If you’re wondering if Fender Blues Junior IV is a good amp or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right review! In today’s article, we’re going to take a very close look on that legendary model to see if it’s actually worth it. Surely, it’s extremely popular, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Fender Blues Junior IV is one of the best and most iconic tube amps of all time. Although it’s not cheap, it’s definitely a good choice for all musicians who are looking for a reliable and high quality piece of gear.
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what makes this tube amplifier so special. Of course, you’ll be able to hear a sound demo as well. In addition, we’re going to cover some of the cheaper alternatives for those who can’t afford it yet. Hopefully, today’s review will help you to understand if this amp is good for your or not!
Specs & Pricing
Fender Blues Junior IV is a truly iconic model – it’s one of the most popular 15-Watt tube amps in the world. The combo offers an absolutely unique tone and it can be used both on stage and at home.
The manufacturer decided to equip the Blues Junior IV with a 12″ speaker, which offers a really high quality sound. In addition, it’s really versatile, so it can be used in a really wide range of genres.
What’s important, the amp has three 12AX7 preamp tubes and two EL84 power tubes. As a result, this amp will be particularly great for lovers of crispy tones and clean sounds with a little bit of overdrive. If you’re into this kind of vintage tone, you’re absolutely going to love this amp!
As I mentioned earlier, the amp offers a lot of versatility when it comes to sound. Fender equipped this model with a 3-band EQ and spring reverb. Although it’s a simple setting, it’s very effective and it gives you access to a very wide pool of sounds. In addition, the Fender Blues Junior IV works amazingly with guitar pedals!
When it comes to pricing, it’s not cheap. Since it’s a high quality Fender amp, it is not surprising that it’s quite expensive. On the other hand, it’s definitely not overpriced. Considering the fact that this amp can be used for studio recordings and live gigs, the price seems to be fair.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out. Sounds pretty good, right?
Who Is It For?
Fender Blues Junior IV will be an ideal choice for all more advanced musicians who are into playing gigs and recording studio sessions. Of course, it can also be used as a high quality practice amp. Whether you’re a pro or a beginner guitarist, there’s a really high chance that you’re going to love it.
In addition, the high versatility of this amp makes it perfect to use in a lot of different styles of music. Whether you’re into rock, blues, country or indie – this combo won’t disappoint you and it will enhance your playing.
It is definitely an amp for musicians who are looking for a high quality and reliable piece of gear. Of course, there are also other cheaper tube amps that also sound good, but if you want to get one of the most iconic tube amps of all time, the Fender Blues Junior IV will be a great amp for you.
Disadvantages Of Fender Blues Junior IV
Although Fender Blues Junior IV is a really good amp, it’s not for everyone – it has its own disadvantages as well.
Firstly, some people may say that this combo is a bit too flat sounding, especially if you’re looking for a lot of punch. So while this amp will work well for playing blues and rock leads, it may not be ideal for playing heavier riffs or playing metal.
Another disadvantage of this amp is the price. I’m sure that there are a lot of guitarists who’d love to use it, but they can’t afford it. Undoubtedly, the high price will discourage a lot of players from getting it.
Lastly, there is no headphone jack. So if you like to practice in quiet without making too much noise, the Blues Junior may not be the best choice for you.
Fender Blues Junior IV & Pedals
As I mentioned earlier, Fender Blues Junior IV works particularly well with guitar pedals of all types. Whether you like to use a punchy overdrive or a vintage vibrato or chorus, this amp guarantees a really good tone.
As an example, here’s a quick demo of how this amp sounds with various guitar pedals. You have to admit that it sounds awesome!
My Thoughts
Personally, I’m a really big fan of Fender Blues Junior IV amp. I used it on several occasions and I always enjoyed its crystal clean tone. As a lover of indie music, I totally recommend this amp for playing that kind of music.
Although it’s not a cheap amp, it’s definitely worth considering – especially if you’re looking for a piece of gear that will last you for years to come. In addition, the amp offers a classic aesthetic that looks just awesome!
I have no hesitation in recommending this amp to any guitar player who’s looking for a high quality tube amp. If you’re into metal, you should probably look for something else. But overall, the Blues Junior IV is definitely worth the money.
Cheaper Alternatives
If you don’t like the Fender Blues Junior IV or you can’t afford it right now – don’t worry, there’s a lot of other cool amps out there! Still, it all depends what you’re looking for – an amp for home practice or an amp for gigging?
For those who are looking for a reliable amp for home practice, I highly recommend checking out Bugera BC15, Marshall MG10 and VOX Pathfinder 10. These three amps are really cheap and they work particularly well as practice amps. They’re cheap, compact and they sound pretty good – who needs anything else?
If you’re searching for something better that’s loud enough for gigging, you should definitely check out Peavey Classic 30. It’s a really great sounding tube amp that can be used for both studio sessions and live gigs. In addition, it features a very unique vintage-style aesthetics. I have to admit that I’m a big fan of that model!
One of the most popular tube amps manufactured by Peavey!
Still, Fender Blues Junior IV is one-of-a-kind amp, so it will be really tough to compete with that. So instead of looking for something cheap, it may be a good idea to save up a bit more to eventually get this incredible tube amp. I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed!
FAQ
What is Fender Blues Junior good for?
Fender Blues Junior IV is great for the vast majority of music genres. Whether you’re searching for a crystal clean tone or a punchy overdrive, this tube combo won’t disappoint you.
Is Fender Blues Junior good for home use?
Fender Blues Junior works really well for home use. Nevertheless, it can get very loud, so your neighbors may not appreciate that!
Is the Blues Junior loud enough for gigging?
Fender Blues Junior IV works very well for gigging – it’s definitely loud enough to play along with a drummer.
Summary
As you can see, Fender Blues Junior IV is a truly unique guitar amp. It’s not surprising that it has so many admirers all around the world. This legendary model significantly influenced a lot of musicians who shaped the state of our music industry.
What do you think about this amp? Would you add the Fender Blues Junior IV to your own collection? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear what you think!
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