Robert
May 30th, 2010, 08:51 PM
I tried the Fender Blues Junior and the Fender Pro Junior today at a music store. I spent plenty of time playing them both with 2 Classic Vibe Tele's (50's and that Alder sunburst Tele).
Hands down - the Pro Junior (PJ) is a clear winner in terms of tone in my book. It's very dynamic and has an incredibly inspiring tone. It's not just the tone - the notes just jump off the fretboard. You know, that touch sensitivity that good tube amps have, which most solid state amps lack. The PJ has this going for it, big time. When you turn it up, it becomes extremely dynamic/touch sensitive/glassy sounding. It makes the amp harder to play for inexperienced guitarists, but for an experienced guitar player, this amp delivers the goods, albeit in a tiny package, granted.
I couldn't crank in the amp room without risking me ears - it was way too loud for me in there with the knob on 4. I'd love to try it cranked though.
The PJ has only a volume knob and a tone knob. The Blues Junior (BJ) has lots more options - eq, reverb, gain stage, but I think that may be a drawback as well. Less "stuff" (to be somewhat overly technical :D) between amp input and speaker output seems like a good idea. That's the philosophy behind the Mack amps as well.
Now, the BJ is a fine amp too, and much more versatile. However, in terms greatness of tone, and the type tone that makes me want to really play an amp, the PJ wins easily. Either would be a fine amp, but I'm gonna look for a PJ on the used market and see if I can score one.
With some good pedals and perhaps a mod on the PJ for an external cab, this would be an amazing blues/country/lighter rock rig.
I give the BJ 4 :AOK
I give the PJ 5 :AOK
Hands down - the Pro Junior (PJ) is a clear winner in terms of tone in my book. It's very dynamic and has an incredibly inspiring tone. It's not just the tone - the notes just jump off the fretboard. You know, that touch sensitivity that good tube amps have, which most solid state amps lack. The PJ has this going for it, big time. When you turn it up, it becomes extremely dynamic/touch sensitive/glassy sounding. It makes the amp harder to play for inexperienced guitarists, but for an experienced guitar player, this amp delivers the goods, albeit in a tiny package, granted.
I couldn't crank in the amp room without risking me ears - it was way too loud for me in there with the knob on 4. I'd love to try it cranked though.
The PJ has only a volume knob and a tone knob. The Blues Junior (BJ) has lots more options - eq, reverb, gain stage, but I think that may be a drawback as well. Less "stuff" (to be somewhat overly technical :D) between amp input and speaker output seems like a good idea. That's the philosophy behind the Mack amps as well.
Now, the BJ is a fine amp too, and much more versatile. However, in terms greatness of tone, and the type tone that makes me want to really play an amp, the PJ wins easily. Either would be a fine amp, but I'm gonna look for a PJ on the used market and see if I can score one.
With some good pedals and perhaps a mod on the PJ for an external cab, this would be an amazing blues/country/lighter rock rig.
I give the BJ 4 :AOK
I give the PJ 5 :AOK