Johnson Blueline 50-R 112 Combo

It's Dave again (see below). I recently changed my rig and effects pedals to: a custom First Act guitar that was a custom build with Kent Armstrong pickups and a custom aluminum pickguard plate. The pedals are: a Vox Big Bad wah, a Boss FBM-1 Fender Bassman (used as a clean boost), a Boss MT-2 Metal Zone distortion, a Boss CH-1 Super Chorus, an MXR Phaser, a Boss DD-3 Delay, and a Boss tuner; all plugged into the regular guitar input of the Johnson Blueline 50. The guitar has no active circuits so I can now use the regular input on the amp.

Comparing the amp's distortion with what I get from my pedals, the amp is a bit weak in that regard. I can really hear the difference if I utilize the amp's footswitch and switch between the clean channel and the distortion channel (of course also switching my pedal on/off accordingly - that is my pedal chain with the clean channel versus no pedals and just the distortion channel). This could be used as an expression of sound in a song, but honestly I could do the same thing with my Bassman pedal with it's gain turned all the way up (gives a bit-o-grit). I honestly feel I have all my musical expressions available to me from my pedals, making this amp merely just a piece of furniture. It does have a nice clean channel with a blues tone though.

I have gigged with this, but should bring a backup. I just don't know how dependable this is.

I have recently fallin in love with the Vox Valvetronix VT-50, so I may be changing brands. I have never had any problems yet with the Johnson.

It's OK, kinda middle-of-the-road, with a nice blues tone. Not really a Heavy Metal amp, it's distortion channel kinda weak. Good heavy cab with nice grille cloth (not a metal grate). I wish it had an extension speaker jack, an attenuator, a headphone jack, and casters.

OK, it's a 1x12 cab covered in black Tolex, the controls are on the top-rear and are set-in at an angle towards the front. All the control knobs are smooth chrome domes. All of the jacks are top quality (not plastic junk), which I found surprising since the amp was Made In China. Starting from the left & working to the right are: Effects Loop Return jack, Effects Loop Send jack, Line Out jack, Foot Switch jack, a Reverb pot, a Presence pot, then the Overdrive Channel pots (Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, Gain), then a green LED for the OD channel indicator, Then a push-button switch to select between OD or Clean channels, Then we get to the Clean Channel controls (Bass, Middle, Treble, Volume, Gain, & it's LED indicator), then we have a HI input jack and below that we have a LO input jack. There is also a red power indicator on the lower lefthand side. The hardware includes black anodized metal corner protectors, rubber feet, and the standard plastic flex-handle. The front has an open-weave grille cloth. The back sports a semi-closed back (open only 4" towards the bottom). The Accutronics reverb unit is quite small (only about 9" long & has RCA jacks with it), the speaker is a 12" 8 ohm proprietary-brand AlphaTone. The rest of the back contains the huge metal chassis for the amp, AC power cord inlet (of the type normally found on computers, so the cord completely detaches) and the 1" wide power switch. The MDF cabinet is not exactly square - it measures 22" wide in the back, 20" wide in the front, 11" deep, 17" high, and weights in at 44 pounds.

I play mostly Led Zeppelin, but also do 70's & 90's rock. My rig consists of: A discontinued Yamaha RGX-612A guitar (of which Yamaha actually claims they never made) - I modded it with a Floyd Rose trem, a Bill Lawrence L-560 HB near the bridge, an EMG single at the neck, coil-cut switches, & on-board pre-amp. Then I send it to my FX chain: a Boss TU-2 tuner, MXR Auto-Q auto wah, MXR Phase 90, a Carl Martin Hot Drive 'N Boost MK III, and a Boss digital delay (all powered by a Gator G-Bus power supply). Then it goes to the Clean channel of my amp.

The amp switches channels either by the push-button on the controls or via a foot switch (I actually had to go out and buy a Marshall footswitch to use with this amp). Now get this: the amp has Gain settings for both the OD & Clean channels, BUT the OD channel makes for a "squeezed" sound even when there's no gain. YET the clean channel really makes this amp shine, whether you're using the Gain or not.

The reason why I bought this amp is BECAUSE of the clean channel's tone. It actually SOUNDS like a tube amp!

