Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Make it loud here.
User avatar
FireAarro
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1295
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:25 pm

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by FireAarro » Wed Sep 26, 2007 4:45 pm

Superfuzz wrote:
FireAarro wrote:
samblers wrote: What’s the difference between pre-amp gain and power amp, and how should I twiddle the volume knobs to get the best of both?
Basically, think of the "volume" knob as the drive/gain knob and the "master" knob as the volume knob.

Yes, it does sound like crap at really low levels, but I think all tube amps do... you shouldn't have to be playing that soft anyway! Try sitting in front of the speaker while playing, that helps the higher frequencies reach you. I think solid state amps do sound better at very low volumes though.

Changing the pot won't make it sound better, it'll just change where the different values are on the knob rotation. It'll make it easier to set a low volume level accurately. The tone should be the same.
Well I know it doesn't change the tone, but in the case where you have: less than 1=  :k and more than 2= overdrive, having a middle way could mean having another amp sometimes..
Hmm, the Master shouldn't overdrive much past two. Plus you can play between 1 and 2  ;) It's more the preamp Volume that controls the drive, and that acts pretty smoothly to me, no sudden jumps.

Yeah, person-in-the-same-room volume is pretty soft.
Times change.  Remember when dog Jimmy used to go white and chalky?  Now it grows hair!  We got used to it. We'll get used to poly. -blueavenger

User avatar
samblers
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 128
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:53 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by samblers » Wed Sep 26, 2007 6:38 pm

“person in the same room volume” is def what I need – even if that person is me!

At higher volumes to get the clear tone the cleans are just too cutting and brittle. I’m trying the Laney again tonight so I’ll report back on how I go.

I also just found another option – the Laney L5T Lionheart – 5W of class A valve amp with a celestion 12” speaker. $1500 mind, but might have the “valves driven hard” sound at sensible room volumes.

User avatar
samblers
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 128
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2007 3:53 am
Location: Perth, Western Australia

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by samblers » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:41 am

OK, I swopped it for the Laney  :D

From first quick play i'm very much happier with it than the Blues Jnr... I can still get good clear cleans, though not quite the classic Fender tones, but i can live with this as the gain is fabulous. OK, so i have to play it slightly louder than i might otherwise with my solidstate, but when i do it just sings - I would describe this as a Marshall type gain. With the humbuckers on my LP copy it goddam rocks! With the Jag i'm able to get the blur-like twang that i would say is my most often used sound, but without losing the character of the Jag throughout the sound.Happy happy... I would recommend the Laney for anyone who wants a small valve amp with good features and some useful gain... its MUCH more versatile than the Blues Jnr IMHO.

Obviously I am a complete idiot for making the wrong choice in the shop the first time round, but you live and learn ;)

User avatar
FireAarro
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1295
Joined: Fri Oct 20, 2006 5:25 pm

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by FireAarro » Thu Sep 27, 2007 4:03 pm

Awesome! Glad you're happy :)
Times change.  Remember when dog Jimmy used to go white and chalky?  Now it grows hair!  We got used to it. We'll get used to poly. -blueavenger

User avatar
vcr_hijackerz
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 36
Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 2:50 am

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by vcr_hijackerz » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:57 am

i love my blues junior. Sounds great at any vloume and i havent changed anything. Use a MIJ Jazzmaster and i guess it can sound trebly, but can usually work it out from the guitar.

The cleans are really nice on it, and it also handles pedals nicely. But, it may not be for you. If not, I'm sure you could take it back. Before you do though, make sure you've totally given it a good run through, because they are very nice amps.
shabba rukes

User avatar
zhivago
Mods
Mods
Posts: 22453
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:18 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by zhivago » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:24 am

nice to hear a happy ending :)
Resident Spartan.

User avatar
fullerplast
Mods
Mods
Posts: 12710
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:53 am
Location: In My Room

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by fullerplast » Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:38 am

It's nice to have a happy ending....

... down at the Joy Luck Massage parlor.
Q. Are we not men?

User avatar
zhivago
Mods
Mods
Posts: 22453
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:18 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by zhivago » Fri Sep 28, 2007 3:48 am

fullerplast wrote: It's nice to have a happy ending....

... down at the Joy Luck Massage parlor.


:D

oh hold on, they charged me extra!!  :o :o :o :o


;D
Resident Spartan.

User avatar
fullerplast
Mods
Mods
Posts: 12710
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:53 am
Location: In My Room

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by fullerplast » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:04 am

Happy ending alway extra, G.I.
Q. Are we not men?

User avatar
zhivago
Mods
Mods
Posts: 22453
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:18 am
Location: London, UK

Re: Urgent help needed - Fender Blues Jnr Dilemma!

Post by zhivago » Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:08 am

fullerplast wrote: Happy ending alway extra, G.I.

hahahaha....Doug, that honestly made me laugh out loud!!!

;D ;D ;D ;D
Resident Spartan.

Post Reply