp has one the lushest sounding vocal channels I've ever heard.

Three years and no trouble/has five year warranty

With the right pickup this amp is heaven. And with an electric guitar you have a poor man's VOX amp (sounds just like it)If you only use a undersaddle pickup it will sound like Hell. You know garbage in garbage out