British sounding alternative to Fender Blues Jr

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stavrosestavrose Frets: 1
Hi All!

I've had a fender blues junior for a couple of years now and I've never really loved it for some reason.  I changed the speaker to a cannabis rex and this definitely improved the tone - which was a bit ice-picky with the original speaker.  However, I just don't love the amp and the tone.  It doesn't excite me when i play with single coil or humbuckers.

So, I'm thinking of changing it to a more british sounding amp of a similar size and price range, but I can't seem to find anything that fits the description which is reviewed highly.  

Does anyone have any thoughts or recommendations on this?  I'd even consider changing the speaker out again but no idea what what to look for.

Many thanks,
Stavs


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Comments

  • mr-macmr-mac Frets: 200
    Obviously vox and Laney are in with a shout.

    don't discount a 90's crate vintage Club as they are cheap.  Effectively has a fender clean preamp, Marshall dirt preamp and almost an AC30 power amp.  

    Be worth getting a shop with good new and s/h stock and giving some amps a try
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71957
    Laney Cub 12.

    Similar power, size and quality, but half the price.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • cbilly22cbilly22 Frets: 360
    I'd also suggest the little Iommi signature 15 watter that Laney did. Much more versatile than you would think.
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  • musteatbrainmusteatbrain Frets: 871
    You may also like one of the Fuchs Casino range if you can find one 2nd hand. Very loud for their wattage and not great in the house, but mine was an excellent amp when I had one.
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  • stickyfiddlestickyfiddle Frets: 26752
    Laney Cub or VC15

    Both excellent and somehow bafflingly cheap
    The Assumptions - UAE party band for all your rock & soul desires
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71957
    Laney Cub or VC15

    Both excellent and somehow bafflingly cheap
    I think it's more that the Blues Junior is bafflingly expensive. That becomes obvious when you compare what you get for your money with a Blues Jr and a Hotrod Deluxe at only just over a third more.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • BebopperBebopper Frets: 129
    Fender Bassbreaker 15.
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  • thermionicthermionic Frets: 9499
    Vox AC15 or AC10 worth a try.
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  • chromatunachromatuna Frets: 366
    edited June 2018
    Another shout for the Laney VC15 here, my only gripe with it is the 10" speaker and the cab that is too small for a 12", however that gives you a great little grab and go amp, add a 12" cab for when you need a bigger sound and you are away. Can be had used for not a lot at all. The earlier UK made ones (one top vent) had spring reverb the later Far East ones (two top vents) a digital reverb. Really nice cleans and Laney style British dirt.
    This is the truth from hillbilly guitars!
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  • Modulus_AmpsModulus_Amps Frets: 2569
    edited June 2018 tFB Trader
    Get a vintage WEM Dominator MK bass combo with a 15" speaker. I have one here for selling, but it actually sounds really good, still Fendery tones
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  • timbuk02timbuk02 Frets: 271
    edited June 2018
    +1 for the Laney VC15.  Lovely cleans, pedal friendly.  Complete bargain second hand and I found their repair department really helpful and quick to respond with advice if there is a glitch. 

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  • VinylfanVinylfan Frets: 33
    timbuk02 said:
    +1 for the Laney VC15.  Lovely cleans, pedal friendly.  Complete bargain second hand and I found their repair department really helpful and quick to respond with advice if there is a glitch. 

    Nice demo of the range of sounds you can get out of it.  Sounds like a good competitor to the Fender Blues Jr.
    How do they compare to the JetCity range as they seem to be liked around here?
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  • 57Deluxe57Deluxe Frets: 7329
    Session BluesBaby




    <Vintage BOSS Upgrades>
    __________________________________
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  • valevale Frets: 1052
    edited June 2018
    I've got a Laney LC which is similar to the Laney VC but with more bottom & mids & more grunt generally. VC range has more of a mid scoop (like the Vox or Orange sound, by way of comparison).

    Both models were marketed simultaneously as the VC range being the Vox-y twist on the characteristic Laney brit rock tone & the LC range being the Marshall twist on the Laney sound.
    So dependent on what you intend to do with it, that may be worth factoring into your thinking re the small to medium Laneys.

    Both varieties are distinctly Laneys in their own right, so if you really want a Vox or Marshall that is what you need (these are not clones), but if you like the classic dark & gritty brit rock Laney vibe (Laney's are my fav amps) these are Laney's nods towards both the Vox & Marshall voicing without selling out that essential Laney character.

    anyway, here's one like mine Laney LC30II with a Reverend that really makes it shine.



    & here's a head to head LC & VC so you can decide if either are for you. happy hunting.


    hofner hussie & hayman harpie. what she said...
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  • FunkfingersFunkfingers Frets: 14323
    Pre-owned Cornell Vintage Brown 10.
    Be seeing you.
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  • ICBMICBM Frets: 71957
    vale said:
    I've got a Laney LC which is similar to the Laney VC but with more bottom & mids & more grunt generally. VC range has more of a mid scoop (like the Vox or Orange sound, by way of comparison).

    Both models were marketed simultaneously as the VC range being the Vox-y twist on the characteristic Laney brit rock tone & the LC range being the Marshall twist on the Laney sound.
    So dependent on what you intend to do with it, that may be worth factoring into your thinking re the small to medium Laneys.

    Both varieties are distinctly Laneys in their own right, so if you really want a Vox or Marshall that is what you need (these are not clones), but if you like the classic dark & gritty brit rock Laney vibe (Laney's are my fav amps) these are Laney's nods towards both the Vox & Marshall voicing without selling out that essential Laney character.

    anyway, here's one like mine Laney LC30II with a Reverend that really makes it shine.
    All true, but I would avoid the LC15 - which is the nearest in size and power to the Blues Junior of the LC series - it's poorly built and suffers from reliability issues especially in the longer term. (And in my opinion doesn't sound that good either.)

    The VC15, Cub 12, LC30 - or any of the other models in fact - are much better than the LC15.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

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  • thomasw88thomasw88 Frets: 2316
    I'd actually look at a H&K 20th or 25th anniversary amp.  Lovely sounding thing and usually not expensive if you can find one.  

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  • Vc15! 
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  • valevale Frets: 1052
    edited June 2018
    will any of these 15w amps be enough (without PA support) to drown out a boisterous drummer if necessary? rehearsal room & typical pub backroom venue?

    i've always held onto a general rule of thumb that (for guitars) valve 20w is bare minimum to keep up & 30w advisable in order to win every argument. & maybe bass up to 50w in same context.
    hofner hussie & hayman harpie. what she said...
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