Fender Blues Junior

Amp made in Mexico, year 2005. Its features, quite essential and minimalized are just the best to suit my taste (the less you have, the less will break!): 15 Watts of pure all tube power, single clean channel, bass mid and treble controls, volume (pre) and master (power amp), Accutronic spring reverb and -the feature I like the best- a really useful boost named "fat" controllable via footswitch (not included)that adds some juice to the tone for lead sound, making it cut through the mix as a blade through butter! As I wrote, it just have 1 channel and doesn't have any effect-loop; it's anyway really pedal-friendly and putting a really good overdrive in front of it will make it just sing. Its 15 Watts are more than enough to gig in small clubs and if you have to play in a theatre or a Stadium, I suppose you'll have to mike it. I won't give it a 10 here just because for the buck I'm convinced they SHOULD supply the footswitch.

The sound is clean and deep, very responsive to EQ settings and can make any guitar you plug in the way it's meant to play... I mostly use it with a Strat and a Tele (both loaded with Kinman pick-ups)and I can nail everything between Chicago and Rio Grande in the Blues territory (which must obviously be the perfect habitat for this amp): SRV, Johhny Winter, early ZZ Top, Allman Bros. and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It just brings the best out of my rig: the sound is clear, but never brittle, with tight bass response and always 3-dimensional.
It even seem to like some jazzy phrasing when I plug my full-hollow Ibanez semi-acoustic guitar.
I had tons of other amps in the past (Marshall JCM600 and 800, Fender Super Reverb, Hot Rod Deluxe, Mesa Caliber 22, Peavey Classic 50). This is by far the best I've own: after wandering for decades looking for an amp providing good sounds both clean and distorted, I realised that all I needed was a clean tone perfect to my ear and my taste, then a good overdrive that wouln't snaturate that sound...
The Blues Jr gave me THAT clean sound, but don't forget that THE sound is totally subjective: the same sound may be Heaven for me and Hell for somebody else...

It seems well built, despite some reviews I read here... It never let me down so far, though I often mistreat it a bit by gigging around in Clubs where I have to "squeeze" it a little ;-).
I always gig without a back up, even if I just got another one trading off my Hot Rod... Sofar, so good.

I never dealt with them.

I've been playing for 30+ years, a decade as a pro across late 80's and 90's with more Blues and Southern Rock bands than I can remember.
I'm really in love with this amp; I think it gives its best with the Strat, but let's remember that the amp is 25% of your sound, as 25% is in your guitar and the last 50% is in your hands and heart!
I wouldn't buy any other amp and I guess you hardly could find another in this price-range that sounds better! Oh, by the way... It weighs in under 18 Kg, so you won't have to rent a lifter to bring it out for gigs!

Mine was made in 2006. There are plenty of reviews here so I will focus only on this amp's usefulness in playing surf music.

I play surf music through this amp with an assortment of Fender and Danelectro guitars, generally preferring neck+bridge. You can get a good surf sound out of this amp. Needless to say, you will want to turn the reverb all the way up to 12 and leave it there all the time. You can get a good deal more reverb out of it by turning down the EQ's. I find that a setting of between 1-2 for middle and bass, and between 2-3 for treble yields a nice tone. It would be nice, of course, if the reverb could be turned up past 12, perhaps to 20 or 400 or so. But then again, the sky is the limit.

I found the Sovtek 12AX7's to be lacking in dirt and snot, so I pulled one and replaced it with a 1953 GE 12AX7 that trashes up the sound a bit more (I believe it runs a bit hotter as well). If you have a box of 12A?7 tubes around, try out a few others.

The Blues Jr pretty much has all the features you can expect from a small tube amp - single channel, 3 band eq, master volume and Reverb and 12 inch speaker.

One unique feature the act has is what they call a "FAT" switch, which is a fixed gain and low-end booster that's footswitchable. A good substitute if you don't have a Tubescreamer. It thickens up the signal and makes it more powerful - I'd leave it on all the time but I run a rather noisy flanger before the amp so can't have any gain boost after it, so leave it off. This is where an effects loop would have been great.

I've had this amp for a few years now so am pretty well versed with what it likes and does not.

First this is a Fender, not a Marshall 18w so don't expect a lot of overdrive. The name of the amp is Blues Jr, not Rock Jr or Metal Jr. What this means is it's designed to produce a Blues sound - as you turn up the volume the tone gets increasingly woolly and middy, losing high end detail. Personally I'm not a Bluesman (I play Indie rock) so I swapped out the 12AX7 in V1 with a vintage RCA 12AT7, which increases the clean headroom of the amp and suppresses the middy, woolly gain sound for further along the turn of the volume knob. You still have to be careful boosting the amp with pedal - a large volume boost from a pedal will of course push the amp into the woolly middy drive, so I tend to be fairly conservative with pedal volume, although some bright dirt pedals mix quite well with the amp's own overdrive.

