Can I Use My Nos Blues Jr as a Cabinet

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Fender Blues Jr. NOS or Vox AC15C1 (While Using Pedals)?

• Thread starter The Danchez
• Start date Dec 4, 2013

• #1

Hey TGP,

I'm on the hunt for a new amp and I'm deciding between the Fender Blues Jr NOS (which is NOT the regular version) and the Vox AC15C1. I've seen a couple of threads on these two amps around but none of them really answered the question I'm asking here. On top of answering the question of which amp you guys think is inherently better, which of these two amps would take a pedalboard better? The main source of my overdrive/dirt would come from the pedals on my board, not the amps themselves. I just want the amps for their cleans and a good touch of drive here and there for a slight crunch while engaging my overdrive pedals for my dirtier rhythms and high-octane leads.

Thanks in advance people!

--Danchez

Last edited: Dec 27, 2013

• #2

The Blues Jr would take pedals better (in my experience with a Blues Jr and an AC30). However, the Blues Jr has that inherent small-combo sound to it. Not sure how the AC15 would compare on that level as I've never played an AC15. If the cabinet is anything as beefy as an AC30, it doesn't suffer from sounding small.

But really, if I were looking for a pedal platform, I'd probably go for the Blues Jr (and then have it modded into a head and run it through a nice big 2x12). The Blues Jr is also lighter, so that's a plus for me.

• #3

The normal channel on the AC15C1 is very pedal friendly. I also much prefer the overdrive of the Vox over the blues jr but that's a personal thing.

• #4

The Blues Jr will take pedals better, but the AC15 sounds much better to my ears.

My ac15c1 is very selective with distortion and fuzzes. But sounds incredible with delays and modulations. It's also a little selective with overdrives, but you can find great matches on that area.

And the tremolo on the AC15c1 is very, very, nice.

• #5

I have a Blues Junior III that takes pedals very well when played clean, never tried a AC15.

Last edited: Dec 30, 2013

• #6

I'd say go with the AC15. If you want a good Fender clean platform go with a HotRod Deluxe. I had the BJR NOS tweed - did not care for it at all. Traded it for a HRDLX and was much happier.

• #7

The Blues Jr would take pedals better (in my experience with a Blues Jr and an AC30). However, the Blues Jr has that inherent small-combo sound to it. Not sure how the AC15 would compare on that level as I've never played an AC15. If the cabinet is anything as beefy as an AC30, it doesn't suffer from sounding small.

But really, if I were looking for a pedal platform, I'd probably go for the Blues Jr (and then have it modded into a head and run it through a nice big 2x12). The Blues Jr is also lighter, so that's a plus for me.

This +1000 I really wish fender would start putting out some low wattage heads like that with an fx loop. I'd jump all over it. I'd love a blues deluxe head. I'd buy it in a heart beat!.

• #8

I have both. IMO, the Vox is a better sounding amp before you get the pedal board inline. Boxy is often used to describe the BJ and it's true. Smaller and lighter, but side by side with an AC15C1, it's not close to my ear. Pedals can make a difference. I have a comp on fulltime. OD is from a Menatone Red Snapper for light dirt and a volume boost for solos. Vox sounds better to me but is twice the weight of the BJ.

They both are fun to play out. The BJ goes out if there's a long walk from the car to the stage.

• #10

I added a Emi Wizard to mine which is recommended by bill. It improved the original Greenback's sound to my ears. Still has the boxiness, just a little less.

• #11

the AC15C1 is a better sounding amp. clip the bright cap and you have an amp that takes pedal really well. no brainer really.

• #12

I bet you don't buy a blues jr for the loudness, but be aware that the amp breaks up real soon if you crank it a bit. It has also got that boxy feel, but it is truly great sounding. Personally I don't like the tone of Vox amps, so I'd pick the Fender any day.

• #14

I have both. The Blues Jr is a little boxy but takes pedals well. I used two spread on stage for a nice sound.
If choosing just one it would be the Vox with the right pedals. If you can swing it a used Vox ac15HTV will probably make you smile a bit.

• #15

Okay... I can weigh in here. I owned both. I have also done the bright cap mod on the top boost channel and have the Billm mods on my blues Jr.

I got rid of the AC15.

Issue is how and what do you play. I dig fat tones and have an aggresive attack. I like Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore type blues tones and dig Black Sabbath, Zakk Wylde etc. So that's where I am comming from.

The AC15/Vox sound is not thick and or/full. although it can do some high gain if you use the right pedal but you have to clip the bright cap if you like od pedals and run the AC15 clean. However, I have seen guys get some great od tones stacking boosts with the amp slightly overdrivien without the mod. Plus the AC15 has way better reverb.

