Fender Blues Junior Amp Demo - Texas Flood

December 14th, 2007

Here’s a demo of my favorite amp to one of my favorite songs. I detail all the amp settings along with all the pedal settings below the video.

Here are the details of how I recorded this amp demo…

Amp: Fender Blues Junior - Tweed Edition

Here are the settings for the amp.

Reverb	Master	Mid	Bass	Treble	Volume
2	4	3	12	7	5

Fat Switch: On

Pedal 1: Boss PQ-3B - Parametric EQ Pedal

I use this pedal to dial in a boost right at about 1.5k to get that screaming tone you hear during the solos. I also add a little low end boost so that the tone remains balanced. This boost only really works while the other pedals are on because it adds quite a bit of gain to the signal and if the amp and other pedals aren’t already overdriven, the volume goes up way too much.

Low	Middle	High	Level
12:30 @ 200 Hz	no boost	1:30 @ 1.5k	no boost

Pedal 2: Boss PQ-4 - Parametric EQ Pedal

I use this pedal to give a clean boost with no change in the EQ settings. On some amps, I dial in a little low end with the boost, but for the Blues Junior, I just set the Level knob to about 1:30.

Pedal 3: Nobels ODR-S Overdrive

I love this overdrive pedal. The distortion is fat and natural sounding. It’s one of the few pedals I’ve used that actually can add distortion nicely to an already slightly overdriven amp.

Drive	Lo	Mid	Hi	Level
12 o’clock	12:30	1:30	1:00	9:30

Guitar: Don Grosh - Retro-S

I bought this guitar used in Austin Texas a few years ago and it opened my eyes to what a well built guitar can do for your playing. The guitar feels much more solid than my strat (mexican), and the tone is just incredible. The swamp ash body gives it a very light feel, and a midrange dip in the tone. The brazilian rosewood fretboard is much brighter than indian rosewood. And the Lindy Fralin pickups just scream.

Body: Swamp Ash
Neck: Brazilian Rosewood over maple
Pickups: Lindy Fralin Blues Special
Strings: GHS Boomers ( 12 - 52 )
Tuning: E-flat

Recording method.

I recorded this demo with a Shure SM-57 microphone about 18 inches away from the front of the amp, about 45 degrees off center and pointed at a spot close to the rim of the speaker. This gives me a little warmer tone than being pointed directly at the center. The distance from the amp gives the sound a little more space.

The sound from the mic was recorded through a Motu 896HD firewire interface into GarageBand running on my MacPro. The guitar was mixed with no EQ, and the only effect added was the built in AUMatrix Reverb plugin that comes with OSX. The reverb plugin gave the guitar a little more room sound than what was recorded so close to the amp. The backing track was from an mp3 I found on the web of Stevie Ray Vaughan Backing tracks.

I used the L3 Multimaximizer limiter plugin on the master channel in GarageBand to level out the volume and fatten up the sound a bit. This plugin can work magic on recordings that sound weak. The mixdown was exported to a 192Kb/s AAC audio file.

Making the video

I recorded the video of me playing with a JVC miniDV camcorder. I then imported the footage into iMovie ‘08. I then imported the audio file I had created in GarageBand and synced it up with the video. iMovie ‘08 make it easy to add professional looking titles to your videos very quickly. I then exported the movie as a quicktime file and distributed it to all the videos sites using TubeMogul.

43 Comments

Rick Says:
September 1st, 2008 at 6:56 am
Could you demo just the tubescreamer and the jr? Rick

[Reply]
Rick Says:
September 1st, 2008 at 6:53 am
Have you tried just a tubescreamer with blues jr? will that still give you the SRV sound? I don’t uderstand the parametric eq thing, sounds great though! Could you demo a tubesceamer with just the jr? Rick

[Reply]
Douglas State Says:
August 29th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Un real. You just gave me another goal in life. ( to master this song)
Man, you play with soul.
I believe any instrument has to become a part of your body and soul
Thats what makes the greats great
I know your a humble guy but still have to say that you are truly a guitar slinger.
Thanks again for all the help you have given me and i’m just getting started
Doug Mn

[Reply]
Andy Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Hey Anthony, I just bought a Fender Blues Deluxe and was wondering, will the amp settings above get me in the ballpark as far as SRV tone goes? By the way, I have learned alot from your site and, watching you play. Keep up the good work.

