The Blues Junior III guitar amp is a 15-watt, warm-toned, long time favorite; the perfect grab & go tube amp for stage or studio. It's got the fat mid tones characteristic of EL84 output tubes, warm 12AX7 preamp tube overdrive, real spring Reverb, simple control layout, footswitchable FAT boost, and external speaker capability.
The new Blues Junior III also includes these upgrades: Easier reading black control panel with front reading text, new badge; vintage Fender "dog bone" handle, vintage-sized jewel light, "Sparkle" mod, rattle-reducing shock absorbers for EL84 tubes, super-sensitive Fender Special Design 12" "lightning bolt" speaker by Eminence, and heavy-duty set screw "chicken head" knobs.
Take your fat tube tone and reverb with you. Order today.
SPECIFICATIONSHot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp
Amplifier Type: TubeOutput Power: 15 Watts
Speaker: 12", 8 ohm 50-Watt Fender "Lightning Bolt" speaker by Eminence
Output Impedance: 8 Ohms
Preamp Tubes: 3 x 12AX7
Power Tubes: 2 x EL84
Rectifier: Solid State Rectifier
Inputs: One
Channels: One Channel
Controls: Reverb, Master, Middle, Bass, Treble, "Fat" Switch, Volume
Effects: Spring Reverb
Amp Covering/Grille Cloth: Black Textured Vinyl Covering with Blackface Style Black/Silver Grille Cloth
Height: 16" (40.6 cm)
Width: 18" (45.72 cm)
Depth: 9.18" (23.31 cm)
Weight: 31 lb. (14.06 kg)
Footswitch: Optional 1-Button Footswitch Available For Fat
Cover: Optional Amp Cover Available
Unique Features: Black control panel, New badge, Rattle-reducing shock absorbers for EL84 tubes, Fat Switch
Custom Guitar's Friend Gold Coverage
Gold Coverage goes above and beyond the manufacturer's warranty to protect your gear from unexpected breakdowns, accidental damage from handling and failures. This plan covers your product for one, two, three or up to five years from your date of purchase, costs just pennies per day and gives you a complete "no-worry" solution for protecting your investment.
Gold Coverage Includes:
Unexpected and unintentional spills, drops and cracks Normal wear and tear Power surges Dust, internal heat and humidityOther plan features include:
For products over $200, No Lemon Policy applies. If it fails for the same defect 3 times, it is replaced on the 4th breakdown. (Does not apply to failures due to drops, spills, and cracks) For products under $200 experiencing the above failures, a Custom Guitar's Friend gift card will be issued for the full price of the product + tax. Shipping fees covered if required for repair or replacement Plans are transferable in the event merchandise is sold Plans are renewable on new gear*Limitations and exclusions apply. See terms and conditions for program details
Term for New Gear begins on date of purchase but does not replace the store return policy or manufacturer coverage.
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This is the best guitar amp that I have ever used, and if this thing was stolen, or didn't work for any reason I would definatly buy one again.I only give this part a 9 because it's a one channel amp. Yeah, that's the point of it so I'm just saying the obvious. I love the the footswitchable fat boost, which is great for leads or riding the top on some songs. The spring reverb is a definate plus.
THis thing was made to take a pretty hard beating. No wonder everybody gigs with these things....
For rediculous EL-84 all tube tone, this thing is worth the price tag. Again, you get what you pay for.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.The issues I have with this amp are not because I received one that had a high squeal that went through it. My problem is the tone of this amp. It has a fat boost switch, however there is no jack for a pedal switcher. This is needed very bad, as for clean you need one and dirty you need another on this amp. I tried many different kinds of overdrive as well. Just doesn't sound as good as it should for the price. I play in front of over a thousand people each week, and my sound guy has done foh for tons of artists. We know equipment. He can make this amp sound fine, but the average sound guy I see with most concert tours cannot. If they can't, you probably can't.
I have a hot rod deluxe as well, and that has a very full warm sound. This amp sounds noticeably thinner and boxy sounding. I sent this amp back and spent less than 100 more and got a VOX ac15 with celestion greenbacks. The VOX sounds amazing comparatively. You can get an ok sound from the blues jr, but I demand better than ok. I want the best tone I can get for my money. This, unfortunately is not it. My other electric player said he even hates this amp.
Save 100 more and get a vox ac15 or 200 more and get a hot rod deluxe. Either one sounds fine and warm at low volumes, in case the power scares you a little. Realistically you won't use more than half of the power ever on these amps. You should want a warm smooth tone, that has Quality. This amp sounds like a small amp. I was really hoping for much more tone from fender in this amp.
However, I also received one that passed Fender's quality control...and should not have. Do you want to risk it as well?
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.First, kudos to the folks at MF for working with me! That have been helpful and courteous. Now to the problems. I have tried two of these amps. The first one exhibited an intermittent "crackling noise" like a short in a connection or a tube issue. This amp was exchanged for another one that has a constant "buzz" that seems to be associated with the reverb (it disappears when I turn the reverb completely off) and increases/decreases in intensity but is particularly noticeable when playing some notes/chords. The noise is always present, but at times is almost overwhelms the guitar. I am returning this amp today, and and not going to try another one of this model.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.What can I say, its a Fender tube amp! I have owned almost every amp there is. I also have a Line 6 Spider IV 150 2-12, and it don't come close to the Jr. The Jr is a no frills basic tube amp that delivers! If you want all the other bells and whisels, add a peddal or two. I've been playing fo 42 years and trust me when I say there is not a better amp for the size, price, and tone out there. This baby gets loud too. Its perfict for home, studio, and live. Why would anyone want to hual huge stacks when this amp will do the same thing. Just set a mic in front of it, plug in a pedal or two, and walla! Let it rip! Why do you think Eric Clapton uses Fender? Sweet tone! Stop wasting money on gimmick amps and invest in a real amp that has been proven. Fender all the way! Go to your local music store and check this amp out. Throw on a pedal or two and you will see what I mean. Buy this amp, its the last one you will ever need or want.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.So here's the deal. I have the 3rd version of this amp. There are some upgrades which are cosmetic and some which are from my understanding "under the hood". I bought this amp after selling my beloved MESA LONESTAR SPECIAL which I've used for the last several years. I'm 32 and while not old or out of shape I really just was tired of the weight of the MESA in it's road case.
