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How can I mess this up?
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Harmonica Lewinskey
22 posts
Jul 16, 2015
8:11 AM
Alright, so as I patiently (that might be a lie) wait for all of the fun new components to come in for my amplified rig (might I mention that the microphones and pedals came several days ago, and I am still waiting on the amp. Its been driving me kind of nuts..), I ask you this question,

"How can I screw these things up?"

Obviously I don't want to screw any of these nice new things up, but electrical stuff has always gone way over my head (I'm really good at carpentry and design, but motors and electricity where never really my thing), and I am not trying to do any serious mods or anything, but even just the swapping of different tubes and connecting pedals and mics without messing up the speakers or tubes kinda scares me (I also am just getting over a somewhat traumatizing experience with this "widow maker" amp I got off craigslist, so I'm kinda paranoid now. Nothing serious, but it just made me hyper-aware of how little I know bout all this stuff)

I'll start by giving you a list of what I bought so far, and you can tell me if anything is going to explode..

- VHT Special 6 amp (new)
- NOS Sylvania black glass 6v6 tube
- NOS GE 5814 WA tube
- NOS GE 12AT7 tube
- Green Bullet 520D microphone
- Astatic 10-DA microphone
- Lone Wolf "Harp Break" pedal (used)
- Danelectro Dan-echo (although thinking about reselling and getting the memphis mini delay)

Ok, I think thats everything. Damn I didn't realize I mighta went a little crazy there until I saw it all typed out like that, lol..

Any input is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

-LeWin$key

Last Edited by Harmonica Lewinskey on Jul 18, 2015 9:37 AM
LSC
733 posts
Jul 16, 2015
10:00 AM
As far as actually damaging something, not too much risk. If you use a power supply instead of batteries - a good idea but not mandatory - just use whatever supply came with the pedal or check the specs for the right supply in the manual or online. Even then with the wrong supply usually it just won't work and doesn't blow anything up...usually.

If all this gear is new to you I'd think about getting use to one thing at a time. Start with a mic plugged straight into the stock amp. Play until you get a solid idea in your head what it sounds like.

If you go to change tubes make sure the amp had cooled off so you don't burn your fingers. When removing a tube always grasp by the base not the glass. You can break the glass away from the base and either shatter it or break the vacuum. There is a myth that oil from fingers can damage the glass but I've never found that to be true. Change one tube at a time and play so that again you can know what made the difference if any.

Same thing with the pedals. The idea of doing one thing at a time is to isolate each change. If you just throw everything together at once you won't know where in the chain things are happening.

Do not play amplified in the shower, bathtub, swimming pool or outside in a hurricane. Well, you might try a hurricane. You won't live long but it would be a legendary way to go out and give you an excellent blues name to put on your headstone.
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LSC
dougharps
972 posts
Jul 16, 2015
10:13 AM
+1 on the "one thing at a time."

I would suggest trying each mic with the amp without adding pedals, trying to find your best tone and your volume before feedback levels. The volume setting on the amp is not necessarily an indicator for which mic gives the most volume before feedback. Use your ears or a decibel level meter. You will need to experiment and adjust the amp tone and volume controls for the sound and volume you want.

I would try it stock tubes first, then after you find your best sound, let it cool off, unplug, and try the other tubes in it.

Then try pedals with each mic. You probably won't need the Harp Break with a dirty amp like the Special 6, but I haven't tried it, so it is worth checking out. I think the Harp Break is best for dirtying up a larger clean amp or PA. It will likely increase feedback with a smaller dirty amp.
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Jul 16, 2015 10:18 AM
Mirco
284 posts
Jul 16, 2015
10:26 AM
Agree on the "one thing at a time." This is especially true when recording. It's easier to diagnose issues when you can narrow down exactly what the culprit is.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
Barley Nectar
851 posts
Jul 16, 2015
4:29 PM
Buy good cables to connect the stuff together. It will take YEARS to get everything figured out. Do NOT take all that stuff to a jam and play, till you know what you are doing. You don't want to be "That Guy" with the harmonica! Good luck. BN
Moon Cat
528 posts
Jul 16, 2015
6:50 PM
yep LSC nailed it.
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www.mooncat.org
Harmonica Lewinskey
23 posts
Jul 16, 2015
6:56 PM
Thank you guys for the input!

