software

If you had only $500 to spend on an amp would you choose the Blues Junior or build the 5E3 kit from Mission amps? or is there a better $500 option out there?

Interesting. I look forward to the response here!

I am in a similar position as you but I've already decided to go for the 5e3 kit. I'm thinkin about pickin up the kit from mission, then waiting till I finish the build and getting the cab/speaker from weber.
I came to my final decision after I heard sound clips on one of the blues junior modding sites. the guy had clips of all the mods and the cranked tone of the BJ just didn't sound good to me at all. I know there could be a number of factors but it just kinda left a bad taste in my mouth.
And I'm a really big Neil Young fan so the 5e3 wins!

Also, what speaker would most of you recommend to get the most out of the 5e3, something that will also work with the Neil Young 6l6 mod, should I decide to do it.(sorry for the hijack!)


Originally Posted by ledzepp29I came to my final decision after I heard sound clips on one of the blues junior modding sites. the guy had clips of all the mods and the cranked tone of the BJ just didn't sound good to me at all. I know there could be a number of factors but it just kinda left a bad taste in my mouth.

Billm's mods are fantastic, but the clips he has on the site really do very little to sell the amp. They tend to be more scientific than aesthetic. I did them on a lark because I got ahold of a Blues Jr. for dirt cheap and had some time on my hands. I'm glad I did.

To me the modded Blues Jr. makes the amp a total keeper. Everyone I played with loved mine and I consistently got great tone out of it with very little effort.

Honestly, for the $300 or $250 you could spent for a used Blues Jr and the cost of the mods, new tubes and maybe a new speaker it would beat out the other option financially. As much as I dig handbuilt amps I keep on seeing handbuilt BluesBreaker clones going for the same price as used PCB ones, and not many takers. The financial hit may be there if it doesn't turn out the way you like it. The Billm mods are known well enough so that I don't think it would incur the same fate.


Originally Posted by SkarekroughBillm's mods are fantastic, but the clips he has on the site really do very little to sell the amp. They tend to be more scientific than aesthetic. I did them on a lark because I got ahold of a Blues Jr. for dirt cheap and had some time on my hands. I'm glad I did.

To me the modded Blues Jr. makes the amp a total keeper. Everyone I played with loved mine and I consistently got great tone out of it with very little effort.

Honestly, for the $300 or $250 you could spent for a used Blues Jr and the cost of the mods, new tubes and maybe a new speaker it would beat out the other option financially. As much as I dig handbuilt amps I keep on seeing handbuilt BluesBreaker clones going for the same price as used PCB ones, and not many takers. The financial hit may be there if it doesn't turn out the way you like it. The Billm mods are known well enough so that I don't think it would incur the same fate.

I kept hearing people talk about how great it can sound with mods, and thats why I thought something must be wrong with the sound clips. Now it makes sense.
Honestly either one is a great choice, the BJ may be even better for the reasons Skare listed. But for me, the 5e3 is the right choice because I've really wanted to try my hand at building a simple tube amp. I've gotten good at soldering, and I think I'll be ready once I have a pedal build or two under my belt. O yeah, and once I learn from someone qualified, how to not kill myself!

two very different beasts, same size box.

Quality for the buck, homebrew 5E3 wins everytime.

Resale value for homebrew amps is low.

BJ has reverb, TD doesn't need it.

BJ uses EL84's, TD 6V6's.

I have done both. Every Blues Jr got sent back for buzzes I couldn;t track down.

If you need more headroom, you can build the 6L6 version of the 5E3. (bruce's design)


Originally Posted by Scott_Ftwo very different beasts, same size box.

Quality for the buck, homebrew 5E3 wins everytime.

Resale value for homebrew amps is low.

BJ has reverb, TD doesn't need it.

BJ uses EL84's, TD 6V6's.

I have done both. Every Blues Jr got sent back for buzzes I couldn;t track down.

If you need more headroom, you can build the 6L6 version of the 5E3. (bruce's design)

Thanks Scott for offering your input on this.

Quality for the buck, I was betting the kit 5E3 would be a better option. Although, Skarey is really making me think about considering the BJ and it's mod's. I could probably still be money ahead, but I want the best tone so, if the kit costs a little more, I may go ahead and opt for the kit.

For Blues Jr. owners out there with rattles: How to unrattle a Blues Jr.

Haven't tried it 'coz the only rattling turned out to be a metal lampshade when I turned the little beastie up past a certain point.

Chip

P.S. Hopefully this isn't a terrible thread hijacking...

I haven't seen any hijacking in this thread. It's all good stuff.

For the 5E3 kit, the question is...I like the Neil Young sound but I personally also like and perhaps prefer the british crunch OD tones. If the 5E3 kit will take my DS-1 or other pedal to approach Marshall territory then I'll have the best of both worlds.

The 5E3 would be great for classic, smokey blues jams.

Hey Todd, You can borrow my modded Jr if you come pick it up. I don't care how hard you play it, either........Joe


Originally Posted by bungalowbillHey Todd, You can borrow my modded Jr if you come pick it up. I don't care how hard you play it, either........Joe

Why don't you play, Joe? What do you love and hate about your Jr?
I've been playing a borrowed amp for a year now, I'm ready to get something that I can call my own. That's a really generous offer. I'll give it some thought.


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadWhy don't you play, Joe? What do you love and hate about your Jr?
I've been playing a borrowed amp for a year now, I'm ready to get something that I can call my own. That's a really generous offer. I'll give it some thought.

The JR has been my back up amp for about 9 or 10 years and I have gigged with it several times. Bill m's mods have made the amp much better as far as tone and the background buzz is concerned and I have disconnected the reverb (common problem in old JR's). I love the portability, tone and the ease of dialing in a good tone. It will do a lot for a small amp if you have a good OD in front of it.

5E3....hands down. If Fender did PCB right, the Jr. would be an OK amp, but...


Originally Posted by ES3505E3....hands down. If Fender did PCB right, the Jr. would be an OK amp, but...

That's a strong, confident voice! Thanks ES350. This will give me the excuse to build something.