SpecialSean
25 posts
Oct 24, 2014
1:16 PM
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Hi All,
I know there is not one right answer but I was hoping for some advice. It seems whenever there is a judgement call on gear , or something is recommended here like the Super Champ X2, if I follow the advice given I come out happy.
In the perfect world I would want to sound like this -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4GNci5koi8.
I'm hoping to not spend more than $150. Am simply looking for something to give my tone a little kick in the butt.
Thanks in advance!
Sean
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NathanLWBC
10 posts
Oct 24, 2014
1:31 PM
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A lot of it depends on your rig. Obviously, I'm partial to Lone Wolf products, but there are some other good pedals out there, as well.
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--Nathan Heck
Lead Technician, Lone Wolf Blues Co.
customerservice@lonewolfblues.com
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Bryan A
16 posts
Oct 24, 2014
2:16 PM
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That's a good Jam! I don't have a whole lot of experience, but I love my Harp Break from Lone Wolf. I use it through my 25watt Bedrock combo 2 EL84 tubes. Dialed in with the Delay pedal this my amp finally produces sounds that I want. It's about 150 for the Harp Break
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HawkeyeKane
2661 posts
Oct 24, 2014
2:22 PM
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I like Danelectro's pedals myself. Cheap, but they sound good and get the job done. I think right now they just make the Cool Cat overdrives and the FAB overdrive.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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indigo
4 posts
Oct 24, 2014
2:30 PM
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There a lot of good choices out there but for ease of use, reliability and something that works..L/Wolf imo is the way to go.I use the same set up as BryanA and am very happy with it
A cheaper option is the ART (valve)DI box which also makes a good preamp.
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didjcripey
836 posts
Oct 24, 2014
4:09 PM
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'In the perfect world I would want to sound like this' (Paul Butterfield)
Wouldn't we all!
I suspect that Butterfield didn't rely on pedals for his tone. I also suspect that even if we had his same rig, that we wouldn't sound like he did.
Gotta work on the chops.
That said, I like the Lone Wolf Harp break, and harp octave. They help.
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Lucky Lester
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Greg Heumann
2867 posts
Oct 24, 2014
5:30 PM
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@Indigo - thanks for that video - WHAT A BAND! DR JOHN, LEVON HELM, DAVID SANBORNE - AND BUTTER.
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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20REEDS
13 posts
Oct 24, 2014
6:45 PM
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I normally like to buy from more mom and pop shop sites but for experimenting, musicians friend has a pretty good return policy, it's always fun to try new pedals, I would be interested in trying out some other overdrive to add SUBTLE changes to the sound, anyone try a rat pedal? or fuzz pedals? Use of these are probably pretty limited because of feedback but I too am curious to see how they would add to the sound
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JJ Harper
26 posts
Oct 24, 2014
9:14 PM
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Not sure what you think you will get from an overdrive pedal besides feedback....
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20REEDS
14 posts
Oct 24, 2014
10:05 PM
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That's why I capitalized subtle, obviously you have to be aware that it feeds back quickly
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JJ Harper
27 posts
Oct 24, 2014
10:18 PM
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the Tube Screamer is an overdrive pedal. It pumps up the signal as much as 26dB to get distortion in the amp. That is a LOT. Do you mean you are just looking for a pedal to improve your tone, not necessarily a signal booster? There are lots of pedals out there, but I would encourage you to work on your mic technique and chops before laying down big bucks for pedals. If what you want is subtle you can get that with small changes in your technique. Paul Butterfield sounds like a great player playing a big amp. I don't think there is a pedal for that.
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Kingley
3743 posts
Oct 24, 2014
10:45 PM
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SpecialSean - You don't need an overdrive pedal at all. The Super Champ X2 has a built in gain control. Simply select that channel and then set the volume and gain to get the sound you want. Buying a pedal to do the same thing is just a waste of money.
If you want to sound like Butterfield then the secret is practice. Build your chops, then plug a good mic (Butter used a Shure PE54 or 545) into a good old fashioned valve/tube amp. That's how you get that sound.
You don't need fancy pedal rigs to get overdrive. Watch this video with Jason Ricci and you'll see what I mean.
