Modified Fender Blues Jr. tube amp

[dartagnanone]

I`ve looking for the modification set DIY, but I can`t find it anymore. I tried to buy it by the end of the last year, but I had to travel. By that time I haven't received the blues junior yet. I got it now. Please, help me out. Its tone control are so lame. I really need to give it a boost.

Thanks.

Regards.

[yobhsiFehT]

Swap speakers... probably something by Weber... Done and done:P:D

Plenty of other mods are great, too, I'm just re-stating the obvious about Fender amps for those who may have forgotten;):)

[mainstayrock]

Good grief...you make this thing sound terrific. I want to purchase this from you immediately. Oh, you're coming to my house to make one for me? Wow. That is so generous. Thank you...

When you plugged into the Egnater I just got frustrated --- leave some tone for us, will ya???

But more pertinently...ahem: "Oh yah? This thing sucks. My POD-Eleven-Zoom-Multi-FX-HD-Ve­tta-Behringer V-Amp modeling amp/software/lines of code could blow this thing out of the water."

Sorry. It had to be done.

[p5ych0Killer]

Have to say my man.. excellent tone coming from that amp considering this is being recorded semi-professionally, submitted & then being played online, and then running through my terrible computer speakers. Fender's blues junior is a legit amp, take notes people

[FatGuitar]

Hi, I was considering upgrading my rig with another amplifier to get more versatility out of my sound. After watching this video, i reconsidered about spending a whole lot of money. My question is, doing a modification on a blues junior ( I have one) identical to this one, will i get more versatility out of my sound?

[SasaYamaoka]

awesome

[dbf678]

Man, that souns so good!

[MarksCoffeeHouse2]

Sounds good. Good and tight.

[speck444]

brian rules

[punkeratheart]

The best "mod" you can do for a BJ is an extension cab and internal speaker swap. I'd say for such a bright and sensitive amp, a g12-t75 in the extension cab and a greenback internal. Also, you HAVE TO replace the stock tubes. I sold mine, but I used to run mine in to a solid pine 1x15, and THAT sounded good. Just stock it is kinda shrill and biting, no warmth.

[DrumminFoo92]

I love your guitar... that is the exact color and texture that I wanted before I decided to get a strat.

[ed4564]

Howdy - great tone. I went to your website and couldn't find any info on the blues jr. mods. did i miss something?

[CoolH741]

Wonderful tone. Especially at full steam with the Green Backs and extension Cab.

Unfortunatly the clean tone is still too thin but pair this jewel fully cranked as a dirty channel with another amp for a more deep and sweet tone as a clean channel and you got the best of all!

[laissefaireles12]

very good mod, good sounds, congratulations!

[CoolH741]

Laissefaireles12, Franco québécois j'imagine

[maxitonetele]

How much with the mods? $ ?

[Flametopology]

Sounds great from here!

[thebluesbaby]

If you like the blues, the tube amp is about the best way you can go...if you're a beginner lookin' for your first amp, I really like the Line 6 stuff...very versatile - you get a good variety of tones and distortions. I mean, it's a beginner amp, but it's a great starting place.

[gibsonjammer1]

trim your strings, but the amp sounds awesome

[ahhotdogg]

I have a hot rod deluxe but its to heavy both in sound and weight and i play blues....im thinking abouting ditching that amp to get this and mod the shit out of it... Is that a good or bad idea? hows this amp compared to that one?

[TRICKYRJB]

this one really isnt that boxy, this is def one of the best sounding mods , I think wampler knows what he's doin

[relyt883]

damn, it's got a real nice pop

[notwaiting]

Great sounding amp! I was about to buy the 'tweed' version of this amp with the upgraded speaker.

I would love to see a side x side comparison of the modified jr and the tweed!

Thanks!

[nmcclure79]

So you can install the gain boost button? how much would something like that cost?

[nmcclure79]

Yeah, don't people put Bensen Speakers in these? Great tone.

[1Ooppera]

Finally a guy who really CAN PLAY!

...it makes whole lot a difference when you are making these demos..Thanks man!

[cloudconnect]

Another problem that still needs to be addressed on these amps is that they need the most efficient speaker you can find, and hopefully one with more bass. I always wondered what a G12H 100 would sound like with one of these amps. Bass would probably be awesome, but highs would be too much. Closed cabinet, as other poster suggested? Yeah, I can see that.

[snoopjmcd]

the main description that is used for this amp is 'boxey'. But for no other amp. I wonder what boxey means.

[cloudconnect]

@snoopjmcd

The best way to explain that would be to also describe the sound as 'contained,' meaning that the sound never really escapes from the amp. Go search for the guy playing around with Div by 13/Matchless/Vox comparison done in a church. You will find the opposite of 'boxey.' Now the ambience of the room adds a lot, but I think what it really comes down to is a simpler circuit sounds better for some reason.  Maybe it retains dynamic range or something.

