Fender Blues Junior IV FSR 1x12" 15-watt Tube Combo Amp - Western Tolex Sweetwater Exclusive Reviews

Super amp. I've had 4 since they were first introduced to the market, a real workhorse!
The newer model is improved with greater touch response and better reverb control.
The first one I ordered had d.o.a.reverb.
I contacted the Sweetwater team and they had a return shipping label sent to me within an
hour! At the same time a new one was shipped
SEAMLESS transaction!
I'm sure the reverb issue on the first one was an isolated fluke, this one performs perfectly.
Kudos to Aaron and the entire staff.
To give you an idea of the service, I live very close to two of the major brick and mortar stores in the U.S. and choose to use Sweetwater for all my musical needs.

The best thing about this amp is everything. I was giving up so much before and did not realize it. This amp is rewarding action I was previously being punished for with a combo amp. It does not need any pedal enhancement to give an odyssey of sound. I put a pedal through it anyway and it was uneventful compared to a direct plug-in. If you want a home amp that gives incredible sound you cannot go wrong. Intermediate players can get rid of allot of fret noise with this amp. Skilled players can hone the type of sound they want really fast. My comfort level with Sweetwater made this purchase less stressful because no other music business offers customer service (before, during and after you buy) on their level. Sweetwater has no peer in their industry for how they treat their customers.

Fantastic little amp! The tone I've been looking for at bedroom volume. Love this amp!

This is the first amp I've ever purchased online without ever having played the amp or even a similar model, and I'm very happy with it.

Of course as soon as it arrived I unboxed it and tried it out with several of my guitars and pedals. I started off with all the tone controls turned all the way up, which I've found can work well on Fender amps. I ended up leaving them there the whole time. The Fat switch also stayed on once I tried it - I might want to foot switch this at some point in the future but for now running the amp as a single channel on the edge of breakup is perfect for my needs.

The Volume and Master controls are great for dialing in the right amount of gain at the right level. I can tell how there might be a few situations where this amp would run out of headroom and I'd want more power, but I haven't been in one of those situations in about 20 years, so I'm not worried. This amp can get very loud and still be completely clean and it can also get very thick overdriven tones at a really comfortable volume.

This amp does a great job of letting the guitar's sound come through. I started with a PRS Silver Sky and all the classic Strat tones were very Strat-like, a very good combination. My Telecaster also sounded just like a Tele, including a bit of microphonic feedback on the bridge pickup when I had more gain dialed into the Blues Jr. The single coil sounds were all there, and the only thing that was a little disappointing was this amp is on the bright side. Might be the Cannabis Rex speaker or just the voicing of the amp itself. I found myself wishing there were a presence control to turn down (even though I understand why there isn't). Rolling off a little of the guitar tone controls was just as good, maybe better since I could bring the highs back in easily if needed. Also I had the amp on a stand pointed right at my head, on axis, which makes almost any amp sound too bright. I'm confident that an off-axis dynamic mic and band and audience members who are listening off-axis would get a very balanced sound.

The Les Paul Studio sounded amazing through this amp. The brightness really complimented it. Second best sound might have been the SE Custom 24 (or possibly the JMSS). In other words, this amp is perfect for humbuckers. The LP's "woody" tone came right through and the overall sound was very balanced. The Custom 24 is so tonally even and consistent through this amp it's almost boring.

I'm a bit old for the whole "pedal platform" concept - I like to have amp tone. That said, I had no issues with any of the several pedals I ran through this amp. The most magical combination was germanium fuzz. Really, the Les Paul into a germanium fuzz into this amp was like... Led Zeppelin II but somehow slightly better? I know that's impossible but it's just such a great tone.

The richness of the tone of this amp is impressive, considering how light it is. I almost went with a solid state alternative that is 10 pounds lighter but I'm sure now I wouldn't have been as happy. I will say there is not a lot of low end coming from this amp. In the studio I'd definitely want to close-mic it with a cardioid pickup pattern to get some proximity effect. The upside is you don't have to carry around a huge transformer and you don't have to worry about leaving sonic room for the bass or low keys.

The biggest surprise for me in this amp is the reverb tank. I actually wasn't sure it was actual spring reverb at first. It's super lush, very even, and essentially no "sproing" sound, no matter what you set the reverb knob at. It's also extremely long. I really couldn't believe such a small tank has such a long RT60 (like 2 - 3 seconds?) and such a smooth, even tone. It's almost too long. I was so surprised I had to crank the reverb and then bump the amp and hear the springs splash against the pan before I was fully convinced it's actually spring reverb. It sounds better than the reverb tank in my boutique amp that cost twice as much.

I almost gave this 4.5 stars because it is really just slightly too bright, but considering the compact size, easy to handle weight, and amazing spring reverb, I have to give at least a bonus .5 stars, so that comes out to 5. I thought I was going to use this amp as a portable solution for an ensemble that I'll be in for the next few months, but after playing through it I'm probably going to keep it indefinitely. Or at least until I can afford a high-end EL-84 1x12 combo.

If you're wondering if you can trust the sounds you hear in online reviews and demos of this amp, well... not really. Because the amp in person sounds way better than any demos I saw. While there's a slim chance you might be disappointed by this amp, for the money and weight I can't see how you could do any better.

Great amp! Loving it so far!

I've owned a couple of Blues Jr's over the last 20 years and they were just ok. Recently, as I replace heavier 30 and 40w amps w smaller ones, I just purchased the FSR version w the Cannabis Rex speaker. The amp looks great and the black control panel w reoriented labels makes the amp much easier to use. The interaction of the EQ, volume and master controls is amazing. I can dial up great bedroom/practice tones as well full band volume tones. The amp is quiet and sounds great w single coil and humbucker guitars. I am thrilled w my purchase and can't wait to gig w it. Check one out!!

Adding to the review I posted on how I am impressed with this amp I also need to give respect and credit to my sales engineer who advised me on this purchase and has always provided me guidance and nothing but good advice. Thanks Abraham Sanchez! You make life in my music world easier....

Blown away by the sounds . Recently got a player strat
( thanks Kurt Martin and your team for amp and guitar ) figured I needed a new fender amp too …
Have a hot rod deluxe 4 . But I'm old and it's heavy. This amp is 15 lbs lighter and I leave the HR in my buddies basement where we practice.Lao I needed a new home amp so I bought this amp . Plenty loud to jam with as a grab and go . Aesthetically it's Gorgeous and great tones but I use clean and pedals . I plugged in a LP and was impressed ! New tone pallet for that too .

Wow this amp does not disappoint. Clean to dirty this amp preforms. Very portable. It will wow your friends. The western tolex gives it style and beauty. The first response from my friends and fellow guitar players is about it's looks.

I am very happy with this amp , what I like the most is with no pedals I can get the right tone for so many genres , I don't do metal , but country , blues , jazz , rock, rockabilly , the western tolex looks great . I can't wait to gig with it , have used it in rehearsal and it was plenty loud with a drummer . I did unfortunately have to send the first one back as it came with static sound , but Sweetwater replaced it quickly and the second one is perfect .

