Well, I finally got a prototype built that works well enough to show it off and get some reactions. This holder is built on the general idea that Walter Tore came up with on the forum a while back--the toilet paper roll and mic thing.
It features an SM57 mic element inside the tube.
I didn't have my good camera and cameraman (wife) handy today to shoot a decent quality video--so I just did it with a little laptop and a mixer. I hope its good enough to give the idea.
I'm liking the sound and usability of this thing a lot--I'm anxious to get some clear weather so I can go blow some trees down with the new rig and an amplifier. . .
---------- ==================================== Always be yourself--unless you suck. . . -Joss Whedon
Well you've taken the Amplified Harp Holder up another notch here OldWailer. It looks like a production line model rather than a prototype
Aren't there some parts missing though,I mean no sign of any baling wire, Duck Tape, Bubble gum, old stockings, wattle and daub etc.,:0)
I have to say it sounds pretty good from what I could hear via your laptop and has definitely got that cupped amplified sound.
Have you experimented with lining the tube with anything? i.e. something like strips of adhesive backed draught excluder.
Just thinking that you could try sticking strips along the inside of the tube and not necessarily covering the whole tube but maybe just leaving gaps. This might preserve the hollow resonant sound of the tube but deepen the tone if you think that's desirable (not saying that you need it btw, just a thought.)
oldwailer: Man that is something! What kind of mic/lining/amp you using? I want one. That makes my rig look like the flintstones!!! You are a true craftsman. Boy this made my week and will make my year if you sell me one. I would like to talk with you if you are into it. Congragulations! Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
@Greyowl--Thank you for the compliments. I still call this model a "Prototype" because I have a couple of other modifications in mind for my next one. I would like to make it lighter, for one thing--add a volume knob and maybe even a tone knob. I would really like to find a good Hi-Z element that would fit, be cheaper, and still sound good. The present one has the guts of an old SM57 that I cannibalized--that works for a good sound, but might make the price too high.
You're right about lining the tube, Greyowl--it was necessary to devise several layers of lining to cut down on the breathy and body groans sounds, as well as darkening the tone.
@Walter, I'd be happy to talk to you about this--you can send me a direct email by clicking my username. Just give me a number and a good time to call (Pacific Time). I'm glad to make your week--and would be very glad to make your year by making you one. I will try to make you a good deal on one, since you helped invent the thing--but there are production costs.
@sustair--I'm considering going into production with this, if there seems to be enough interest--so far it looks like I will do it--two orders already, and I need a job!
Peter Madcat Ruth even commented on it on Facebook. . .
---------- ==================================== Always be yourself--unless you suck. . . -Joss Whedon
oldwailer: I will contact you this afternoon. Thanks! Walter ---------- walter tore's spontobeat - a real one man band and over 1 million spontaneously created songs and growing. I record about 300 full length cds a year. " life is a daring adventure or nothing at all" - helen keller
I want one (maybe) and so does my mentor, Harmonica John Frazer (maybe). John plays harp along with drums and sings. He is the organizer of the Spring Harp Festival here in San Diego. Gary
Ray, that looks and sounds really great. It's the first really practical solution I've seen to this problem. The best part is that it has it's own harp clamp, which makes it really easy to change keys. I bet you could actually just completely mount it to the uprights of a neck rack, and it'd be a total solution.
I wonder if the dimensions of the pipe that you use might be adding some of the cool tone (through resonance)? ---------- == I S A A C ==
A good source of Hot dynamic mic cartridges are old tape recorder microphones.The Aiwa ones are especially so. I've picked them up for 10$ on our local version of E bay Just a thought..good luck with the project
@silpakorn--if I crank the volume and add a bit of reverb, then breathe asthmatically into the harp, you start hearing the sinister Star Wars Music!
@Snakes--Oly is OK--but I miss Arlington
@Isaac, Thanks--I made an earlier, smaller version, and you're right--the larger volume of this model does add to the tone--I'm working on one now that should have the same internal volume, but be much lighter. The idea of mounting the holder directly is appealing--but I like to be able to take the holder off and still use the same rack acoustically--and I think doing that would just be beyond my little shop's capabilities.
@Jehosifat--thanks for the tip. . . ---------- ==================================== Always be yourself--unless you suck. . . -Joss Whedon
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2011 5:15 PM
old wailer, that is one cool idea and implementation! Sounds great. I couldn't tell whether both ends are capped. I assume they are since you seem to be getting a compressed sound. There are harmonicas built with tubes instead of cover plates. The Suzuki Pipe Humming model comes to mind. Paul Oscher also has a bass harp with a tube that slips over the body of the harp that he holds in one of Vern's Ergonomic Harp Racks. Both of these harps have tubes with open end holes that the player can cup to get a nice wah-wah sound. It might be interesting to try that with your design. You could make the end caps removeable to get the best of both worlds. Keep on innovating! Michelle
It sounds great! A couple ideas if you want to go really crazy ideas. You could have a separate pickup for vocals off to the side, and for people who are only playing guitar (so they have a free foot) maybe you could add a little hydraulic or electric pedal that could run up to the back and operate a little flap in the back to give you some wah!
mlefree--Both ends are capped--the left end is filled with the mic capsule and pretty tightly sealed in (to get the best compression), but the right end has quite a bit of air space--it is possible to remove that right cap and get a fair amount of wah--but, if you do that, you gotta use hands--and the point here is to be hands-free.
Nacoran--as nuts as this might sound, I have a drawing of a way to attach a foot-operated flap for getting some wah--I just haven't built it yet--if you want to order one, I can build it just for you--you would then have the only one in the world! If I get a chance, I might build one for myself with a really big, garish flap--just to look weird and attract attention when playing on the street. Might look kind of cool. . . ---------- ==================================== Always be yourself--unless you suck. . . -Joss Whedon
