Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black (Used)
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Excellent fat-tube tone with spring reverb in a compact size.
The Blues Junior™ III guitar amp is a 15-watt, warm-toned, long time favorite; the perfect grab & go tube amp for stage or studio. It's got the fat mid tones characteristic of EL84 output tubes, warm 12AX7 preamp tube overdrive, real spring Reverb, simple control layout, footswitchable FAT boost, and external speaker capability.
The new Blues Junior III also includes these upgrades: Easier reading black control panel with front reading text, new badge; vintage Fender "dog bone" handle, vintage-sized jewel light, "Sparkle" mod, rattle-reducing shock absorbers for EL84 tubes, super-sensitive Fender Special Design 12" "lightning bolt" speaker by Eminence, and heavy-duty set screw "chicken head" knobs.
Features
- All tube preamp and 15-watt power section
- 3 band EQ
- FAT boost switch
- 12" Fender® "Lightning Bolt" speaker by Eminence
- Built-in spring reverb
- Extension speaker jack
Take your fat tube tone and reverb with you. Order today.
Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Specifications:
- Amplifier Type: Tube
- Output Power: 15 Watts
- Speaker: 12 inch, 8 ohm 50 Watt Fender® "Lightning Bolt" speaker by Eminence®
- Output Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
- Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
- Rectifier: Solid State Rectifier
- Inputs: One
- Channels: One Channel
- Controls: Reverb, Master, Middle, Bass, Treble, "Fat" Switch, Volume
- Effects: Spring Reverb
- Speaker Jack: External Speaker Jack
- Amp Covering/Grille Cloth: Black Textured Vinyl Covering with Blackface Style Black/Silver Grille Cloth
- Height: 16" (40.6 cm)
- Width: 18" (45.72 cm)
- Depth: 9.18" (23.31 cm)
- Weight: 31 lb. (14.06 kg)
- Footswitch: Optional 1-Button Footswitch Available For Fat
- Cover: Optional Amp Cover Available
- Unique Features: Black control panel, New badge, Rattle reducing shock absorbers for EL84 tubes, Fat Switch
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 47 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
82%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (9)
- Excellent sound (8)
- Warm / comfy (8)
- Good power output (7)
- Portable (7)
Cons
Best Uses
- Home studio (5)
- Performances (5)
- Outdoor events / games (4)
- Amateur recording (3)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
The best tube amp PERIOD!
The best 15watt Tube amp in the market actually the best tube amp in the market for the price range and well worth every penny they charge for it. In my opinion there isn't an...Read complete review
The best 15watt Tube amp in the market actually the best tube amp in the market for the price range and well worth every penny they charge for it. In my opinion there isn't an amp that can even come close to this one.
I've owned a jet city 20watt stack, I've owned a blackstar 5THR 5watt with Reverb, A laney Cub 12 a Blackheart 3/5 watt combo (which I still have)and a Vox acc i5 watt combo with reverb and tremelo and NOTHING and I MEAN Nothing comes close to the clean and crunch sounds of the Fender Blues Jr. It is by far the best soundind tube amo you will ever own so save yourself some time and effort and stop right here because there isn't an amp built that can compare to the blues Jr for normal listening levels. You can pau a LOT more or you can pay a LITTLE less but you can't find a BETTER amp. This is it. This is the one all the pros take with them when they go anywhere because nothing can quite compare to the sweet, sweet sound of a Blues Jr.
The III version is the best yet and the speaker is a GREAT improvement but you'll allways find someone who throws in a celestion this or a Canibus Rex or a Patriot osr some other crap when what's in it sounds just find. Some people are compulsive/obsesive about there speaker and I've had them all and I like the new Emminence just fine the tubes are sturdier and even the handle improved..The sparkle mod is aplus and I personally LOVE the Reverb on this amp. This amp will last you a lifetime..Change the tubes every 2 years (or more often if you gig with it) and this amp will out live you!
Ther is no better value for the money and it's worth a whole lot more than that being the best 15 watt amp on the market bar none and taking into account al the 5 watters out there that sound good but don't compare to a blues Jr and that includes Blackstar. This is the amp that all other are measured by as it should be because there isn't a better tube amp made unless you want to spend in the high price range
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Great little Amp
The sound is pretty darn got and throw on a pedal or two and you'll be stylin
OK..., for a basic tube amp you can't go too far from the mark with...Read complete review
The sound is pretty darn got and throw on a pedal or two and you'll be stylin
OK..., for a basic tube amp you can't go too far from the mark with the Blues Junior 3. The sound is known to be a little "ice picky/ sharp" on the highs but changing out the speaker for a Caninus Rex will mellow the over tonality. This is what I did for mine and it really, really helped out the highs and also rounded out the bass too. My first BJ3 lasted less than 30 days and Musicians Friend facilitated the return and turn around of a brand new one to me in a timely manor. The primary reason, by the way, that I didn't opt for the BillM mods was that this little guy comes with a 5 year warranty and I really didn't want to void it out.