[timmonsisbest]

Boxey means that it sounds like it's inside a box. Like talk and then cup your hands and put them over your mouth. That's boxey.

[ng213]

i think he says "voxey", as in sounding like a vox amp, not "boxey".

[sinned8888]

sounds veeery nice man! and i like the blue light : )

[SarahRask]

for u to do the mod would i have to send you my amp

[djteleboy]

how much to mod ? is there a difference moding a tweed ? great demo...best one on this uboob

[djteleboy]

holy shirt... u bad ass... sounds great

[Ludeboy71]

Did you change the reverb tank? If so what did you use? Ruby?

Thanks!

[jimmy5634]

I have the exact same mods on my blues jr. done by Bill Machrone. My guitar is an American Strat. I can get everything from Country Crunch to excellent Blues tones.

[wampcat]

No, Bills mods are a bit different. Just as good, but different.

bw

[jimmy5634]

Can you explain the differences? Bill put in the Celestion Greenback, improved the 'verb put in the treble boost. Did you use different tubes...different electronics? Just curious.

[wampcat]

It's been a long time since I've viewed Bill's page, but it's just tweaks to the circuit that make it more similar to marshall or vox circuitry. If you are versed in electronics it really isn't hard at all to come up with a mod for anything really - it just all boils down to what you want it to do and how you want it to change. Voodoo amps do some awesome mods to them as well IIRC

[lighteningboy]

I have both Blues Juniors now, the Tweed and the Tolex. Guess it's time to start modifications...the Tweed sounds very similar to this video in stock form.

[Chipstastegood]

hey if i buy ur DIY mod will it work with the tweed version?

[wampcat]

yes, same circuitry, different covering.

[GoogiPaw1]

The amp sounds great...but the guitar is pretty cool too. What model Agile is it and is it stock ?

[wampcat]

al2000 i believe

[gbastow]

dude, I have that same Agile guitar. Blue Dauntless. Nice geetar.

[thenamesfrancisco]

so sick so so sick

[bluesbrazilguitar]

You sell a blues jr ready with these changes? How much? Is to send to Brazil Santa Catarina? I await your reply! Thanks

[jwalsh8]

im in love with this amp i dont think ive ever heard a bad one. perfect for hendrix

[Noseheros]

I agree! The Fender Blues Junior NOS with the Jensen speaker is much better though...

[wampcat]

One of my favorite tones is the BJ through a marshall cab... it's awesome!

[yahoochiewatchie]

@wampcat ...stupid question...but how do you run the blues jr through the marshall cabinet? Thanks

[joed424]

@yahoochiewatchie mod, look up billm

[Justkickinit13]

@wampcat how would you hook this amp up to a cab? just wondered because it doesn't have a hookup.

[Ramu911]

@Justkickinit13 yeah it does. the internal speaker is hooked up via a jack input inside the cab, right next to the tubes.

[dustybroom]

i like this sound

[blueskidd96]

I never heard a blues junior sound so good!

[LesPaulXXX]

Which Celestion did you put in?

[dilopower]

Great!! Very nice overdrive sound

[djteleboy]

NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[woneee]

would be helpful if there were some actual comparison vids of these moded blues jrs cool demo though

love that led!

[westhomanLOL]

this amp sounds crazy. how much would it run for if i wanted one?

[revolutionday1]

Would you hook one up for me??

[shitkicker01]

wow you turned the blues junior into a beastly amp! and your playing is sick.

[Gradey3]

sounds amazing

[BlackMerta]

Nice demo. I've had my Blues Jr. for a couple years. One of the best amps to come along since the original "black" and 'silver" faces. The mods sound like a good thing.

wampcat, Have you tried the "Blues Deluxe" model?

Thanks!

[zaoribah]

Do you find that the mods take the noise(hum/hiss )down at all.

Sounds really good and good playing too.

[Scartapus]

Your amp sounds very very good to me. Where can I find a schematic of your mods ?

[timmonsisbest]

i love this modified sound so much better than my stock bj...hahaha...bj.

[liquidribs]

are the celestion speakers nicer sounding than the Jensen C12N speakers?

anyway i hope you are able to do a side by side comparison of sounds between a stock and modded bj.

thanks for this demo i'm thinking about buying a mod if all goes well with my pay!

nick

[pastorkev777]

Could mod a vaalvkings reverb to sound better? That is what I would want.

[pastorkev777]

You said you used a celestiion speaker I thought you worked with warehouse speakers! What speaker anyway?

[wampcat]

nope, I don't work for them, I just love their speakers!

[truetone77]

hey soundes great. I use mostly fender twins and deluxe reverb tube amps. i just bought a stock mexico made blues jr. Are mexico made blues jrs better than the USA made? Also, is there a way i can run a 1/4" cord out from the blues jr to a cab, like you did, the add a bigger sound? Also i heard weber speakers are good for these? any recommendations? thanks !