I am definitely with you on the try one thing at a time rule, and thats what I was trying to do, but I guess I got impatient waiting for stuff to come in the mail, which made me just read more about what I had already ordered and then order more stuff to go with those things, mainly just to occupy my mind (I should probably mention that I am on house arrest right now, which is a whole other funny story that I won't get in to, but basically I have a lot of time sitting around thinking about the blues, haha).

I played around with my Green Bullet on my other amp until it blew up, so I got a feel for how the ceramic element sounds, so I am definitely anxious to here how the vintage dynamic element in the 10-DA differs. As far as the not needing the extra grit from the Harp Break, the sound that I am going for is ultimately rooted in blues, but I want to go a lot crazier with it. I'm thinkin more psychedelic funky blues hip-hop? so I am more just curious what kinds of sounds are even possible.. But being able to have a traditional "Chicago" blues sound is still important to me.

So yeah, the amp should be here tomorrow so I will let you know how it all goes. Or if you don't here from me in a week I probably blew up…

-LeWin$key

Last Edited by Harmonica Lewinskey on Jul 18, 2015 9:37 AM
TetonJohn
253 posts
Jul 17, 2015
8:20 AM
This is unlikely given your list of stuff, but while you are fiddlin' around, be sure not to disconnect the speaker and power up the amp. The amp needs to release its power into the speaker or it will damage itself so to speak. (Kinda like what some folks say about anger.)
HAVE FUN!

Last Edited by TetonJohn on Jul 17, 2015 8:21 AM
Harmonica Lewinskey
34 posts
Jul 18, 2015
9:46 AM
Ok, so the amp came in yesterday, and I have been experimenting around, everything is going fine, nothing has blown up (yet), and so far my family and neighbors have not complained too hard, so I think i'm doing good.

I do have a question though regarding the HI/LO inputs in regards to the Hi/Lo switch.. Is the "Hi" input reserved only for when the switch is set to "High" and visa-versa? What if I was to "hypothetically" (ahem) play through the "HI" input with the switch set to "low". And I also hypothetically noticed that it actually works better this way? Is this how it is meant to be done? Does that mean I can also plug into the "LO" input with the switch on "High"? Should I have probably read the manual??

Thanks for all of your help!

And just to be clear, I don't actually know that it sounded better switched like that because i'm too afraid to try it again and see if I was just imagining that it sounded better.. And that was all hypothetical anyway..
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-LeWin$key

Last Edited by Harmonica Lewinskey on Jul 18, 2015 10:05 AM
timeistight
1815 posts
Jul 19, 2015
7:06 AM
The Hi and Lo inputs are to provide better matching to your mic or instrument. Try them both and choose which one you like.

The Low Power switch reduces the amp's output power for low volume playing. It may give you some crunch at a lower volume than the High Power setting.

You can safely use any combination of input and power switch.

Last Edited by timeistight on Jul 19, 2015 7:39 AM
Harmonica Lewinskey
35 posts
Jul 19, 2015
7:20 AM
Thank you timeistight, that is very good to know. I will most likely be experimenting all day today :)
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-LeWin$key
Harmonica Lewinskey
36 posts
Jul 19, 2015
8:58 AM
So just in case anyone is wondering, do not buy 9v batteries from the dollar store to use in pedals!!! I just kinda freaked out and thought my delay pedal had crapped out (its from ebay), but then I remembered I had just put some cheapo batteries in it last night. I swapped them out for some "Energizer Max" 9v's and it seems like its back to its old echoey self. That was scary though, it basically just muffled out what I was playing.. I was still getting some sound but it was very muffled and distorted.
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-LeWin$key
timeistight
1816 posts
Jul 19, 2015
9:07 AM
Delay pedals tend to gobble batteries; you might want to get a power supply.
Harmonica Lewinskey
37 posts
Jul 19, 2015
10:08 AM
Yea I have one in the mail, cause I probably woulda spent more money on batteries than I did on the pedals within a month or less! lol
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-LeWin$key
Harmonica Lewinskey
38 posts
Jul 19, 2015
11:00 AM
So I decided it may be of use both to me, and to other beginners/new to amplified people if I just kinda keep documenting stuff as I figure it out. If I am doing something wrong/stupid PLEASE correct me so that I am not spreading any mis-information. I will purely be posting things I have noticed as far as sound etc with what I would consider to be a pretty decent starter kit that a lot of other people might be interested in elements of. Alright, here goes.

