Fender Blues Junior - Muddy Sound

[rpjazzguitar]

Simple test: You clap your hands sharply. You don't want to hear any echo.

If there is an echo, you may want to eliminate it. Soft surfaces like carpet and drapes help with higher frequencies. Lower frequencies are harder to eliminate. You can go as far as something called a "bass trap" in the corners.

[omphalopsychos]

You said you have no problem in bigger rooms. Do you use that same amp in bigger rooms? Maybe it's just a bad amp.

The other group I regularly play with is not a fair comparison. Bigger room and I plug into a Fender Twin.


The small room is carpeted, but to make room for everyone, I tend to hang out in the corner. With an open back in the blues jr, I'm realizing this may be contributing to the reflections. I'm going to try the bud tonight and report back.

[coolvinny]

You don't mention what guitar and pickup you are using. That is pretty important information.

If you're using an archtop with mounted humbucker, consider the Lollar Charlie Christian HB size - it is much more clear than humbuckers IMO and can help bring clarity to muddy situations. I still prefer humbuckers overall but in one of my guitars I feel the Lollar CC HB size is the clear winner.

Having said that, the one time I plugged this guitar with Lollar CC into a Fender amp, I found the tone too bright. I could have probably eq'd it out but it was a performance situation and I didn't have time to fiddle. Usually brightness is easy enough to tame.

[Jehu]

I got stuck playing through one particular BJ, it really sucked with hum buckers.

The BJ on the other side of the stage was bright and beautiful.

I've played through some great BJ's.

Say what?

[omphalopsychos]

Some BJs are better than others. Nobody can deny that. In high school I was convinced that all BJs were amazing.

[omphalopsychos]

For the record I did say what guitar I was playing but it was a few posts down. It’s a Grez Mendocino (the first one ever built, to be precise), a thinline carved hollow with no f holes. The pickups are 1960s teisco good foil. The signal is like a fatter, more acoustically present telecaster sound. It’s thick but not as rich in the low mids and bass as an arch top. It is the most gig-optimal of my guitars, and I can’t give it enough praise. The guitar is definitely not the problem in this situation.

[JazzNote]

I strongly doubt that any pedal could help except for an EQ. If i was in this situation i'd place the amp in a position close enough to my ears so that i'd hear my own sound direct and keep it at a volume which would not ruin my hearing (though i hate it when some of the other band members can't really hear me)

[mr. beaumont]

12 by 20 room and the bassist is amplifying?

My living room is that size.

Jesus. Buy the drummer some "hot rods" and turn everything DOWN.

[omphalopsychos]

Well today the trumpet player didn’t come, so the whole band was actually quieter, including the drummer. Also, I brought the Bud, put it on a chair and pointed it to my head. Everything was clear as a bell and man the bud really sounded incredible. Everyone complimented the sound I was getting. I’ve got my nocturne brain el pescadero as a preamp / reverb in front and it just sounds wonderful. My whole rig fits comfortably in the trunk of my little hatchback.

[oldane]

12 by 20 room and the bassist is amplifying?

My living room is that size.

Jesus. Buy the drummer some "hot rods" and turn everything DOWN.

This.

There's a story about Count Basie instructing a new trumpet player. I may have told it before, but anyway:

Basie: "Whatever happens, always follow Freddie Green."
Trumpeter: "But what if I can't hear him?"
Basie: "Then you play too loud."