Last Edited by Kingley on Oct 24, 2014 10:46 PM
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SuperBee
2245 posts
Oct 25, 2014
12:11 AM
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i tend to agree agree with JJharper and Kingley...an overdrive pedal is useful if you are seeking that sound and cant turn the amp up enough get it...but with the x2 that shouldnt be an issue
the x2...i think they changed the pre amp chip from the xd...so i'm not sure about the voices...but the 'clean blackface' was the voice to go with on the xd...imho of course...that was the same voice as the default clean channel...voice 4 on the xd...you could do anything with that as far as mixing gain to volume
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Kingley
3744 posts
Oct 25, 2014
1:10 AM
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"There are lots of pedals out there, but I would encourage you to work on your mic technique and chops before laying down big bucks for pedals. If what you want is subtle you can get that with small changes in your technique."
Very true indeed. One of the easiest ways to add some drive/dirt into your sound is by tongue blocking. If you can't tongue block then opening up your embouchure to catch some of the adjacent notes when playing single note runs will have a similar effect. Also be aware that variations in your mic cupping technique can add a lot of dirt and overdrive to your sound as well.
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arnenym
312 posts
Oct 25, 2014
3:05 AM
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If you have a blackface style of amp and a 545 in good condition you get that "Buttersound". if you don't get it .. Then you have to work on your acoustic sound and mic technique.
It sound as a super reverb in that clip. But you can get a similar sound in a smaller amp as a deluxe or a princeton reverb.
Maybe was your question about get that sound with a mic & pedal in to a PA?
I've test a lot of distorsion pedals and the only pedals that work for harp is Lone wolf. i don't know about harp commander, because i never tried it.
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rogonzab
613 posts
Oct 25, 2014
7:40 AM
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Buy a lone wolf, any other overdrive is going yo give you feedback an a thin tone.
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SpecialSean
26 posts
Oct 25, 2014
8:12 AM
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Thanks for the advice all. I didn't use an amp for 4 years so I'm not looking to use gear instead of working on my chops. I'm new to the rig game so I just realized that I was looking see what effects he had going on. With that in mind the amp advice was perfect, Kingly. As always, excellent suggestions and thanks saving me the pedal money!
Last Edited by SpecialSean on Oct 25, 2014 8:13 AM
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hvyj
2553 posts
Oct 25, 2014
12:45 PM
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You can get close to Butterfield's tone playing a Shure 545 into the dry channel of a Super Reverb assuming you have decent technique. The dry channel on a Super is dirtier than the reverb channel. But you have to crank the volume up to at least 5. The Super comes alive at volume settings of 5 and above. Note that Butterfield uses the on/off switch on the mic to turn it off when he's not playing to avoid feedback. Another way to go about that is to use a 545 Ultimate and attenuate the volume level at the mic and crank up the volume on the amp to that tonal sweet spot.
IMHO, the best overdrive pedal for harp is the Xotic EP Booster for $116 US.
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tookatooka
3708 posts
Oct 25, 2014
1:08 PM
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Is that the original hvyj? Oh I do hope so. I loved your posts and have missed your good advice.
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dougharps
757 posts
Oct 25, 2014
1:10 PM
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@hvyj
Glad to see you posting again!
@SpecialSean
I think Kingley has it right regarding using amps such as the XD and also about improving harp and mic technique to get that dirty sound.
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Doug S.
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timeistight
1652 posts
Oct 26, 2014
12:43 AM
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Good to have you back, hvyj.
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Destin
82 posts
Oct 26, 2014
2:22 PM
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I use a harp break when I play with my big amp 4x10
but when I play with my small amp I don't use anything, so I don't think you need a pedal with a champ
I think the missing link to the sound that your looking for may be the mic. Try some classic harp mics.
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TetonJohn
220 posts
Oct 26, 2014
5:26 PM
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Lone Wolf octave pedal -- don't let the name "octave" fool you.
Listen to the demos. Subtle overdrive (with some feedback control).
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Littoral
1149 posts
Oct 26, 2014
7:28 PM
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This.
And I have the Break too.
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Georgia Blues
134 posts
Oct 28, 2014
4:19 AM
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I have a Butler BlueTube and really love the massive tone I get with it. Seems very well suited to harp. I did change the tube to a 12au7. Can be had on eBay for under $150.
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Alex
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