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on August 30th, 2008:
Hi Andy,

The blues deluxe is a different beast entirely, it’s more than twice the power of the Blues Jr. so the settings will be different. I’ve not played through one very much, but I know they are quite loud.

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John Says:
June 21st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Hi Anthony,
Can you clarify whether you put your overdrive pedal before or after the EQ pedals? In other words, what do you plug your guitar into? I apologize if I missed this info somewhere. Also, I am going to pick up a Barber LTD or B-Custom Cool overdrive pedal, which I hope will get me into the SRV tone territory. Have you played one of these pedals (or a hotter Barber Small Fry)? I might still get a Nobels, but the Barber pedals seem to be built to very high standards.

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on June 21st, 2008:
Hi John,

The order is Guitar -> PQ-4 -> PQ-3B -> Nobels ODR-S -> Amp.

If you’re shopping for a Nobels, don’t get the ODR-1. I initially thought that it might sound like the ODR-S, but it doesn’t. I’ll be searching for a replacement for my ODR-S since it’s not made anymore, but the ODR-1 is an entirely different machine.

[Reply]
Richie reply on August 6th, 2008:
have a look at this diy box from general guitar gadgets: blues braker replica
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqT5cUUrM8c

it seems sound similar to the ODR-S

built one myself and love it

[Reply]
Daniel Poole Says:
June 9th, 2008 at 4:20 am
Hey! Can you do a lesson for the whole song?

I know its a bit to ask, but I love it!

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Brendan Says:
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 am
Hey man, great playing! You are very helpful. I also have a blues jr in tweed and love it-it’s a great little amp. Do you know of an overdrive pedal that is similar to the one you use? I love the tone you get from it and hopefully I can use something I have so I don’t have to buy something new. Also-is there a reason why you use 12 guage strings over 13’s? I just put 13’s on my guitar but they might be a little heavy for my fingers!

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on May 31st, 2008:
Hi Brendan,
That’s the problem. I’ve never heard a pedal that sounds like this one. I’m sure that the ODR-1 pedal that Nobels sells now probably sounds similar, but without the 3 band tone controls, it might be hard to get it to sound the same. Believe me, I am looking for something in production to recommend, but in my honest opinion, most of the “popular” pedals sound like crap
As for the strings, I don’t use .13’s because the wear and tear is just too much. I actually prefer .11s for more frequent playing, but for my current schedule, I can handle .12s.

[Reply]
HHaroldarold ross Says:
May 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I’m 65 and I am just learning to play, only 8 months. I have a hearing problem and can’t stand loud volume. I currently am using a fender front man 25r. My first amp and I dont like it at all, and am looking for a new one. How does the Blues Jr sound at low volume. I want a tube amp but I am concerened about getting one that blows my ears out worse than they already are. Good luck with your web site You have tought me a lot

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on May 31st, 2008:
I love my Blues Junior at low volumes. I used to have an amp with an attenuator, and this sounds just as good with volume up high and the master volume down low.

[Reply]
Janne Says:
April 29th, 2008 at 12:08 am
First of all, thousand thanks for helping all of us! I’m in the search for that SRV tone..like all of us I’m currently using a Line6 Pod XT to hunt down my favorite guitar tones(cannot afford the real amps). I’ve pretty much nailed the kind of raw stevie tone that is great for playing the rythm parts for songs like Voodoo Chile (el mocambo style). I’m using a Fender Blackface Deluxe Reverb juiced with an overdrive pedal (both from the POD, not an actual ones).
Since I’m not a monster like Stevie was, I could use a little more sustain, or boost (without messing the EQ, or adding distortion) to pull off the solos.
With a low budget in mind, what would you recommend for my problem?

Thank you very much, you are a good man!

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on May 27th, 2008:
Hi Janne,

I’m not quite as familiar with the POD equipment, but I do know that it will not interact with other pedals the same way that analog pedals do. You might have more success asking the same question over at TheGearPage.net where there are a lot of smart people with more experience with all kinds of gear.

[Reply]
Jon Prothero Says:
April 17th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hi Anthony, Great playing! I had been researching a small amp for home and after looking at a lot of amps on the net. I began to think of the blues junior might fit the bill. After stumbling on one of your videos on u tube I am now convinced this is the amp for me! I intend to do a home, solo, instrumental album influenced by the blues and this seems ideal. PS I was lucky enough to catch Stevie play the Reading Rock Festival in England 1983!

