Re: Blues Jr or Pro Jr

[Russ Bradley <wbradley@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Shane,
The mods you can do to an amplifier are endless.  Getting an alnico 
speaker and tubing down are simply the cheapest and most effective.  I 
think my next step will be to get a Harp Commander rather than mod my 
Pro Jr. any further at this point.
I'm not an expert on speakers since I've never had to replace one, but 
what you want is a vintage reissue type with an alnico magnet.  I've 
heard a lot of good things about the Weber speakers.
As far as tube swapping goes, it's best to focus on the pre-amp stage. 
 What I understand from amp techs is they do a pretty good job with 
EL84s nowadays (I've heard the Eis are best as well) and NOS EL84s 
aren't that much better to warrant the extra cost.  If I were you, I'd 
save the power stage for last.
For your pre-amp stage, my advice is to go on eBay and get 2 12AT7s, 2 
12AY7s, and 2 12AU7s and play with it.  Here's where you get a big 
benefit from NOS.  I'm using RCA, but GE and Sylvania are good as well. 
 You will be changing the gain, so while you are reducing feedback, you 
are increasing headroom in terms of where it will break up.  Also, from 
my playing around, different combinations are optimal for different 
mics.  You can look up tubes on the web, but briefly the order from most 
to least gain is: 12AX7, 12AT7, 12AY7, 12AU7.  Swap out the tubes and 
play with various combinations to find what works best for you.  Start 
with your first stage and always keep your second stage greater than or 
equal to your first stage.  See what you sound like with 12AT7, 12AX7 
and 2 12AT7s.  Then try 12AY7, 12AX7 and 12AY7, 12AT7 and 2 12AY7s. 
 Then do the same drill with the 12AU7.
Hope this helps,
Russ


Shane Greene wrote:

>Thanks for all you responses. I guess the vote is unanimous then. I'll go
>for a Pro Jr. .
>
>Andrew wrote in an earlier thread:
>"A reissue Jensen C10Q (I think the amp
>leans more toward ceramic magnets). Good tube swaps with some Ei EL84's and
>a
>decent 12at7 in the first gain stage and you're ready to rock."
>
>Are these the best and only mods needed to build the ultimate Pro Jr.?
>Thanks again,
>Shane
>
>----- Original Message ----- 
>
>>Andrew wrote:
>>"Pro Jr. , Simple is best for tone overall."
>>
>>And Russ wrote:
>>"I really, really prefer the sound I have with the Pro Jr. and the DanEcho
>>way over a Blues Jr. with reverb. That rig will give you incredible tone
>>(and volume) at a very reasonable price."
>>
>>Then Vince wrote:
>>"Overall the best of the two for Harmonica is the Pro Jr. <snip> I have
>>gigged with them both!"
>>
>>============================
>>
>>I'll go with Andrew, Russ and Vince on this one. I've gigged with both and
>>would choose a Pro Junior every time.
>>MN
>>
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