First off I need to thank my great Sweetwater Engineer Mike Singer, for making this all happen and making me extremely happy for pointing me in the right direction to purchase this amp. Thank you Mike for all you do, Sweetwater is lucky to have you. I want to save all you that might read this a lot of time because I can literally go on for hours how great this amp is and why it's so great. Please believe me when I tell you that i have had many, many amps being both tube and solid state. From Vox, Marshall, Fender, Boss, Blackstar, Peavey, etc,etc. You name it I have had them or tried them out and not one of them can compare to my new Fender Blues Jr Western Tolex. Wow this is a tonal beast that gives me the tones that I crave. I can dial in any type of music for the simple fact that it takes pedals like a dream. So far I dont need pedals because right out of the box it gives me so much more than I could ever expect. The speaker they decided to use when they made this amp exclusive for Sweetwater could not be a better match. From reviews and listening to other Blues jr Amps they nailed it by using the Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker. Once again thank you Mike and Sweetwater for a great product and kindness as usual. I do have one complaint, add more candy to the packets you give out, Hahaha...

Custom guitar case. Thank you very much. Sweetwater. Curtis

Money well spent

Wanted a gig worthy pedal platform that didn't take up much space and wasn't back breaking to move around. This amp has nice full tones, plenty of volume, great spring reverb, and looks so cool that I couldn't bring myself to buy a different Blues Jr while these were out of stock. Plenty of headroom but gets a nice crunch when you crank the volume and roll off the master.

I have an original MIA Blues Junior Mark I. This Mark IV is miles ahead and reflects many years of refinement. The tones are controlled and tuned. The reverb has range and is more refined. The 15 watt output is plenty for the shows I play (100-150 audience on average). It is fairly light and compact and takes pedals really well. Top it off the Western Tolex on this edition is sweet. It's my perfect grab and go club amp.

To hear that singing note with that fat warm tone....even with the volume barely up.
To hear how gain pedals are really supposed to sound in front of a tube amp...OMG!
To hear that vintage Fender tone in every chord you play.
And to top it off....that western finish and blonde grill cloth...major eye candy
Look out Ethel! I'm comin'home.

Very very good amp for the money. Originally, the Blues jr. for me has never been an amp I wanted to buy. I've played a lot of fender amps to know that you need to dish out a little extra money to get something representative of that fender sound; however, with sweetwater upgrading these things with C Rex speakers, the amp presents itself as a cheaper contender against its $+ counterparts. Now I still think similar amps (in size) like the Princetons, sound better than the Blues Jr, but it's close enough that I choose to save my extra $ to invest in other parts of my rig like pedals and such. Overall this thing is awesome for being a budget friendly tube amp, so definitely give it a shot if you're considering it.

Ladies And Gentleman.

The Amp is a Killer! Great tone.. powerfull and glassy sound. !I love the Cannabis Rex Speaker..
I had the great misfortune of having a tube damaged in transport to Brazil.. but I managed to replace it.
now just enjoy. amazing

Concur with all the reviews. This amp is perfect

Super excited about receiving this amp! Great tones! Great looks! All you need!

I always liked the sound of a tube amp and love the spring reverb on this amp. I have not turned the master gain higher than 3 so it has plenty of power. It's a beauty too. Very versatile tones.

Codie recommended this model based on the tone I was l looking to achieve and I couldn't be more pleased. It will serve me well for decades to come!

Really enjoy this amp. It sounds great and is perfect for using at home! Great service from Sweetwater as expected!

Sweet looks and even better sounds. You can't go wrong for the price on these..

As much as I love my Roland Blues Cube (great solid state!)...after a spell 'dialing it in', this thing hits the spot in a way my larger Fender amps (Deville) and a nice Bogner Alchemist can't when it comes to enjoying a valve amp and all it's simple features AT HOME. The Fat switch is undersold...love how it adds 'fatness'....almost humbucker-ish or like a G&L MFD pup....fullness without messing with the quality of the tone. And yes, it can get VERY loud!!! It's much better than the BassBreaker 15 I had a few years ago. Thanks SW.

I should have bought an amp like this years ago, solid state was always cheaper per watt, but these are fat watts and this will no doubt be the last amp I ever want

Just received my Sweetwater version of the Blues Junior. So far it's a really nice little amp with big sound. The C Rex speaker definitely smooths the top end, more than I expected, but that's not a complaint. Reverb is also smoother than expected, but again not a complaint. Overall, the amp sounds great and the dark western telex is sharp-looking. Haven't had a chance to crank it way up yet but this amp has plenty of volume. Delivery was fine. For some reason the Sweetwater online system wouldn't accept my address for shipping and and stalled on me in the process; after several tries I had to call in my order. Not a big deal and very happy with the amp.

One of the few amps I regret selling was my Humboldt Hotrod Blues Jr III. That amp also had a Cannabis Rex Speaker and as much as that improved the low-end, it could still be considered a bit light. This version has addressed that "issue" that a lot of players mark as their one complaint of the BJr III. This amp is absolutely gorgeous in person and has a buttery-gold sheen that doesn't come across in pictures online. For the same price as the regular version but with enhanced aesthetics and what many consider to be the perfect speaker for this circuit, you really can't go wrong

The FBJ IV does not disappoint. If you are looking for a dirty, blues, tube tone, this amp is going to be a pleasure to play. It has a TON of warmth, character and dynamics. Took me awhile to dial in the tone I was looking for, only because every twist of the Volume and Master knob gave me something awesomely different. I play with a Fender HSS Strat and it's exactly what I was looking for. I put a Tube Screamer pedal in front of it to push the gain a little farther and I couldn't be happier. Note, this amp is super loud - not the bedroom player I was seeking, but all the more reason to form a band, eh? I'd also highly recommend the Western Tolex w/ Cannibis Rex speaker upgrade. I don't have a personal comparison, but every head to head video I've watched had the CR speaker blowing the stock model out of the water.

This amp is incredible. Loud, clean, lightweight, looks cool and takes pedals very well. Sounds good with out having to crank it. Simple design that's easy to dial in a wide variety of tones. Pretty much the perfect tube amp.

I bought the Sweetwater Ltd Edition Princeton a few years back, and was disappointed. I purchased this Blues Junior Ltd Edition, and am blown away. Everything about this amp is great!

I have previously owned 3 BJ's and got rid of all of them, same reason tone and reverb. I read that Fender addressed the issues the old BJ's had in the new IV's. They even realized they needed to improve them. Well I recently purchased the SW BJ IV in western tolex. I thank Eddie Konopasek for recommending this model. He told me the Cannabis Rex speaker is great sounding and it has knock out looks. This Sweetwater special "IS" the best BJ that I have had so far. I will NOT be loosing this one. I think it will do nothing but improve the more the speaker breaks in. Thanks to Eddie and Sweetwater for great service and carrying a fine line of products. You can purchase with confidence.

