Post by grayn on Nov 14, 2015 16:09:08 GMT
Having spent some time, away from valve amps, in the rather impressive, solid state world of Blackstar's ID:260 TVP, I hankered for 2 things.
A smaller combo and that clean tone, that only Fender valve amps seem to produce.
Ther 2X12 Blackstar isn't exactly a heavy weight but carrying it in one hand, can prove a little testing for one's back.
The Blues Junior is very solid but light enough to make one hand carrying a doddle.
For those unfamiliar with Fender's baby combo, it is a 15 watt, valve powered, 1X12 amp.
The cabinet is partially opened backed, well built and compact.
This is a no frills, single channel amp, with one input, no standby switch, 3-band EQ, Spring Reverb (real) and volumes for Master and Gain.
Adjusting the Master & Gain settings, gets sounds from that sparkling Fender clean, to nicely overdriven.
There's no fully saturated distortion here but there is plenty of bluesy crunch.
You also get a Fat switch, which is also footswitchable.
This gives a boost to volume and some middle frequencies.
A good idea, for soloing.
A number of things impressed me, with this amp.
It's loud.
Forget the numbers, this little combo can stand up to a drum kit, no problem.
The tone is full and nicely solid.
It has the tone that really cuts through, without being harsh.
With all the EQ set to 12 o'clock, it really pushes out.
Penetrating in the nicest way.
It may have been designed for single-coils, I don't know.
But I was very happy with how it amplifies humbuckers.
Bringing out their strengths, in a musical way.
Things I'd change?
The jack sockets for the (Fat) Footswitch and speaker out, are tucked up, inside the cabinet.
Not exactly accessible.
Also the speaker out is used for the internal Eminence speaker.
So, if you want to run another cab from this amp, you can't use the internal speaker with it.
Unless you rig up a one to two jack socket, set up.
Taking the ohmage into account.
All, a bit of a faff, really.
Shame, as the oppertunity of running another 1X12, with the internal speaker, from this gutsy amp, is an enticing one.
Overall then, a very workmanlike, gigging combo.
No frills but good quality.
Great tone, surprising volume and pretty cool.
Excellent value, IMO.
A smaller combo and that clean tone, that only Fender valve amps seem to produce.
Ther 2X12 Blackstar isn't exactly a heavy weight but carrying it in one hand, can prove a little testing for one's back.
The Blues Junior is very solid but light enough to make one hand carrying a doddle.
For those unfamiliar with Fender's baby combo, it is a 15 watt, valve powered, 1X12 amp.
The cabinet is partially opened backed, well built and compact.
This is a no frills, single channel amp, with one input, no standby switch, 3-band EQ, Spring Reverb (real) and volumes for Master and Gain.
Adjusting the Master & Gain settings, gets sounds from that sparkling Fender clean, to nicely overdriven.
There's no fully saturated distortion here but there is plenty of bluesy crunch.
You also get a Fat switch, which is also footswitchable.
This gives a boost to volume and some middle frequencies.
A good idea, for soloing.
A number of things impressed me, with this amp.
It's loud.
Forget the numbers, this little combo can stand up to a drum kit, no problem.
The tone is full and nicely solid.
It has the tone that really cuts through, without being harsh.
With all the EQ set to 12 o'clock, it really pushes out.
Penetrating in the nicest way.
It may have been designed for single-coils, I don't know.
But I was very happy with how it amplifies humbuckers.
Bringing out their strengths, in a musical way.
Things I'd change?
The jack sockets for the (Fat) Footswitch and speaker out, are tucked up, inside the cabinet.
Not exactly accessible.
Also the speaker out is used for the internal Eminence speaker.
So, if you want to run another cab from this amp, you can't use the internal speaker with it.
Unless you rig up a one to two jack socket, set up.
Taking the ohmage into account.
All, a bit of a faff, really.
Shame, as the oppertunity of running another 1X12, with the internal speaker, from this gutsy amp, is an enticing one.
Overall then, a very workmanlike, gigging combo.
No frills but good quality.
Great tone, surprising volume and pretty cool.
Excellent value, IMO.
Jo whoever he is.