The general dark, middy, woolly tone of this amp means it's probably best suited to single coils (not surprising again - it's a Fender). I play HBs (HSH) and think you can get the most out of this amp with lighter gague strings - I use flatwound 10s. Previously I'd used flatwound 12s (I'm no shredder) but the tone was really much too thick for this amp. I had to run the treble control on full and the Bass on 2 and it was still too difficult to balance between the neck and bridge. Now I run each EQ at around noon - if the tone of the instrument is good then there's little need to compensate at the amplification stage. I leave the volume at 5 and alter the master depending on whether I need to keep things quite. It's quite loud with the master maxed.

The spring reverb is ok, but nothing to write home about. Of course it's not tube driven, and it's a very small spring tank, so isn't that deep and has that small tank twang. Some guy on ebay used to offer a bigger spring tank that he'd file down so it would fit into the cab. I'd always intended to pick one up but never got around to it and I've not seen them listed for a few years now.

I also swapped out the stock speaker with a Jensen C12N reissue several years ago. From memory it improved the tone slightly, maybe by 10-15%.

Well I'm not a gigging musician so can't comment on how it stands up to being moved from place to place, but I've never had an issue with the amp. I was disappointed to read that Fender Australia would only honour the 5 year warranty if the amp was serviced by an authorised repairer annually.

I also noticed that the knob labels were very easily rubbed off (the ON under the power switch has completely rubbed off my amp).

One thing it is prone to is tube rattle, though this is more an issue of the tubes than the amp, and a risk with most combos. The stock grovetube preamp tubes in V2 and V3 rattle on the neck pickup with the volume is high enough. I'd probably worry about it more if I had an audience.

I've had a love-hate relationship with this amp. I'd fallen for a little Pro Jr, yet when I went back to the store the next day for the sale they'd discounted the Blues Jr, which I hadn't bothered to try, into my price range. The store was far to packed to try the amp out and I just assumed it was the same as the Pro, only with more features. I think the two amps have different purposes - the Blues Jr is obviously meant for the Bluesman and the Pro is better voiced for classic rock. In any event I've learned to live with the Blues and can appreciate that it's a pretty good amp for the money. It's never had an issue and is still running strong on 4 of the 5 stock tubes 4 years later. Ultimately I think I will eventually sell it in 6 months to help fund a holiday, and would probably look at something else to replace it when I return, perhaps a Deluxe Reverb reissue or possibly an old Princeton Reverb if I can find one. I think the Blues Jr is better than old Champs and Vibrochamps - they sound tiny next to one.

Anywho, they're available everywhere so try one out and let your own ears decide. Best to ignore criticisms from gear snobs because it doesn't measure up to their Matchless - it's an entry level mass-produced amp for God's sake. For what it is, it's pretty good. value. There's not a lot available in the alternative.

This amp has no frills, except for a "Fat" button, which gives it an overdrive effect. This is different than the Fender Blues Deluxe set up. The other pots are just for volume, master, reverb, etc..
I basically use this amp at my home, but may be suitable for a small gig.

This was my first tube amp purchase after having several solid state types. I play a Fender Telecaster, usually tuned in open E to play bottleneck with. I am very happy with the sustain I get with the amp fairly cranked up. The tone is powerful, but dampening the strings helps omit any clutter. So it works well for this application. I also just purchased an Epiphone Dot, which is generally rigged in standard tuning, and it's a blast to play throught this amp. It has a nice warm tone, and depending on how high the volume and master are set, I can rely on only amp distortion for good rockin effects. I also use a wah wah with the Dot at times, and I feel no need to add any other effects device to the set up to achieve any better tone. It's powerful for it's size, and it's got some versitility depending on styles and guitars

I had to have a tube replaced recently, but it's held up nicely.

I have found many players who are fond of this amp for different reasons. For the price it's a great investment for a smaller tube amp that packs a little punch.

The amp was made in 2006. 15 watt amp, EL84 Groove Tubes inside. Sovtek 12AX7 preamp tubes as well.

I play rock, but mainly a singer, so fine for me. For practice, home, small gigs...can't go wrong. It's not some wonder amp; simple is best.