I'm absolutely in love with this amp. I'm so happy that Fender addressed all the issues that previous Blues Juniors had. Even if I have hours more to go before the speaker breaks in, I'm already enjoying the sound that the Can Rex is giving me. I'm sure it will only get better the more I use it. For those people who are wondering if this amp can indeed sound good at bedroom levels, IMHO the answer is YES! With my telecaster plugged in, I have my volume at around 8-9 and my master volume at around 2, and I'm getting edge of breakup at manageable levels. The reverb is also very useable. The sound of this amp makes me wanna keep playing more. This amp really packs a punch at a great price point. I'd like to give a shoutout to my sales engineer Logan Wheaton. He's been incredibly helpful in answering all my questions, giving me advice, and overall just assisting me with my Sweetwater purchases. People like him make Sweetwater what it is. Hands down, best customer service I've ever experienced from any company.

I have owned my Blues Jr for 12 years.
It is plenty loud enough for a small club.
Sounds great at lower levels when practicing at home.
It will bother the neighbors if you want, but doesn't have to to sound great.
Great tube tone with any brand I have used.
Though I will say I do prefer the Sovtek tubes in her.
Nice over-driven sound with the volume up.
Nice clean sound with the volume down master up.
Fat switch boost is pleasant, not harsh. I have it on all the time.
Reverb is a spring unit,but a bit less than stellar.
That is simply a consequence of it's small size.
The reverb still sounds good if not great.

I do not hesitate to recommend this amp.

It's my first vacuum tube amplifier. After the first operation, I was surprised. I made more noise than expected and I was able to practice happily. I'm so happy.

First and foremost, this thing blew away my expectations! I had purchased a Boss Katana 50 when they initially came out and I liked the amp.It was great, but left more to be desired in regards to tonal quality. I have recently been getting more serious about my playing and played a few tube amps at a local shop and had the desire for that sweet tubey-goodness. I had done a lot of research online and stumbled upon this beauty of an amp and boy am I glad I finally pulled the trigger. This amp is amazing at getting great tones at bedroom levels. I am playing on a 60s Standard Les Paul and it sounds fantastic when using the rhythm positions for glassy, clean chords and even better on the treble position with the volume cranked to 12 and master around 2ish The breakup on this amp is incredible. If you were like me and deciding on whether or not to grab this thing, it will be an amazing decision that you will thank yourself for in the years to come. Shout-out to my guy Travis for a great shopping experience and timely communication. Sweetwater always delivers!

I love this amp. I am a bedroom and studio player and only occasionally do I need an amp for a room so I was worried that this might be overkill but I just hadn't heard the tone in my head from my other amps. This amp gives it to me with a Strat plugged straight in, the volume on 10, and the master adjusted for the appropriate setting. The reverb and EQ give PLENTY of tonal adjustment after that. I have to confess that I purchased an attenuator for my bedroom playing (Bugera PS1) which works beautifully and is reasonably priced. I can leave the volume cranked, put the master between 2 and 3 and then dial in the attenuator for the exact same tone without attenuation. If you are a bedroom player and love gritty blues, you will want to invest a little extra and get something like the PS1. I love having smoking hot tube tone at bedroom volume. It makes me want to play more.

I've been playing 45+yrs. This Sweetwater Exclusive, is a great little amp. I've played different ampy (mostly combo amps) and this just blows them all away.
I have back trouble, but this is so portable. That FAT switch is a wonder, and using pedals doesn't take away from it. Any guitar sounds wonderful with this amp.
I have enough guitars for this to be true: Fenders, Gibson's, HLK's, etc. Don't hesitate to get this amp. I also got the cover. Quick delivery.

I live in a condo and am able to drive this amp and it sounds incredible even at low volume. It's my first Fender tube Amp and I love it.

I have Blues Junior from 2002, some Boogies, a Marshall etc. They all have their purpose and sound, but this think just matches up so perfect with my Strat straight in, no pedals. The most 'Stratty' Strat sound I've ever landed on. The faux embossed leather and tan grille are just icing on the cake. Get it.

First off, I'd like to give a shout out to my dude Nate Hutson and the Sweetwater warehouse folks for making this purchase smooth and easy. The amp shipped quickly and arrived in great shape.
Plugging my Strat straight into this Fender Blues Jr IV Sweetwater Exclusive, the immediate response was joy. Tone for days with a nice tweed-like break up as I cranked the volume and stomped that "Fat" switch. I can play this thing quietly without losing much tone and get great stage volume with or without break up.
But let's talk pedals.... This little beast takes pedals so well. A little flange, a little TS-style overdrive and she growls and purrs while maintaining that classic Fender tube tone.... And don't get me started on what what happens when I put the wah pedal in front....
The Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker gives the option for a darker warmth unlike any Fender amp I've ever heard and when dialed in, really sounds unique.
And the Western Tolex is beautiful. I'll definitely be getting an amp cover for this girl.

You will not regret buying!

First of all, Adam went above and beyond to make sure I had the best experience possible! The amp looks and sounds great! Once again, Sweetwater rocks!

I'll preface by saying I'm a Fender guitar/amp player for 45+ years. '61 Jazzmaster in 1972 kind of started it all. 3 HRDs, '65 Deluxe Reverb and a '57 Champ. 1st Edition Blues Jr. I've own and enjoy. I recently lent my Blues Jr. to a player friend that had lost everything in a home fire. Great player and featured on a recent Ronnie Earl album and tour. That said, I missed my Blues Jr. and came across this IV FSR as a demo. Great price and a Cannibas Rex. Arrived typically Sweetwater, well packaged and perfect. Loving every bit of it and expect to love it more when the Rex breaks in. Kudos to long time rep, Brian Hughes, for handling everything I want/need.

Thank you

I just recently got this Amp I what a incredible Amp I got the special edition that's Sweetwater was offering with the upgraded speaker ..sounds and looks amazing worth every penny, I would like to thank Chris my Sales Engineer for all the great customer service he has given me over the years! I have been a customer at Sweetwater for 11 years and can say without a doubt that Sweetwater is the best company out there to buy equipment from.

Got this amp about a month ago to replace a blues deluxe that was just too much volume-wise for my playing at church. 15W is the perfect size so I can crank it enough to get some breakup without deafening the people in the front row. Has great cleans and takes my Blues Driver very well when needed. I really like the fat switch that gives it a small boost. Sounds great with both my HSS Strat and LP with P90s. Was a demo model and the only complaint was that all of the chassis screws were very loose when I got it. Not sure if that was from shipping or it being a demo. But not enough of an issue to drop the rating.

Very nice amp ! Warm sounding and lovely tones . This is my first tube amp . Previously had a Roland Blues Cube , which is a nice amp , but this Jr. IV with the Cannabis Rex speaker is a lot sweeter sounding !

Exceeded expectations by 1000%. I did my homework, and it was what I was looking for. But when I plugged it in it was a WOW moment. I have been playing since 1972, and have had many amps. This one fills the room with a wide range tones. If you want an amp with meat on the bone, this is the one. Wow!!

