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Average Price: $400

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$300

$701+

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Description

The Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp is a beloved staple for guitarists seeking classic tube tone in a compact package. Recognized for its warm, rich sound, this amp is ideal for both practice sessions and small gigs, offering the versatility needed to craft your unique sound. Its 15-watt output powered by EL84 tubes delivers a robust, full-bodied tone, while the all-tube circuitry ensures a smooth, responsive playability that professional musicians and hobbyists alike can appreciate.

Equipped with a 12-inch Fender Special Design speaker, the Blues Junior reproduces a dynamic range that captures the nuances of your playing. The amp features a user-friendly control panel with straightforward knobs for volume, treble, bass, middle, and reverb, allowing you to shape your sound effortlessly. The FAT boost switch adds an extra layer of depth and sustain, perfect for solos or when you need to stand out in a band setting.

Beyond its sound, the Blues Junior's portable design and sturdy construction make it a reliable companion for musicians on the move. Built with high-quality components, it promises durability and longevity, ensuring it will be a part of your musical journey for years to come.

Key Features:

  • 15-watt all-tube combo amplifier
  • EL84 power tubes and 12AX7 preamp tubes
  • 12-inch Fender Special Design speaker
  • FAT boost switch for enhanced tone
  • Simple control layout with volume, treble, bass, middle, and reverb
  • Compact and portable design
  • Durable construction suitable for gigging musicians

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Blues Junior 15-Watt 1x12" Guitar Combo
Finish Black, Tweed
Year 1995 - 2001
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Combo Amps
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black, Yellow
Electronics Tube
Model Family Fender Blues Junior
Model Sub-Family Fender Blues Junior USA
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 1 Input
Output Power (Watts) 15
Power Tube Type EL84
Reverb Spring Reverb
Series Fender Hot Rod Amp Series
Speaker Configuration 1x12"

FAQs

What type of music is the Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp best suited for?

The Fender Blues Junior is ideal for blues, rock, and country genres, offering warm tube tones and a classic Fender spring reverb that complements these styles well.

How portable is the Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp for gigging musicians?

Weighing approximately 31 pounds and featuring a compact design, the Fender Blues Junior is highly portable, making it a convenient choice for gigging musicians who need to transport their amp frequently.

Does the Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp work well with pedals?

Yes, the Fender Blues Junior is known for taking pedals well, making it a versatile option for guitarists who use effects pedals to shape their sound.

What are the key tonal characteristics of the Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp?

The Fender Blues Junior delivers a warm, mid-range focused tone with a rich, dynamic response, thanks to its all-tube design and 12-inch speaker, making it suitable for both clean and overdriven sounds.

Is the Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp loud enough for live performances?

With 15 watts of power and a 12-inch speaker, the Fender Blues Junior is powerful enough for small to medium-sized venues, offering sufficient volume for live performances without overwhelming the mix.

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

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Video thumbnail for That Pedal Show – Get More From Your Fender Blues Jr, Loud & Quiet. And Other Small Valve Amps! by That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show – Get More From Your Fender Blues Jr, Loud & Quiet. And Other Small Valve Amps!

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for That Pedal Show – Fender Blues Junior, Vox AC15, Fender Bassbreaker 15: Which One Is For You? by That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show – Fender Blues Junior, Vox AC15, Fender Bassbreaker 15: Which One Is For You?

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The Pro Jr. & Blues Jr. IV with Sadler Vaden | Hot Rod Amplifiers | Fender

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Fender

Video thumbnail for SMALL TUBE COMBO SHOOTOUT - Marshall Origin 20 VS Fender Blues Jr VS Vox AC15 VS Orange Rocker 15 by Toby's Guitar Gear Demos 🎵

SMALL TUBE COMBO SHOOTOUT - Marshall Origin 20 VS Fender Blues Jr VS Vox AC15 VS Orange Rocker 15

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Toby's Guitar Gear Demos 🎵

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Toby's Guitar Gear Demos 🎵

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Fender Blues Junior Lacquered Tweed - Limited Edition

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Clem Buckley Guitar

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5 Great Fender Blues Junior Tones

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Jack Fossett

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4 Fender Blues Junior Tricks to Sound AWESOME

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Jack Fossett

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SOLID STATE VS TUBE - Boss Katana VS Fender Blues Junior

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Toby's Guitar Gear Demos 🎵

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Fender Blues Jr Blues Tone Demo with Single Coils and Humbuckers!

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Corey Congilio

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Worst Amp For Pedals? Nope. | Fender Blues Jr. | Master Your Tone Ep. 2 | Thomann

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Fender Blues Junior (15 Watts of Valve Tone)

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Elmo Karjalainen

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Fender Blues Junior LTD Combo, Lacquered Tweed | Gear4music demo

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Video thumbnail for TONE COMPARISON: Fender Blues Junior Tweed vs Black! by GAK

TONE COMPARISON: Fender Blues Junior Tweed vs Black!