So far with the second BJ3 I haven't had any troubles to date, almost a year now
For an all tube amp you really can't get one of any quality cheaper anywhere. Please don't get the Bugera because it's cheaper because the are a piece of crap. I know I bought one and I went with the extended warranty thank God since it belled-up in a year. I was told it wasn't repairable and I was better off just getting another amp, got to luv it.
Reviews
Reviewed by 47 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
A Wonderful little amp. I've had Roland, Ampeg, Marshall, and Line 6. None of them have the Usefulness of this Powerful little guy. I expect to be discovering new uses for it as time goes by but it picks up the nuances of my Nashville Power Telly Perfectly. Rings like a bell, and captures the round, bass, power sound of my Telly. The reverb is awesome.
One thing, though: it doesn't look like the pictures of it in the MF website. The picture makes it look rectangular. It's not. The face of it is almost square, 18" across and 16" down. It's pretty small and not too heavy.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Good Warmth
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Performances
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
First, kudos to the folks at MF for working with me! That have been helpful and courteous. Now to the problems. I have tried two of these amps. The first one exhibited an intermittent "crackling noise" like a short in a connection or a tube issue. This amp was exchanged for another one that has a constant "buzz" that seems to be associated with the reverb (it disappears when I turn the reverb completely off) and increases/decreases in intensity but is particularly noticeable when playing some notes/chords. The noise is always present, but at times is almost overwhelms the guitar. I am returning this amp today, and and not going to try another one of this model.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Great Service From Mf
- Powerful
- Very Impressed
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
Wanted an extra amp for visiting in Florida. Les Paul Studio sounds sweet through this one.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
What can I say, its a Fender tube amp! I have owned almost every amp there is. I also have a Line 6 Spider IV 150 2-12, and it don't come close to the Jr. The Jr is a no frills basic tube amp that delivers! If you want all the other bells and whisels, add a peddal or two. I've been playing fo 42 years and trust me when I say there is not a better amp for the size, price, and tone out there. This baby gets loud too. Its perfict for home, studio, and live. Why would anyone want to hual huge stacks when this amp will do the same thing. Just set a mic in front of it, plug in a pedal or two, and walla! Let it rip! Why do you think Eric Clapton uses Fender? Sweet tone! Stop wasting money on gimmick amps and invest in a real amp that has been proven. Fender all the way! Go to your local music store and check this amp out. Throw on a pedal or two and you will see what I mean. Buy this amp, its the last one you will ever need or want.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
- Limited Functions
- No Effects Loop
- No Line Out
- Only 1 Channel
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Practice Amp
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
Can't get the feel for a tube amp until the tubes break in, so it's a little early. Initial impression was that the Amp was a little too bright with the Lightning Bolt speaker, but once you get familiar with the various combinations of the controls you can pretty much dial in any sound you want. A very versatile amp. Getting to love it more and more the more I play it but still may swap out the speaker at some point in the future after it's off warranty.
One more con I could not fit in the space they provide - that is, the floor switch that activates the fat circuit is mandatory and should be included with the amp, even if they had to increase the price incrementally. You will end up ordering it so you might as well do it up front
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
- Sound
Cons
- None
Best Uses
- Blues Rock
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
Buy this amp you will not be disappointed. I was surprised how loud this amp is for its size. The sound quality is amazing.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
What a phenomenal amp. I am an intermediate player, but along with my Les Paul Studio, the Blues Jr can create some wonderful sounds. Since I only play at home, the volume this little baby puts out will wake the neighbors. I read all the positive reviews, and now I understand why everyone loves the FBJ. Highly recommended.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
- Powerful
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
I had been in the market for a tube amp for the last couple years, loving the sounds coming from the larger amps (the 30 and 40 watt tube amps). Finally I decided that my living space wasn't really going to support a 40 watt amp, so I started looking at 15 watt models. The first note I played on this amp I fell in love and new that I would buy one. I love the reverb and the simple controls. I mainly play clean / bluesy so this amp suits me perfectly, even when I only play it at 3. It doesn't sound bad when I turn up the pre-amp either.
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Good Warmth
- Portable
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
- Professional Recording
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
I play alot of casinos and need to have a small amp that i can play at low volumes but still have the amp being pushed abit. Viola! This is the amp that does what i need. Great amp for rehearal and great amp miked up thru a pa. I did replace the new fender speaker with an eminence cannibus rex hemp cone speaker right away.It made all the difference. Went from kinda small, thin, and boxy to full in a deluxe or super reverb kinda of way. And i know those tones cuz cuz i have both those vintage blackface amps.Im getting older and its hard to lug around and justify bringing the big guns to gigs you cant crank them up past 1. A blues jr miked up with a cannibus rex speaker and a few pedals (which it loves)is for me a great way to go.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:
On my THIRD without getting one that works. First one sounded great but started cutting out, returned and was shipped one that was completely dead. Just got the replacement for that one and the reverb is completely dead plus amp sounds thin and bright.
Clearly severe quality control issues. Not the Fender I have loved for decades... what's going on???
The amp is AMAZING when it works, but be careful.