I'll start at how beautiful this Amp is ,always nice to get a special run from Sweetwater. The Amp is a lot different than a regular Blues Junior . For one te reverb can be cranked on this one and the notes still articulate , they don't get lost in the swirl ,something you need in blues because reverb is always a point of confusion , well they figured it out for you ,making it one less problem. This one has a Cannabis Rex speaker, which breaks up nice without that blappy sound , it's warm and smooth . With little effort you can go from BB King to ZZ Top . In summation you are getting a boutique quality Amp ,at a fraction of the price . This is a grab and go Amp you don't need pedals just learn the Amp, and you don't need to push a lot of air to get your sound . This Amp just seems more alive than a regular Blues Jr. Thanks Sweetwater !

I wanted a smaller tube amp and went searching for one with the help of Hayden F. We narrowed the search down to the Fender Blues Jr and the Black Star. After lots of You Tube searching and speaking with Hayden I decided on the Fender. Then it came down to the regular speaker or the Cannabis Rex speaker. Again, back to You Tube and advice from Haden and I chose the Cannabis Rex model. No regrets about that choice. The sound is fuller and makes the amp sound much fatter - like a Fender should.

Many thanks to Hayden for all his help.

Well I have the fabulous amp about 3 months now, its like the Great Gatsby---- How is it... Great !

Ok... now to reality... I found the amp and speaker combo to be just right... I have a bunch of separate heads and cabinets... and the two bundled from Fender in this combo tone tone tone...

The gen IV mods are great... no volume jump... zero to hero.... FINALLY !!! The quality appears top notch.. I have an EVH 5150 III head and cabinet... feels about the same knobs/action/quality.. I did find 1 loose screw tho... and will need to check them all... before I gig ... after Covid fades away...

Sounds... very organic sounding to me... just the right amount of tube compression... the reverb is a bit restrained but real in presence... The mid controls where its at... plenty of usable sweep.. takes pedals like a dream... (no effects loop hey its a simple combo keep it that way---).

I have a Schecter V1 with those fancy Pasadena pickups and can get the actual sound of the guitar, sound out of the speaker... Pasadena can do single coil and morphs a pretty decent strat sound... I haven't tried my Fenders Strats/Teles... too much fun with the V1 for now.

This a great amp... simple... Gen IV mods, nice speaker... cool looks (makes it sound betterer)...

Plenty of sparkle as you'd expect in a blues jr. amp, especially when you start to crank it up a bit. The C.Rex speaker really adds some depth to the sparkle in terms of presence in the mids and lows, especially when you the 'fat' button is engaged. I elected to pair this with the Xotic SP Booster pedal which really sends it over the top in terms of tone.

This is a solid amp and one of the most versatile in the 1x12 tube category. Be warned, to get the solid tone this amp offers it needs to be cranked up a bit. It's plenty powerful but does not bode too well for a bedroom practice amp (unless you live alone!).

I'm thrilled with the purchase. Thanks to Robbie Resnick for the guidance and patience

Best sounding bedroom amp I've ever had, plenty loud for small venues as well. Full of that fender sparkle. Far switch makes it even sweeter sounding, will not regret buying this, a keeper for life. Love it!

Been playing for 40 years, owned deluxe reverb, blues deluxe, deville , for playing at home this is by far the best . Plenty loud for small venues as well, lots of mids had to adjust treble for the highs though, paired with my mini tube screamer, perfect sounds for my ear, highly recommend this one .

Great sound and good looks. I am very happy with it!

I was in the market for a smaller clean amp. I love Juniors but I've always found them sort of spiky when I inevitably add any number of wacky pedals to the mix. Great pedal platforms but I never resonated with the tone. I'll be honest, I resonated with the look on this Western Tolex model first. I did some research and the tweaks made on this version were pointing towards a really rad amp for me. I took the risk. I'm an old school buyer. I had a brick and mortar music store in my home town. Need picks? Hop in the car. Want to buy a guitar? Check out the local stock or order special. But Sweetwater has erased many of my shipping and online ordering fears largely generated by poor shipping and customer service experiences with other online music sellers. I have a Fender Parallel Universe guitar pre-ordered and my experiences with Chris Moseley relieved my anxieties about ordering guitars and amps during the time of COVID. Ordering this amp was no different. Chris actually called me to go over some of the financing details and was super helpful and efficient. Just like everyone says, great customer service. Oh, right, the amp! It's everything I was looking for in a small American-style amp. Don't get me wrong, it can get gnarly. It can croon like skinny Elvis or snarl like 90's Mark Lanegan all while looking like it oughta belong to a 60's cowboy hippy. You're still reading this? Just buy it already!

The Fender Blues Jr. is just great. Surprisingly heavy, it produces the best tones I have experienced. And, the Tolex covering looks cool.

A lot of the reviews here are from people with lots of past experience with tube amps. I'm doing this review for folks like me: a relatively new guitar player who has never owned a tube amp before. I wasn't sure I was ready for or "deserved" one. I had a nice little BOSS Katana 50, but it couldn't stop my longing for a really great little tube amp. Finally I just had to take the leap, and after a lot of research decided on this Blues Junior IV with the upgraded speaker and outstanding look.

I'm so very glad I did. The tone is everything the reviews say, though I haven't tried distortion as it's really not my thing. I want tone that is sweetness with some backbone, rich, warm, round...and this amp delivers! A friend, and my former guitar teacher, texted me to play this amp exclusively for a month and then go back to the digital amp and let him know how I felt. I texted back a laughing emoji and said I moved the digital amp to the closet after five minutes with the Blues Junior. This amp not only sounds better, it makes ME sound better (WOOHOO). I believe it will inspire me for years to come. There's no going back.

If you've never had a tube amp and wonder what might be a great choice for home use: consider this one. If you wonder whether you're worth it: if you can afford it and you're committed to playing the answer is yes.

I've been playing on this amp the past few weeks. I had sold my cheap electric gear a while ago as I started to focus on acoustic. I got an itch to jump back into electric, so picked up a telecaster along with this. I had a blues jr tweed about a year ago and really liked it with my strat, but I loved the tolex finish and had heard great things about the C. Rex speaker in these. Pulled the trigger and could not be happier. I play mostly rock/blues and the tones I get from this are outstanding. Super clean or dirty and muddy, it can do it all. I was debating a hot rod deluxe but honestly, for home use it would have been very much overkill. I can't play with the master above 3 or else it rattles the house and everything in it (I save that for when the wife leaves the house). The reverb on this is also a lot more usable than on the BJ3 tweed. Much more gradual increase with better effect. I would not hesitate to purchase again. Lastly, I don't like buying music gear online but I make an exception for Sweetwater. Top notch customer service!

I've had the BJ tweed, and got this last week. This little speaker has great tone, much prefer the reverb on this over the BJ 3. I also get great distortion from it and have no use for pedals with it. Makes my telecaster scream! This thing is absolutely deafening as I use it at home. I leave volume at 2-3 and still get great tone from it even at these levels, if I go above 3 on the master the house shakes. Would not hesitate to buy again.

fantastic amp...tried some smaller tube amp, first...this is just so lush and warm...worth the extra $$ if you can afford it

I'm so happy I bought this amp!
Unlike previous iterations of the FBJ which have been described as "ice-picky" and as having a dodgy reverb, this so-called "Special Run" edition claims to have addressed those issues.

