Comments on: The Right Speaker for your Blues Junior http://billmaudio.com/wp Small amps, big sound. Thu, 09 Sep 2010 12:00:31 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: David G http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-13225 David G Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:13:54 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-13225 Bill, Your updated comment on the stock speaker sounding better with more power does not surprise me. That speaker sounds quite good in a Blues Deluxe - and I think it improves after break-in as well. I wonder at times if a stock BJR can really exercise that speaker, (like a 40 watt amp can), to get it really broke in. I know mine definitely got better after an extended, full volume jam with about 10 other guitarists, (when I first got the amp). Bill,

Your updated comment on the stock speaker sounding better with more power does not surprise me. That speaker sounds quite good in a Blues Deluxe – and I think it improves after break-in as well. I wonder at times if a stock BJR can really exercise that speaker, (like a 40 watt amp can), to get it really broke in. I know mine definitely got better after an extended, full volume jam with about 10 other guitarists, (when I first got the amp).

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-12880 bill Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:22:51 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-12880 The Gold Label speaker is the Special Design, found in hundreds of thousands of Fender amps. It's most similar to the Legend 1258. The Gold Label speaker is the Special Design, found in hundreds of thousands of Fender amps. It’s most similar to the Legend 1258.

]]> By: Richard http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-12851 Richard Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:15:30 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-12851 I have one of the Deco Tones (almost 2 years, purchased as NOS), and I dig it...but I'm not having much luck getting info on the stock speaker. The manual states, "One 8Ω 12” Fender re-issue “Gold Label” speaker (P/N 037617)" Any info on this speaker? I have one of the Deco Tones (almost 2 years, purchased as NOS), and I dig it…but I’m not having much luck getting info on the stock speaker. The manual states,

“One 8Ω 12” Fender re-issue “Gold Label” speaker (P/N 037617)”

Any info on this speaker?

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-12562 bill Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:55:20 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-12562 Even if I didn't sell a competing product, I'd consider the MM output transformer grossly overpriced. It sounds better than the stock transformer, however. It sounds like you prefer clean tones for harp. Many of my harp customers seem to like more thickness, more distortion. Even if I didn’t sell a competing product, I’d consider the MM output transformer grossly overpriced. It sounds better than the stock transformer, however.

It sounds like you prefer clean tones for harp. Many of my harp customers seem to like more thickness, more distortion.

]]> By: Dan http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-12550 Dan Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:47:51 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-12550 Greetings Bill, I'm new to your website and just thought I'd toss in my 2 cents worth of Blues Jr. "stuff". I own a Blues Jr. with the cream colored board and I play harmonica through it, not guitar. The two mods I made to my amp were replacing the original speaker with a Weber 12A150-0 with alnico magnet, no ribs, and no dope. My second mod was replacing the output transformer with a Murcury Magnetics FBLJR-0. I use a vintage Electro-Voice 605 mic which has volume control added to it. I use the amp with the master turned up all the way and the volume knob turned up to about 4. The amps now has a very nice sound and I'm pleased with the mods I made, even though they cost me a little over 300 hundred bucks to do. Not sure how many people use the Blues Jr. for playing harp, but I happen to like it very much. Thanks, Dan Greetings Bill,
I’m new to your website and just thought I’d toss in my 2 cents worth of Blues Jr. “stuff”.
I own a Blues Jr. with the cream colored board and I play harmonica through it, not guitar.
The two mods I made to my amp were replacing the original speaker with a Weber 12A150-0 with alnico magnet, no ribs, and no dope.
My second mod was replacing the output transformer with a Murcury Magnetics FBLJR-0.
I use a vintage Electro-Voice 605 mic which has volume control added to it.
I use the amp with the master turned up all the way and the volume knob turned up to about 4.
The amps now has a very nice sound and I’m pleased with the mods I made, even though they cost me a little over 300 hundred bucks to do.
Not sure how many people use the Blues Jr. for playing harp, but I happen to like it very much.
Thanks, Dan

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-12023 bill Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:12:53 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-12023 The TO22 will fit with the C12N, as I recall. If not, you just have to re-drill the holes and move it a little. The TO20 and TO22 sound the same. The TO20 is less expensive and much easier to install because there is no 4/8 ohm switch. The TO20 will run a 4 ohm load (2 x 8 ohm parallel) without problems. But if you run at full volume with a 4 ohm load, the TO22 is a better choice because it is more efficient and the output tubes run a bit cooler. The TO22 will fit with the C12N, as I recall. If not, you just have to re-drill the holes and move it a little.

