Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp  (Used)

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

This is a good amp for a good price! My friend bought a Fender Blues Junior from guitarist Johnny A, and boy does it sound good. Great sound, easy to use, powerful, great blues amp! Highly recommended!

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

Good behind pedals, real Fender tube tone, better reverb then previous versions.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

I have many other amplifiers and all but two of them are tube amps. I already owned a Blues Jr. what is considered today to be the Blues Jr. II. I purchased the Blues Jr. NOS because I didn't think I would like the new speaker or the sparkle modification made in the newer Blues Jr. III. However, the Blues Jr. NOS is an animal all unto it's self. Don't let people kid you when they say, that the only difference between the Blues Jr. II and the Blues Jr. NOS is the speaker and cosmetics, the Jensen c12n speaker in the NOS Blues Jr. makes the amplifier sound much louder and I also, prefer the sound of the Blues Jr. NOS to the sound of the Blues Jr. II.
I had originally purchased the Blues Jr. NOS to use with an overdrive, chorus and digital delay, in stereo with my Blues Jr. II, however, it seems that I'll have to put a Jensen c12n speaker in my Blues Jr. II before I'll have the balance between the two amplifiers that I was looking for.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

I used to have the legendary Twin Reverb, but I live in an apartment now with some very uptight neighbors so I had to downgrade to a smaller amp. The Blues Junior fit the bill. Basically I wanted a tube amp that was best with clean tones. Classic Rock, Surf, Blues, Jazz, Funk. The junior can get all those sounds.

I love that it uses a real spring box reverb, and not digital reverb. This is important to me since I love using reverb, and I use it when I play Ventures songs.

While the amp can get some overdriven bluesy tones when you crank it loud, do not expect to get hard rock, punk, or metal type tones. However, for most players who have stompboxes or guitar processors, this is a non issue. I have a good pedalboard to get me almost any kind of tone I could need, from Santana to Slayer, and all of the presets sound good coming through this amp. The 12" Jensen sounds great, and i've got no desire to swap it.

My only complaints are that the control panel labeling is backwards. But that's not a big deal as you soon memorize what knob is what and don't need to read the labels. Some people see it as an endearing Fender trait. Also, it is quite heavy for a little combo, and the vintage style handle is not very comfortable. But that's not a problem for me as I hold it from the bottom with both arms.

I've owned other small tube amps. Epi Valve Jr, Crate Palomino V8, Peavy Valveking, and a Hot Rod Deville. The blues junior is my favorite. I play a 50's strat with it, and the tones are heavenly.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

I have been playing a 1968 super reverb for the last 20yrs. I'm getting older and needed a smaller amp. This amp really fits the bill. Small, great big powerfull sound, and all the features I could ever want. Gain channel is chunck not distortion. Perfect for me!!! Love it!!! Great classic rock and blues tones. I will not miss playing the super.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

Great amp but ad is very misleading. This amp is not lacquered as the ad indicates. MF has been advertsing this amp for some time now and I have discovererd that Fender is not making the lacquered tweed at this time. The amp is not a NOS. NOS refers to NEW OLD STOCK. At one time Fender issued the amp with tubes made "back in the day". These tubes were brand new and left over from the old days. The tubes in this amp are standard GT tubes. This amp is actually a standard tweed version with a Jensen speaker. It is called an FSR Limited Edition version of the Blues Jr. It does have a tube guard to keep the tubes seated. I have contacted MF several times and they say they will remove the ad or at least change it as it is very misleading. I returned the first amp I received due to a very loud hum that occurred after about a 10 minute warmup. Of course the tweed was not lacquered as well and after several calls to MF and Fender I discovered that lacquered tweed Blues Jr.s are not being manufatured now. Fender indicated to me that over 100 different versions of the Blues Jr. have been produced. I have 45 years experience, own about 20 guitars and 5 Fender tube amps as well as many other instruments.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

The local music store I go to has one of these, and I have to say this thing sounds AMAZING. I tried A LOT of guitars through this thing and it just sounds great. I almost feel like this thing could make any guitar sound good. Everything sounds nice and clear, and bright.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

I had a very good experience with this amp right out of the box; when, after a year, I switched out stock tubes for a matched set of Mesas, the amp became even more of what I believe it's designed for: incredibly warm, natural tube tone that is perfect for whatever your palette desires. For me, once the higher end tubes broke in just a little, I started getting natural crunch for the first time ever. The twin volume controls, together with your guitar volume, can really do tonal wonders. I have since had to sell two very high end amplifiers but I have not really felt the loss of them, because this thing covers all the bases. 15 watts of this caliber is plenty of juice. Because of its ideal size and its ability to modulate drive and tone according to your volume ratios and pick attack, I can't justify owning anything other than this amplifier--and coming from an avowed gear trollop, that's saying something!

Four point five stars is given ONLY because of the lack of a standby switch. That would be a lovely addition, but this lack does not justify a 4. It's a working man's dream, truly.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

I had the Blues Deluxe for a year or so, but it was SO HEAVY. And I really never turned the volume up past "1." I would barely nudge the nob and it would get really loud. Then I would nudge it back and it would be silent.

So I traded in the "Deluxe" for the smaller "Junior" combo amp.

AND I LOVE IT! The volume is much more flexible for a jam session or for a small venue gig. It has the same, warm, glowing sound as the larger amp, it's just easer to carry and easier to adjust the sound for small room playing.

The ONLY thing I miss is how the "Deluxe" had a dedicated second channel for the tube distortion. The "Junior" does have a footswitch, but it just gives you more power/volume.

Comments about Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior NOS 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp:

Great little substrate for much needed mods
I got a great deal on a used NOS model from MF.
It had slight discoloration on the bottom left & one of the 12AX7's was replaced. No Biggie.
I installed a Tone Tubby 40/40 speaker, did the basic mods from a well known web vendor. These changes along w/ an upgraded OT and a Ruby reverb unit and I have a very different, much improved, very giggable little amp!