VERY HAPPY with the sound. I have a Les Paul 58 VOS, and I have been playing everyday now! The amp is small so it starts breaking up at about 5. The FAT switch adds warmth to it, but don't expect "shred-head" tones. I have a LINE 6 Uber Metal for that. The reverb is tasty! For the size, a great sounding tube amp!

Just got it so can't tell you that....

Fender?

No comment.

Great value, will use this live. I hope I can advise people like this: I was a GAS maniac who went through axes and amps like wildfire. I slimmed down to just a Gibson J-45 acoustic, and the 58 LP VOS. I had a Mesa Boogie Lonestar 50/100W. I felt bad for the amp, because its chance to shine was being taken away by my living in a condo in hyper-sensitive Japan! Many friends came to my aid and so I got this. I admit the Lonestar's reverb and clean is not to be beat, but realistically, how could I play that amp? You know the answer to that.
This amp play beautifully, it's all tube, and your neighbors won't try to kill you. This can be used in smaller venues, so worth the dough. Been playing about 20 years. If it got stolen I'd buy another, but here in Japan, they're SOLD OUT along with the PRO junior. I was lucky to get one. Check one out.

We all know these by now!! but i gave this i high rating because i dont use effects loops, or any fancy channel switching, so it has enough features for me!!

This is not a fizzy ultra gain distortion amplifier so dont buy it if thats what you want!! a few reveiws on here have complained about the lack of drive on this amp but...ok...sorry..Its a BLUES JUNIOR!!! and the idea of a classic blues sound is to drive the power stage as far as you can and not use that nasty fizzy overdrive that you get on a lot of amps!! thats why its only 15w and not 50w so you can crank it!! The sound is very sweet, and is sensitive to pick attack. Hard to get a clean sound when cranked, but if you have a Strat/Tele/Ric or any single coil guitars,it should do the job well. But again it is a BLUES amp!!!It does that BB King SRV modern Clapton sound well!!! also good for Oasis The Beatles, any classic rock really!! But i would recommend using only classic type guitars with this! tried a Jackson through it and it sounded very dull! i use Strat, Les Paul, Rickenbacker 330 and they all shine there unique sounds through this amp! I have it set up driven and just use the volume on the guitar to control gain level, works well for me..but may not for others, so you do need to try before you buy!!!!

no probs yet!!

Been playing for 16 years, 12years live in bands!! I own a Marshall DSL100 head & cab!! and a Marshall 2554 Jubilee combo!! all great amps!! but this little thing is well up there with them!! i use it more than the Marshall Jubilee and those amps are fantastic!! dont listen to the crap!! its got plenty of power for most live places i play pubs & clubs and its fine!! If you use 100w amps, the bass then uses high wattage amps..the drummer then gets louder! the singer then gets a 5000w PA with 6 monitors!! and it gets stupid!!! we all use small combos in my band now, dont use the big stuff anymore! and have a much more dynamic sound then ever!! And for me the BLUES JUNIOR fits the bill well and does a great job!!!

I don't know the year, but I know it's Made in America. It's a single channel amp with a gain boost and reverb.

3 12AX7 preamp tubes feeding into 2 EL84 power tubes, into a Fender Eminence 12" speaker that I find is lacking but does its job.

15W tube

Really, it's all I want from the amp, so no problems, but an effects loop would be a welcome addition, as I would like to put an EQ between the pre and power sections of the amp.

Oh, and a standby switch would be a really good idea.

Here's where things are awesome.

Here's how I'd describe this amplifier: JCM-800 Marshall with tighter low end and much lower power. Oh, and if you're wondering, I do have a JCM-800, and that's my main gig amp. I've had the opportunity to crank this amplifier numerous times, and the sound it produces is very Marshallesque. With humbuckers, just stick an overdrive pedal in front with the level maxed out and the gain at zero, and the tone maxed. Maybe add a little drive from the pedal, and you're in the metal zone (but better sounding). Think Jerry Cantrell.

The sound from this amp is creamy and it really sings.

This amp is capable of playing an unmiced gig if you're okay with not having a good clean sound, though your volume knob will help. Paired with a more efficient speaker, this amp can almost do it all. I've played metal shows, unmiced, with this going into an Avatar 1x12 when my Marshall has gone in for repairs.

This amplifier sounds really great when miked for a recording or through a PA, and it's a convenient, relatively light, and great sounding amplifier. It's my main recording and rehearsal amplifier.

My two qualms are that its reverb no longer works, which I need to fix, and the speaker is pretty dull sounding, not to mention inefficient.