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Reviews

PROS

  • Warm tone with the ability to add bite if desired

  • Excels in Blues and Jazz genres, especially with hollow or semi-hollow body guitars

  • Highly versatile, accommodating different guitar styles and genres

  • Well-suited for home and small venue use

  • Takes pedals effectively, enhancing tonal diversity

  • Loud enough for gigs but also a great practice amp

  • Simple mods like speaker swaps can significantly enhance sound quality

  • Consistent Fender clean tones, reminiscent of classic models

  • Compact and easy to transport, perfect for gigging musicians

  • Visual improvements in newer models for better usability

CONS

  • Inconsistencies in sound quality between different units from the factory

  • Not ideal for rock-focused players without modification

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp.

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners often replace the stock speaker with a Cannabis Rex or Jupiter Midnight for enhanced clarity and reduced compression.

    Source
  • Upgrading the speaker to a Cannabis Rex has been noted to enhance the amp's tonal range and improve volume control for better breakup at lower settings.

    Source
  • The Blues Junior IV's cathode biasing addresses previous plate bias issues, enhancing tone stability and reducing overheating risks.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Despite its popularity, some users recommend the Supro Delta King 12 for its superior grit and tonal characteristics, considering it a sleeper hit.

    Source
  • The Blues Junior IV is compared to the Princeton Reverb for its tonal quality, with some preferring the latter’s onboard tremolo and reverb effects.

    Source
  • The Blues Junior IV with a Celestion Type A speaker offers more bottom end and fullness compared to earlier models, rivaling the warmth of a Deluxe Reverb.

    Source
  • Some prefer the Vox AC15 or Supro Delta King for better drive tones, while the Blues Junior is favored for its clean tones.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Blues Junior IV's FAT switch is noted to enhance gain and lower frequencies, though some prefer using the amp without it for clarity.

    Source
  • The Blues Junior IV has a usable fat switch and a less shrill top end, improving on earlier versions' tonal issues.

    Source
  • The Blues Junior is noted to handle pedals well, especially for those who prefer using pedal-driven overdrive rather than the amp's natural breakup.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users report the Blues Junior IV as having a prominent mid-range, which can be modified by adjusting settings or through speaker upgrades.

    Source
  • A user reports after swapping to a 12" Jupiter Midnight speaker, their amp became clearer and less compressed, solving previous harmonic issues.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the amp for jazz and early rock due to its clean tone and natural tube compression, although others find it lacking in bass response.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Owners using stereo multi-effects setups appreciate the Blues Junior IV for delivering a satisfying stereo image and tube saturation when paired with another unit.

    Source
  • The amp's higher wattage and master volume control enable natural distortion at lower volumes, making it versatile for bedroom practice.

    Source
  • It's often used in small venues and jam sessions due to its sufficient volume and manageable size, with some users relying on a Sennheiser E906 mic for larger venues.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Despite high resale prices, some argue it remains a worthwhile investment, reflecting its enduring popularity and performance as a small valve amp.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 6 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
slypero

Best Fender combo

This is the best Fender portable amp, cause it has real springs reverb, overdrive and a bit of EQ and it's loud enough to play with a band but can be played at house volume too. Very nice fender sound you can play it for any kind of music Blues, Jazz ans Rock metal etc... I know the amplifier is a 2004 and the guy changed the speaker for an eminence for fender, i like it but i plan to change it to Eminence canabis rex.

gregwarro

Great little practice amp

Nice warm tube sound. I bought this little guy as my second tube amp. The first was a 2x12 and a bit too loud for home use. This is quiet enough to use in the bedroom but when you drive the tubes it will really sing loud. Takes pedals well but I normally just play it as is with a bit of reverb on the "Fat" sound.

Love it!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Brian Setzer uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Brian Setzer

Singer, Guitarist

The Brian Setzer Orchestra

...
Verified via reverb.com

A Reverb listing identifies this Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp as having been owned by Brian Setzer.

See how Cameron Winter uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Cameron Winter

Singer, Guitarist

Geese

...
Verified via Photo

This photo from the Getting Killed release concert in Brooklyn shows a Fender Blues Jr with a torn grill cloth

See how Joe Hawley uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Joe Hawley

Singer, Guitarist

Tally Hall

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "BORALOGUE VI", The Fender Blues Junior amplifier can be seen, with a guitar playing through it. It is then shown to be coming from Joe Hawley's guitar, confirming that he is the one using the Fender Blues Junior.

It is unclear whether or not it is a first edition model or a second edition model. It cannot be a Fender Blues Junior III, as those began being sold in 2010 and this footage was recorded in 2009.

See how Rotem Sivan uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Rotem Sivan

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Using Fender Blues Junior Combo Amp in this video.

See how Stephen Magnusson uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Stephen Magnusson

Guitarist

MAGNET

...
Verified via Stephen Magnusson

Steve can be seen playing his PRS Custom 24 with a Fender blues junior.

See how Leni Stern uses Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp

Leni Stern

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

A photo in an article by Premier Guitar shows Leni Stern using a Fender Blues Junior amplifier.

Album Usage

The Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Blues Junior 1x12 Combo Amp, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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