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on April 17th, 2008:
Wow! Glad to know that I could help
I’m really jealous of anyone who hot to Stevie live. Can you believe I’ve got a coworker who was at his last show?

[Reply]
Carl SMith Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hey man, I am a new player, and I have a bLues Jr… which I too love. The prob is I am having trouble finding tone I like. I started playing to play surf, which is easy to dial in, but blues/rock is a strange world to me…LOL. I have a strat, bad monkey overdrive pedal, and blues Jr. Any advice on set up…? I am shooting for something that sounds like ZZ Top or George Thouroughgood, in theory.

[Reply]
Joe M reply on April 6th, 2008:
I think the problem with your sound might be the Bad Monkey pedal you’re using. It’s not a bad pedal but, the digital nature of it is probably what’s affecting that natural sounding tube sound that you hear in Anthony’s videos. If you use something like a Maxon OD9, Tube Screamer (whether TS9 or TS808) or the Nobels pedal that Anthony uses in these videos, along with getting some volume through your amp, it really allows you to shape the sound he’s getting.
Of course, these pedals are more expensive than the Bad Monkey and even more expensive than normal if you buy one that has good modifications in it like an Analogman or Robert Keeley Mod (although they’re worth every penny) but, if you can’t afford one of these expensive analog pedals and are still looking for that close sick blues sound, go with a Boss BD-2 Blues Driver. They’re $50 or so stock, they’re analog and they can get some good tone right from the stock box.
Oh yeah, and use the settings posted on these demos…that usually helps haha.
Happy tone Hunting!!

[Reply]
Gary Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
The guy who asked about heavier gauge lower strings might really like GHS Boomer TNTs (10-13-17-30-44-52). I just tried a set for the first time and really love the tone.

[Reply]
Fritz reply on March 25th, 2008:
Hi all!
I’m a 54 year old life-long Blues player from the UK, and an avid SRV fan, and I’m also brand new to http://www.steviesnacks.com.

The whole string guage thing?

Yeah, it is a fact that SRV used heavy strings but, he had big-big hands, and therefore could handle their weight, and he also prefered fat necked guitars. If you’ve got big strong hands, go for it, see how you get on! But if you ain’t, and you’re gonna go for the big fat strings and you haven’t spent your life errecting scaffolding or chooping down trees with axes, get yourself a good physiotherapist or osteopath, you’ll need one! Hendrix got much the same tone with light gauge strings, and I use 9-46’s and they suite “ME”. I used to use 10-52 GHS Boomers for years, and heavier, but my hands are showing signs of RSI, so I’ve gone down some! But it’s all relative! Anyway, I’d just like to say, to one and all; play guitar, play blues and enjoy! And to Anthony, thanks for a wonderful website and for allowing me an insight into SRVs style. Outstanding! After 42 years of playing electric Blues guitar, you still managed to teach me a thing or two! We’re never too old to learn a new trick!
Fritz.

[Reply]
seth Says:
March 22nd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I just recently bought a fender front man 212 with some effects and different amps sounds built into it. I can’t get that srv sound out of it and I don’t know much about those pedals. What could I do to help me get that srv sound out of it other than heavy strings.

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on March 22nd, 2008:
Hi Seth,

The FM 212 is a solid state amp as opposed to a tube amplifier. This means that any distortion that it produces will sound different than tubes. Stevie played tube amps exclulsively because of their rich tone. So it might be hard to get a SRV style tone out of a solid state amp like that.

Having said that, since you already bought it, probalby what you’ll want to do is use the amp clean, and get your distortion from a good pedal. I use a Nobels ODR-S, but I hear the fulltone pedals are good as well.

[Reply]
seth reply on March 23rd, 2008:
Thanks for the info Anthony. I think I’ll look into doing that.

[Reply]
G0RD0 Says:
March 7th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I notice that you semi scooped the mids on the amp. Is this part of the key to getting this sound or is it just compensated with the eq’s in fx chain. I normally keep the mids flat or on 6 or 7.

What would your knobs (tehehe) look like if there was no eq’s in the picture.