I played through the VHT stock out of the box for about a day or so, and although I have very little to compare it to other than that craigslist horror story amp I had for a minute, live Harmonica concerts I have been to, or poor quality youtube videos, I think it sounded good? First thing after a day of playing that I did was swap out the power tube with my NOS 6v6, and I knew that this was not going to make a huge difference without swapping the preamp but it was the first of many packages to arrive in the mail so I decided to try it out. Indeed, it didn't change the sound too much to my ears, but I think it seemed a little more "powerful"? I dunno, I could be imagining that. Later on today I am going to swap out the preamp for the NOS 5814, which I understand has a much lower gain factor which should add distortion? We shall see..

As far as the mics go, I really cannot decide which one I like better. The Green Bullet 520D is, for one, louder than the Astatic 10-DA (dynamic element), meaning if I am playing the Astatic and then switch mics and keep the volume knob at the same level, the Green Bullet is noticeably louder. I assume this to be normal? As far as tone goes the Green Bullet has a smoother, more buttery tone with a nice honk to it if you want, and I can definitely see why it is so popular for Blues music.

As far as the Astatic with the dynamic element goes, I was a little weary at first when I found out it had a dynamic element, cause I have heard mixed things about them, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised! It definitely has a "cleaner" sound than the 520D, and I do notice more "highs" but that seems to be easily remedied with settings/pedals. I also just like the way it fits in my hand, and the all chrome body is mui sexyo. I think the sound of both of these mice will find its place.

Oh yeah, the settings and pedals!

As far as the "HI/LO" thing goes that we were just talking about, I have been finding that I like cross connecting the best. Meaning if I am playing on the quieter "low" setting I plug in to the "HI' slot, and if I'm playing with the switch set to high I plug into the "LO" slot. This may change though since I just started experimenting with that a couple hours ago. As far as the tone knob goes on the amp I pretty much have it all the way down, maybe up to like 9 o'clock at the most but anything more than that starts to sound harsh to me. The dynamic mic seems to handle the tone knob better then the bullet.

The pedals are my favorite thing so far. I think playing a Harmonic through an amp with delay for the first time is probably one of the coolest feelings ever. It just gives it such a full, round, and authentic sound. I'm not using anything too fancy right now (Danelectro Dan-Echo), but it still sounds awesome. I just started playing around with the Harp Break today, and that is a very cool pedal too! It is perhaps more subtle than I thought it was going to be, which is not a bad thing, but just different than what I was imagining. I think I was picturing more of a "heavy metal guitar" distortion thing, which is still possible, but not really what this is meant for I don't think. I did notice however that less is definitely more as far as breath goes, especially with the distortion pedal. I find that if I just verrrry softly inhale on a note, at a volume that would be almost in-audible if you where not mic'd, you can get some very cool, funky, guitar sounding "wails" which I like..

Anyways, these are just my findings so far and I will keep you all updated as I discover more. I found a nice looking Harp attack pedal on Ebay today that I will try out later next week. I have a feeling the Harp Attack is a better pedal for doing what the Harp Break tries to do, and I could probably find a cooler guitar distortion pedal that might give me some more of that rock guitar "wail" that I like. Anyone have any suggestions for that?

Thanks in advance!!
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-LeWin$key

