Both amps are great. My blues jr. is the early USA model. My blues deluxe is a reissue. The jr. is a smoking good amp and lightweight. The blues deluxe is more elaborate due to more controls and effects loop. It also has a richer, deeper tone due to the cabinet size and offset speaker placement.
I vote for the Blues Junior. I've owned one for a few years and would buy one again. My current main amp is a Magnatone panoramic stereo, but I do like the junior better in this comparison.
I have a 93 Blues Deluxe and a Tweed NOS Blues Junior. They’re both good in their own ways, but what I really like is running them in stereo. They seem to really complement each other when they’re played together.
They are very different. I think the Tele and Blues Deluxe combo works well clean. The junior sounds muffled and like everything is compressed into a midrange. Maybe some people like that but personally think with an oversaturation of overdrive saturation out there, the world needs more clean and sparkly! Thanks again for more late night gear viewing / listenign indulgence from the UK!
For everyone saying the Deluxe is too loud, have you tried using the Dr. Watson LionTamer? Or replacing the v1 tube with a lower output tube? I've seen these two mods on YT with good results.
Love the Tele and BJ sound Best!! I play Blues and Classic Rock and it's perfect for what I do. Bigger Venu, just Mic it and pass it back through a Monitor. Greate Demo Jack!!!
Interesting comparison. I always imagined these two amps to be pretty similar, but side by side you can definitely hear the difference. I definitely prefer the Junior, especially when the Blues Driver is on.
I got that analogy as well. But comparatively speaking in my opinion Paul Rudd wouldn't be able to tie Jim Carrey's shoes when it comes to funny. Jim Carrey has that it factor when it comes to comedy (which is perceived stupidity). All the greats have that. Paul Rudd has that thinking man's quality of funny, which doesn't compare to the goofiness or slapstick techniques in my view. Very few can pull them both off like George Carlin, Richard Pryor or Eddie Griffin. Now to amps. I liked both amps and would love to own both. But for me, an amp is an amp is an amp. The guitar selections proved that when you played the Les Paul and darkened both amps. Sorry to all of the amp purist out there. There is no one amp out there that does it all. But if I were to get my best value for the music that I play, it would probably be a Vox AC 15 or 30.
Ah ah 😆 you’re really nice man@@JackFossett !! I have both amps and I decided to buy’em thanks to your videos… When I have to make a gig, I’m always in trouble deciding which will be on stage with me, and sometimes I decided to bring’em together (wet/dry). BJ has a Celestion Greenback and BD has a Celestion Creamback. That’s why I found this video so helpful to me 🙏 waiting for more 👏👏
Had a BJr version 3 for 10 years. Purchased a BD a year ago. Much prefer the BD. Liked it better in stock configuration. But I felt there was more in there to be coaxed out of it. Changed speaker, power tubes and pre-amp tubes. Lower output tube in v1 made a favorable change in the volume. Now Sounds like a cross between a Super & Deluxe Reverb. Experimenting with a volume control in the effects loop.
I got a Blues Jr. because I couldn't afford a Deluxe Reverb. I love it! I'm mostly a fiddler but I use it to screw around with my tele and strat. I have a DS1 for distortion when I want it.
I own a Blues Jr (4th edition) with an Eminence Red, White, and Blues speaker, and It serves my purposes and abilities well, right now. And, I bought it because “it’s a Fender tube amp that U can get under a grand.” I liked it better than the Deluxe in your comparison, here. Five daughters! Congrats! And maybe this time you two will have another son, if that’s your wishes.
Awesome playing. Really enjoyed your playing in the intro. I love Fender amps but have never lied the Blues Jr. just don’t like the tone. But I love the sound of the Deluxe in your video.
I had a Blues Jr, traded it for a Hot Rod Deluxe which I traded for an AC15. I cant really knock either of them, I just wanted something different. I would never want to part with my Princeton Reverb though....... BTW. You sound great!
Love the review and how you clearly labeled them as you did the A/B roll The Deluxe was not on my radar but it is now I always preferred the Blues Jr, but as you said it is "good enough." I have been torn between Blues Jr., and a Vox AC15c. I can understand the 7 kids, you mentioned Maine and hey, the winters get long and cold......🙂 A side note, I love how you did the A/B roll between the amps but how you switched between a Tele and Les Paul; the tonal qualities of both could be compared between the amps. Great Job and liked this so much I subscribed.
I have a blues Jr. Infact it was my first Amp that I bought and wasn't gifted over 15 years ago. I've played it from gigs to my bedroom. After recently getting into supro amps, my blues Jr has taken back stage and became my stay at home practice amp. I've never had blues deluxe but now feel like I may have been missing out after hearing it in your review. Both are great amps. Blues Jr has my heart for nostalgic reasons.
You're missing out in your case. I mean that amp has been with you thru thick and thin with under 10 chicken head knobs you been playing and learning at the same time not counting killer sounds.
