The Gretsch Pages: Discussions: Other Amps: Blues Junior Owners

Blues Junior Owners - Ruby Reverb upgrade!

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- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 29, 2008 3:25 p.m. TyPierce:

You guys may already know about this mod, but I just swapped out the stock tank in my Blues Junior for the Ruby reverb tank, and it sounds awesome!

I did a bit of horsetrading recently and moved from my Peavey Classic to the Blues Junior. I was running a DigiVerb for reverb with the Peavey, and while I liked the overall tone of the BJr's spring verb better, it was a bit lacking in the depth department. I'm planning to trade up to a DRRI, Pro Reverb or Twin towards the end of this year, but I figured if I could squeeze some more space out of the BJr in the meantime it'd be worth a try.

Was it ever! The Ruby tank opened up the reverb in a big way. Deepened it quite a bit and gave it more dimension. To my ear, it seems to have warmed it up a little, too, but since I haven't had a chance to really crank the volume with the new tank yet I can't say that for sure.

I've heard (read) a lot of guys complaining that the Jr's reverb is too thin, too shallow, etc. Obviously this tank swap isn't going to put you into 3-knob territory - or even get you in the ballpark of the tube-driven circuits in the Deluxe and Twin - but it does go a long way towards addressing those complaints. A very healthy jump up from the stock sound.

The Ruby tank is a direct drop in and couldn't be any simpler to do - four screws, swap over the two RCA cables for send/return and your done. It's not even a one beer job. Mojo currently has them in stock for $25 plus shipping, plus it's completely reversible if it doesn't please your ears.

Ruby Tubes Reverb Tank - 3EB2C1B Fender 3-Spring

I'll post an update after I can run it through the wringer next week at practice, but initial impressions are more than favorable!

Has anyone else done this to their BJr?
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 10:25 a.m. Mark Synchro:

TyPierce said: Has anyone else done this to their BJr?
Not yet, but on the strength of your recommendation I just ordered one.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 10:31 a.m. Mark Synchro:

I think I'll also try the Twin-stack mod soon. I want to make it switchable but the idea of a Twin-style tone stack really appeals to me.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 30, 2008 9:46 p.m. TyPierce:

There's a man who's not messing around!

Hopefully it'll suit your ears as well as it has mine. It looks like Mojo's return policy is pretty reasonable, so worst case you could always wrap it back up and send it back. I'm guessing that based on our past surf-related conversations, you'll dig having the extra depth on tap.

That Twin mod looks interesting! If I was planning to keep the BJr long term I might give that mod a try - only problem is, I'm scared witless at the prospect of digging around in the innards of a tube amp!

Let me know what you think about the Ruby tank. When I got mine in, it made me wish I had a decent recording setup to do some before/after clips because that's the one thing I couldn't find when researching it before ordering mine.
- Rated: 27 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:14 a.m. Jimbodiddley:

Thanks for that Ty. That looks interesting. I don't mind my BJ's reverb that much, but it does seem to lack some depth. Plus mine gets very glassy sounding at higher levels. Is that typical?
- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 10:41 a.m. wenzel:

I just put a 3 spring accutronics tank in my blues deluxe re-issue and also like it a lot more. The stock tank was a two spring with a long decay and I like the medium delay wetter sound better. Can we hear a sound clip of it?
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 12:45 p.m. TyPierce:

Jimbo: I'm not qualified to answer your question on getting glassy, as I've only had the amp for a couple weeks and haven't been able to push it yet. That'll change with this Thursday's practice, so I'll make a mental note to listen out for that with the new tank. I'm really interested to hear how the reverb will hold up in a band setting - if it gets lost in the mix or stays right with the guitar tone. Hopefully the latter!

One thing I like is that, so far, it doesn't seem to dilute my guitar's tone as much. Much as I love the sound of an outboard tank, sometimes I feel like the reverb starts to take over and become more "present" than the actual guitar, if that makes sense. That's partially why I'm beginning to think I may be more of a "tube-driven reverb in a combo amp" kind of guy, despite the heavy surf leanings...

Wenz: I wish I had a recording method that would do it justice! With this tank swap especially, I really wish I could've done some simple before/after stuff, simply because I haven't found any clips out there from someone who's done the swap. I'm keeping the stock one for the time being, so maybe I can do a post facto shootout between the two.

It's funny, because your "tank swap success story" is what pushed me over the edge on doing mine! Seems to be working out for both of us so far!