The TO20 and TO22 sound the same. The TO20 is less expensive and much easier to install because there is no 4/8 ohm switch.

The TO20 will run a 4 ohm load (2 x 8 ohm parallel) without problems. But if you run at full volume with a 4 ohm load, the TO22 is a better choice because it is more efficient and the output tubes run a bit cooler.

]]> By: Günter http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-11802 Günter Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:17:20 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-11802 Hi Bill, i´ve tree questions: 1. i upgraded my BJ with Jensen c 12 N, does the TO 22 fit? 2. You recommend the to 22 for people, who use an external cabinet often or most time. does that mean, that the to 20 does sound better without cabinet than the to 22 without cabinet too. 3. with the to 20: can i use an external 8 ohm cabinet parallel to my BJ with jensen c 12 n 8 ohm speaker so that i run 2 x 8 ohm? thanks günter Hi Bill,

i´ve tree questions:

1. i upgraded my BJ with Jensen c 12 N, does the TO 22 fit?

2. You recommend the to 22 for people, who use an external cabinet often or most time. does that mean, that the to 20 does sound better
without cabinet than the to 22 without cabinet too.

3. with the to 20: can i use an external 8 ohm cabinet parallel to my BJ with jensen c 12 n 8 ohm speaker so that i run 2 x 8 ohm?

thanks
günter

]]> By: Joe C http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-11421 Joe C Tue, 17 Aug 2010 04:11:42 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-11421 Thks Bill, already had the TO22 on order, and I almost always play through an extension cab. Just FYI. I tried putting a Swamp Thang in a BJr, and when installed normally it appears to just touch the TO22. So I rotated the speaker board not only 180 left to right (facing the amp), but also 180 degrees front to rear. I had to carefully remove the grill cloth (it's glued and stapled), and shim out the previously front side of the speaker board about 3/16" so the speaker would set flush, I used 3/16" Masonite. Also needed to reverse the threaded nut inserts, I just threaded in a screw, and tapped them out. Used a C-clamp to press them back in. I needed 1/4" longer 10-32 machine screws as well. And so far after carefully reattaching the grill cloth, there is apparently no ill effects. I also moved the reverb tank from the left rear side of the amp to the right rear side of the amp, as the massive magnet of the Swamp Thang was distorting the springs while I was installing it. Maybe I should have tried in the original position, who knows how it would have sounded. LOL And a side note, this reversal leaves the speaker grill cloth with no 'spring' to it. It just lays flat against the speaker board, except for right in front of the speaker. This may or may not affect durability. YMMV Thks Bill, already had the TO22 on order, and I almost always play through an extension cab.

Just FYI.

I tried putting a Swamp Thang in a BJr, and when installed normally it appears to just touch the TO22. So I rotated the speaker board not only 180 left to right (facing the amp), but also 180 degrees front to rear. I had to carefully remove the grill cloth (it’s glued and stapled), and shim out the previously front side of the speaker board about 3/16″ so the speaker would set flush, I used 3/16″ Masonite. Also needed to reverse the threaded nut inserts, I just threaded in a screw, and tapped them out. Used a C-clamp to press them back in. I needed 1/4″ longer 10-32 machine screws as well. And so far after carefully reattaching the grill cloth, there is apparently no ill effects.

I also moved the reverb tank from the left rear side of the amp to the right rear side of the amp, as the massive magnet of the Swamp Thang was distorting the springs while I was installing it. Maybe I should have tried in the original position, who knows how it would have sounded. LOL

And a side note, this reversal leaves the speaker grill cloth with no ‘spring’ to it. It just lays flat against the speaker board, except for right in front of the speaker. This may or may not affect durability.

YMMV

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-10663 bill Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:53:54 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-10663 Yes, the BJr can drive a 4 ohm load without problems. Yes, the BJr can drive a 4 ohm load without problems.

]]> By: bill http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295&cpage=2#comment-10659 bill Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:49:46 +0000 http://billmaudio.com/wp/?page_id=295#comment-10659 Use the TO20 output transformer and it won't hit. Use the TO20 output transformer and it won’t hit.

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