I owned an early Blues Jnr (USA made) and was a great amp especially after upgrading the stock speaker to a Celestion V30 but ultimately needed more headroom so looked towards the Blues Deluxe/HDR . I found an FSR Blues Deluxe in a cream tolex finish fitted with a Jenson P12Q alnico speaker which sounds fantastic, night and day compared to the stock speaker in a HDR that I was doing a side by side comparison with.
I own a deluxe reissue. I wasn’t impressed with the harness of the stock speaker. Switched it to an Eminence swamp thang speaker and it changed my amp drastically.
Hey Jack, by chance today, I went to a store today and compared both these amps as I have owned both (I currently use the blues junior for most of my gigs.) You are right on the money. you've nailed it.
I’ve commented on your Blues Jnr videos before, had 3, tried different speakers, loads of varied pedals. Never had a Deluxe. After all that, the funny thing is I’m down to 1 Blues Jnr tweed, Boss blues driver, a chorus & delay pedals. That’s it. And, play directly through the Jnr most of the time. 👍
That Blues Deluxe sounds fantastic to me! Unfortunately, there's really nowhere I could play it to its full potential without my neighbors calling the police on me.
hi, I own 2 blues Jrs. one is a blonde 2001 that I bought used in 2012 and the other I bought new in 2012, a tweed limited run with lacquer on it and a better really pretty good quality Italian made Jenson speaker came in it new which I really didn't realize just how Good & Sweet the Jensen was & sounded. Very jangly like the 60's fenders till I was getting ready to switch it out to a coveted =JBL D-123 which I was able to find 2 in Mint condition and wanted them in both my Blues Jr's to try to get as close as possible to a matching pair of them for small to mid size gigs. Gosh those JBL's sound so good it is amazing of coarse the amount of treble on those Jr's can be over kill even with the original speakers. Blues Jr's I guess because of the 3 preamp tubes and those EL 84 tubes can be over kill on the highs, = however I keep the treble on the lower side of 3 and it sounds perfect. Now those little Blues Jr's sound excellent, oh sort of like a band master or just a much more powerful Fender amp. again because of the added clean 3 Db in volume from the JBLS it is wonderful. The idea for me is have solid cleans and headroom and I have plenty of pedals for over drive or distortion or any of that if and when wanted or needed, plus most of or a lot of my guitars that I end up using on most of my gigs are the fender Eric Clapton models, and I just love them for the V necks and the pre amps and added 25 DB gain gain when wanted or needed. as far a the Fender blues deluxe reissue I have o ne of those in tweed i bought used in 2012. I never liked the stock speaker at all in those amps. so I hunted and found also Mint condition JBL D-131 for it a 12 i nch with the guts of a 15 in ch JBL. m u ch less chance of ever b lowing that one up. Now that amp sound super Fantastic. it sort of almost sounds like a Fende4 Twin again the blues de luxe wit ht 40 wats and the JBL D131 makes it = to about an 80 wat Fender amp of the 60's like a Twin Reverb. i am very happy there plus I still have my Two 1993 Tweed 4-10 Fender Blues Devilles in both with those GREAT 10 inch Blue Alnico speakers which i feel also sound fantastic. So using both of them together on med. to larger gigs is great with 8 of those Blue alnico speakers. that was my main set up on stage for over 25 years . Sadly now at 67 they are really heavy for me to lift that is why back in 2012 I figured start getting smaller Fender amps and put OLD Vintage D series JBL speakers in them to have the best sound I can get out of them I wanted to make those amps sound as good as possible and be able to lift them as I get older. glad I did all that for they cost less money in 2012 than they do now in 2024. P.S. I also have 3 tweed Fender 94,95, 2000 pro jr's that I put 2 mint Vintage JBL D-110F speakers in. and as you can image they sound amazing too, Plus that gives me another matched pair of fender amps in a different size and sound too as well I also own my 1961 Blonde Fender Showman which also has a JBL -D 130 and my 1969 Fender Dual Showman Reverb with a pair of JBL D-140 speakers that Chuck Berry played thru in 1990 oh also of coarse, my all original 1966 Fender Princeton Reverb that I owned since I was 10 back in 1966....
I've wanted a BDR for a while, but lack of space has prevented me from getting one. I found a used Tweed Blues JR III at a killer price, and I dig it so much that I'm on the fence about eventually getting a BDR. It's the stock Jensen speaker that does it for me, and how well it pairs with my pedals.
Useful analysis and comparison of both amps, thanks JF. Were you aware there are two 1/4" jacks on the underside of the HR Deluxe (IV) and apparently the Blues Deluxe chassis?.....another YT video explained on the HR Deluxe that one has the speaker plugged in from the factory (default input), and apparently the other can be used for low volume by plugging the speaker cable into this jack (turn off amp first before changing inputs). Could you comment on this?
I just bought an old Blues Deluxe. Closet find from 2002. The pots are stiff and scratchy from not much use , Ever. I'll be working on that soon. It's a 40 W Beast.