Whatever Fender did, I really like it!

This 15w amp comes with an Eminence Cannabis Rex speaker, Groove Tubes throughout (12ax7's and EL84's) and what Fender calls a modified pre-amp/tone stack to reduce the harshness as well as a modified reverb (spring) circuit to reduce the overwash that seemed to be a common issue as well.

Again, whatever they did, they got it right because this amp sounds awesome. Much more bass than I would have expected from a small enclosure, a nice smooth tone overall and the reverb can go from very subtle to a nice wash without sounding like I'm in a gymnasium.

It has a "Fat" switch that adds gain which, to me is somewhat unnecessary as the amp generically responds to pick attack and has a nice grind when the normal gain knob is turned up just a bit.
This amp sounds bigger than it's size and not "boxy" at all.

Lastly, the "Western" motif Tolex cover looks pretty cool and adds a distinctive look.

Overall I think Fender got it right with this version of the Blues Junior and though it's a bit pricey compared to other small amps (including other Blues Juniors), I think it's well worth the extra $$.

Glorious tone and a cool look. Thank you Sweetwater for this awesome edition. When I first started playing, I thought I was doing something wrong because of the tone I was producing. After getting this I produce beautiful sounds- that will eventually become music. My skill is not yet worthy of this amp, but it is an incredible goal to work toward.

Very sick. Dope sounds. Yes. Buy.

Sweetwater hit a HOME RUN on this exclusive Fender build ! The amp is without a doubt, the best sounding of the Blues Jr. family of amps, more control over the even better sounding reverb, and the boost circuit really works to add some usable grit. The Eminence, Cannabis Rex speaker could not sound better, or fit the overall intended sound of the Blues Jr. IV FSR ! This is one great, small, and easily portable amp, give one a try and see for yourself !!!!!

I've had a love/hate relationship with Blues Jr over the years and have bought and sold many. I had recently purchased a Fender Princeton with the same Eminence speaker in it and so thought I would take a chance on this exclusive Sweetwater Blues Jr. I have to say, I'm impressed! This thing is great! It's got all the stuff I love about the Blues Jr and a sweet sound from the speaker that gives a very warm, well rounded tone either clean or when driven hard. Great little amp that will be staying.

This thing hasn't been off the FedEx truck for two hours and already I'm smitten. It's not even close to being broken in yet, and still I'm loving the tones I'm getting from it straight, no pedals ('95 MexiTele with a bucker in the neck position). Lots of power, too.

Why I bought: My current rig = Vox AC15 2x12, which I love, but it's somewhat of a chore to gig with, as it's fairly heavy (65-70 lbs) and a bit awkward to schlepp around, and with the venues we play, it's not like I'm going to get the master up past nine o'clock without destroying everyone's eardrums anyway. My Tele also tends to get quacky through the Vox.

The FBJ IV I bought to gig. It's way lighter (by half), smaller (by a good 2/5ths), and easier to carry than my Vox, and those Fender / American tones are three dimensional. I played a straight FBJ IV before I purchased this one, and while I loved (and would have purchased) the Mod1 Mk0 version, the enhancements in this version are worth the extra $$$, especially the Cannabis Rex speaker.

I can't wait to bring this guy out, and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like fully broken in.

Really impressed with this little guy. The tone is classic Fender and the voicing on the cannabis rex speaker is just about right. Reverb is what you expect with a Fender and best of all: it's a perfect balance of portability and tube tone. And who could resist the western tolex?

These amps are amazing .All you need for Gig.And all you need for home or studio.I give fender and A+ for putting this speaker in this Jr.

This is the Blues Jr that Fender should have built years ago. I've had at least 5 of these. Original Black and Tweed USA Made, Colored Tolex, Tweed Ltd Ed. and others. I've upgraded speakers, tubes, and done the famous "Bill M" modifications. With the updated circuitry improved pre amp, tone stack, tone and volume controls, and lastly improved reverb they have hit a home run. I just received this amp today and opened it up to put it through it's paces. I used my 594 McCarty PRS Single Cut - Semi Hollow first then my Hahn 228 Telecaster type of guitar. The dynamics and touch control on my guitars with the way this amp responds is as good as some of my few thousand dollar boutique amps. The increased price of these new Blues Jr IV's is worth ever penny. I'm amazed that this amp is even a Blues Jr. Thanks Fender for making the changes.

A shout out to Mike Arango and the Shipping Dept at Sweetwater overcoming Holiday issues with FedEx.

Receive my Blues Junior, All is good in the world.
Fired it up set it up sounds as good as it looks.
Friday and Saturday gig with it for a small package it’s has a big sound. I love the western look.
Thanks to Corey Elliott for walking me through the purchase and the financing also his patients with me While I decide to do this.

I bought this little beast a few weeks ago and have greatly diminished my hearing since then. My current amplifier back line consist of a Supro Black Magic and a Vox AC 30. Both of these amps are great in their own right, but the little Blues Junior just screams! For a 15 watt amp it has incredible head room. I don't care to use a tone of effects when I play. I can dial in great clean tones and the amp really sings when you engage the FSR switch. I put a Wampler Plexi-drive and a TC Electronics delay infront of it and with the amps spring reverb I got everything I needed. I like using 2 amps together with an ABY switch and run one amp with effects and one dry. This amp pairs well with both of my other amps and it sounds awesome on it's own. If I were to use only one...it's this little bad boy! In my opinion there is not a better amp on the market for under grand. Fender knocked it out of the park with this one. The western Tolex cover is just sexy.

This amp has a wonderful sound. I have been playing for 3 years and wanted a Fender tube amp with the great clean Fender sound. This amp is just wonderful. The Western Tolex gives it a boutique look. It looks and sounds way more than it costs. The customer service, as always, is wonderful with Sweetwater. Anthony is great to work with.

Wow, Fender was actually paying attention to what people were saying about the previous versions of the Blues Jr. amp and what people were changing on them, like putting eminence speakers in them to tame them down a little. They did a great job of fine tuning the preamp section and made the reverb totally useful. The cannabis rex speaker is awesome, I put one in my vintage Fender Champ red knob and it made the amp totally useful. Both together are amazing. I highly recommend the Blues Jr. IV with an eminence speaker. The older versions could get a little bright and even bite a little, where the eminence speaker smooths out the sound and gives it a very rich tone. Love the Tolex covering, and it pairs well with my vintage snakeskin Fender Champ.