Reverb does not work, and that's half of why you buy a Fender. I bought the amplifier from my teacher, who sold it because he hardly used it, so it really looked brand new. I've used it extensively, so it has its nicks, but the reverb never worked to begin with on this amp.

I've never dealt with Fender. I'd imagine they do their best but given the size of the company, things fall through. But I won't give a rating here.

I've been playing 10 years, gigging for 5. Considering the deal I got on this amp, I think it's an incredible value. I'd replace it in a heartbeat.

My other amp is a JCM-800 4210, which I only use the clean channel on, as that's the real all-tube, JCM-800 channel. My signal chain is as follows:

Guitars:
1987 Fender Stratocaster MIJ
2005 Dean Vendetta 3.0 with DiMarzio Megadrive and Air Norton
Early '90's Charvel Model 3
Frankenstrat with EMG SC's, Kramer neck, Squier Alder body, Schaller Floyd Rose II bridge.

Effects:
Dunlop Crybaby
Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive
Digitech Screaming Blues
1985 ProCo Rat Pedal
Boss CH-1 Super Chorus
DOD Stereo Phaser (the maroon one)
Danelectro Fish & Chips EQ

Amps:
Fender Blues Jr.
1983 Marshall JCM-800 4210
Fender Frontman 15

This is my 2nd blues jr. !st was used and i sold it and just got a 06
model. brand new. You know the features,1 channel, reverb, fat switch,all tube 15w. I will be using it at church miked thru pa. wish it had a stand by switch [ what i do is turn master all the way down] wish it had a effects loop.

Like the label says,blues, awesome clean, lil meat when needed as you dig in, I got a Boss bd-2 also. I have a Prs swamp ash hsh, with a 5 way switch, a american tele deluxe with 2 Barden twin tone p'ups and a awesome strat copy with peavey wolfgang neck and anderson p'ups, got a kelley ts9, v-stack, boss chorus, boss dd-6 delay and a incredible BBE sonic max. stomp box.
Im a blues based player playing comtempoary christian music, very hi-energy.
Fat switch is ok, i like to get as clean as i can and let the pedals do all others

Had manyyy amps, fender has had problems i hear, none here

Ive called fender before for help, total jerks

Im 51, been playing since i was 8. I do have a 2006 peavey classic 30, upgraded to jj tubes and a weber silver dog.
If you cant get tone outa this thing stock, get guitar lessons, tone is in your fingers also, Ive had 'em all, guitars and amps.
I bought this cause I wanted some fender clean, also ck out the crate 30w class a palamino, got some sweet clean, fender style, also had a 15w palamino, i didnt like it. The peavey classic has a better od/ dist. channel, crate has a sweet fender sound clean, let the pedals do the work on the clean side

small light weight, does have plenty of punch. I use it mainly for a pratice amp but have used it in small clubs.

I`m a blues guitarist and like the tube tone, it does breakup OK but seems to have a hum when the fat button is engauged.

within a week the reverb went out and continued to fail approx. every 3 months just like clock work. in a 3 year period this amp was in the shop for a total of 36 weeks for reverb repairs. I wasn`t happy about that. Fender denied there was a problem but after 6 trips to the repair shop they finally replaced it with a new one. haven`t turned the new one on yet considering selling it and buying a Peavey 112 Valve King.

Fender Lies, numerous phone calls and e-mails between Fender and I along with the point of purchase dealer I bought the amp from. each time it was sent for repairs it was gone from 4 to 6 weeks, repair shop says to many to fix in their shop, humm! a friend of mine has same exact problem with his.

I`ve been playing guitar for 30 years, played most venues, bluegrass, rock, country and now blues. If this amp was lost or stolen I would not replace it, has been a piece of junk ever sience I brought it home. at the time i was looking for a small amp that would be easy to transport, I considered a Peavey and probally should have bought it. I own a 1980 Fender 75 112 combo and it is my main amp but weights in a 80 lbs, difficult to transport but does work fine after 26 years of service.

Features very basic and easy to understand- ideally it could have two channels clean/overdrive but for this price you could buy two amps or buy a volume boost pedal to get the same affect changing between clean /overdrive

Sound quality is the best. Really great sound.Its not and out and metal shredders amp. Think more blues warm sound tube overdrive at its best.

A definite addition to your rig with this amp would be to add a graphic equaliser as one of your pedals.This really refines the sound.

never had to deal with them.Had it 6 months never a problem

dont know

I would replace this amp if stolen.Definately the best.i have two other amps a marshal and a fender twin.The fender blues junior is the one that comes out with me every time