Would be interesting to compare the Blues Jr to a Marshall Origin 20.. the breakup points are similar I think because of the 6V6 tubes in the Jr. I have a Marshall Origin 50 and have been trying to figure out a good Fender amp balance to run in stereo with the Marshall.. you helped me decide, the Blues Deluxe will be nice to mix in more clean and headroom. Thanks Jack
I played both of these amps tonight at the local GC and thought the deluxe was the winner. Then i listen to your video and i think the junior is the winner??? The deluxe is $100 cheaper being used but looks brand new! Its just twice as much amp as I have need of sitting in my music room at home.
Hi Jack, this was really great review and comparison. I have owned and played both amps. To me, the Blues Deluxe Reissue is the better gigging amp. Also, there is a huge difference between the speakers used in those amps. While both have 12" speakers, the Blues Junior Laquered Tweed has a Jensen® C12-N with Ceramic Magnet while the Blues Deluxe Reissue has an Eminence® Special Design (whatever that means). I am curious if you would feel the same way if both amps had the same speaker?
blues junior - years ago, for a long season, was my main/go to amp. much as i liked them at the time, found them to consistently have issues. the issue(s) were nothing major and nothing that couldn't be fixed by local amp techs for relatively cheap but every one i purchased had some kind of issue. this was years ago and may no longer be an issue. now days my main/go to amp is the 57 Deluxe. desiring to have a cheaper version of my main rig to take to less dependable situations i very skeptically purchased a PRO JUNIOR. far as i can tell: no issues. i love that thing! i highly recommend considering the PRO JUNIOR if any one is considering the blues junior. blues deluxe-i can't speak to the blues deluxe as i've not had any experience with it.
All these amps have similar build quality(cheap), but the pro jr is less problematic...and also more responsive...just because the circuit is simpler and there's less to go wrong
Nice video and helpful as I have been evaluating both of these. Out of curiosity, if you could only have one amp (any variety - not necessarily either of these Fender Blues varieties) for what and how you play, which would you pick?
3 years ago, I played a BDRI at Guitar Center and it BLEW ME AWAY....I'd played plenty of Blues Juniors and always felt like they're sorta lacking in a way.... Until I heard recordings of them both back-to-back. There's just something about the Blues Junior in a recording (i.e. in a mix) that sounds way better than the BDRI.
Ok. This is by far the most interesting video I’ve seen on TH-cam in a long time because I actually traded a Pro Jr. for a Blues Deluxe with one of my friends about a year and a half ago. One thing you missed in this video; which was a big deal for my friend, was that the Pro Jr. doesn’t have reverb and the Blues Deluxe does. Simple fix, get a reverb pedal. It was a big deal to her. She basically wanted a smaller amp with balls, and I wanted a bigger amp. In general, I think the Pro Jr. has a more saturated gain structure overall, if that’s even a correct way of stating this. I used to plug a Les Paul straight into the Jr. and crank the gain and the volume and do my best Neil Young impression. The Blues Deluxe clearly has way more headroom than the Pro Jr., and it’s not even close. I’ve found I’m way more into playing clean tones, and have been putting a phase shifter and echo in front of the Blues Deluxe to get some David Gilmore sort of tones out of it with a Strat. I think they’re both pretty good amps for what they are. The Jr. is definitely a louder more in your face type of amp that really sounds good loud. The Deluxe has more breath to it and sounds better clean. It can certainly get dirty if you dial it in that way. I’ve found that both amps really respond incredibly well to pedals.
I got a lot of value out of this video. 👍👍👍 The Blues Jr. seems to have a richer tone than the Deluxe. The Deluxe really sounds flatter by comparison, less life in the music. Would you please tell me what exact Blues Jr. model you demonstrated and if you made any mod's to the Blues Jr. and what speaker model it has in it? Thank you for this really good comparison of these amps. 🎸🎸🎸
I had both of them and they are both great. It also depends on which speaker you run them through. I put a Jensen C12N into my blues deluxe and it sounds much better than the stock one. Do you know which speakers were in these two?
I've played through both amps very briefly and not owned either. The tones seem to be very representative of what I remember with both, the Junior being quite boxy and the Deluxe being very bright. Given the choice I'd probably take the Blues Deluxe as it sounded good with the Les Paul which tamed some of that brightness but don't own either for a reason.
I bought the 2023 deluxe. Better fidelity 6 more pounds, can play small clubs to main stages, and 300 more. I felt the jr was too limiting, and the fidelity was terrible on a side to side comparison.
Would be interesting to know what amp you do think is the best at this price bracket (you said neither were amazing) Also, what amp do you think the deluxe is tring to be?
Hi, your guitar playing is great. I have a Fender Junior but it must be the original because it doesn't show 3 or 4 or whatever even though I bought it new over 3 years ago. I was curious about the overdrive aspect. At 16:45 of the video you show the FAT button, is that what sends the amp into overdrive without a foot pedal?
Tweed Blues jnr was my first real tube amp, and I currently have a tweed Blues dlx in the collection, which I use as part of a wet/dry rig. Came here looking for some tips on the deluxe, but the junior just…smoked it. I was doing laundry while listening to this. There would be a GREAT tone, I’d look up (hoping it would be the deluxe) but it was the blues junior every time (except one). Dang it. Is the blues deluxe just not a good Fender amp?