I've had this for about 4 months now and am extremely happy with the amp. I picked electric guitar playing back up after a long hiatus about 2 years ago and upgraded from a small Orange crush to the western tolex BJ IV. The Orange crush was actually a great amp for the price and I really enjoyed the clean channel even if it was on the dark side. What a night and day difference between the BJ IV and the Orange Crush! It took a little break in and a few months for me to get to know the amp and start really dialing in the sounds but this thing looks and sounds amazing. I had read a lot of review hating on the BJ III for being to boxy / icepicky and hate on the IV for being too dark and not Fendery enough but I find it to be just right.

The clean channel on this amp just absolutely sings and with the C-Rex it's hard to get a bad tone. I absolutely love the clean channel spank but I was really blown away by the overdrive once you start cranking the pre-amp stage. This amp is incredibly touch sensitive and you can really vary the drive with your pick attack and playing style. I don't even find a need for a drive pedal for 90% of the sounds you are looking for as it perfectly captures that vintage growl. The amp covers everything from spanky clean country tones, to bluesy cut-mid verge of breakup cleans to full on vintage drive.

Some have complained that you can't get great tone with this at bedroom levels and I disagree. The master volume knob is incredibly sensitive and the volume just about doubles from 2 to 2.2 but it didn't take long to get the hang of using it to get great tone at all levels. Sure the amp really moves into the tone zone sweet spot when the power amp section is cranked but this isn't required or necessary. At super low volumes there is some tone loss from the cone not moving much but you can adjust the EQ slightly to get the same tone at low volumes.

I much prefer the dialed back reverb in the new hot rod series as I'm not looking for surfy washed out rever at 2 on the dial and find it to be perfect for ambient warmth when playing. I do wish it had an effects loop but given the tone for the price it's not a deal breaker.

- Tons of clean headroom.
- Very loud if need be but great tone at bedroom levels
- The warm creamy overdrive on this amp just sounds incredible. No OD box needed for vintage drive sounds.
- Great pedal platform for the sounds you can't get out of the box.
- Touch sensitive for picking dynamics which makes it just fun to play.

Don"t write many reviews. But I am so excited about this amp. I love the sound and love the look. It got all I wanted. Oh and 5 Stars to Alex R. He"s helped me a lot on all I"ve purchased

The only reason I'm writing this review is because of the awesome service from Chris Neyman! I'm old school and like seeing stuff and meeting people. But he emailed me out of the blue and few weeks ago, which prompted my order, and the follow up has been great. Men like Chris is what has really moved Sweetwater to the top. He knows the equipment and gives awesome suggestions. Oh yea the amp... I had an original BJ and put in old JBL D120 in it. With a Strat it had great spank and would bite your head off. I've played several other versions over the years with different mods and speakers. My tastes and playing has evolved and now I play a Taylor T5. This FSR BJ IV with the CRex speaker and preamp changes is perfect for me now. It still has tons of treble and requires a lot of ear to get a warm, clean, jazz tone, but it's in there, along with the good blues tone it's made for. I've had several original Blackface Fender's and it's not them, but it doesn't claim to be and it's a great value. Thanks again Chris!

Been playing long time, not a professional musician, but I know quality, I own a Blues Deluxe, which I put a Eminence RED, WHITE, AND BLUES speaker, and a Supro Dual Tone, I wanted something else about 15 watts, pedal friendly,and good sound, tried 2 other name brand amps, but they just fell short, the guys at sweetwater were great about it and changed the amps both times, let me say this Fender is for sure a pleaser if you want good sound, great looks, and an amp that delivers, you better grab this one while their still around, signed VERY PLEASED CUSTOMER.

As described, beautiful tone

First of all, I am a tube man, I own a Carr Mercury V, a Milkman 1 plus 10 w Blue Alnico, and a Fender 57 Limited Edition Custom Deluxe with Celestion Cream. The previous mentioned amps either have built in attenuation ( Carr) or Dr Z Brake lite ( installed in the Milkman ) and I use a gold Rivera RockCrusher to tame that 57 Deluxe. All those amps are freaking awesome, but expensive. But, I had an extra Dr Z Brake lite, and I thought this Fender Blues Junior sounded interesting. Number one, there is no need for an attenuator with this version of the Blues Junior that will not be leaving my amp lair very soon, as the Blues Junior predecessors I tried. With the revamped tapered volume pots and the master volume, this amp screams creamy over,driven saturated tones at bedroom volumes, and with 15 watts you can gig at small clubs as well. The Western tolex is eye candy with the gold grill, and for the price, all I can say is buy one of these before they are gone.

I having been playing a Blues Jr. for sometime now. I have loved it. I purchased this amp and I am like Wow! I love it even more. The lows are super clear and strong. Just an all around great amp. A lot of sound comes out of this little box.

TL;DR

Pros:
-Rich, Powerful tone
-Super lightweight for an all-tube amp
-Very usable reverb sweep
-VERY handsome finish

Cons:
-None

Full Review

A little background on me, I've played guitar for over 20 years and I have a bad habit of always liking and wanting really expensive gear. Recently I ordered a custom-built D*mble Steel String style combo amp which is absolutely amazing, and it was several grand in price. It was everything I wanted it to be, but at the sacrifice of it being very heavy, and I was always concerned about taking it anywhere because of its cost.

I began to look for small, lightweight 1x12" combo that would be a grab and go for most everything I do. Saving the D*mble combo for special events. I also didn't want to spend a ton of money or have something custom built.

Fender has been making some incredible stuff in their limited run series and I was pretty keen on a Princeton Reverb with an upgraded speaker, but I didn't pull the trigger on one because I hadn't played one in person.

So, I went into a local shop that happened to have the seafoam green version of the Blues Jr IV with the Celestion Creamback and I plugged into it out of curiosity. I was amazed at how rich the sound was, even at low volume.

Seafoam green isn't my thing (though it is every bit as good sounding as this one) so I looked to see if they had other options. Lucky for me Sweetwater had this version, I thought on it and decided to order sight and sound unseen and unheard. I had not heard any amp with the Cannabis Rex speaker, so it was on trust that it would be good.

And I am so glad I did!!

Upon arrival, I was impressed with how light the shipping box was, which immediately began to affirm my decision. This is a really lightweight amp, 31.5 lbs for an all-tube amp with reverb is awesome.

Plugging it in, the first few notes really leaped from the amp! There is a general liveliness from the sound that I've only ever heard from very high-end amps. Fender did a great job with this update to the Blues Jr, it punches WAY above its price point. The speaker choice is excellent for this amp, compared to the stock speaker it is much more forward and alive, has a deeper, smoother bass response and takes the unpleasant sting out of the top end.

In the description of this version of the amp they often reference "Boutique Tone", and I can't agree more. This to me, in my opinion from having played several boutique clones, sounds and feels very similar to a Tr*inwreck-style amp. Very Brad Paisley with a Tele. But it also has some incredible SRV/JM tones in there with the gain up and a Strat. Pretty amazing considering the cost, but in a blind test you could've told me this tone was coming from any number of boutique builders and I would have believed it. I found myself playing through it for several hours that first night just lost in it. The reason I draw comparison to the Tr*inwreck amps is that they are distinctly mid-forward amps that have a good blend of American clean tones and British overdrive tones. That is exactly what you get this Blues Jr IV, it has all that wonderful Fender clean chime and all that awesome Wreck-ish grind available.

