Ibanez TSA15 and Fender Blues Junior

[Joevyn]

Hi guys! Having a huge headache deciding on which amp to get. Heading out to try both of them soon, but i just want
to get a general opinion of the 2 amps above. I know for a fact that the blues junior will most likely sound better, but the fact that it's more expensive and doesnt have the 15/5w switching worries me cause i play mostly at home. I'm currently using a fender american special tele and a Rally gl-300.

So thoughts on the above 2 amplifiers are greatly appreciated. it would be cool if you could tell me where are the place with the best prices! Thanks alot in advance!

 

[subversion]

Why would a Blues Jr 'sound better'? Curious...

 

[Joevyn]

Why would a Blues Jr 'sound better'? Curious...

I mean just the mindset of paying more and the "fender" name on it.

 

[CyanideJunkie]

Unless the Blues Jr is the tweed version, I recommend sticking with the TSA15 instead.

 

[Joevyn]

Unless the Blues Jr is the tweed version, I recommend sticking with the TSA15 instead.

Oh thanks alot for your reply! have heard about the tweed versions being better than the black tolex ones. Now do you think there would be a perceivable difference in tone between the tsa15 vs it's head and cab version? Thanks alot!

 

[relinquish69]

my take is that it depends on what kinda music you play. for more modern sounds, the Ibanez would be a better choice. The blues junior has an old school sound only because it does not have a presence knob.

IMO just try out as many amps that are within you budget as possible. don't narrow limit your choices.

 

[CyanideJunkie]

my take is that it depends on what kinda music you play. for more modern sounds, the Ibanez would be a better choice. The blues junior has an old school sound only because it does not have a presence knob.

IMO just try out as many amps that are within you budget as possible. don't narrow limit your choices.

Spot on, spot on.

@Joevyn: Tell you what, why don't you tell us what kind of sounds you're after? Maybe we can point out some other possible options that you may have missed.

 

[subversion]

I mean just the mindset of paying more and the "fender" name on it.

exactly. we tend to give a product too much respect by virtue of its brand name. many of us are easily swayed this way.

 

[Joevyn]

Spot on, spot on.

@Joevyn: Tell you what, why don't you tell us what kind of sounds you're after? Maybe we can point out some other possible options that you may have missed.

Alright, you guys have a really good point too. The tone im trying to chase is the fender-y type tone with the hint of overdrive that a tubescreamer achieves. Basically, the SRV tone, sparkling cleans and mid-rangey drive

 

[CyanideJunkie]

Well the TSA15 will definitely get you that Tubescreamer sound, seeing that it has a built-in TS circuit. You could also consider trying the VHT Special 6; its cleans are very much in the Blackface territory.

 

[Joevyn]

Well the TSA15 will definitely get you that Tubescreamer sound, seeing that it has a built-in TS circuit. You could also consider trying the VHT Special 6; its cleans are very much in the Blackface territory.

Thank you very much for your reply! will definitely try as many amps as possible. One thing that worries me of the special 6 is the lack of eq-adjustments since it's a single tone knob. What i usually do is crank the mids on the amp and back of the treble to get the tone im used too. am i able to achieve that with a single tone knob?

 

[CyanideJunkie]

Well, different amp circuits with different tone stacks will respond differently. The amp's natural midrange might end up suiting you perfectly for all you know. You should bring your gear down and try it out for yourself. Remember, tone is ALWAYS subjective.