Cut to about the 2:00 mark, and check out Deak's stomp box. I'm talking about the flat, low box he's stomping on, and not the snare drum part. Anyone have any info about that box? Construction details, micing system, etc? If Deak sees this himself, are you willing to share? That's exactly the kind of low lying, wide, sturdy, stomp box I want to build myself, and I was looking for some tips before I start experimenting!
BTW, this video is even more proof how damn cool Deak is! I love this stuff!!! I hope I can catch one of your shows one day! ----------
I made one just like this from a piece of plywood I found while walking my dog. The wood is 3/4" thick. Thicker than I prefer, but it was free. Mine measures 12"W x 16"L x 4" H. I have 2 projection holes in the front of it. Mine's totaly acoustic. works fine, but I am going to replace the top piece with a 1/4" piece for better resonance.
I would be interested to know the answer to that question too. I have a box that I made with an old speaker fastened to the underside of a box that looks like the one Deak uses here--just connect the speaker leads to a 1/4" jack and plug into the mixer. Mine sounds pretty good--but I'd really like to know what Deak is using here. . . ---------- Oldwailer's Web Site
He built the stomp box himself. He has a hole in one side and runs a mic laying under it to the PA. I think he built the snare setup, too. I ran sound for him (and others) for part of the Saturday night performances at a local club during last year's Folk & Roots festival in Urbana, IL. He has performed frequently in Urbana, IL, as he has lived in East Central Illinois for quite a while.
His harp mic for his rack setup played through his Bassman gives a massive sound not well conveyed via computer/youtube. His tongue block technique gives him fantastic tone, even playing acoustically. He specializes in old school blues, and focuses on groove, not melody.
Deak is a craftsman. He builds custom Marine Bands that play wonderfully. His recent harps are almost pieces of art.
I enjoy listening and talking harp with him. ----------
Thanks guys... I've actually experimented quite a bit with stomp box construction over the years. i've tried piezos, speakers, mics, etc. Maybe it's not ever possible to be fully satisfied, but I haven't found the "holy grail" of stompboxes that satisfies me fully yet! Deak's box there seems like it might be close to what I'm after. I've realized that a nice LOW profile is what you need. You just can't really get a good stomp on a box that's more than 2 or 3 inches high! (at least not while seated in a normal chair). Plus, I'm thinking that wide surface area is what is needed. No dinky little shoebox is going to give you that thump that a wide board is going to...
What I'm REALLY curious about is how Deak amps this box up! I know he's pretty inventive when it comes to that kind of thing (I mean, check out his rack mic!), so I have a feeling he has figured out something special that makes a big difference... Of course, maybe I'm totally wrong, and he just sticks an SM57 in there... But still, inquiring minds want to know!
@2chops: Thanks for the dimensions! Good to know that 3/4" is too thick! I was thinking 1/2", but maybe 1/4" is more the way to go! Thanks!
@OldWailer: Hey! I'd love to hear how your box sounds... Did you put any kind of carpeting or anything between the speaker and the wood? I've heard that that's a key thing to do for the "speaker trick" to work, but I haven't tried it myself...
@Libertad: Thanks! Yeah, I've watched that video (many times!)... It's good, and it does *work*, but it just doesn't give me the specific tone I'm after. Although, I have heard that sandwiching the piezo between two layers of wood, or encasing it in resin/epoxy really improves the tone (gives you more bass). I haven't tried that yet, however... ----------
@dougharps: Thank you! You posted while I was writing my last reply... Ah! The mystery solved! Just a mic into the PA with some eq... Then, the "magic" has to be in the box itself! Good to know!
Yeah, it's the focus on the groove that really gets me going. I share the same affinity for groove! I love it! :)
Do you know if Deak ever comes through northern Indiana? Like to Martha's Midway? Urbana's just a tad bit too far away for me to make a show, especially if it's during a weeknight.... ----------
@isaacullah He has been playing in Mississippi a lot. I have even heard a rumor about him moving there, but I haven't had a chance to ask him. Here is a link to his website schedule. He is posted as playing at Buddy Guy's in Chicago on April 28 for International Blues Hall of Fame.
Thanks again dougharps! I'll have to see if I can get up Chicago... that would be a cool show to see!
@tooka: Point well taken!:) I'll try a variety of shoes... But, before long, I'm afraid I'm gonna be turning into "that guy" with the cymbals between his knees and bass drum strapped to his back! :P ----------
Isaaac: I know what you mean about not becoming "that guy". To keep my OMB set as minimum as possible, I took one of those altoids smalls tins and put some coffee beans in it, and I strap it to my "stompin foot". Gives be a snare effect with out being obtrusive. ---------- You Tube = goshinjk
If you look closely, he has it off the ground creating a bigger resonance chamber and air flow. Also, he has hard sole shoes on and is hitting it pretty hard with a little slide action.
@2chops: That's brilliant! Mind if I steal your idea? I've been looking for something like that... I saw a video where a guy took to steel outlet covers, put some bb's inside, and then taped them together. It made a little platform to stomp and get a little shaker sound... But yours sounds a bit easier/more like what I want to do...
@Zadozica: Yeah, resonance and airflow I think are key components to getting a good sound out of one of these things... I will definitely keep that in mind!
@KingoBad: If you can dig that out, that would be great! A close up shot would give me a better idea of the actual dimensions... Thanks!!!
@isaac..please do. I made one from a full size altoids tin, but it was too in you face. More distraction than back up. The smalls tin with about 8 beans did just the trick. ---------- You Tube = goshinjk
Pine wine crate ..Luan 1/4 inch stuff you use for sub floors ... nail it on the edges do not glue .. make a 3/4 " platform for it whatever size you want pending on how much other OMB stuff you are using .. Rug it both sides .. rubber on bottom .. use 3/4 in slats to hold it in place ... Rug makes it sound thumpy instead of clacky .. A hole drilled about 1'1/4 to put the mic wire through for PA .. and so some presure can escape from stomping ... Tooka was right .. a flat bottom sole on a shoe is key ... don't try this with a sneaker you will wind up with pain ... ohh a PL 80 Sure vocal mic with a sock over it is what i use under the box ... hope this will help ... Deak Harp ---------- Have Harp Will Travel
@DeakHarp: Thank you! It's great to hear it right from the source! I'm really glad you shared! The idea about the rug is very very useful, and something I haven't fooled with yet. And thank you for the tips about shoes. That is also very very helpful! I'm going to try to get this together in the next couple of weeks, and I will defintely share some video up here on the forum when I do! Thanks again!
@2chops: Thanks! Good tip about the small tin. I'll give it a go ASAP! :) ----------
Ha Ha! Glad the bit about the shoe soles did matter. It's not the first thing that comes to mind but is so obvious when you think about it.
Wonder who'll be the first to bring out a range of Special Blues Shoes to go with the hat and sunglasses?
Last Edited by tookatooka on Mar 03, 2013 3:02 PM
Man thats some Great 1man band stuff Deak,You sure know your stuff,Im really impressed with how you carry the main melody on harp and just lay a solid groove on the CBG,thats impressive.with me,(Im just a practicing 1mb)But its oposite I do the melody on CBG and just add a little tid bits on harp,You sound so much better than me ;-) You Cbg playing is tight and your harp is top notch,like the carpet under the stomp box,I have one i made thats similar ,but different,Im going to try the carpet,I practice in a room that has no carpet on cement floor,I have rubber bumpers but it still sound clanky some.thanks for sharing ---------- Hobostubs