This is a very loud 15 watts!! You can control it with the master volume setup, but you can easily get loud enough to handle most any venue. Especially if you're in a situation to mic it up.

One wonderful update is the reverb sweep. I've always had issue with Fender's reverb controls being too quick to get to surf territory, pretty much unusable after 3 in most cases. In this model, you're able to more slowly dial into that springy wash. I keep mine at 3 or 4, and that's more of the "texture" territory. Once you get to the 8 or 9 area is where that springy splash starts to really show. This is such a welcome change!!

Another wonderful update is the super-usable volume boost! They call it a "Fat" boost, which usually implies adding only bass and low mids, but this is a full-frequency boost that is a noticeable jump in volume but not crazy. If anything I think it adds a tiny bit of top-end sparkle to the mix when engaged, and I think it makes the amp sound even better! One of my favorite settings is to have the volume on 4, Master on 2 and turn on the boost. It adds a lot of that cranked character without making enemies of your neighbors.

All-in-all, I think this is a wonderful special run of the Blues Jr and you would be hard-pressed to find a comparable quality in tone in any amp in the price range, let alone one that sounds better!

10/10! If anything were to happen to this amp, I would without hesitation order another one.



The western tolex and tan grill cloth is very handsome. Fresh out of the box it smelled like a new car, which was pretty great!

This is my 3rd BlueS Junior. The first one was Mark I - it was somehow boxy and too mid-rangey.
The second one was a Tweed model Mark III - that one was harsh sounding and somehow brittle. Speaker and tubes swaps did not help. Both of them are long gone...
Now, I bought this amp for its look and decided to work on it for as long as it takes to make it stay. Guess what? To my surprise, it sounded great out of the box! Changed pre-amp tubes to my liking (vintage long black plates), and no other mod is needed. This thing is one sweet sounding amp! Nice, deep and glassy chime, defined bass, mid range under control... Reverb is also much better than previous generation.
Ah, forgot to say: it looks like $2K piece, boutique... Fantastic amp!

It"s simply amazing. I was hesistant at first and just want to get the tweed blues jr., I am glad that this is the one that i got cause definitely is the better one. Clean tone is fantastic even with pedals, works perfectly. And the cosmetic is just a plus, the paisley design is beautiful.

This is the perfect amp for me - big beautiful sound with Fender Reverb and Master Volume.
Very cool Western tolex and wheat grill, Nice eminence 12in speaker, and FAT footswitch.
This is a keeper that I'll never let go.

Should be in every Texan's collection !

I purchased my first Blues Junior in 2003. After some standard work (input jack wiring and tube upgrade), it turned out to be a real performer. My benchmark at the time was a MB Mark II C+, which I purchased new. This unit far outperforms my earlier model. My current benchmarks are a Friedman Smallbox and a 65 Amps Ventura. This amp is a great deal for the money. I have no hesitation recommending it for a high quality grab and go. Note that this a wood cabinet; not particle board.

I have a collection of amplifiers. 2 Vox's, Matchless, Dr. Z, 2 Fender's and have ownd many more. Seldom write a review. In my opinion, Fender hit a home run with this one. This amp is tweeked very well. The 3 way tone provides an advantage but Fender did very well with the reverb for it to be very gradual and not extreme at 3-4. Also, the one delivered to me is very quite i.e. background noise. The speaker is open and bottom end is full and tight....and not broken in yet. Extremely pleased.

It's exactly what I was looking for and the looks aren't bad either. Haven't had it long, so I can't say much about longevity or durability. But I'm loving the sound. Review from a noob

To my fellow guitar junkies and music heads, In the past year i bought, sold, traded a couple of different amps just this year. This Fender blues jr cannabis rex western is by far the best i've so far. It's loud, it's clear, clean sounding, takes pedals well. I felt like it charged up my Telecaster and i finally heard what the guitar is supposed to sound like. It's my favorite amp.

I have two favorite amps: Marshall JTM45 half stack and a Fender Super Reverb. Huge sounds out of these amps. But maybe too huge for most situations. I decided to buy this little Blues Jr. to give my family a break. No more practicing through my half stack....

This is a great sounding amp. Also, it gives plenty of volume and could handle a decent sized audience, especially if mic'd. What I like about it is that I can push it to the verge of break-up without disturbing the entire neighborhood.

The tolex on this special addition is cool. I would have stuck with the standard black tolex but I wanted the upgraded speaker. Years ago I had a Blues Jr. III and it was far too bright for my ears (bright would be okay--it was ice picky). They've since changed the stock speaker, and maybe this new stock speaker is good, but I figured for a little more money, I would get the special edition since the reviews on the cannabis rex in this amp were pretty good. I agree. For this price, I can't imagine getting a better amp.

I play a les paul std., strat, and a tele. This amp loves the tele with each tone control at 12 o'clock. But it sounds really good with all 3 guitars. It takes pedals well too.

This new reverb circuit is an improvement as well.

I recommend this little guy.

I use a variety of guitars with this amp from hollow bodied guitars, acoustic guitars and a Gibson Les Paul to a Fender Tele. Keeping the amp in a clean mode the response is amazing for all the of the guitars. Depending on the music and choice of guitar I'm playing I can modulate the amp to give me the desired response which makes me happy. I highly recommend this amp.

The price keeps going up quite a bit. Generation IV still has plastic jacks. I've had five of these over the years and still own two. And I've had to replace the input jack every time. I mean really, how much does a metal jack cost especially in the huge bulk fender buys. In many ways it's almost the perfect club amp. I like the sound of it and the size and weight. Who knew 15 watts could be so loud. I want to give it 5 stars but plastic jacks? Really?

I needed a lighter amp than my Deluxe Reverb to haul around when I am unable to go FOH. I know it's only a 11lb difference but that is a big deal for me due to many medical issues. Much like the Deluxe it takes my pedal board nicely. The amp is obviously not as full and rich as the Deluxe but it still sounds great. The amp breaks up pretty quick and I have yet to get the thing past 3 because its LOUD! Way too early to review the speaker as it needs breaking in. If I had to purchase a speaker the Cannabis would not be my first choice.

I have had no issues with the amp and the Western Tolex looks great. The low wattage is also great because after 45 years of standing in front of 4x12 cab's, I'm half deaf. Pay attention youngins, you can't get back what you destroy and tinnitus sucks! Loud doesn't mean good. I have spoken...

Just starting to explore possibilities with this amp. But if you want decent tube tone at a weight that won't break your back this will be a good joice. It take pedals well has a good speaker in it. It's made well and looks good.

Nice limited edition outer material with a western motif pattern, but had I to repurchase I would have gone with the tweed pattern. Amp has tons more volume that I'll ever use. Be careful with the gain knob cause it will tear your face off. It has a constant low level buzz (noisy) that never goes away. I'll counter that with the Fender Acoustisonic (my daughter has one) that is quiet as can be. Nice reverb and low, mid,high adjustments. I would give a 5 star if it weren't a little noisy.