When turning up the volume on the Jr, it rattles and sounds boxy and muffled like its casing's gonna blow up. The Deluxe RI sounds a million times better.
I actually think it does. The cleans are on par but I think the drive channel on the HRD (or the Deville) is more usable. The drive channel on the Blues Deluxe isn't bad, it just doesn't give you much.
Last year- year before maybe? I was going to get the Blues Deluxe until I saw one of your Princeton vids. Seems like the cost is not that much higher (or wasn't at the time) for a much better amp-
@@JackFossett It's Vegemite with one "g" and yes. I despise the stuff. Marmite is basically the same but it's what we had in New Zealand so I will hold my nose and eat it. For the home country.
I swapped my Blues Deluxe Reissue with a Roland Blues Cube. The taper of the Fender BDR is nonsense. I know you don't play that amp at home but even in a band it's so hard to adjust the right volume of that thing. And when it sounds good it is just too f.... loud. Too heavy, too loud and not able to sound good when loud - only when earbleeding loud. Nonsense.
Mostly in the quality of the tone. Definitely in the reverb. Back to back with the Princeton, the Junior or Deluxe have some unpleasant overtones and emphasize a bit too much of the "edge" of the note. The Princeton sounds significantly more natural.
@@JackFossettwhile I don't disagree, the Princeton being my favorite amplifier of all times, sometimes I think that I overemphasize its greatness. All Fender amps have got beautiful clean tone and that's just it. What do I need? A good sounding clean amplifier. I totally agree about the reverb being better on the blackface amplifiers, but how much of it is usable in a mix? After 2-3, it's just too much. The main difference that I find is that the Princeton sounds cleaner, almost thinner, it has got harmonically richer clean tone which is more full spectrum, and I totally know that I'm using generic terms now to describe things that cannot be described 🤨
I have a woody fsr blues junior Ltd edition and a blues deluxe reissue. I'd love to ask you to make a video with both amps using only BOOST PEDALS ie boss preamp booster, or mxr booster mini etc n9 overdrive no tub3 screamers no distortion no fuzz. It would be interesting how to stack various boost levels
Cool comparison. Would be great to see a shootout between the Blues Deluxe and the HotRod Deluxe.
I am also in support of this. Great content
Both amps are great. My blues jr. is the early USA model. My blues deluxe is a reissue.
The jr. is a smoking good amp and lightweight.
The blues deluxe is more elaborate due to more controls and effects loop. It also has a richer, deeper tone due to the cabinet size and offset speaker placement.
An excellent case of different strokes for different folks, I appreciate the effort and pleasantly surprised by the blues deluxe. Many thanks
I vote for the Blues Junior. I've owned one for a few years and would buy one again. My current main amp is a Magnatone panoramic stereo, but I do like the junior better in this comparison.
I have a 93 Blues Deluxe and a Tweed NOS Blues Junior.
They’re both good in their own ways, but what I really like is running them in stereo. They seem to really complement each other when they’re played together.
Really enjoyed the comparison of these two amps I am a Deluxe, Princeton kind of person getting that sweet old time rock sound.
"Shower knobs" - hilarious! Great review, thank you! Also you got a beautiful family. May you be blessed beyond measure- in Jesus mighty name!
"I'm wasted and cant find my way home", one of EC's greatest tunes.
They are very different. I think the Tele and Blues Deluxe combo works well clean. The junior sounds muffled and like everything is compressed into a midrange. Maybe some people like that but personally think with an oversaturation of overdrive saturation out there, the world needs more clean and sparkly! Thanks again for more late night gear viewing / listenign indulgence from the UK!
important to get the Jr with the Jensen speaker. Everyone complains about the muffled sound with the other option.
For everyone saying the Deluxe is too loud, have you tried using the Dr. Watson LionTamer? Or replacing the v1 tube with a lower output tube? I've seen these two mods on YT with good results.
Love the Tele and BJ sound Best!! I play Blues and Classic Rock and it's perfect for what I do. Bigger Venu, just Mic it and pass it back through a Monitor. Greate Demo Jack!!!
The fx-loop of the Blues Deluxe is very usefull to put a volume pedal as master volume in there, to tame the output volume if needed.
Interesting comparison. I always imagined these two amps to be pretty similar, but side by side you can definitely hear the difference. I definitely prefer the Junior, especially when the Blues Driver is on.
Loved the Jim Carrey / Paul rudd analogy, very apt 😄
I got that analogy as well. But comparatively speaking in my opinion Paul Rudd wouldn't be able to tie Jim Carrey's shoes when it comes to funny. Jim Carrey has that it factor when it comes to comedy (which is perceived stupidity). All the greats have that. Paul Rudd has that thinking man's quality of funny, which doesn't compare to the goofiness or slapstick techniques in my view. Very few can pull them both off like George Carlin, Richard Pryor or Eddie Griffin. Now to amps. I liked both amps and would love to own both. But for me, an amp is an amp is an amp. The guitar selections proved that when you played the Les Paul and darkened both amps. Sorry to all of the amp purist out there. There is no one amp out there that does it all. But if I were to get my best value for the music that I play, it would probably be a Vox AC 15 or 30.
