Do you need the best tubes for Fender Blues Jr? You’re in the right place.
What are we looking for? It’s a set of three matched 12AX7 preamp tubes and two EL84 power tubes. “A set” doesn’t mean you need all tubes from one manufacturer (you can combine preamp tubes from Tung-Sol and power ones from JJ, for example, and we actually recommend that) but “matched” is a rather important feature.
There is one more question before we start. How often to replace tubes in Blues Jr? It depends on how often you use your amplifier. We are talking about a 6-24 time period if you use your amp regularly. After that, tubes get worn out and your Blues Junior can’t produce high-quality sound anymore.
Usually, you can improve the original tubes’ lifespan in your amplifier by bringing down the bias setting.
However, it’s not an option for Fender Blues Junior because this setting is pre-adjusted at the factory and, alas, can’t be changed without pretty complicated manipulations. We don’t recommend that – a set of new replacement tubes will be a good solution.
Our first choice is a set of three Tung-Sol 12AX7 preamp tubes and two JJ EL84 power tubes. However, feel free to pick your own “best” combination.
Best Tubes for Fender Blues Jr – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tung-Sol Reissue 12AX7/ECC83 Tubes (Top Pick for Preamp Tubes) | Check Price |
 | Tung-Sol Reissue EL84 Vacuum Tubes | Check Price |
 | JJ ECC83s/12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tubes | Check Price |
 | JJ EL84/6BQ5 Power Vacuum Tubes (Top Pick for Power Tubes) | Check Price |
 | Mullard 12AX7/ECC83 Vacuum Tubes | Check Price |
 | Mullard EL84 Vacuum Tubes | Check Price |
1. Tung-Sol Reissue 12AX7/ECC83 Tubes (Editor’s Choice for Preamp Tubes)
Tung-Sol tubes are detailed, quite warm, and with low microphonics. You will receive authentic 3D sounds with Tung-SoI tubes. The filaments are encased within the plates, and therefore they do not light up excessively.
Features
The Tung-SoI tube has got high gain, outstanding linearity, and ultra-low microphonics. You will discover the sound of this tube quite musical and full.
You can compare the tone with leading vintage 12AX7s like Telefunken and Mullard. Precisely, it is pretty big and warm, thus offering you good linearity with dynamic 3-D sound.
It can significantly enhance the sound with a nice clean tone. You will find it quite functional and easy to use. It has emerged appropriate for re-tubing and upgrading. A 12AX preamp tube has got a gain factor of 100%. It is an ideal preamp tube that is high gain with the ideal grit for blues and blues-rock.
Pros
- It offers good performance with low noise.
- The highs are clear and clean, and the sound remains transparent
- You will get beautiful mids and stunning dynamics
- Provides good quality 3D soundstage
- It is ideal for Hifi applications
- Its performance can exceed NOS original in all the areas
Cons
- You may find them a little overpriced
If you desire a clearer, richer, and tighter tone, you may think of investing your money in Tung-SoI Reissue 12AX7 ECC83 Tubes. In our opinion, these are the best replacing preamp tubes for Fender Blues Junior.
2. Tung-Sol Reissue EL84 Vacuum Tubes
Tung-Soi Reissue EL84 Vacuum Tubes offer users sharper and fuller sounds than OEM tubes. The buyers of these tubes will get the option to purchase them singles, apex matched pairs, or apex matched quads. You will not receive any mechanical noise while using these.
Features
These tubes sound quite punchy and equipped with plenty of gains. They have become a must-have for users who have been using American amplifiers. The tubes weigh 1.58 ounces each, along with product dimensions of 3.7 inches by 2 inches by 2 inches.
They have black plates, gold grids, and carbonized screens. They have emerged popular for giving stunning headroom and creamy highs. The tubes have got a height of 2.75 inches and a diameter of .87 inches.
Pros
- The product is robust and reliable
- You will find the sound more articulate
- When you run them, you will not find any hot spots
- It is clean and clear with little more sound than before the upgrade
- It sounds good
- The tubes meet the technical requirement effectively
Cons
- Some buyers reported lousy packaging
EL84 has emerged as an outstanding option and is frequently chosen as an appropriate upgrade for any amp.
3. JJ ECC83s/12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tubes
These are the best power tubes for Fender Blues Jr available on the market at the moment.
These tubes assist you in getting appropriate quality at several frequencies. You are assured of receiving diverse low and midrange with smooth highs. The tubes have emerged ideal for varied music genres, including metal and rock.