[Pointless88]

you live in indy? thats awesome i live in greenwood

[synodofdort]

cool amp I just got one

[EagleEye812]

You just hit the amp with the guitar, didn't you?

[ShikePoke101]

he damn sure did, and the show must go on..heh

[jay2rocks]

just wondering would you say this amp is loud enough to keep up with a band like just basic drums and bass cause i know its fifteen watts and i need thirty on a solid state to keep up

[wampcat]

depends on the drummer! LOL

I've used mine quite a bit at gigs and it's just fine.

[Schwampz]

Hey, my old 15 watt Line 6 Spider III Transistor amp was at volume 5 enough for a hard drummer

[famouspogs]

dude the only drummers that will overpower you are john bonham or keith moon. well someone with 5-6 cymbals might too.

[ottotheherring]

Where are you guys located? When I get a new amp some day, very possibly this one, I'll keep you guys in mind.

The only thing is, I don't ever want to ship my amp to you guys is you're really far away, and I want to buy local when I get the amp.

[wampcat]

Just south of indianapolis, in Martinsville

[brddork]

I couldn't believe it was a blues junior. sounds so great.

[wildhorsestudios1421]

What I want to know is how you got the blue pilot light. Mine isn't a removable jewel light like on my Twin.

[wampcat]

I installed it - it is a superbright blue LED

[wildhorsestudios1421]

Thanks but did you have to remove the red lens off the amp as well?

[wampcat]

no, the stock light is just a led.

bw

[jrtaylor559]

The super boost is awesome, I want to install it on my Blues Jr. Got a link?

[mcjagger666]

Great stuff, it sounds ballsy as!

[MtlRed]

Thanks for the demo. Sounds good, but I think you should do the demo with a good mic and preamp so we can hear how really good the mods sound.

Peace,

Joe

[78hiwatts]

that's what I thought,too bad about the camera,it's masking the tone.

[78hiwatts]

somethings compressing like mad,and not in a good way,is it your recording chain/medium? it sounds great except for the extreme compression,you should check it out.

[wampcat]

there isn't much of a recording medium... it's just the built-in mic of my portable camcorder. The compression is from the camera.

[jackjtube]

How do your mods compair to BillM mods? Do you sell a kit for do it yourselfers? Sounds great! Jack

[Hellebender]

Hey Brian....nice post...quick question...I use a Fender Hot Rod Deville 212 among others...but I use the Deville mostly for live performance. I typically play big stage apps so it's mic'd, however I still crank it pretty good...mainly play modern country. I've been using the stock speakers..my question is..what celestions do you recommend?..the stock speakers tend to get kinda, as you put it, "farty" sounding on the low to midrange end at high volumes with distortion. Thanks in advance.

[wampcat]

without a doubt - the warehouse speakers veteran 30's, or if you like brighter tones, go with the retro - I use both in my amps ( I have a bunch of fenders).

If you like the tone of mine, go with the reaper from warehouse. They are TONS better than any of the new celestions in my opinion.

Hope that helps! :)

[Hellebender]

Thanks for the input...much appreciated.

[Hellebender]

Hey Brian...I've been doing some research into the Warehouse speakers you recommend...looking for a bit more input from you. Hopefully you can see my original post to you...I need a good midpoint speaker that works well for both country tones...and distorted tones...and you recommended the warehouse vet 30's, or the reaper...what are the tone differences, and how is the low end response on each? My problem is cone break up on the low end at higher volumes...especially with distortion.

[SGPlayer0008]

Wow. this makes the amp sound usable. If I had money to wager I'd be he used either a G12M Greenback or a G12H30. I don't think you really want to go much over 30W for the speaker. Probably could go with a Hellatone 30.

Hooking up the cab? There's a plug inside where the combo's speaker connects. Speaker cable. Just make sure the cab has the same ohm rating as the speaker (8 ohms?)

[wampcat]

old g12h30, though I actually prefer the warehouse reaper. Cheaper price, and better tone!

[SGPlayer0008]

Yeah, it had to be old. You don't get that tone out of a brand new speaker. They take several weeks just to break in. OLD reapers? Yeah, they're already broken in. :) I've got a 412 cab w/ two Greenbacks and two V-30s. I've had it a couple months. Just now starting to sound real sweet.

[wildhorsestudios1421]

Mine sounds sweet with a 150 watt Eminence Texas Heat. The stoc 50 watter sucked.

[nicolasrivera]

Really amazing man!!!!, what kind of celestion didi you put in it???

[shadypickle]

Noobish question but how did you hook the cabinet up?

[lenarush]

hey that sounds amazing, would you recomend a celestion for a pro junior?