That jam track at the beginning takes me back to where it all began for some nutty reason brother.
This is the video I was waiting for 👏👏👏🙌 really appreciate…thanks so much Jack!!
But have you been waiting since 1997? Because then I’d feel bad. 😬
Ah ah 😆 you’re really nice man@@JackFossett !! I have both amps and I decided to buy’em thanks to your videos…
When I have to make a gig, I’m always in trouble deciding which will be on stage with me, and sometimes I decided to bring’em together (wet/dry). BJ has a Celestion Greenback and BD has a Celestion Creamback.
That’s why I found this video so helpful to me 🙏 waiting for more 👏👏
Had a BJr version 3 for 10 years. Purchased a BD a year ago. Much prefer the BD. Liked it better in stock configuration. But I felt there was more in there to be coaxed out of it. Changed speaker, power tubes and pre-amp tubes. Lower output tube in v1 made a favorable change in the volume.
Now Sounds like a cross between a Super & Deluxe Reverb. Experimenting with a volume control in the effects loop.
I got a Blues Jr. because I couldn't afford a Deluxe Reverb. I love it! I'm mostly a fiddler but I use it to screw around with my tele and strat. I have a DS1 for distortion when I want it.
I own a Blues Jr (4th edition) with an Eminence Red, White, and Blues speaker, and It serves my purposes and abilities well, right now. And, I bought it because “it’s a Fender tube amp that U can get under a grand.” I liked it better than the Deluxe in your comparison, here. Five daughters! Congrats! And maybe this time you two will have another son, if that’s your wishes.
Thanks! New baby is a girl - we had four girls then two boys, so now she's our 5th daughter!
Great job, one of your best comparison vids I have seen, I love my deluxe.
Glad you liked it!
Awesome playing. Really enjoyed your playing in the intro. I love Fender amps but have never lied the Blues Jr. just don’t like the tone. But I love the sound of the Deluxe in your video.
I had a Blues Jr, traded it for a Hot Rod Deluxe which I traded for an AC15. I cant really knock either of them, I just wanted something different. I would never want to part with my Princeton Reverb though....... BTW. You sound great!
Love the review and how you clearly labeled them as you did the A/B roll The Deluxe was not on my radar but it is now I always preferred the Blues Jr, but as you said it is "good enough." I have been torn between Blues Jr., and a Vox AC15c. I can understand the 7 kids, you mentioned Maine and hey, the winters get long and cold......🙂 A side note, I love how you did the A/B roll between the amps but how you switched between a Tele and Les Paul; the tonal qualities of both could be compared between the amps. Great Job and liked this so much I subscribed.
Thank you kindly! Yup, we just use the kids to keep warm. Although in retrospect, they cost a lot more than a bigger blanket would have...
I have a blues Jr. Infact it was my first Amp that I bought and wasn't gifted over 15 years ago. I've played it from gigs to my bedroom. After recently getting into supro amps, my blues Jr has taken back stage and became my stay at home practice amp. I've never had blues deluxe but now feel like I may have been missing out after hearing it in your review. Both are great amps. Blues Jr has my heart for nostalgic reasons.
You're missing out in your case. I mean that amp has been with you thru thick and thin with under 10 chicken head knobs you been playing and learning at the same time not counting killer sounds.
I owned an early Blues Jnr (USA made) and was a great amp especially after upgrading the stock speaker to a Celestion V30 but ultimately needed more headroom so looked towards the Blues Deluxe/HDR . I found an FSR Blues Deluxe in a cream tolex finish fitted with a Jenson P12Q alnico speaker which sounds fantastic, night and day compared to the stock speaker in a HDR that I was doing a side by side comparison with.
I own a deluxe reissue. I wasn’t impressed with the harness of the stock speaker. Switched it to an Eminence swamp thang speaker and it changed my amp drastically.
Hey Jack, by chance today, I went to a store today and compared both these amps as I have owned both (I currently use the blues junior for most of my gigs.) You are right on the money. you've nailed it.
I’ve commented on your Blues Jnr videos before, had 3, tried different speakers, loads of varied pedals. Never had a Deluxe. After all that, the funny thing is I’m down to 1 Blues Jnr tweed, Boss blues driver, a chorus & delay pedals. That’s it. And, play directly through the Jnr most of the time. 👍
Your absolutely right about using the low imput on the Deluxe
God bless you, 7 children and 5 are girls ‼️
That Blues Deluxe sounds fantastic to me! Unfortunately, there's really nowhere I could play it to its full potential without my neighbors calling the police on me.