A note on the Ruby - When I pulled the stock tank, I was surprised to find that it's actually a 3-spring, as well. This made me temporarily skeptical about the added benefit of the Ruby, inexpensive though it was, because side-by-side they look a lot alike. Minor construction differences, but the meat and potatoes are the same recipe.

Thankfully, my ears found out my eyes were mislead!
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 12:56 p.m. Mark Synchro:

There's plenty of reasons to be careful about digging around inside a tube amp but it can be done safely. My 2004 Blues Jr came with bleeder resistors and the caps discharge soon after it's turned off. I still verify this by checking the DC voltage on either side of the filter caps before I work on it.

The Twin Stack mod is literally a single piece of wire across on tone pot so it's about as simple as a mod can get. I've thought of adding a switch on the bottom panel (where the speaker output jack is) so that I can switch back and forth.
- Rated: 4 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 7:24 p.m. ladyscaglyc:

I got the Ruby through TorresEngineering and for a few more $$s the bag, too. Can't even describe the difference it made! The Jr has now been out to almost every gig (miked in some venues) and the HRDeluxe has been left in the equipment truck. Someday I'll get into the BillM mods but right now it was the first "update" without breaking out the gun. For under $50.US, it's well worth it.

s/Vin
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 8:30 p.m. Mark Synchro:

ladyscaglyc said: Someday I'll get into the BillM mods but right now it was the first "update" without breaking out the gun.
If you want a breakdown of some of the Bill M mods take a look at this page, about 2/3 of the way down. I describe my modified Blues Jr and some of the reasons I went for it.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 9:01 p.m. TyPierce:

That's right - I forgot to mention the tank bag from Torres! Thanks for bringing that up, LadyScaglyc! Glad to hear another glowing review for the tank swap... mine ears do not deceive me, it seems!

Have you tried it with/without the bag to see what kind of difference the bag makes? For $10, I guess I might as well just order the bag from Torres and find out fer myself, yeah?

Mark: My BJr is a 2007 or 08, so I'll have to check into these bleeder resistors you speak of. That could make some of the simpler mods worth looking into...

Also, I had a chance to turn it up a bit this afternoon, and I found myself actually turning the reverb down for once! I'll still give a more complete report after practice this week, but rolling it from 12 back to 9 or 10 was a nice problem to have!
- Rated: 4 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 9:31 p.m. ladyscaglyc:

Ty, me too! I was gonna mention about turning the reverb down, but I really thought you guys would think I was full of it. Well it's true. The 3 spring does look the same but the spring configuration isn't- there's gotta be something w/that.

That is a great review about the mods, Mark. I'm considering that route, too. (I really don't belong on the inside of a chassis!) Do you recall how much it cost to have them do it?

s/Vin
- Rated: 115 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 9:35 p.m. wenzel:

Ty, I'm glad I inspired you and that it is working out so well for at least both of us!!! Everytime I play my fender amp now, I'm amazed at how awesome the reverb tank sounds. It's like a totally different amp! I did install a Weber beam blocker in my blues deluxe to kill the really high frequencies from splitting your ear drums. The amp sounds even better than it did before!

I still want to hear your sound clips. I'll try and post one of mine tomorrow. I won't be doing a before and after, but at least I'll do an after clip...

Chris
- Rated: 83 ↑
Aug 31, 2008 11:14 p.m. Mark Synchro:

ladyscaglyc said: I'm considering that route, too. (I really don't belong on the inside of a chassis!) Do you recall how much it cost to have them do it?
Bill Machrone does these as a hobby. I sent him my amp chassis and he did all of the work including the price of a new output transformer and the presence control for $200. That was a few years back but I'm sure his prices will be fair.

You can reach him through his site and I have links to Bill M's site in my web site.
- Rated: 1 ↑
Sep 1, 2008 6:30 p.m. Rasputan:

Mark,,, What does the twin stack option do ???

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<><> Rasputan <><>
- Rated: 4 ↑
Sep 2, 2008 10:09 p.m. ladyscaglyc:

Thanks Mark, as soon as the gigs slow down, and the dollars go up, I hope to call upon BillM. The guy I play with uses a DrZ and we have a cool time talking amps. So the very next "mod" is a Weber Beam Blocker. and the Zs gonna get one as soon as we hear it on the Jr.

Way Pro on the site, Mark.

s/Vin
- Rated: 19 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 12:27 p.m. TyPierce:

Follow-up: I was able to open the BJr/Ruby combo up a bit at practice last week, and it definitely holds water!

