Photo of the Day
Shoutbox

SHADOWNIGHT5150: I like big reverb and i cannot lie
256 days ago

SHADOWNIGHT5150: Bank accounts are a scam created by a shadow government
256 days ago

sysmalakian: TODAY IS MY BIRTHDAY!
242 days ago

dp: dude
223 days ago

Bango_Rilla: Shout Bananas!!
178 days ago

BillyBlastOff: See you kiddies at the Convention!
162 days ago

GDW: showman
113 days ago

Emilien03: https://losg...
35 days ago

Pyronauts: Happy Tanks-Kicking!!!
28 days ago

glennmagi: CLAM SHACK guitar
14 days ago

Please login or register to shout.

Current Polls

No polls at this time. Check out our past polls.

Current Contests

No contests at this time. Check out our past contests.

Donations

Help us meet our monthly goal:

100%

100%

Donate Now

Cake December Birthdays Cake
SG101 Banner

SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Fender Blues Junior IV

New Topic
Page 1 of 1

Does the Fender Blues Junior IV surf? I have a lead on one for sale for a great price and wondering if it would be worth it.

Allegedly from what I read it can get you some nice clean tones at loud volume but maybe with a little natural dirt (which is ok with me)

Also, would it be a giggable amp?

I'm not a "Fender-clean "purist, but I didn't particularly like the tonal characteristics of the early Blues Jr's. Mine was midrangey and muddy sounding. I wouldn't say that it didn't surf, but it was not a great tone, to my ears. I replaced mine with a Reverend Goblin (no longer made), which has exponetially better tone. I understand that Fender has made some enhancements to the newer Blue Jr. models, so maybe my experience doesn't apply to the one that you're considering.

Gigable? I'm no authority. I haven't actively gigged in eons. I never used mine for anything more than drummerless jams. Miking it up, and running through a P.A. would definitely work. Without reinforcement, especially with a full band, with a loud drummer, it would most likely get lost in the mix.

I'd recommend considering a Quilter Aviator Cub US. 50w, Tweed, Bownface, and Blackface Fender settings. The "sweet spot" attainable at any volume. Lightweight and portable. Great tone. A new one is less costly than a new Blue s Jr.
https://www.quilterlabs.com/collections/guitar-amplifiers/products/aviator-cub-us

Bob

Last edited: Dec 09, 2023 13:15:55

RobbieReverb wrote:

I'm not a "Fender-clean "purist, but I didn't particularly like the tonal characteristics of the early Blues Jr's. Mine was midrangey and muddy sounding. I wouldn't say that it didn't surf, but it was not a great tone, to my ears. I replaced mine with a Reverend Goblin (no longer made), which has exponetially better tone. I understand that Fender has made some enhancements to the newer Blue Jr. models, so maybe my experience doesn't apply to the one that you're considering.

Gigable? I'm no authority. I haven't actively gigged in eons. I never used mine for anything more than drummerless jams. Miking it up, and running through a P.A. would definitely work. Without reinforcement, especially with a full band, with a loud drummer, it would most likely get lost in the mix.

I'd recommend considering a Quilter Aviator Cub US. 50w, Tweed, Bownface, and Blackface Fender settings. The "sweet spot" attainable at any volume. Lightweight and portable. Great tone. A new one is less costly than a new Blue s Jr.
https://www.quilterlabs.com/collections/guitar-amplifiers/products/aviator-cub-us

Thanks Robbie for the Aviator Cub link….. I’ll definitely check it out!

I had a Blues Jr. II, which was modded. It was a great little amp, but much too midrangey for my tastes. I played a handful of gigs on mine, and it was ok, but nothing to write home about. It is more of a Blues amp, and that is its greatest strength.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

I had one for several years and it surely may surf. Maybe not so classic and too midrangy but I liked it. I used Sonic Blue Twanger pedal to make it more blackface. I also giged a lot with it, you can use it in a small venue if your drummer is not too loud.

https://soundcloud.com/waikiki-makaki/psychobeach

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

Last edited: Dec 10, 2023 03:39:33

RobbieReverb wrote:

I'm not a "Fender-clean "purist, but I didn't particularly like the tonal characteristics of the early Blues Jr's. Mine was midrangey and muddy sounding. I wouldn't say that it didn't surf, but it was not a great tone, to my ears. I replaced mine with a Reverend Goblin (no longer made), which has exponetially better tone. I understand that Fender has made some enhancements to the newer Blue Jr. models, so maybe my experience doesn't apply to the one that you're considering.

Gigable? I'm no authority. I haven't actively gigged in eons. I never used mine for anything more than drummerless jams. Miking it up, and running through a P.A. would definitely work. Without reinforcement, especially with a full band, with a loud drummer, it would most likely get lost in the mix.

I'd recommend considering a Quilter Aviator Cub US. 50w, Tweed, Bownface, and Blackface Fender settings. The "sweet spot" attainable at any volume. Lightweight and portable. Great tone. A new one is less costly than a new Blue s Jr.
https://www.quilterlabs.com/collections/guitar-amplifiers/products/aviator-cub-us

Yes, now I would surely use Quilter for gigs. Pocket size and great tone, surely better in my opinion than this Blues Junior.

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

RobbieReverb wrote:

I'm not a "Fender-clean "purist, but I didn't particularly like the tonal characteristics of the early Blues Jr's. Mine was midrangey and muddy sounding. I wouldn't say that it didn't surf, but it was not a great tone, to my ears. I replaced mine with a Reverend Goblin (no longer made), which has exponetially better tone. I understand that Fender has made some enhancements to the newer Blue Jr. models, so maybe my experience doesn't apply to the one that you're considering.

Gigable? I'm no authority. I haven't actively gigged in eons. I never used mine for anything more than drummerless jams. Miking it up, and running through a P.A. would definitely work. Without reinforcement, especially with a full band, with a loud drummer, it would most likely get lost in the mix.

I'd recommend considering a Quilter Aviator Cub US. 50w, Tweed, Bownface, and Blackface Fender settings. The "sweet spot" attainable at any volume. Lightweight and portable. Great tone. A new one is less costly than a new Blue s Jr.
https://www.quilterlabs.com/collections/guitar-amplifiers/products/aviator-cub-us

Yes, now I would surely use Quilter for gigs. Pocket size and great tone, surely better in my opinion than this Blues Junior.

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

Page 1 of 1
Top