Features
In several cases, the amplifiers will need more than one tube. You will find it to be quiet and behaved adequately as a result of the robust design.
You will get a well-balanced, colorful tone along with adequately explained lows, mids, and smooth highs. It permits additional clean headroom than higher gain.
Pros
- The tubes are appropriate for professional as well as domestic requirements
- The tubes can effectively endure longer performance sessions with any overheating issues
- You will discover the sound of the tubes permit producing vintage sound.
Cons
- The quality control from the manufacturer could have been better
If you yearn to purchase tubes that are ideal for all kinds of music and playing styles, you may invest your money in JJ ECC83s/12AX7 Preamp Vacuum Tubes. You will find it smooth and powerful.
4. JJ EL84/6BQ5 Power Vacuum Tubes (Editor’s Choice for Power Tubes)
It has emerged as an ideal alternative for your EL84. It will give you good sounding with less headroom. It implies that you will receive stunning distortion at lower volumes. The tube has emerged appropriate for bedroom guitarists. If you yearn for a silk touch, you may invest your money in these tubes.
Feature
JJ EL84 has become an appropriate replacement for guitar amps or Hi-Fis. You can find the tubes in singles, matched pairs, and matched quads. When you purchase them, you will receive a good mix of great tone along with reliability. The vacuum tubes have got quality construction with a low failure rate. The tubes can also fit into those amps that can support the EL84 format. As soon as the tube fits the amp, you will notice that the sound performance gets enhanced.
Pros
- The music remains good and smooth even at high volumes
- You will not witness any unwanted static or distortion
- The lows, mids, and highs are delivered appropriately
- The burn-in period remains short
Cons
- The tubes have emerged fragile
If you search for matched sets delivering smooth and clear sound with the right amount of gain, you may buy JJ EL84/6BQ5 Power Vacuum Tubes.
5. Mullard 12AX7/ECC83 Vacuum Tubes
Developed in 2015, it has been used in a large number of guitar amplifiers. It has emerged as one of the smallest signal volume tubes in non-stop production ever since it was first launched.
Features
The tubes contain two valves in one glass envelope. You will get a High Gain when you buy it. The gain is approximately x100, although, in practice, you can accomplish a workable gain of 60. Meanwhile, in triode, the ode part is known as the electrode. Each valve contains three electrodes known as a Cathode, an Anode, and a Grid. You will receive plenty of high, but there will not be any ear-piercing. The tubes are relatively quiet, low noise, and minimal microphonics in a high gain socket. It weighs 1.6 ounces and has got 4.7 ratings out of 5 stars.
Pros
- It produces a smooth tone
- You will receive large plates
- It is available with factory boxes
- The trio has been matched within 10% for both conductance and gain.
- These tubes function effectively
Cons
- The printings on the tubes lack consistency, and you may not line up the pins.
If you desire to listen to a smooth tone, it is appropriate to spend your money on Mullard 12AX7/ECC83 Vacuum Tubes’ purchase.
6. Mullard EL84 Vacuum Tubes
The tubes function and sound quite effectively. The low ends have increased definition while the highs are a bit tamer, and mids are more balanced. Despite some distortion, the chords appear to sound more natural. You will get a good tone.
Features
The tubes weigh 1.58 ounces. The tubes started becoming available in 2012.
It will include black plates, carbonized screens, and gold-plated grids. It has emerged as the mainstay of economic quality hi-fi amplifiers. When you buy the tubes, you will receive a stunning sounding amp at an affordable price.
If you handle it appropriately, the product will give you good durability. You will get smooth harmonic overdrive when using the tubes. The volume and tone manage to surge above the reasonable living room volume. They are ideal for rockers as well as humbuckers but not for single coils.
Pros
- You will get soft undertones
- The music plays softer than usual whenever you install them
Cons
- When you play this for a longer duration, the sound may get impacted
If you are pretty particular about tone, you may think of buying Mullard EL84 Vacuum Tubes.
Wrap-Up: The Best Tubes for Fender Blues Junior
Selecting the best tube for Fender Blues Jr may be a herculean task for any guitarist, but our detailed reviews of products will make the task easier for you.
Among the above reviewed six tubes, the winner is a combination of Tung-Sol Reissue 12AX7 ECC83 preamp tubes with JJ power tubes. You can get smooth tones and outstanding performance with these tubes. The highs remain clear, and the sound stays transparent.