This is a super cool special edition Fender Blues Jr. It looks awesome and sounds amazing. I got it in hopes that i could use it as a practice amp at low levels but it really is not suited well to that application. 15 watts of tube amp is loud, there is really no way around it without an added power soak. To get a thick tube sound the preamp volume needs to be cranked up and when you add the master volume it gets loud immediatly. Here is the thing about the master volume, it really only works above 2, it goes from off below 2 to on over 2, and when it does come on it is too loud for my bedroom level of playing unless i have the preamp volume way down which kind of defeats the purpose of the amps tones in my opinion. Its a bummer because i do love the look and sound of the amp. The CR speaker is a great fit for producing a very well balanced tone, not too spikey/sparkley in the highs with a full low end, and high output. The fat switch combined with a pumped preamp produces a lot of usable gain which led me to really want an effects loop for added pedals or looper. This amp would be great for gigging, plenty of sound. And being a special edition it is sure to hold its value over time.
My two wishes for this amp would be 1. Effects loop, 2. Power reduction option for low volume stuff.

I bought this amp because I wanted that classic Fender clean tone in the smallest (lightest) amp I could find and still have a 12" speaker and enough juice to play live with a band. Like most guitarists, I am very particular about my tone. This amp delivers that familiar Fender clean tone in a small, easy to carry package.
I play mostly rock and blues and I also play contemporary Christian at my church. This amp meets those needs very well.
This was actually my very first purchase from Sweetwater and I have been very impressed with their customer service!

this is my second blues jr I had the tweed with red white and blues speaker. They are pretty similar although I think I liked the tweed one a touch better seemed to have earlier breakup but tone was pretty much the same. Im leaving it 3 and half stars which is also what I would have left the first amp if I would have left a review. the reason for the 1 and 1half star deduction is that like I said it seems like this specific amp takes a while to breakup. I think it has something to do with the cannabis rex speaker because I had the tweed Princeton with cannabis rex and it was the same thing it wouldn't break up until the volume was pretty much all the way up. Anyhow I had a 68 Princeton and that had the best volume to breakup ratio of any amp I have ever played. although it had other issues such as predisposition to microphonic tubes and rattling cab due to speaker choice and construction but just for sake of comparison I wish fender would make a custom series silver face amp that still maintains lower negative feedback for early breakup but did it hardwired and a quality speaker. anyhow that's kind of the sound I generally go for and blues jr gets part of the way there but like I said I just wish it had earlier breakup and a little more sweetness and compression.

I had purchased a Blues JR III, but they are not made in Tweed. Yea, you can call them Blues Jr III, but they are are not, they may be sold as Blues Jr III in Tweed, but they are Blues JR. NOS. That said, I decided I wanted to try the Blues Jr IV, and I like stuff that is different, so I ordered the IV in Western Tolex.

Well I like the Looks so much, I have decided to keep it. This Amp is a Rebel, it does not sound like the Blues Jr Line at all, and that is not a bad thing, it's just different. Honestly it has more of a Mesa Boogie or even Fender Hot Rod Deville Sound, which is sort of Cool coming form a Small Fender.

This Amp is a Screamer, lots of Head Room, Great for Pedals, Great Clean, Fantastic Crunch when you Drive the Volume and hold back on the Master Volume. This is a Killer Amp, but it is a Rebel with it's own Cause, because to me, it is not in the Blues Jr. Line at all.

I would recommend this Amp to any one who wants to Play Killer lines that sound Like a "Bat out of Hell" that just got it's sight Back! It's a Screamer, but the not the Warm Sexy Tones sought after from the Blues Jr. Line.

Loved this amp until after a year and a half, marginal use, it just started cutting out, and then stopped working all together.
Hoping Sweetwater and or Fender can make this right.

I am a big Fender fan who has owned many high-quality Fender amps over the years. I absolutely love my Neo Twin and Stratocaster, but I do not understand why so many people rate this amp so highly. I bought mine as a practice amp to leave at home. I love how it looks and how light weight it is, but have been very disappointed by how irrepressibly bright sounding it is. It is incapable of producing high quality tone similar to a Princeton or Deluxe Reverb. I wish I had returned it right awa gotten a 65 RI Deluxe Reverb. This thing has no bass and way too much high end. See pic of how I have to set the tone controls to get a balanced and not overly-bright usable tone. Anybody looking for a seriously good-sounding small amp, don't bother with a Blues Jr.

I purchased this amp from Sweetwater based on the excellent reviews to use at home for primarily blues and classic rock, and was sorely disappointed. Even after breaking in the cannabis rex for the recommended time, I found this amp to sound thin, tinny, trebely, boxy, etc. Even with the bass dimed, there is still virtually no bottom end. I imagine this is due to a combination of the amp's circuitry and it's small size, but it was a deal-breaker for me. I ended up selling it at a considerable loss and buying a 68 custom deluxe reverb that I'm extremely happy with - it has a much fuller, richer sound. Don't make the same mistake I did... Play this amp in person before buying.

On the plus side, the Western tolex does look amazing.

I had the version of this with the blue tolex. Even with the cannabis rex speaker, the amp was kind of sharp and painful sounding, but kind of muddy sounding at the same time. Certain frequencies would loudly rattle the metal tube cage on the back and no amount of screw-tightening would stop it. It didn't sound good at home with low volume, and while it was loud enough for gigs, it still didn't sound very good at gig level. At one gig, my pedalboard went out and I had to plug straight into the amp. The experience was dreadful. Without any kind of clean boost, it sounded neutered. And the amp gain / fat boost did not deliver any goods. It was one of those gigs where I went home and immediately shopped online for a new amp.

Was a fan of the amp in itself. Sounds great, and versatile.

Quality was not great as some screws came loose on the side of the amp even though the amp has been stationary from time of purchase which seems odd. Amplifier stopped working at about a year. I took it to a Fender maintenance shop as it was still under warranty which was about 130miles from where I live just to find out that they warranty did not cover the defect and I had to pay for the work even though they never contacted me that the warranty did not cover it.

So unfortunately for me, the amp manufacturing quality was bad, warranty did not cover the defects which I unknowingly was stuck with the cost if I wanted the amp back, and had to travel long distance to go to a "Fender Service Center" when I could have gone a couple blocks from my house to get it done at a local shop for probably less than what it cost at the fender service center.

I have had bad quality experiences with Fender products thus far and poor experiences with Sweetwater and Fender warranty for their items and not just this purchase but others as well.

Now just counting the minutes it'll take for it to crap out on me again.

I would not recommend.

I have had this for about 8 months, the housing has a terrible vibration and loud buzz even at moderate volumes. It is to the point where I can't record with it and even playing with it for pleasure is a major issue. I have used Sorbothane around the back panel to eliminate the issue which didn't resolve it. At this price point, this shouldn't be an issue. I wish it weren't an issue because the tone is good, but this isn't an easy fix and not sure what to do next. pretty frustrated.