I would have no trouble cutting thru the mix at ANY gig. And when you use the Gain, it gives you a 70's ish distortion that begins to get really horrible at around #8. So I keep it at #7, and it gives me just enough break-up to sound like that Brian May (Queen) blues sound. I've tried using my effects pedals with the Effects Loop, but I've noticed an INCREASE in noise IN the effects loop, so if you're using noisy pedals, DON'T use the effects loop. The guitar input works just fine. Since I have active circuitry in my guitar, I use the LO Input jack (the manual says to use this FOR active pickups). This jack has a -10 dB cut so you don't blow out the speaker.

I would gig with it. BUT, I would also install a set of casters on the bottom, because this box is a bit heavy.

It came with a 5 year warranty from Johnsongtr.com, BUT according to their website, this particular model has been discontinued and the company is currently being sold.

It actually SOUNDS like a tube amp!

I've had other pro guitarists stop playing and turn & look at my amp because they just couldn't believe their ears when they heard it. "You paid how much for this?"

I've been playing for well over 35 years and have played all kinds of guitars that are now worth thousands of mulla, I have played thru tons of amps: Marshalls, Peaveys, Sunn, Fenders, HiWatt, etc. I even had a Marshall amp sponsorship when I was recording with a band waay back in the early 80's but it was yanked back because someone F***ed up with the contract.

Personally, I couldn't believe MY ears when I heard this little thing in the store - and for a mere 200 spank-mees.

If it were stolen, it would break my heart because it's a discontinued model. The store actually had a 100 watt 2x12 version for only 340 bucks, but I didn't want to take that much of a chance on an unknown. Now, I don't even know if that one is still available.

Made in 2005, this amp is a very versatile amp if u wanna play blues.Works fine for metal too.It`s a solid state,it has 2 channel one is clean and one overdrive, it has effect loop , no headphone jack and it also has line put. Reverb with presence to add more variety to the reverb, i wish it had a headphone jack because this 50 w amp sound like a 75 W AMP!!! i live in a block of flats and sincerely i can`t play over 1 at the volume.

I sincerely give it a 8 for metal type sound and 9 for blues.This would be the ultimate choice in price range for a great solid state amp.The distortid channel has a knd of Nirvana sound to it, and the clean is well...CLEAN as it can get.The tone is very good,nice thick distortion, if played over 2 at volume.I own a squier stratocaster, and yes it is noisy if i play only on singles, put when playing on 2 it`s not noisy at all so it`s good if you have a guitar with humbuckers,but a good hush will be just fine if you own one.

I totaly rely on it because it is my only amp,and it is great.I don`t think this amp will soon break down

Warranty is 1-2 years

I`m a beginner but i know a good tone when i hear one,and this amp has nice tone, i wouldn`t have bought it if it was crappy(REALLY!).I recommend again a hush for all you single pickup owners

brand new release this year. I purchased the amp from Jim's music in Fremont, Calif. I saw the amp advertised in the Namm news release. the news flash stated it was an amp designed to produce "bluesy tones". I have been a player since 1974 and love the blues. I own a 1978 musicman 65 tube amp and now this one. I've been a tube snob until now. this amp features the typical treb,bass,vol, spring reverb etc; it has two channels. one is clean and one is supposed to be the overdrive. it has footswitchable function and effects loop. I'll have to admit, the Bluesy tone is caused me to try this amp. It's loud and would be fine for any club gig..

The amp's clean channel is suprisingly fat with tone. The suggested overdrive setting is chunky with a tube like break up. I like an amp that can sound fat and jazzy and biting as well. this can do it. the overdrive channel on the full setting can sound like a seventies overdrive unit. bring you back to the 1975 super distortion unit. It's not my thang but I have a nice Ibanez tube screamer to do that. The clean channel cranked up with a the overdrive bout mid-way up produces a nice fat sustained tone. Good for searing leads and bluesy runs.

Dont know bout this. I plan to use it for gigs.

Ihave been at the guitar stuff for quite some time. I own a tele custom and a 335. The attraction to this amp was the price. 229 for a 50 watt one 12 is super. the amp was advertised as for those seeeking the bluesy tone. I have owned many amps, paever classic 30, fender deluxe, musicman 65, and others. This one got me because of the price, the retro look and the suprising good tone. Solid state may not be everyone's cup of tea but this one is worth the price. I would replace it if it were stolen. I wish it had a nice cover and tremelo. What's a real blues amp without tremelo? They feature the amp in a 20,30 50 and 100 watt version. good deal