Adam Pritchard
11 posts
Sep 28, 2013
4:58 AM
|
Hey all. I've just been experimenting with the set up on my Bassman re-issue because I've not been 100% happy with the sound of late. I think the problem is less the amp (although I'm thinking a speaker swap from the stock Jensen's could help) and more the mic. I've never spent the necessary cash to get a decent microphone before instead relying on standard Hohner Blues Blasters or the modern Shure Green Bullet that I've picked up cheap via eBay. I also have a number of Lone Wolf pedals that I play around with to try and optimise the sound.
The problem I've had is that my sound always seems to have too much bottom end, and when I'm with the rest of my band I can find it difficult to cut through.
I just plugged my Shure SM57, (which I normally use to mic the amp on stage), straight into the Bassman and wham, the sound is 100% better. I thought the impedance mismatch would be a problem but it doesn't seem to be. I imagine the improvement is down to the much higher quality element in the sm57 than is in the stock Bullets, although I would have thought the impedance mismatch would have been a big problem?
Anyone else use a SM57 over the bullet for blues or is it time for me to invest in a decent bullet?
Your advice, as all ways, is much appreciated.
|
Adam Pritchard
12 posts
Sep 28, 2013
5:04 AM
|
Forgot to mention, I've had my eye on the mics made by Bluexlab in Italy. They certainly look good but has anyone had experience of them? Andy J Forrest is an endorsee.
|
2chops
165 posts
Sep 28, 2013
5:11 AM
|
Adam, you can not go wrong with a 57. It's a time proven rock solid mic. Get one of Greg's Bulletizers for on it and an impedance matching transformer so you can plug directly into your amp. All told will only set you back about $65. The 57 is good for vocals, can be used for a clean sound by cupping loosely or putting it in a stand, and can give a nice overdriven sound with a tight cup. I have never played with a decent bullet mic. So I'll leave that commentary for the other guys that have them. But if you don't mind using a stick, the SM57 is a great choice. Plus you already have one.
Ron
----------
You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
|
harmonicanick
2033 posts
Sep 28, 2013
5:21 AM
|
Stick with the 57, get a volume control from Greg and then cheap bulletise it by winding a rubber band around just underneath the mic top bit, on the stem, to help grip with the left hand
|
528hemi
408 posts
Sep 28, 2013
6:00 AM
|
I've have not tried a SM57 with my bassman but you are on the right track. To me the bassman needs a brighter sounding mic.
I use a brighter sounding Shure CM or CR and it is just fine.
Also, What are your adjustments on the amp?
528hemi
528hemi
|
BigAl
8 posts
Sep 28, 2013
6:18 AM
|
Anything from Greg is great and high quality. I use one of his ultimate mics, I'm very happy with it. I like things on the brighter side. I switched to using vocal style mics years ago and haven't looked back. For my needs the tone was better, better feedback rejection, and they are easier to hold.
|
Greg Heumann
2385 posts
Sep 28, 2013
7:56 AM
|
I'd be happy to provide you with a Bulletizer, or a Bullet, or an Ultimate 57... BUT:
Your existing mics are plenty bright enough to do the job. Why not turn the bass down, treble up? Bridge Normal to bright and use less normal volume, more bright volume? Plug into the Bright channel? Loosen your cup?
----------
***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
FMWoodeye
796 posts
Sep 28, 2013
2:52 PM
|
I had to switch to my Ultimate 57 on the fly when I encountered feedback problems with my bullet, probably due to me dropping it on a hard surface. The harp sounds fine through it, plus I can put it on a stand to amplify the trombone and also sing through it. It's also a relatively inexpensive microphone. I prefer to have a selection of mics, but if you want only one and money is a consideration, the 57 is a good choice, not to mention that you already have one.
|
Rarko
43 posts
Sep 28, 2013
3:06 PM
|
Greg, what is main difference beetwen stock 57 and ultimate 57? I know that ultimate 57 is shorter, ligher... but what about sound?
|
Adam Pritchard
13 posts
Sep 29, 2013
12:23 AM
|
Thanks for the replies guys.
@2chops: I plugged the 57 straight into the amp with no impedance matching transformer and it sounded pretty good. I bought a transformer of eBay and when I tried it with that I got no sound at all. Could have been a bad one- Will a decent transformer just give me more volume?
@528hemi: It's a stock bassman re-issue from around 2000. I'm running with pre-amp tubes (nearest power tubes first) 12AT7 (electro harmonix):12AU7 (JJ) :12AX7 (Groove Tubes). Volume on 5, Bright 0, Treble 2, Bass 8, Mid 3, Presence 3.
@Greg: Thanks Greg, I'm considering the Ultimate 57 as it looks like a great mic. I've tried upping the treble and bridging normal to bright. I find that I get a harsh, almost ringing sound out of the amp when I do this, and it's also much harder to control feedback.
|
2chops
167 posts
Sep 29, 2013
4:11 AM
|
Adam, not sure why you got no sound with the transformer in use. But since you could plug in and play without it, then just do that. An imp tran doesn't really have anything to do with volume. All it does is allow one to use a mic that is a low imp mic to be used with an amp that is designed to be used with a high impedance instrument. Like a guitar. A lot of the older bullet style mics were wired high imp. So they can be plugged right in with out an issue. But a SM57 is low imp. Also, mics like the 57 have the 3 pin connectors. So the typical XLR cord wouldn't be able to plug into the 1/4" jack on the amp. So the transformer turns the low imp mic into a high imp one that will work with the amp properly. That's the basic explanation. The tech guys on here can really lay it out for you if you want.----------
You Tube = goshinjk
I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
|
jbone
1368 posts
Sep 29, 2013
6:28 AM
|
This is where a crysta element may come into play. Not necessarily a standard astatic jt30 even, but an Astatic 332 can be an effective mic for more mids and highs. The tradeoff is that the lows are not there when you want them but this could be an option.
