I have a rather modest group of four guitars. A JLV Strat with Kinman AVn Blues; a stock MIM Tex-Mex w/Rosewood slab; a Epi LP Gold-Top RI with SD P90's: and finally, a LP Classic with SD59's. A good cross section of rock and blues tools. I have spent a long time burnishing them into sonic shape with modifications, set-ups, string guages, and the like. I am comfortable that whatever talent I possess, I can at least express myself without thinking, "If only I had done this to the ….". Therefore, I set out to find the amp(s) to best compliment these instruments.
Without boring you, let's say I have gone through a rather long list of both stock and boutique circuits in an effort to find THE amp. As most of us can attest, that beast is probably just around the corner, languishing on ebay, or amongst some stunning guitarists stage rig. However, until said beast arrives at my door, I amuse myself with an array of amps that do "this" or "that". I would characterize my preferred style of music as "guitar driven". I'm one of those rhythm players. I would never shy away from taking a solo, but I prefer the lost art of rhythm playing. The parallel would be "sit-ups" as opposed to the use of a "Bowflex" machine.
In the past, I have played through a number of Blues Juniors. Some modified, some not. Each possessed something the others did or did not have. At best, I had always considered the Blues Junior as a "make do" starter amp. Not a Swiss Army knife small combo, but a one note, somewhat flexible low watt amp with iffy reverb. I was never shy about expressing this opinion to others when the Blues Junior entered the conversation, or shared the stage. One day, a very good, respected player I have the honor to know and play with, challenged me to try the "Relic" edition I'm reviewing.
What follows is my testimonial. I bought it on the spot!
Trying to apply creamy, dripping with this or that, clean, lush, tweedy, blackface, glassy, sweet highs, solid mids, deep lows, dynamic response, vintage etc. etc. to any amp, is merely an exercise in thumbing through a Thesaurus. Try as we will, our personal impression and the superlatives or dispersions we cast upon any amp, is a type of salesmanship, intended to convince, (mostly) ourselves that we invested well in our purchase or avoided sonic disaster.
So, what I will say out of complete conviction, is that each guitar, played through this amp, comes as close to what I wanted/dreamed that guitar would sound like. Of course you cannot possibly know what that means, or how it relates to your interest in this amp. The best I can offer is that sonically, this amp is very different from the all the other Blues Juniors I have played. When placing it amongst other players and amps, most if not all agree that this version is something very special.
If pressed, I would identify this amp as a CBGB, (Country,Bluegrass,Blues) amp. Good volume on stage and in the studio. It's only failing might be it's lack of stature to nestle amongst some 100w stacks. High GAIN is not a part of the Blues Junior's circuit design. So perhaps the ROCK in this amp depends on your area of expertise.
I'm taking the time to write this review in hopes of dispelling some misconceptions about this amp. I am refering to the Blues Junior Ltd. Edition Relic. There is also a non-relic version with a different speaker reviewed elsewhere. This "Relic" version, is a very specific amp. I believe this was a short lived edition that Fender produced to test the waters for relic merchandise, and to mess with stock Blues Junior owners.
As of this writing, what was produced, is out there, done.
Basically, it's a Blues Junior. Same guts and schematic as the licorice flavored black Tolex models. The Blonde vanilla versions, same thing. You can obtain the details from other posts and on the Fender website. The only significant difference, (and a BIG one) is the speaker (Jensen P12R) and a rather amusing job of "distressing" the lacquered tweed covering, knobs, handle, and faceplate. At 15W, it will not humble a Dumble but in it's own way, I believe it merits a place in the pantheon of must have amps.
In the relatively short time I have owned this amp – it starts and stops on cue. The warranty is still very much in effect. However, if any repairs are needed, my tech will do the work.
On that note, I surrendered the amp to him for a sort of analysis. He confirms that it is in fact a stock Blues Junior. It was agreed that the Jensen RI speaker plays a significant factor in the tone of this amp. Having said that, we removed the Jensen speaker and placed it in a stock Blues Junior (licorice version). After about 10 minutes of play, we both looked at one another and nodded that this was not the same tone we enjoyed from the "relic" cabinet and amp. Stock Fender (Eminence) in relic cab. Stock Blues Junior sound.
We returned the Jensen to it's rightful place. Switched it on, and the magic was back. Go figure.
In summation, I return to my opening statement about my interest in dispelling some misconceptions about the Blues Junior Ltd. Edition Relic.
Until now I have not addressed the issue of this amp's cosmetic appearance, other than to list the "distressed" elements rendered so by the effects department at Fender. After some 40 years of playing guitar on and off stage, I believe I can honestly say I have seen and heard some wonderful amps. Some great ones looked like they had traveled from gig to gig on the roof of a Mini-Bus, and did. Fender has created a NOS (Not Only Sound) amp. The cosmetic details, er flaws were intentional in an effort to create the ultimate vintage, "relic" vibe.
There are those persons who find the ownership of a "relic" amp or guitar dishonest. They rail against the lack of authenticity, the audacity and foolishness of paying for a "special effect". Subliminally, the boo-birds claim that the "relic" owner is assuming the mantle of experience without having "paid the dues". These comments are rife with Freudian implications that I will not even attempt to address in this space. To the doubters and purists I say, more of your attention needs to be paid to the music that eminates from the source, than the issues of ego and authenticity some find so crucial to their own enjoyment. I seem to recall that Bob Dylan had this problem some years ago as well.
Hopefully, the Fender marketing department is enjoying their moment of Zen right now.
To continue, I don't feel like an imposter. On the contrary, whenever I play this amp, it feels like I'm finally playing the real thing, whatever that is. I have an amp that gives me very satisfying tone, in a package that permits the random scuff or ding to become part of the design, not cause for an insurance claim. It does not require a roadie to move it, or a tractor trailer to transport it. These are all positive "old fashioned" attributes that any purist could embrace.
Physically, the amp is a throwback to the original amplifier designs of the 50's. Compact, radiolike in size and power. The retro chicken head knobs are period correct as well. All these features characterize the current Hot Rod and Historic Re-issue line of Fender amps. Does that make all the other stock Blues Junior, 59' Bassman, Tweed Twin, and Hot Rod Deluxe owners posers as well? Absolutely not, they are preservationists. Amp huggers if you will.
So please do not assume that the Blues Junior Ltd. Edition Relic is only a marketing gimmick designed to identify the fool with the fake. It is one of those rare magical amps that one must seek out and play, to fully appreciate. It has not caused me to divest of my other amps. They all have their place and function for my needs. I will say, that of late, I am almost always grabbing this amp whenever I go out to play. It's always handy.
If it were stolen?
Not if, so much as when. Several band and jam mates are clearly planning their moment to pounce. Therefore, I cannot imagine someone stealing this amp unless they know exactly what they are stealing. The "relic" finish of this amp acts as a bit of camouflage. It's appearence suggests a broken, worthless garage sale orphan, hardly worth the risk. It's the Walking Stick of the amp kingdom. So, that too is a positive attribute for the uninsured.
The Fender Blues Junior Ltd. Edition Relic is a moment in history. If you own one, it's a little bit of history repeating every time current flows through those tubes. It does not require a second mortgage on your domicile to acquire it, nor the gentle care and feeding that many other amps I have owned must have.
If my only liability owning this amp, is the ridicule and shame for owning a "relic", I can handle that. I'm a bit of a relic myself, with many self-inflicted dents, dings, scuffs and stains. However, turn me on, and I work and play very well with others.
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