1994 Fender Pro Junior

• AlNiCo 10″ Eminence blue framed 8-ohm speaker
• 15 watts

The American made “Hot Rod” series tube guitar amplifiers hit the shops around 1993. Not long after, Fender stopped producing the tweed model in favour of plain black tolex, most likely to keep down productions costs, and switched to a ceramic speaker.

I purchased this from my friend Jef Smith in New York. Incredibly simple, its controls comprising nothing more than an on/off switch, a volume knob, and a tone knob. It contains a pair of 12AX7 tubes, one used as a two-stage preamp, and the other as a phase splitter to drive the pair of push-pull EL84 output valves, providing a remarkable amount of poke for a small amp. Notable players include Jeff Beck and Derek Trucks. Kind of a one-trick pony, but it does that trick very well. Louder than you think it will be. Excellent recording amp.