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Hello jazz guitar community, I have recently just started playing and studying jazz and I will be participating in a jazz ensemble this fall. While I am excited I find myself faced with one issue, what amp to get? I have the option of choosing between a Fender Blues jr, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, or an old Fender Princeton. I will be using the amp for practice and jamming (in an apartment) as well as for the jazz ensemble. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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07-21-2017 10:51 PM
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Roland jazz amp
Originally Posted by tlbender3
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How old is it? Is it in good condition and have the old power supply caps been replaced with modern caps? If so, and you like how it sounds I'd lean toward that. If it's a non-reverb model you'll probably want a pedal.
EDIT: I forgot to say I'm referring to the Princeton here. I assumed "old" meant it was a tube amp.Last edited by KirkP; 07-22-2017 at 06:11 PM.
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You can buy them new or there's a smaller 2x10 version . They are solid state so you don't have to worry about tubes and that fun jazz. I've never played one but it does peak my interest. Right now I'm using an vintage mesa boogie with a 15" speaker. I could probably get some jazzy tones out if it if I tried Originally Posted by KirkP
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Out of those choices, I would opt for the old Princeton. In fact, I own an old Princeton and sometimes use it professionally in a quintet. That said, Princetons are not the most powerful amps on the planet. An extension cabinet and a boost pedal might come in handy with a loud drummer. Originally Posted by tlbender3
Welcome to the world of jazz guitar!
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Which is not any of the amps the OP mentioned. He has "the option of choosing between a Fender Blues jr, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, or an old Fender Princeton." Let's not start throwing in our favorites (in my case a tweed Deluxe or a Clarus 2r/Raezer's Edge cab) because the OP simply may not have any other choices besides those three. Originally Posted by silvertonebetty
Between the three mentioned by the OP, the Princeton appeals to me most. The Blues Jr is probably the poorest choice of the three IMHO, because it has little clean headroom and you'll have to get loud enough to be heard and stay clean to play in a jazz ensemble. The HRD can work well for jazz, you may need to do a minor tube switch to get it cleaner. Doesn't George Benson use these now? Also probably the loudest of the three. But the Princeton- assuming we are talking a tube model and not the various solid-state Princetons that Fender has put out at different times- will have the classic Fender sound. So in order of preference, for me:
1. Princeton
2. Hot Rod Deluxe
3. Blues Jr.
If you have a chance to audition them with your guitar and the ensemble, that would be the best way to tell.Last edited by Cunamara; 07-21-2017 at 11:49 PM.
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I find the Blues Jr plenty loud and plenty clean enough.
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Hello everyone thank you for you replies! The Princeton is an old solid state one and I currently have a solid state amp so I was more leaning towards a tube amp because I like the sound of them quite a bit. Sadly I don't have the chance to audition them with the ensemble. I do have a friend who plays jazz locally that uses a HRD so I could ask him why he made that choice.
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Ah! The solid state Princeton! Is it this one?
Actually not a bad amp, but not nearly as much power as a Hot Rod Deluxe. Now I am not a big fan of the Hot Rod Deluxe. Those deliver a nice clean tone on lower volumes, but when things get louder they can get harsh and boomy (lot of vatiables there: guitar used, tubes used, bias setting of the amp). And perhaps also important: forget about transporting it by public transport. So if you don't own a car, take portability also in consideration.
Blues Jr: 15 watts don't deliver an awful lot of clean headroom, so if your jazz ensemble plays on the loud side you should expect some 'hair' on your tone: it will start to distort.
May I ask why you only have these amps as an option and why not more? No possibility to order online for example?
If I didn't have any amp I would order the Award Session BluesBaby 45 (Award-Session website, BluesBaby 22, BluesBaby 45, Guitar Amp, Session) not tube, but the best tube-sounding solid state I know, with extra benefit of being portable and not needing tube amp maintenance.....
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Thank you for the info, I will definitely check that out! The Princeton is a chorus from the 2000's I believe I am not sure the exact year.
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If going to be playing all styles besides Jazz in a variety of situations I would get the Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, a little on the heavy side. Change the pre-amp tube then it's like the George Benson Fender. I love and old Princeton, but they be a bit too gritty if you need to turn it up to keep up with a full band, plus old amp maintenance $$$.
If me I would go for a head and a couple speaker cab's to cover different situations. A head and speaker cab offers a lot of flexibility.
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Ill look into the Hot Rod Deluxe with different tubes for starters, do you know what kind of pre amp tube is in the George Benson model?
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I also have the option to get a Fender Blues Deluxe and I have heard these are similar to the HRD's but with a few differences in tone. Does anyone know much about these?
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This article explains the differences. I had a one of these amps and it was nice, but a bit on the bright side for my taste, but the guy I sold it to loves it. Originally Posted by tlbender3
Fender Introduces George Benson Signature Hot Rod Deluxe
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I have used the HRD at modest volume in a quintet and thought it sounded terrific. But, it's quite heavy. I never had the occasion to play it very loud, and I noticed another poster didn't like it loud.
My guess is you can't make a bad choice among these three.
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Why folks think the Roland is a great jazz guitar amp is a mystery to me. Just because it's called Jazz Chorus?
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In another thread someone posted a clip of Ron Jackson playing a 1999 Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. I'm very impressed by the sound, but don't know how much of it is result of the guitar/pickup combination. As docbop points out the FHRD is on the heavy side, so if you have to haul it around a lot maybe not the best idea (unless you are young, strong and idealistic ;-).
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But none of those are jazz amps and all them tube amps suck. Don't get me wrong I love my mesa but there is so much upkeep to them Originally Posted by Cunamara
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Disagree. Originally Posted by silvertonebetty
MD
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I don't mean sucks like they aren't any good. Lol they are like a car you are always fixing something. My favourite amp is between an vox ac30 2x12 and fender 2x12 tube . Just the are not cheap to keep up Originally Posted by mad dog
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i 've had tube amps for decades and have found them very reliable. You just have to be a bit more careful with transportation than with ss amps. From these three, i 'd say the Hod Rod Deluxe is the safest bet, classic fender sound and enough headroom for everything. Easy to sell also if/when you want to move on. Only minus is the portability really. Just get a tube amp, play it for some time and discover for yourself what the tube amp fuss is about. There 's a reason we still carry them to this day of 10 pounds giggable ss amps
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I like solid state amps too. Had a couple Quilters, and an old Lab Series L3 I should still have. They can be real fine. Problem for me is, invariably, as they sit next to a couple favorite tube amps, I get to comparing them. Solid state always loses. Sometimes not by much, but still. There is a depth and tonal character I hear in good tube amps I don't hear as much of in SS. The L3 was the closest. I'll keep trying. Would love to track down an old Polytone MB IV, for example. I'll find one yet that does something I can't do without.
Meantime, tube amps can be a PITA with maintenance. Which is something I forget all about when playing them, because they can sound so wonderful.
MD
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I am with you! It's not the worst amp but it's not my first choice either. Many non-jazz-guitarists believe that jazz guitarists don't really care for amps as long as they are clean and not heavy in weight. Originally Posted by henryrobinett
From my experience you often waste your time if you want advice from staff in a store when you're interested in an amp for jazz. And since the Roland says Jazz Chorus it is mostly their first offer.
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I've owned the HRD and the BJr. The HRD does a nice jazz sound. Heavy buggers though. Lots of them around and a fresh set of JJs didn't hurt. Buy a dolly.
I've had several BJrs. Pretty loud but break up pretty quickly. Not an inherently jazzy sounding amp.
Fender made a dozen inexpensive SS amps and labeled them all "Princeton". Hit and miss.
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