I really appreciate this video as I am looking for one of these two.
hi, I own 2 blues Jrs. one is a blonde 2001 that I bought used in 2012 and the other I bought new in 2012, a tweed limited run with lacquer on it and a better really pretty good quality Italian made Jenson speaker came in it new which I really didn't realize just how Good & Sweet the Jensen was & sounded. Very jangly like the 60's fenders till I was getting ready to switch it out to a coveted =JBL D-123 which I was able to find 2 in Mint condition and wanted them in both my Blues Jr's to try to get as close as possible to a matching pair of them for small to mid size gigs. Gosh those JBL's sound so good it is amazing of coarse the amount of treble on those Jr's can be over kill even with the original speakers. Blues Jr's I guess because of the 3 preamp tubes and those EL 84 tubes can be over kill on the highs, = however I keep the treble on the lower side of 3 and it sounds perfect. Now those little Blues Jr's sound excellent, oh sort of like a band master or just a much more powerful Fender amp. again because of the added clean 3 Db in volume from the JBLS it is wonderful. The idea for me is have solid cleans and headroom and I have plenty of pedals for over drive or distortion or any of that if and when wanted or needed, plus most of or a lot of my guitars that I end up using on most of my gigs are the fender Eric Clapton models, and I just love them for the V necks and the pre amps and added 25 DB gain gain when wanted or needed. as far a the Fender blues deluxe reissue I have o ne of those in tweed i bought used in 2012. I never liked the stock speaker at all in those amps. so I hunted and found also Mint condition JBL D-131 for it a 12 i nch with the guts of a 15 in ch JBL. m u ch less chance of ever b lowing that one up. Now that amp sound super Fantastic. it sort of almost sounds like a Fende4 Twin again the blues de luxe wit ht 40 wats and the JBL D131 makes it = to about an 80 wat Fender amp of the 60's like a Twin Reverb. i am very happy there plus I still have my Two 1993 Tweed 4-10 Fender Blues Devilles in both with those GREAT 10 inch Blue Alnico speakers which i feel also sound fantastic. So using both of them together on med. to larger gigs is great with 8 of those Blue alnico speakers. that was my main set up on stage for over 25 years . Sadly now at 67 they are really heavy for me to lift that is why back in 2012 I figured start getting smaller Fender amps and put OLD Vintage D series JBL speakers in them to have the best sound I can get out of them I wanted to make those amps sound as good as possible and be able to lift them as I get older. glad I did all that for they cost less money in 2012 than they do now in 2024. P.S. I also have 3 tweed Fender 94,95, 2000 pro jr's that I put 2 mint Vintage JBL D-110F speakers in. and as you can image they sound amazing too, Plus that gives me another matched pair of fender amps in a different size and sound too as well I also own my 1961 Blonde Fender Showman which also has a JBL -D 130 and my 1969 Fender Dual Showman Reverb with a pair of JBL D-140 speakers that Chuck Berry played thru in 1990 oh also of coarse, my all original 1966 Fender Princeton Reverb that I owned since I was 10 back in 1966....
Love this!
@Jack Fossett
You're great.
Never disappointed with your videos!
How about a Supro Delta King 12 v. Fender Blues Deluxe shootout?
I've wanted a BDR for a while, but lack of space has prevented me from getting one. I found a used Tweed Blues JR III at a killer price, and I dig it so much that I'm on the fence about eventually getting a BDR. It's the stock Jensen speaker that does it for me, and how well it pairs with my pedals.
I own both, deluxe could use an "Audio Taper" vs a "Linear Taper" volume pot, that would fix that "burst" of uncontrollable level
My takeaway from this video... I need a Deluxe to compliment my Jr 4. 😂 Well done, Jack.
We aim to enable here at Jack Fossett & Friends 🥂
Useful analysis and comparison of both amps, thanks JF. Were you aware there are two 1/4" jacks on the underside of the HR Deluxe (IV) and apparently the Blues Deluxe chassis?.....another YT video explained on the HR Deluxe that one has the speaker plugged in from the factory (default input), and apparently the other can be used for low volume by plugging the speaker cable into this jack (turn off amp first before changing inputs). Could you comment on this?
They both sounded great, but for Mr, the Blues Jr.
Blues Deluxe is probably one of the best amps I’ve ever had, only trouble is, It’s so bloody loud.
I just bought an old Blues Deluxe. Closet find from 2002. The pots are stiff and scratchy from not much use , Ever. I'll be working on that soon. It's a 40 W Beast.
Always keeping my BJr. around. Run it parallel with a Pro Jr and it’s dang sweet too!
Would be interesting to compare the Blues Jr to a Marshall Origin 20.. the breakup points are similar I think because of the 6V6 tubes in the Jr. I have a Marshall Origin 50 and have been trying to figure out a good Fender amp balance to run in stereo with the Marshall.. you helped me decide, the Blues Deluxe will be nice to mix in more clean and headroom. Thanks Jack
I played both of these amps tonight at the local GC and thought the deluxe was the winner. Then i listen to your video and i think the junior is the winner??? The deluxe is $100 cheaper being used but looks brand new! Its just twice as much amp as I have need of sitting in my music room at home.
My exact problem too. Which one did you decide on?
Hi Jack, this was really great review and comparison. I have owned and played both amps. To me, the Blues Deluxe Reissue is the better gigging amp. Also, there is a huge difference between the speakers used in those amps. While both have 12" speakers, the Blues Junior Laquered Tweed has a Jensen® C12-N with Ceramic Magnet while the Blues Deluxe Reissue has an Eminence® Special Design (whatever that means). I am curious if you would feel the same way if both amps had the same speaker?