I didn't get to crank the Master Volume as high as I'd hoped, but the reverb sounded just as nice as it did at lower volumes. I found myself settling in around 9 or 10 to retain a bit more punch, but I did run it all the way up to 12 for a particularly Spaghetti Western-inspired number we do.

I'm still just amazed at the difference this $30 swap made to an amp that was already a great value. I've been hoping to trade up to a DRRI or Pro Reverb this winter for more serious gig duty, but now I may just stick with the Ruby-ized BJr for a while and roll those funds into a Telecaster.

Mark - I read in another post that you were expecting your Ruby tank this week. Have you had a chance to swap and listen yet? I'm interested to hear your impressions on it - particularly in comparison to the Twin you also have.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 4:19 p.m. Mark Synchro:

Rasputan said: Mark,,, What does the twin stack option do ???

Basically, it alters the amount of mids that are default to the amp. Stock, the amp has a certain amount of mid-range even if the mids control is all the way to the left. With this mod the mid control would have to be at 4 to accomplish this. If you turn the mids control all the way up you still get just as much mid-range. A Twin is wired similarly, hence the name.

TyPierce said: Mark - I read in another post that you were expecting your Ruby tank this week. Have you had a chance to swap and listen yet? I'm interested to hear your impressions on it - particularly in comparison to the Twin you also have.

I finally got it last night but I had too much going on to install it yet. I hope to tonight. It looks well made.
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 9, 2008 11:19 p.m. Mark Synchro:

What a DIFFERENCE!

What, a difference?

Indeed, there is a lot of difference. The stock reverb is nothing special, on the weak side of normal and seemed to saturate by the time it was turned much past 4. The new reverb has a lot more depth, sounds more interesting and complex. One thing that I noticed right away was that the reverb held together even when turned all the way up to 12.
- Rated: 19 ↑
Sep 11, 2008 10:33 p.m. TyPierce:

Awesome! Glad to hear you like it, Mark!

I seem to be settling in around 9 or 10 for most songs, but I'll turn it to 12 when the mood strikes me to really get spacey.

The added depth was what first struck me, but the more I play it, the more I'm coming to appreciate the more subtle improvements - texture, timbre, what have you - which just puts it completely over the moon in my book.

So... will you be selling your Twin any time soon?
- Rated: 83 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 8:50 a.m. Mark Synchro:

Ty Pierce said: The added depth was what first struck me, but the more I play it, the more I'm coming to appreciate the more subtle improvements - texture, timbre, what have you - which just puts it completely over the moon in my book.
I know what you mean, the depth is incredible. I can actually get a subtle slapback effect from it. It's nothing highly useable but I've never heard such a thing from a spring reverb before.

Ty Pierce said: So... will you be selling your Twin any time soon?

Only under severe duress. I love the Twin and with an E-E baritone guitar in the herd I need something with that much raw power on tap. One of my other projects is to put the Twin in a piggyback cabinet-set and you can bet that there will be a Ruby reverb tank in the bottom of the speaker cab.
- Rated: 93 ↑
Sep 13, 2008 9:06 a.m. Pappy:

You guys are making me want a Blues Junior even more...
- Rated: 4 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 12:50 a.m. ladyscaglyc:

I just installed the Weber Beam Blocker in the Jr. Now, Saturday night's gig will be the test. A $20.USD "mod" to mix-in the highs from the stock Fender speaker has got to be pretty cool.

(Pappy, I'm havin' a lot of fun w/this amp- it sure reminds me of the vintage Fender sound- w/ a lot less weight, size & Master Volume.)

s/Vin
- Rated: 20 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 1:49 a.m. TAG4:

I must be the only one here who's never heard of a Ruby Reverb Tank!!?? Fill me in! Are they replacements for factory reverbs OR can you add one to an amp with no reverb? How much trouble are they to install? How much do they cost (ball park figure)?

Thanks, Tom
- Rated: 66 ↑
Sep 19, 2008 8:39 a.m. Walter Broes:

Tom, yes, this thread is about a replacement reverb pan that's stocked and distributed by the Ruby Tubes Company, and works for Blues Junior amps. Installing it is as easy as unplugging and unscrewing the old pan, and replacing it with the new one - easier than changing strings on a Bigsby equipped guitar.

They're not reverb units or circuits you can add to other amps though, they're a replacement part for amps with IC-driven reverb circuitry already in place.