gmacleod15
161 posts
Jun 23, 2012
6:44 AM
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I know some think that this amp is not the best for harp, but it is what I have so I am always looking for easy/cheap ways to make it more harp friendly. Like most others I have put a lower gain tube in and did the tone stack mod (see BillM).
Recently I read an article by Skip Simmons about removing (or just snipping one side of) the C3 cap. He says this removes some of the brightness associated with this amp.
I would like to know if any forum members have tried this mod and if so is it worth a try?
You can find the artilce here:
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/tip_o_decade_worlds_easiest_mod_blues_junior
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2012 6:45 AM
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5F6H
1249 posts
Jun 23, 2012
7:31 AM
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I don't own a Blues Jr, but Skip's logic is, of course, sound. This would also be one of my suggestions for tweaks to a BJ.
However, there is one serious issue regarding using resistor or cap numbers when discussing BJ mods - There is more than one BJ schem/circuit board and "C3" performs very different functions depending on which version we are discussing. Don't panic, snipping either of the C3's will not result in any damage to the amp, both caps might be considered "optional"...but I wouldn't go straight in & chop out both caps.
The cap Skip is talking about is a 1kV or 500v "100pf" ceramic disc cap. Stock, it is like having a BF amp with the bright switch on, or using the bright channel on a bassman...removing it gives you more of the Fender "Normal" channel tone.
The "other" C3 is a 47uf 16v cap (cathode bypass), probably dark blue with a pale blue strip down its length, waisted at one end, about a centimetre long & cylindrical. I'd do the ceramic disc cap mod first...save this one for later.
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arnenym
53 posts
Jun 23, 2012
7:32 AM
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I've done it.
It be better but it's still a stiff blues junior. I would rather sell it and buy another and better amp.
If you want to try it i will warn you.
On my schematic C3 is the cathode bypass cap and C2 is the bright cap...
You will see the difference easy. The bypass cap is a little can and the bright cap is a brown disc.
Edit. OOOOP Mark was faster.
Last Edited by on Jun 23, 2012 7:33 AM
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5F6H
1250 posts
Jun 23, 2012
7:34 AM
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Simulpost! :-)
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gmacleod15
162 posts
Jun 23, 2012
8:22 AM
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ask a question...go do the dishes and "voila" an answer arrives! what a great place!
Thanks to both.
I think I'll try it and let you know. I know there are better amps but while I am hunting for that "special one" I'll keep working with this one. I got the amp cheap and the only mod work that has cost me any money is a Weber signature alnico speaker. The speaker helped to warm the sound of the amp and reduced feedback potential.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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gmacleod15
163 posts
Jun 24, 2012
12:48 PM
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On my 2003 BJ, C3 is the brown disk. I do like the new sound better. It is not a drastic change which I like.
For those who may consider this, during the clipping of one side I damagaed the disk a bit as it was attached very close to the board (brown stuff flaked off). However I probably will not reconnect it anyway unless I sell it. If I have the board out for another reason I may put in a switch so there is a choice whether to have it on or not.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Last Edited by on Jun 24, 2012 12:49 PM
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SullyNJ
1 post
Jun 25, 2012
12:12 PM
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ALL YOU NEED ARE BETTER TUBES and a LONE WOLF HARP TONE, I have a well used 99 black one and the pedal is the single best thing I have heard.
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5F6H
1253 posts
Jun 25, 2012
12:47 PM
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Well, "better" tubes are always better & I'm sure that the LW Harp Tone does a great job, but neither can remove that cap from the circuit -if it's there, it's there...if you prefer the sound of the amp without a bright cap, then no bright cap, better tubes & a LW HT will sound better still.
Plus the cap mod is free & takes 10 minutes of anyone's time if they can read and weald a screwdriver & pair of side cutters.
DON'T SHOUT unless it's important, we're not deaf.
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tmf714
1146 posts
Jun 25, 2012
1:02 PM
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If thats the Sully I think it is,best take his advice .
The man knows those amps better than most,as far as using them for harmonica goes.
Last Edited by on Jun 25, 2012 1:28 PM
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arnenym
55 posts
Jun 25, 2012
2:13 PM
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I've tried to do descent harp mod on 3 BJ's.
One green and two cream coloured boards.
Cutting the brightcap is the best mod.
BJ works very good with harp tone+ but even better with a Lonewolf Harp Octave pedal.
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gmacleod15
164 posts
Jun 25, 2012
6:05 PM
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I can count on one hand the live blues harp players that I've heard...however one of them plays through a BJ with a LW harp tone pedal. He is a 30+ year player and plays for pay. I play for fun.
To my ear I am able to get a better sound with mine using a boss equilizer, boss digital delay and the weber speaker. If I use a boss blues driver as well I get a sound that approaches the BJ with LW pedal.
I prefer the sound without the blues driver on my rig.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
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