How about a junior and deluxe edition of the Les Paul played on the fender junior and deluxe amp
blues junior - years ago, for a long season, was my main/go to amp. much as i liked them at the time, found them to consistently have issues.
the issue(s) were nothing major and nothing that couldn't be fixed by local amp techs for relatively cheap but every one i purchased had some kind of issue. this was years ago and may no longer be an issue.
now days my main/go to amp is the 57 Deluxe. desiring to have a cheaper version of my main rig to take to less dependable situations i very skeptically purchased a PRO JUNIOR. far as i can tell: no issues. i love that thing! i highly recommend considering the PRO JUNIOR if any one is considering the blues junior.
blues deluxe-i can't speak to the blues deluxe as i've not had any experience with it.
All these amps have similar build quality(cheap), but the pro jr is less problematic...and also more responsive...just because the circuit is simpler and there's less to go wrong
I would prefer the Deluxe. But I’d rather run a wet dry setup with both!
The shower knobs in the property I manage are exactly like that. I've tried everything but nothing works! Maybe I need a Blues Jnr power knob
add attenuator or volume pedal in the effects loop on the Deluxe
Nice video and helpful as I have been evaluating both of these. Out of curiosity, if you could only have one amp (any variety - not necessarily either of these Fender Blues varieties) for what and how you play, which would you pick?
Both are great but based on your sound samples I think the Blues Deluxe has a fuller scale of tones.
3 years ago, I played a BDRI at Guitar Center and it BLEW ME AWAY....I'd played plenty of Blues Juniors and always felt like they're sorta lacking in a way....
Until I heard recordings of them both back-to-back. There's just something about the Blues Junior in a recording (i.e. in a mix) that sounds way better than the BDRI.
Ok. This is by far the most interesting video I’ve seen on TH-cam in a long time because I actually traded a Pro Jr. for a Blues Deluxe with one of my friends about a year and a half ago.
One thing you missed in this video; which was a big deal for my friend, was that the Pro Jr. doesn’t have reverb and the Blues Deluxe does. Simple fix, get a reverb pedal. It was a big deal to her.
She basically wanted a smaller amp with balls, and I wanted a bigger amp.
In general, I think the Pro Jr. has a more saturated gain structure overall, if that’s even a correct way of stating this. I used to plug a Les Paul straight into the Jr. and crank the gain and the volume and do my best Neil Young impression.
The Blues Deluxe clearly has way more headroom than the Pro Jr., and it’s not even close. I’ve found I’m way more into playing clean tones, and have been putting a phase shifter and echo in front of the Blues Deluxe to get some David Gilmore sort of tones out of it with a Strat.
I think they’re both pretty good amps for what they are. The Jr. is definitely a louder more in your face type of amp that really sounds good loud. The Deluxe has more breath to it and sounds better clean. It can certainly get dirty if you dial it in that way.
I’ve found that both amps really respond incredibly well to pedals.
This is about Blues Jr, not a Pro Jr
I got a lot of value out of this video. 👍👍👍 The Blues Jr. seems to have a richer tone than the Deluxe. The Deluxe really sounds flatter by comparison, less life in the music. Would you please tell me what exact Blues Jr. model you demonstrated and if you made any mod's to the Blues Jr. and what speaker model it has in it? Thank you for this really good comparison of these amps. 🎸🎸🎸
Its a Blues Junior III FSR with a Jensen C12N speaker
@@JackFossett Thank you for the further information. I've subscribed, and I'm checking out your many other videos on the Blues Jr.
I would like to see you making a comparison with the pro junior, which is IMHO the best of the hot rod series by a long mile
Believe it or not, Ive been trying to get my hands on a Pro Junior for quite a while for just that purpose.
I had both of them and they are both great. It also depends on which speaker you run them through. I put a Jensen C12N into my blues deluxe and it sounds much better than the stock one. Do you know which speakers were in these two?
It's the Blues Deluxe for me, even though it sounded like it's reverb was up a tad higher than the Junior.
Yeah I had the reverb knobs set to the same place but it definitely doesn't have the same sweep as the Junior.
I've played through both amps very briefly and not owned either. The tones seem to be very representative of what I remember with both, the Junior being quite boxy and the Deluxe being very bright. Given the choice I'd probably take the Blues Deluxe as it sounded good with the Les Paul which tamed some of that brightness but don't own either for a reason.
I have a blues Jr 4.
Nice Jam
The Delux sounds warmer IMO
At a similar price, what amp would you recommend the most?
I bought the 2023 deluxe. Better fidelity 6 more pounds, can play small clubs to main stages, and 300 more. I felt the jr was too limiting, and the fidelity was terrible on a side to side comparison.
What a fantastic video have a good day Jack also do you have regrets when looking back in life ❤😊
Would be interesting to know what amp you do think is the best at this price bracket (you said neither were amazing)
Also, what amp do you think the deluxe is tring to be?