My Blues Jr. just has fatter thicker tones compared to the AC15. However the Billm mods really make a difference. I had the the tranny upgraded, clean boost module for footswitchable reverb, bias pot, and then I upgraded the tank on my own to a 3 spring long decay. Also the reverb and master volume pots were replaced as recommended by Bill. These mods really helped the amp and I can get some great tones with my Barber DDSS overdrive.

I use this amp as a back-up, as a house amp for open mic nights and for nights when I am just too lazy to bring my bigger amps. Like I said if you want fat tones and you need some low end Blues Jr. trumps AC15. However if you like glassy, sparkly cleans especially with single coils stay with the Vox.

• #16

Not sure what type of music you play but here is a little clip of my BJ III with a Barber Compact Direct Drive using the Low gain mode then High gain mode, the amp sounds great in a band mix and doesn't sound boxy to my ears.
I did add a couple of simple mods to increase low end and changed tubes to JJ tubes and also reduce the hot bias to a normal level I think its essential for keeping the amp clean at louder levels!

[SOUNDCLOUD]https://soundcloud.com/jlagrassa-1/barber-compact-direct-drive[/SOUNDCLOUD]

• #17

Okay... I can weigh in here. I owned both. I have also done the bright cap mod on the top boost channel and have the Billm mods on my blues Jr.

I got rid of the AC15.

Issue is how and what do you play. I dig fat tones and have an aggresive attack. I like Joe Bonamassa and Gary Moore type blues tones and dig Black Sabbath, Zakk Wylde etc. So that's where I am comming from.

The AC15/Vox sound is not thick and or/full. although it can do some high gain if you use the right pedal but you have to clip the bright cap if you like od pedals and run the AC15 clean. However, I have seen guys get some great od tones stacking boosts with the amp slightly overdrivien without the mod. Plus the AC15 has way better reverb.

My Blues Jr. just has fatter thicker tones compared to the AC15. However the Billm mods really make a difference. I had the the tranny upgraded, clean boost module for footswitchable reverb, bias pot, and then I upgraded the tank on my own to a 3 spring long decay. Also the reverb and master volume pots were replaced as recommended by Bill. These mods really helped the amp and I can get some great tones with my Barber DDSS overdrive.

I use this amp as a back-up, as a house amp for open mic nights and for nights when I am just too lazy to bring my bigger amps. Like I said if you want fat tones and you need some low end Blues Jr. trumps AC15. However if you like glassy, sparkly cleans especially with single coils stay with the Vox.

You just blew my mind with this post dude. Thank you so much. If I do go the Billm route, how much did you spend overall on the modifications for the Blues Jr. NOS and Vox AC15C1? Or is the better question to ask -- how much should one rationally invest in amp modifications on top of the base amp prices?

Not sure what type of music you play but here is a little clip of my BJ III with a Barber Compact Direct Drive using the Low gain mode then High gain mode, the amp sounds great in a band mix and doesn't sound boxy to my ears.
I did add a couple of simple mods to increase low end and changed tubes to JJ tubes and also reduce the hot bias to a normal level I think its essential for keeping the amp clean at louder levels!

[SOUNDCLOUD]https://soundcloud.com/jlagrassa-1/barber-compact-direct-drive[/SOUNDCLOUD]

Wow! Thanks jlagrassa! Super helpful reply and clip man! All of you guys are giving me a lot to think about and this thread has been really great!

• #18

jlagrassa's tone in that clip is very close to my base tone with my barber DDSS. This is a very similar pedal to the compact except the compact is smaller and more versatile.

As far as the mods... depends. If you can get a used BJ from the 300-400 range then I think it's worth it. For me the money wasn't the issue I just like the amp and wanted one for my collection and like them for the convince.

• #19

Yeah, in all of this, I seem to be leaning towards the Blues Jr. NOS, mostly because its sooo much lighter than the Vox AC15C1 (31 lbs vs 48.5 lbs - feel free to call me minimalist or lazy, but I absolutely love great sounding, LIGHTWEIGHT amps) and a lot of its primary shortcomings (e.g. boxy sound) can be somewhat, if not completely, remedied via modifications. Anything wrong or faulty with that mental conclusion?

Another person brought to my attention to compare the Egnater Tweaker 15-watt 1x12 combo against the Blues Jr. since they're both lightweight and compact amps (both around the same weight), but the difference being you get a crap ton of versatility from the Tweaker (minus the reverb). Any thoughts on that guys?

(I know this thread only says the Vox AC15C1 but I can't help my urgency to hunt for more information). Sorry if it seems like I'm going all over the place.

Last edited: Dec 27, 2013

• #20

I bought an AC15C1 Today. I'm not a Blues Jr fan at all...
That's what make the world go around I suppose. Good luck either way..

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