G0RD0

[Reply]
G0RD0 reply on March 7th, 2008:
I forgot to plug the Digitech bad Monkey stomp for one of the most versatile and best souding “better than ts808 “type stomp. Have you used it yet?
Even though it is made from DIGItech it is still a fully analog tubey stomp.

[Reply]
Casey Hodges Says:
February 16th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I was wondering if you have ever played with a TS-808?? If so I am trying to figure out how to get my blues jr and ts808 to sound like you. Do you have any suggestions for me? Thanks Casey

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on February 17th, 2008:
Hi Casey,

My rhythm guitar player actually has an original TS-808 in mint condition. I have not used it very much though (mainly because it’s his) but also because it doesn’t have enough gain in the distortion section. I can’t turn my amps up as loud as Stevie so I don’t get quite as much tube distortion. I need more from the pedal. That’s why I use the Nobels because it has quite a bit more gain than a TS-808.

[Reply]
Bry Says:
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Hey Anthony,

nice site, great playing and sweet tone!

I find it interesting that you use two EQ pedals to boost the signal. Obviously it works because your tone is right on. Have you tried “regular” clean boosts (i.e RC Booster, Keely Katana, Barber Launch Pad etc) before ending up with the two EQ pedals?

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 22nd, 2008:
I have not tried them mainly because I figure out early on that in order to compensate for different tonal responses of different guitars and amp combinations, a parametric EQ was the key. Because you’re able to pick which frequencies to cut and boost, you can literally give any guitar that’s Albert King screaming tone.

[Reply]
Scotty Says:
January 18th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Are you using your front neck pickup or one up from bridge?

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 18th, 2008:
For most of the song I am on the neck pickup. On some of the bends to get more wailing tone, I hit the bridge pickup for a few bars.

[Reply]
Scotty Says:
January 18th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Man, where were you 10 years ago!!!!!
I would have saved alot of money on the gear end.
You play great!!!!!
Great site. Maybe you should have a donation section to keep it going and pay a bit for your efforts!!!
Glad I found this site.
Scott
Edmonton Alberta Canada

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 18th, 2008:
Check out the “Free lessons” link for your opportunity to donate! BTW…. 13 years ago I was sitting in my dorm room listening to Stevie CD’s, 3 notes at at time, over, and over and over and over trying to learn this stuff.

There was no YouTube back then and I was too cheap to buy guitar books….hehe

[Reply]
Tom Says:
January 17th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
are u using an sm58 for vocals/whats ur vocal setup for this song..it all sounds really good btw..i think i might have to get a blues junior/motu interface haha.

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 17th, 2008:
Yes, that is an SM58. Thanks for watching!

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer Says:
January 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Hi Brian, I use GHS Boomers, 11 15 18 26 36 46. Still searching for strings with a slightly heavier bottom end. That’s why I haven’t said much about my strings, because I’m not totally happy with them yet.

[Reply]
Mick reply on January 16th, 2008:
I use Not Even Slinky Earnie Balls for some suoer sweet tone. Anything else just causes too much string noise when in Eflat. I believe they are 12-16-24p-32-44-56. Don’t know if you have tried them before. I know Stevie was into GHS, but they weren’t boomers, they were just really heavy all around. Not sure where to get those. Video sounds good man, STEVIE HAD MANY YEARS ON US, so you are well on your way.
Mick

[Reply]
BrianUK Says:
January 6th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Hi
Great rendition! Tnx so much for posting this stuff up. What make and gauge of strings do you use?
Cheers
Brian

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer Says:
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
On the quiet parts, it’s just the amp.

[Reply]
Anthony Stauffer Says:
January 3rd, 2008 at 9:15 pm
For most of this song I’m using the Nobels and PQ-4, I kick in th PQ-3B during the solo to give it the extra wail on the high end.

[Reply]
ChrissyBoy Says:
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Excellent !!! Man you’ve really got the blues!!!

i’ve already got the same blues junior and a TS9 …and today i’ve ordered an odr-s !!! just a question : do you use on this recording the 3 pedals during solos and only the nobels and pq-4 rest of time ?

ChrissyBoy from France

[Reply]
Bryan reply on May 31st, 2008:
Hi Chrissyboy,
Can you tell me man where you purchased the odr-s? Every where I look it is discontinued.

I gather it has been replaced by a standard odr overdrive. Not sure how this stackes up.

Cheers

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