 | SRV’s Lenny - Fender Blues Junior Tweed NOS Amp DemoDecember 20th, 2007 |
In this Blues Junior demo I show off more of the clean tones possible with this amp.
Below I list all the settings for all the equipment I used to record this demo.
Amp Settings
The amp is a Fender Blues Junior Tweed NOS edition.
| Reverb | Master |
Mid | Bass | Treble | Volume |
| 3 | 12 | 6.5 | 12 | 9 | 5 |
Fat Switch: OFF
Pedal 1: 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. I turn on this pedal at 2:34 in the demo video.
Pedal 2: 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. I turn this pedal on at 3:31 in the demo video.
| 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 preset was "Large Room". The backing track was from an mp3 I found on the web at this page:
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.
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August 25th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Could someone turn me onto a good backing tract site
I’ve tried guitarbt.com and am unable to get it to work.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Real nice, was great to hear you have a great playing style, i,m still looking for my sound, like most.lol,, keep up the good work.
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on August 30th, 2008:
The search for tone seem to be never ending
August 14th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Why don’t you use two Ibanez TS9 for the boost ?
Nice cover by the way
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on August 14th, 2008:
I’ve owned a TS9 and without mods, I’m not a huge fan of the sound. Not nearly thick enough for my tastes. And I practically destroyed mine I modded it so many times
August 1st, 2008 at 10:41 pm
ohh nevermind i found out the p’ups and price on another video…………..that being said would u recommend the rocketfire pickups over texas specials?
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on August 4th, 2008:
Definitely. They replaced a set of Texas Specials in my Strat. While the output is lower, they are much more articulate to my ear.
August 1st, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Im not really familiar with rocketfire pickups……….so is there a specific model you have in your mex strat and how much did they cost?……….by the way awesome cover and really nice tone.
July 27th, 2008 at 9:38 am
I have a Fender SRV Signature Strat? Have you ever played it? What is your opinion of it?
I would like to achieve a tone similar to yours out of my NEW Blues Junior (yeah, you convinced me to swap an old guitar to this awesome amp)….
Would you recommend a mod to this guitar to achieve a better tone similar to what you’re getting out of your Strat? How about the Lndy Fralin pickups?
Carl
BTW Your tone is awesome!!! You nailed Stevie’s tone. Great work!!!!
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 29th, 2008:
I have never had the pleasure of playing one of those guitars, they’ve never had one at my local guitar shop.
The single biggest upgrade you can give to any guitar is in the pickups. I’d go as far as to say that I wouldn’t play a guitar regularly that didn’t have a set of Fralin’s, Rocketfire’s or similar pickups in. I can tell you that my mexican strat sounded like hot garbage with the stock pickups in, but I’ve played 7 shows in a row with it since my Grosh has been in the shop. This is only because of how good it sounds with the Rocketfire pickups in it. I could never stand to play it very long before because it sounded so dull.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Trance channeling no doubt…If Stevie ain’t in Heav’n when I get there, I’m a leavin’. Saw’m live at the Ionia County Free Fair, 3rd row, yeah; “Can’t see ya, the light’s, ya know?”
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on July 26th, 2008:
As usual, I’m completely jealous of the fact that you got to see him live…wish I could have been there.
July 20th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Not bad AY. even your ‘wrong ending is better than most ‘Vaughan-a bees” Ive heard, so the OD come after the clean boost, in this amp,and pedal set up?? correct
May 17th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
That was a great performance of Lenny. I was carrier away. You really have a nice SRV touch. Thanks for some motivation you’re playing is outstanding.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Hi anthony
This video is so great! Im slightly addicted to your site and have purchased some vids! you play it with so much passion. you shouldnt worry about wrong endings or wrong notes, I was so transfixed on the playing i didnt even notice you wrote comments during the vid. Every person has different emotions and feelings and your are unique in your playing. Im following your lessons and hope I can learn to play with my heart on my sleeve one day as well as you do.
Thanks for sharing, we need more of it these days
You should come do gigs in Sydney.
Freddy (sydney Australia)
April 22nd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Somehow I missed your lesson on Lenny on the website….Excellent video it helps a lot.
If you do have any suggestions on other websites you use or used to use for tabs or lessons ect… let me know. Thanks!
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on April 22nd, 2008:
I was never very good at using tabs myself, so I don’t really know much about the sites on the net that have them except for UltimateGuitar.com. Kind of ironic that I never used them, but yet now I find myself making them for these lessons…..ah sweet irony….
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Just wondering if you have any suggestions for tab sites…..I would love to learn this amazing tune but cant seem to find tabs that sound anything close to as good as your beautiful take on Lenny. The usual site i try is
http://www.ultimateguitar.com.
Love your lessons, thanks for putting in the time and effort!
February 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
Anthony,
Excellent work on Lenny! Perhaps you could offer me some advice. I have a basic Blues Jr. Amp with the “Fat in” switch, a SRV guitar and a TS-9. I am still missing that SRV tone ingredient; what additional effect should I get in order to achieve that SRV tone.
Keep up the good work. Ed
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on February 26th, 2008:
One big part of the equation is the guitar and the strings. Any medium to high-end strat with a set of 11s on will get you a pretty good tone through that amp and pedal. Rosewood fretboard is a good idea too, because it has a warmer tone than maple. However, for this song, Stevie actually used a guitar with a maple fretboard, so go figure
February 20th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I’m gonna be a bit of a critic here.
I thought the intro could’ve been done better. But I really enjoyed your original licks (like moving up to the maj. 3rd from the min. 3rd) and how they mixed with the srv licks. Excellent tone!