I've used a 332 with lower harps very effectively esp on more swingy stuff and also with a chromatic in bari C and G. If you search ebay or google for crystal microphone you will probably find several, and for not a lot of $$ either.
Another one you may want to try is a Shure 585. These are going pretty cheap lately and have excellent mids and good highs and lows as well. This is a high z ball mic that looks very similar to an sm58 but the impedance matches up for tube amp. I use mine a lot in both band and duo stuff. A plus as well- it fits in a mic stand if you like to do a lot of hand effects.
These are two ideas you may find good to excellent results with and both are pretty inexpensive, at least a lot less than swapping speakers!
----------
http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa7La7yYYeE
|
Rick Davis
2454 posts
Sep 29, 2013
7:45 AM
|
Adam, a bullet mic with a Shure CM element makes a pretty glorious sound through a Bassman RI. It is kind of the standard rig for working blues players. (Your mics do not have these elements.) You can find these mics from many sources, and Greg Heumann is a great vendor. One of his wood bullets with integrated volume control would be ideal. Or, you can try eBay. I have in fact had quite good results on eBay when buying mics or elements.
If you decide to go with the SM57 be sure to get a good impedance matching transformer or you will be missing a lot of the sound. I use the Audix T-50 Inline Transformer with an SM57 and recommend it. The rat-tail design is good.
----------
-Little Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Tip Jar
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Sep 29, 2013 7:55 AM
|
Tuckster
1356 posts
Sep 29, 2013
7:58 AM
|
Adam- How did you manage to hook up that 57 to your amp? Did you use the Blues Blaster cable?
|
Greg Heumann
2387 posts
Sep 29, 2013
9:02 AM
|
Re: what is main difference beetwen stock 57 and ultimate 57? I know that ultimate 57 is shorter, ligher... but what about sound?
The Ultimate 57 uses a standard SM57 head and transformer. Therefore the sound is basically identical to a standard SM57. The benefit is all about the handling comfort - which in turn makes it easier to cup, which improves tone.
----------
***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
BlueState - my band
Bluestate on iTunes
|
atty1chgo
715 posts
Sep 29, 2013
11:37 AM
|
In addition, Electrovoice microphones pair well with the Fender Bassman. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to get a Shure mic, or another brand mic with a Shure element, in order to get a great harmonica tone from a Fender Bassman. Check out Ron Sunshine's videos on YouTube. A sampling is below. Now these mics cannot be found in stores. But if you like the tone he is getting, you may want to consider one.
|
Martic
39 posts
Sep 30, 2013
12:22 PM
|
Gonzalo Araya, who is a great harp player from my country, once told me he used his Green Bullet 520DX for when he had the chance to play a good tube amp, but his winning bet has always been the SM57, because you can make it sound great plugging it to almost any amp, pedal or PA. I have a Green Bullet with a 70s Controlled Magnetic element, so as a stock SM57. For me they are both great, usually I prefer the green bullet for the look and the cupping, but I'm also a 57 lover.
Check this video, that's Gonzalo playing with a 57 through an amp:
|
1847
1153 posts
Sep 30, 2013
1:25 PM
|
#1 attorney says
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to get a Shure mic, or another brand mic with a Shure element, in order to get a great harmonica tone from a Fender Bassman.
i agree, i have gone my whole life
never owned a green bullet.
is that a fender champ ron is using in the third
video?
also harpsucker is demonstrating one
in the video that plays after ward
it's almost like when you buy a new car
you start to notice them EVERYWHERE
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
atty1chgo
716 posts
Sep 30, 2013
3:28 PM
|
@ 1847 -
Ron says in the comments section the video, using an EV 631B mic, that -
"Here it is through a Fender Bassman, hooked together with a Fender Pro Junior."
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 30, 2013 3:28 PM
|
1847
1155 posts
Sep 30, 2013
4:26 PM
|
the old fender pro jr switch-a roo eh lol
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
atty1chgo
717 posts
Sep 30, 2013
5:43 PM
|
As if everyone who has a Bassman runs the mic directly into it with running it through something else. Right.
Last Edited by atty1chgo on Sep 30, 2013 5:44 PM
|
1847
1156 posts
Sep 30, 2013
6:44 PM
|
doesn't every one?
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
1847
1157 posts
Sep 30, 2013
6:46 PM
|
doen't have to be a bassman
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
1847
1158 posts
Sep 30, 2013
7:12 PM
|
four tens and an eight
sounds like a pretty good poker hand
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
1847
1169 posts
Oct 05, 2013
8:49 PM
|
so i was watching this several things stood out
first the musical director paul schafer
did not know who eric johnson was.
and at 10:25 check out the amps the guitar player is using. not sure what the middle amp is, but the bottom amp appears to be a bassman and the top amp a champ
all of them are on their sides lol
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
----------
i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
|
