Re: [Harp-L] Fender Blues Jr tube swap ?

["J. Scott Ball" <balljs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I double that motion, had similar mods done to mine also, including a 
Mercury Magnetics output transformer (around $90) which is priced to fit the 
original cost of the amp, totally different beast, also when the tubes are 
swapped the affect on the tone is much greater than on a stock Blues jr. 
with the same swaps. right now the tubes arrangment right to left, V1-V3, 
12au7, 12ay7, 12at7. the output transformer had an unreal affect on the 
musicality in the lows and highs, the economy nor my playing would justify 
me buying a botique amp, very happy with this one.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Posey" <harrpoe@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 10:18 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Fender Blues Jr tube swap ?



IMHO, the best thing I did for my pawnshop-found, "Made in America" FBJ was 
to send the chassis to Ron Holmes for some "tweaking". He lowered the gain, 
changed the caps, added a  line-out, changed a bunch of resistors - 
basically made my little FBJ a barking, harp-friendly, tone-meister.

He also checked and replaced the power tubes with a new set and checked my 
pre-amp tubes. With the mods, I can run 12ax7's accross the board and crunch 
it without the dreaded feedback beast rearing its ugly head until much later 
than before, depending of course, on the room and stage set. I find placing 
it on an amp stand, directly to the side of me is best.  Sounds great with 
any mic I throw at it but my favorites are my CAD VC50 and SM57. I swapped 
the stock "Fender Special Design" Eminence with a new Weber Vintage series 
12F125-0 ceramic speaker with the harp dustcap. Big, fat, ceramic generated 
botton end with great cut and much louder than the stock speaker. With my 2 
guitar band, I can run a line out from the amp to the PA in addition to 
micing the speaker and get huge, varying tones by utilizing the Master and 
Volume knobs. Super clean to mega crunch..on command!

Probably spent about 250 on all the mods inclusive of the new speaker. 
Reverb on these things is less than stellar but I dont use it anyway. I run 
a Boss DM-2 pretty which is pretty much on all the time. Can't say enough 
about Ron Holmes and Ted Weber insofar as advice, explanation, execution and 
delivery of quality products and services at reasonable prices.

Highly recommended!

No affiliation, just a happy harper with some good sounding gear.

Sounds great with guitar as well. Next step is either a Sonny JR 410 or a 
Cruncher however I have to feed the kids for now.

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