By the way, could you tell me your pickup heights? I’m curious because that has a lot to do with the tone. If you know or can measure, I would appreciate if you measure each by depressing the string at the last fret and measuring form the polepiece to the bottom of the string, which is how fender measures them. Don’t feel that you are required, only if you have some time, a six inch ruler and know how.
Great video!
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on February 21st, 2008:
The intro is all jacked up because the backing track I was using has some weird timing at the intro and I couldn’t figure out where to start the song with the correct chrords and have it line up when the drums came in.
I’ll try to remember to measure my pickup heights.
February 15th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Great stuff. I recently got a Blues Junior NOS and I love it. The information you provide about different settings is very helpful. What setting do you use on your guitar? Which pickup(s) and bass/treble settings?
Thanks for sharing your talent and knowledge.
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on February 21st, 2008:
On this song it’s mainly neck and 4 position. For the really high bends it’s the bridge pickup. Tone is always on 10 on the guitar.
January 19th, 2008 at 2:55 am
which tab do you think is most accurate for this song?
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 19th, 2008:
I’m not a big fan of any of them but this is this more correct of the two main tabs available:
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/s/stevie_ray_vaughan/lenny_ver2_tab.htm
Andrew Smith reply on January 21st, 2008:
Guitar World just put a tab out in this months addition I think that is almost perfect. It is the best Lenny tab I have ever seen, and the article on the Lenny guitar is worth buying it alone.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:31 am
Truly excellent rendition. What guage strings ae you using there?
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 15th, 2008:
Hi Brian, Don’t know why but your comments always get caught in my spam filter.
I use 11-48 or something like that. I want heavier strings, but can’t seem to find a set with the right gauges.
I’ll keep you posted if I find some that I like better.
ian covington reply on August 15th, 2008:
GHS Strings has a pack set Nickel Rockers called the “SRV Set”(11 - 15 - 19 - 28 - 38 - 58) He used those exact Nickel Rocker strings and gauges unless his fingers allowed him to use heavier ones. The SRV Set’s product ID is 1300 on the GHS website and are around 7-8 dollars for a set. They are also build for tuning down a bit like Stevie and Jimi did.
If you demo this amp any more I will have to buy one!!
Anthony Stauffer ( StevieSnacks Teacher ) reply on August 30th, 2008:
I’ve actually used those strings, and I find them way too “muddy” for my tastes. I prefer strings with a little sparkle to them, which is why I’m currently using the D’Addario strings. (EXL series)
January 13th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
\”Hi, I just wanted to say what a great site this is, I came across your site while searching around on Google. Your post, s Lenny - Fender Blues Junior Tweed NOS Amp Demo has some good info! Thanks again, keep up the good work and have a great Sunday!\”.
January 10th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Hi!!! thanks for your site, its great and usefull!! I want to buy an ODR overdrive pedal but i dont know how to pick one…. in your opinion, who is better, ODR-1 or ODR-1 anniversary with boost knob!? Please, if you can help me to choose!
Best regards
Portugal
Anthony Stauffer reply on January 10th, 2008:
I actually own the ODR-S which includes 3 tone controls. If you can find this one anywhere, I recommend it. Otherwise, I’d probably go for the anniversary version.
January 8th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Hi Sergio,
Thanks for the kind words and for watching the videos. Right now I use GHS Boomers, gauges 11 15 18 26 36 46 I think. I’m still searching for the right set of strings. My ideal gauges would be 12 16 19 38 48 58 but I haven’t found anyone who makes them in that particular combination.
Derek Metz reply on February 5th, 2008:
Ernie Ball makes Not Even Slinky set that is 12 16 24 32 44 56 which is pretty close and is actually pretty comfortable. It’s a nice step up from 11’s without going right up to 12’s. I’ve even got a guitar tuned to standard tuning with this set and the tension takes some getting used to but sounds great. Not sure if everyone will go for it, but the guy at one of my local guitar shops will actually make me custom sets if I ask for no extra charge.
Hal Jones reply on March 5th, 2008:
I use to use GHS Zakk Wylde Signature Low Boomers - 11, 14, 18, 36, 52, 70 but I guess they stopped making them because I can’t find them anymore.
Now I’m trying D’Addario now
http://www.daddario.com/DADProdDetail.aspx?CodaID=620&ID=1&Class=AABA
I wish someone would make a set close to the low boomers again.
Stevie - Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
January 7th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I just wanted to say thanks for sharing vitale info,so many guitarist dont want to give out the tricks that they use.I also would like toask what kind of strings and gauge do you use.I have 2 american strats and 1 custom shop les paul,I have a 65 super reverb, a bassman, a jcm 800 head a vintage cab,and just bought a 72 reverbmaster fender cab,and I still am looking for that tone.I love blues,thanks so much, Sergio
January 1st, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Very beautiful. Your version is fantastic. I’ve been playing 30 years and know talent when I see it. I got to meet the man, Live Alive Tour 1987 I think-he was fresh out of rehab and very determined. He was very humble, when introduced (I won a radio contest) he shook my hand and then my girlfriend went to shake his hand-he took it and kissed the back of her hand-True Texas Gentleman. I played guitar and was not good at all, I sure wih I could have “jammed with him”.
Thanks for the video and website….I sure wish they had this stuff when I first started playing, it would have saved a lot of scratched records.
Joe
December 29th, 2007 at 7:17 pm
Man thats incredible thanks for giving your tricks.
I build a supercustom strat (not me but a friend luthier) made from swamp hash for the body, curly maple for the neck ant brasilian rosewood for the fingerboard (fully hand made). The headcut is 70’s style and I’m lefty. Thanks for your seggestions; the Lindy Fralin pickups I will check (but I realy love the muy grande torq). I dream of when I will try this beauty… 2 or 3 month to go!
You sound like a tons of bricks! Youre site is now a reference for me!