I have a blues junior tweed. I stuffed an eminence swamp thang in it. Its just devastating...
I'm going to buy the stage right 5 watt amp
Hi, your guitar playing is great. I have a Fender Junior but it must be the original because it doesn't show 3 or 4 or whatever even though I bought it new over 3 years ago. I was curious about the overdrive aspect. At 16:45 of the video you show the FAT button, is that what sends the amp into overdrive without a foot pedal?
Tweed Blues jnr was my first real tube amp, and I currently have a tweed Blues dlx in the collection, which I use as part of a wet/dry rig. Came here looking for some tips on the deluxe, but the junior just…smoked it. I was doing laundry while listening to this. There would be a GREAT tone, I’d look up (hoping it would be the deluxe) but it was the blues junior every time (except one). Dang it. Is the blues deluxe just not a good Fender amp?
I've owned BJt. III and the Deluxe. Sold the jr.
When turning up the volume on the Jr, it rattles and sounds boxy and muffled like its casing's gonna blow up. The Deluxe RI sounds a million times better.
Merci 👍🏻
Love my deluxe, but my neighbors hate it so much I'm considering getting a Junior. Also: 7 KIDS?!
Lucky number 7 👍
@@JackFossett Forget amps, you need to chose between Pampers or Huggies
Uggh who has cash for those - its Sams Club Members Mark all the way.@@maximusindicusoblivious180
Junior took the Prize...
Especially with the BD-2 & Strat
The tweed eras were the best
So you're not the biggest fan of either. What do you think of the Hot Rod Deluxe? Does it have the edge over these two?
I actually think it does. The cleans are on par but I think the drive channel on the HRD (or the Deville) is more usable. The drive channel on the Blues Deluxe isn't bad, it just doesn't give you much.
Last year- year before maybe? I was going to get the Blues Deluxe until I saw one of your Princeton vids. Seems like the cost is not that much higher (or wasn't at the time) for a much better amp-
The Princeton is a step above either of these IMO
@@JackFossettAgreed entirely- glad I was patient!
Any way you could demo the Laney Cub12r or Super Cub? Underrated amps, great alternative to a Junior. Excellent platform for Gilmour tones.
If I can get my hands on one I certainly will!
@@JackFossett I'd loan you mine but, ya know, Australia isn't exactly next door to Maine...
I appreciate the sentiment! Its veggimite really a thing? @@mattgilbert7347
@@JackFossett
It's Vegemite with one "g" and yes. I despise the stuff.
Marmite is basically the same but it's what we had in New Zealand so I will hold my nose and eat it. For the home country.
@@JackFossett it's basically reduced beer + extra yeast.
I swapped my Blues Deluxe Reissue with a Roland Blues Cube. The taper of the Fender BDR is nonsense. I know you don't play that amp at home but even in a band it's so hard to adjust the right volume of that thing. And when it sounds good it is just too f.... loud. Too heavy, too loud and not able to sound good when loud - only when earbleeding loud. Nonsense.
The Deuluxe is far more useable for different playing situations.
In what ways is a Princeton Reverb a great amp and those two aren't? Possible real guitar talk video
Mostly in the quality of the tone. Definitely in the reverb. Back to back with the Princeton, the Junior or Deluxe have some unpleasant overtones and emphasize a bit too much of the "edge" of the note. The Princeton sounds significantly more natural.
@@JackFossettwhile I don't disagree, the Princeton being my favorite amplifier of all times, sometimes I think that I overemphasize its greatness. All Fender amps have got beautiful clean tone and that's just it. What do I need? A good sounding clean amplifier. I totally agree about the reverb being better on the blackface amplifiers, but how much of it is usable in a mix? After 2-3, it's just too much. The main difference that I find is that the Princeton sounds cleaner, almost thinner, it has got harmonically richer clean tone which is more full spectrum, and I totally know that I'm using generic terms now to describe things that cannot be described 🤨
Deluxe is winner.
I have a junior they can sound boxy
1997 wants its amps back 🤨
The Matrix said 1999 was the peak of human civilization. I laughed at it then. In retrospect it's seeming eerily prophetic.
D E L U X E
the equalization used in Telecaster + pedal Blues Driver + Blues Jr. (18:22) looks bad to me!!!! It could be much better...
They sound good,,but they can be quite problematic,,poor design.
These reissues electronically are not of good build quality. That has been my experience.
Cutting corners is the big corporate way
Wow the Jr suck big.
To much talk
😂
This is guy sound too much like dickey betts too little dwayne Allman
🤔
I have a woody fsr blues junior Ltd edition and a blues deluxe reissue. I'd love to ask you to make a video with both amps using only BOOST PEDALS ie boss preamp booster, or mxr booster mini etc n9 overdrive no tub3 screamers no distortion no fuzz. It would be interesting how to stack various boost levels
Both amps have eminence swamp thang 12 speaker
Take a Jensen P12Q and put it into a Blues Jr IV and it sounds like the best Blues Jr you’ve ever played
I get that. I put a Celestion speaker into an old Montgomery Wards amp way back in the day and it roared.