Well I have returned with yet another update. While the Bose did the trick head room wise, the tweeter array could not handle volume spikes from some of my higher output pickups (crackle, crackle). I've been hunting for a spell and decided on a Princeton. The guitar player in my band has used a Blues Jr for the past 5 years at every single venue. With the amp set clean, he has been told to turn down on numerous occasions. 15 watts enough for cleans at gig volumes? Curious indeed. So I decided I would go for a low wattage beauty sound instead of a high wattage "I don't need a dang PA" sound.
The internet led me to the Princeton. Described as "syrupy", "pristine", "bell like", "glassy", "GLORIOUS", I knew this was the amp for me. I headed to the closest L&M and DEMANDED to TEST ALL OF THE CLEAN AMPS! They said "sure go for it". So I did.
In the room we had... 68 PRRI, 65 PRRI (GB), Blues Jr (CB), Blues Jr (Tweed), Traynor YGL1, Pro Junior IV.
68 PRRI: Immediately a no. Dark and no chime. We are joyful.
65 PRRI (GB): Has a harshness in the mids I couldn't dial out (no mid knob and I think it might have been the GB. One day I would like to try the regular model). Also felt weird paying that kind of money and never using the verb/trem. It was the most bassy/biggest sounding of the bunch however. We are joyful.
Blues Jr (CB): This was a contender but sounded dull/flat at the same volume in comparison to the others. It did have the most clean headroom. OD was awful, and the EQ was not very powerful. We are joyful.
Blues Jr (Tweed): Awful. Sounded very thin, like a full time radio effect was going on. Might have been broken. We are joyful.
Traynor YGL1: This is what I was planning to buy. Fender/Vox voice switch, three band EQ, GB, and cathode bias? What a great deal. Plugged in, immediate no. Very harsh sounding mid range, and the EQ was very weak. We are joyful.
Pro Junior IV: Well, what a surprise. I would have never tried it out if it weren't already sitting in the amp room. I figured hey what the heck I like Jr style guitars so let's plug it in. If you can believe it, it sounded the most "open" of all the amps. There was a clarity in the top end that only the Princeton had, but to me also had more "character" (Princeton was a bit more defined, but didn't have the same mojo). I stunk up the room for two hours straight and went back the next day pick it up.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/3UrmRTX6si6UrKuh6
Luckily I was working a night shift yesterday so I had all morning to test it out. I ran all of my guitars through it and I don't think I've heard an amp that represents each one so well. The amp is extremely touch sensitive and interactive with the volume pot (even with my guitars that have lousy electronics). I had both knobs set to 3, and it was either clean or just on the edge depending on pickup output. The size, simplicity, and sound of this amp truly make me joyful. If I need more volume I'll just mic it through the Bose.
At this point I'm sick of wasting money and chasing the tone in my head. I'm going to stop shopping and start playing.
Remain Joyful.