Fender Blues Jr. USA Made vs. Mexico

[Vibrolucky]

I have an opportunity to buy a Blues Jr., Made in USA amp for around $350, it's in Mint condition. I read on the internet all the creme board vs green board stuff. Other than the fact most people (including me) assume that the "made in usa" will hold its value more are there really any differences?


Thanks in advance!~

[StratoKing]

I've owned both...
I haven't opened up the chassis so I don't know about the boards.
However in terms of the sound, I couldn't hear any difference. I sold both at the same price, I believe.

[roknfnrol]

I too cannot tell a difference. I currently own a green board version. I don't use the reverb on it.

[Boytbpc]

I had the old Blues Junior. Loved it. Only sold it because I had too.

[aaronbarnes]

<armageddon> "Russian components....American components......All made in Taiwan!!!!!!!! <\Armageddon>

[Billm]

There doesn't appear to be any difference between the US and Mexican Blues Juniors on the used market. The green board/US models are darker/warmer sounding, although the reverb sucks. The cream board is brighter and the reverb is controlled by the master volume, as it should be.

Each amp has its own benefits as a modding platform, too. The green board retains a warm, round flavor. The cream board has a simpler layout, so it's much easier to add a cathode follower tone stack driver or switch the output tubes to 6V6s.

[Deville2Rocket]

Mexican Blues Juniors are made by Mexicans, in Mexico.
American Blues Juniors are made by Mexicans in Corona, CA. :aok

[OnlyVees]

There doesn't appear to be any difference between the US and Mexican Blues Juniors on the used market. The green board/US models are darker/warmer sounding, although the reverb sucks. The cream board is brighter and the reverb is controlled by the master volume, as it should be.

Each amp has its own benefits as a modding platform, too. The green board retains a warm, round flavor. The cream board has a simpler layout, so it's much easier to add a cathode follower tone stack driver or switch the output tubes to 6V6s.

You say that like you've modded like 1,000 of these things... :phones

[w302nv]

Mexican Blues Juniors are made by Mexicans, in Mexico.
American Blues Juniors are made by Mexicans in Corona, CA. :aok

An interesting tid bit....sounds like as far back as the early 70's Fenders were at least partially made in Mexico.

http://www.superchamp.dk/papers/dating_fender_tube_amps.htm

"Another really interesting fact was that he recalled that the eyelet boards were loaded/wired/soldered in Mexico! "I remember the circuit boards were pre-made, from Mexico, easy to screw into the chassis. Same with the little rectifier boards. When we had filled our cart we'd wheel it over to the Chicano chicks. They were something to behold, all chatting away while soldering so quickly, it didn't hardly seem like they were looking at the amps. After that the foreman would add the tubes, turn 'em on and set the bias."