So... I settled on another EL84 based amp in the the Blues Jr. III
First Impressions are that this is an easy to use amp and easy to carry. 15watts is plenty for me and most places I play I'm usually always mic'd up so volume isn't an issue.
Tone: With a Telecaster and a Stratocaster I find I need to turn the bass to about 2-3 on the bass and not much higher than that or it sounds about flubby. Also this amp being version 3 is a bit brighter than past renditions and I find that I have to dial the treble back a bit too or they can become unbearable. As long as their backed off I really don't have any problem. The mids are very nice and I have them dialed up around 6 so it'll cut more.
With humbuckers the treble is nice around 5-6 and I still keep the bass at 3.
Reverb is nice, but I use my Reverb pedal always regardless of the amp. But the Reverb on this is nice. Verison III seems about bit more "Fender" sounding than past versions in my personal opinion. Not that past versions are bad or anything like that.
The fat switch I don't really use, but it's nice for some added warmth for your single coils in case you need it. I feel a little robbed since they don't sell the fat switch foot switch with the amp. Nickel and Dime I guess.
Plenty of Head room for me going for classic rock and blues tones. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.I love this amp. I had been using a Fender Blues Deluxe but needed something that sounded great at lower volumes. The Blues Deluxe doesn't find it's sweet spot until you get the volume up around 5, too loud for small venues and the type music that I play - I was drowning out everyone else to get the tone that I wanted. The Blues Jr. was the answer to my volume woes. Great warm tones at volumes that work for small clubs. I also have to say that Custom GuitarsFriend was great to work with. I ordered this amp, got the tracking info and anxiously watched the amp start it's journey to my house. The UPS truck that carried my amp was apparently in an accident and UPS listed my package as "damaged/contacting shipper". I called Custom GuitarsFriend (on Friday) and told them that I needed the amp for an upcoming gig (the next Friday). They immediately cancelled my previous ordered, re-entered a new order and I had the amp on Wednesday. That's what I call great customer service!
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.The best 15watt Tube amp in the market actually the best tube amp in the market for the price range and well worth every penny they charge for it. In my opinion there isn't an amp that can even come close to this one.
I've owned a jet city 20watt stack, I've owned a blackstar 5THR 5watt with Reverb, A laney Cub 12 a Blackheart 3/5 watt combo (which I still have)and a Vox acc i5 watt combo with reverb and tremelo and NOTHING and I MEAN Nothing comes close to the clean and crunch sounds of the Fender Blues Jr. It is by far the best soundind tube amo you will ever own so save yourself some time and effort and stop right here because there isn't an amp built that can compare to the blues Jr for normal listening levels. You can pau a LOT more or you can pay a LITTLE less but you can't find a BETTER amp. This is it. This is the one all the pros take with them when they go anywhere because nothing can quite compare to the sweet, sweet sound of a Blues Jr.
The III version is the best yet and the speaker is a GREAT improvement but you'll allways find someone who throws in a celestion this or a Canibus Rex or a Patriot osr some other crap when what's in it sounds just find. Some people are compulsive/obsesive about there speaker and I've had them all and I like the new Emminence just fine the tubes are sturdier and even the handle improved..The sparkle mod is aplus and I personally LOVE the Reverb on this amp. This amp will last you a lifetime..Change the tubes every 2 years (or more often if you gig with it) and this amp will out live you!
Ther is no better value for the money and it's worth a whole lot more than that being the best 15 watt amp on the market bar none and taking into account al the 5 watters out there that sound good but don't compare to a blues Jr and that includes Blackstar. This is the amp that all other are measured by as it should be because there isn't a better tube amp made unless you want to spend in the high price range
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.I play alot of casinos and need to have a small amp that i can play at low volumes but still have the amp being pushed abit. Viola! This is the amp that does what i need. Great amp for rehearal and great amp miked up thru a pa. I did replace the new fender speaker with an eminence cannibus rex hemp cone speaker right away.It made all the difference. Went from kinda small, thin, and boxy to full in a deluxe or super reverb kinda of way. And i know those tones cuz cuz i have both those vintage blackface amps.Im getting older and its hard to lug around and justify bringing the big guns to gigs you cant crank them up past 1. A blues jr miked up with a cannibus rex speaker and a few pedals (which it loves)is for me a great way to go.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.On my THIRD without getting one that works. First one sounded great but started cutting out, returned and was shipped one that was completely dead. Just got the replacement for that one and the reverb is completely dead plus amp sounds thin and bright.
Clearly severe quality control issues. Not the Fender I have loved for decades... what's going on???
The amp is AMAZING when it works, but be careful.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
.The "sparkle mod" on the newest Blues Jr's is just what the Dr ordered. The amp is loud, bright and full sounding. I engage the Fat Switch and leave it on all the time to beef up the tone. JJ's are substituted for the power tubes and TungSol 12AX7's in all three preamp slots. Add an economical, easy to install Rubytubes reverb unit and this is the best amp I've ever had. Mine is a Limited Edition in western tolex.
Fender Hot Rod Series Blues Junior III 15W 1x12 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black
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