Last Edited by Harmonica Lewinskey on Jul 19, 2015 11:07 AM
Harmonica Lewinskey
39 posts
Jul 19, 2015
11:15 AM
actually, scratch that last bit about the Harp Break not giving me the guitar like distortion. It sounds much better now, i'm not sure what I did. Maybe I just needed a little more volume
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-LeWin$key
Steamrollin Stan
841 posts
Jul 20, 2015
1:37 AM
What if I said your too focused on things that are nothing to do with playing? I reckon forget all the pedals and gizmo things and focus on memory muscle, tone, feeling, rhythm, not overplaying, keeping it simple and sweet, more woodshedding solo make up songs, focus on licks and blend them in, then when your a rip hot shot you can use the pedals and gizmo's to add to your bag of tricks. Above all feeling the groove and NOT all over the wall playing are important, (many players I listen to just never shut up)..IMHO.
Harmonica Lewinskey
40 posts
Jul 20, 2015
3:21 AM
I would probably say that you are completely right, and I appreciate the comment. I am for sure geeking out a little bit here, and I know this. I have been cooped up for the last year here with my favorite piece of ankle jewelry after a crrrrrazy few years (maybe someday I will tell you about them), and I haven't geeked out this hard on anything since when I used to do magic as a kid, so I am just kinda riding the high, so to speak.

This onslaught of pedals and things is coming after a 2-3 month period of pretty much constant playing. But I can only draw up so much inspiration when i'm just sitting around alone. I need real people to jam with, not jam tracks. And those people exist in my life.. Lots of them actually.. I'm just not allowed to go out so I can't jam with them yet. I guess to me this is just kind of like the next step in preparation for playing with a real band and recording/creating music, hopefully soon too (once this thing is off). I am also not so much interested in traditional blues licks as I am in creating something much more psychedelic and funky, so at this point I am interested in what sounds are even possible with this thing, and I will be able to draw inspiration from there (which has already been happening). The harmonica will always have a traditional "bluesy" sound to it just by the nature of the instrument, so I want to see how crazy I can go with that. And yes, I am also crazy, so maybe it just might work?..

I am sorry if I am being obnoxious or whatever but I can just hardly contain my excitement!! I feel like I am rediscovering music again for the first time since I was a little kid playing along by ear on the piano. But then music LESSONS happened and pretty much ruined music for me. Now that I am older and have figured out some stuff, not to mention I have been around some extremely talented musicians the last few years, that this all just feels very natural to me right now. I don't want to rush into anything, but I also want to be fully prepared to start running once the chains are off..

So long story short, yes, more playing and less tinkering would be ideal, and I will try, but I make no guarantees. I'm just a tinkerer I guess..

Thanks for listening..
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-LeWin$key
didjcripey
938 posts
Jul 20, 2015
3:43 AM
Nothing wrong with playing around with different gear. Its all part of the fun, especially when you're starting out. You may find, like me, that you just end up with bare basics, and focus on your playing instead, but that takes time.
You might have fun mucking around with something like this, which has a whole range of crazy effects:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zoom-G1-Multi-Effects-Guitar-Effect-Pedal-/351458633626?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51d491279a

cheap too. Don't expect it to be real good in a live situation; feedback is an issue.

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Lucky Lester
Ian
45 posts
Jul 20, 2015
6:54 AM
I too went through a gear focused phase. I think it's natural. I've only been playing since February and although I feel like I'm ok I'm certainly no better than an aspiring intermediate (according to Adams progression chart).
I think gear can sometimes keep you excited on the early days of any activity, then in time that moves aside and you get down to the guts of it again.
I now find myself just picking up my sp20 in c and my bluesmaster in A and just practicing licks, riffs, turnarounds, scales, tunes again and again until they are tighter than tight. That now gives me way more satisfaction than the kit. Saying that I'm still on the look out for a seydel 1847!
Harmonica Lewinskey
41 posts
Jul 20, 2015
10:04 AM
Thanks guys, that makes me feel like I am (almost) normal! I still go up and down the blues scale whenever I am sitting around doing nothing, so i know that helps. I just need some real peoples to jam with and i'll be all good. Ian, i feel you on the Seydel 1847, thats definitely on my Harmonica wish list!!

Also, I just bought this eBay listing last night..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Guitar-Pedal-Lot-DigiTech-Boss-EHX-Leslie-Speaker-Overdrive-Octave-Distortion-/331605991569?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=L7Trzfbf6BpO%252FHmtpBF9rQ%252BdoGE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

I figured for 130 bucks shipped I can't really go wrong. Even if only one of those pedals is useful I can sell the other 4 for at least 40 bucks a piece and make make back my money and then some.. Anyone have any experience with any of the 5 pedals in that lot?

Thanks again!
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-LeWin$key


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