(***Note November 2017 I have recently undertaken a retrospective review after owning the Blues Junior for 5 years! You can read the review here)So I thought it was about time that I wrote a review of the Fender Blues Junior III Tweed (video review to follow!). So here is a quick overview of this fantastic little amp!So I have been gigging this amp for nearly 8 months now...and wow. How many watts? 15...how loud? Loud enough for sure!! (I should add that it is used mic'd up and I have a monitor). I honestly think this is one of the best sounding amps I have ever owned. The biggest plus point for me is that even thought it is tiny it packs a real punch, it is lightweight but doesn't compromise on tone and...it fits perfectly in my very small car boot! (trunk for you guys in the US).When I purchased the Blues Junior, I spent a long time comparing the BJ III Tweed with the standard BJ III in the shop, and kept trying each one to see which suited my needs, I was able to play with considerable volume which really helped. I think that the addition of the Jensen speaker is what makes a HUGE difference to this amp. I loved the Standard blues junior but the Tweed version had edge for sure. The other fantastic thing about this amp is that you can get a fantastic clean sound from it and with this clean tone the addition of pedals sounds fantastic. A simple boost pedal give a lovely on the edge Blues tone, the Suhr Riot pedal I have gives a fantastic Plexi sound and the Overdrive in the Nova System gives me the Blues rock in the middle of the two extremes!As you can tell I am very happy with this amp. I use the amp on a ULTIMATE MUSIC GS200 GUITAR STAND which gets the amp off the floor and pointed at my head, and I would recommend this to every guitarist. If you plonk and amp on the floor and expect to hear what the audience hear you will be very surprised, you will end up adding loads of mid and high frequencies to compensate, resulting in the front row getting a headache. Angle up and lower the volume. It can compete with a drummer, but...and this is a but!! It does break up at around 3-4 on the volume control, now I personally like the sound of that breakup, it is perfect for me at that level, but...you might want to consider the Hot Rod Deluxe III, for example if you want ample clean headroom. Remember this is just 15 watts!!Pros

• Sound
• Size
• Weight
• Sound
• Looks really cool and retro
• It works fantastically with the TC Nova system in the front end. In fact the Nova drive takes it to another level.
• The Suhr Riot pedal seems to be a match made in heaven!

Cons

• Foot-switch jack is in a stupid, stupid postion and really hard to get to
• Foot-switch wasn't included, so had to buy one
• Okay so it doesn't have that much clean headroom, but hey it is 15 Watts!
• No effects loop? I am not too bothered, but some might be

Okay, I think the point of this review is to also admit that as a total Marshall head growing up I never even gave Fender a chance, but I actually now believe that the sound in my head for so long is that of a Fender amp for rock, blues and clean. If I were back in a metal band then maybe not...(but maybe..... as adding the Suhr Riot really does do a convincing Bon Jovi hair metal type sound!). I think I must be growing up!!EnjoyPeaceNeilSaveSave