Roundup: Another Amp?

Since acquiring the Dr. Z Maz 8, my baby Marshall has received approximately 5 minutes of play time.  For something that costs as much as it does, this is unacceptable.  This asset needs to be converted into usable gear.

The question is, what?

Sure, there are a bunch of little things I'd like to add to the collection, but I've never been one for selling gear in the $500 range to then go out and buy a couple of pedals and strings.  It seems to me that is a one way ticket to destroying what little investment can be counted in gear.

As far as guitars go, there's nothing I'm pining over in that price range - seems that most of my guitar purchased are either well into the $1000 range or sub $200.  Funny how there don't seem to be too many guitars that retail around $800 that I'm interested in (assuming a used value of 50%).

At any rate, inspiration struck last night as I was looking down at my pedal board.  Instead of one properly put together board, I seem to have two halves stuck together - two mild overdrives, to heavier distortions.  So why not split the two?

Expect the Marshall isn't exactly a pedal platform, so let's trade it for something that IS!

Fender FSR Blues Junior III Paisley - $500

This would be the third Blues Junior I've owned, but honestly if I can make this happen, it's going to happen. The Black Paisley finish is super cool, and this version of the amp comes complete with a speaker upgrade (Eminence Governor). 


There's also something to be said for the black lacquer box finish, which makes this furniture grade, living room acceptable, if you ask me.

Too bad it sold before I could get at it...

Fender FSR Blues Junior Oxblood/Cream - $625

A couple of weeks ago I couldn't help but notice that there weren't many Blues Juniors to be had on the used market, which is striking only because they're only the most popular tube amp in the universe... Fast forward to the past week and suddenly there are no fewer than a dozen within 50km of my location.  Someday I'm going to start tracking the availability of such things and develop a grand unified theory of GAS.

At any rate, here's another example of an Eminence loaded limited edition Junior.  The problem here is the price; There are a bunch more listed for well under this even when factoring in a speaker upgrade.  I'd expect the price to come down on this in the next few weeks.


Fender Blues Junior LTD - $620

Last one.  Promise.

While this may be the best looking standard Blues Junior offering (LTD means "lacquered tweed" not "limited" apparently), I'm not a big fan of the Jensen speakers offered in these amps. I find them much too shrill on the top end to be particularly usable at volumes under full on power amp saturation.

Fender Hod Rod Deluxe - $450

I said it would be the last Blues Junior.  So here's it's big brother.

The seller added casters to the amp despite the fact that it is only a 1x12, so umm, weird? Beyond that there's nothing much to say.  this is the industry standard tube amp according to just about everyone, and while 40 watts is far too much for a home use amp cranked, these are just great amps plain and simple.

The price should be noted here as well.  It isn't uncommon to find the HRD for LESS THAN a Blues Junior.  If you're ready to start gigging, this is the amp to start with.


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