Rontana
219 posts
Nov 25, 2015
9:04 AM
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After many years of use, my little Pignose 20 has shed this mortal coil and departed to that amp hog-lot in the sky. I'm looking to replace it with something else of roughly the same price or less. The amp is strictly for home use . . . the better to irritate my highly critical dogs (I really used the Pignose more for CBG than harp).
I've narrowed it down to the Vox mini 3 and it slightly larger counterpart, the DA 5. Messed with a Micro Cube once, but was just not that crazy about it. If anyone has used one or both of the Vox models, I'd appreciate any opinions.
I'd do an archive search for this, but I have a ton of ad blockers on my computer; they've somehow disabled the search function (even when I turn the blockers off)
Thanks in advance
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rogonzab
845 posts
Nov 25, 2015
9:19 AM
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I owned the Mini3 for a while.
Great amp for the home and the streets, good tone and handy efects.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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mr_so&so
974 posts
Nov 25, 2015
10:03 AM
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I've had a DA5 for 5 years or more and have used it a lot. The feature that sold me on it over others is the variable power switch to achieve tone and breakup at low volume. Second to that is the great effects and amp models; all the "clean" and "blues" amp models sound great with harp, and let you radically change your sound without much knob twiddling. Third would be the 7" speaker (large relative to others in this class, I think). For home use, or for busking on battery power, it's a good bet. The DA5 is not now being produced, but the newer replacement Mini 3 model adds rhythm tracks to the mix, so assuming it's otherwise the same, it should be great too.
Edited to add: I've used it with all kinds of mics from lapel mics to my vintage one with a Shure 99A86 element. They could all be made to sound good, but I really like it with my vintage mic which adds its own cupped distortion to the mix.
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Last Edited by mr_so&so on Nov 25, 2015 10:10 AM
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Fil
76 posts
Nov 25, 2015
10:33 AM
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I've had the Vox mini3 for about a year, using it primarily as a practice amp. The effects, rhythms, power levels, models all have been useful. Battery and AC powered. Price was right for me. It's worth a close look.
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Phil Pennington
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Rontana
220 posts
Nov 25, 2015
3:43 PM
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Thanks for the input. I'm leaning toward the mini 5 (formerly DA 5) because of its rhythm settings. I'm just over a year in, mostly working on technique, tone, bends, riffs, scales, positions and the other info found in downloadable lessons from Adam and several other teachers.
Much of my playing is solo stuff (gospel songs and standards I've transposed to second position). The rhythm aspects of the mini 5 will, I believe, help me more with improving my time. My goal for the next year is more of the same - improving and building upon what I've learned so far. I hope to increase my song repertoire and (biggest challenge) speed (without losing accuracy or clarity).
The 5 sounds like the best choice for me, as I can also import and play along with jam tracks . . . something I really need to integrate far more into my practice sessions.
Unfortunately (and frustratingly) I've no actual humans (like a guitar player) to jam with in these very rural parts. I've run ads and put up flyers in music stores, but . . . no joy.
I've a plethora of cows, coyotes, possums and skunks who live close by, but so far I've yet to find one that can play guitar.
Thanks again.
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Leatherlips
347 posts
Nov 25, 2015
4:39 PM
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Have you considered the Vox AC4TV ?
Fantastic for both home use and smaller gigs.
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Rontana
221 posts
Nov 25, 2015
6:27 PM
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@Leatherlips
Thanks for the suggestion. It's very cool, but a bit more than my budget permits
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shakeylee
443 posts
Nov 25, 2015
7:32 PM
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Where do you live?
Have you checked Craigslist?
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www.shakeylee.com
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Fil
77 posts
Nov 25, 2015
7:33 PM
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Rontana,I just got back to the house and double-checked the model of my Vox amp. It's actually the Mini 5, not 3. Sorry about that. As you describe your situation, subsequent to my previous note, I think you'll be satisfied with it.
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Phil Pennington
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Rontana
222 posts
Nov 26, 2015
4:23 AM
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@Shakeylee
I'm about 70 miles from Kansas City. Ran Craigslist ads for a couple months. Received very few responses, and the majority of those I did get were - lets just say - very strange.
As I often tell people, down where I live the two most prevalent pastimes are church and meth, not necessarily in that order (I'm here solely to help with my parents . . . both in their 90s and Dad with Alzheimers). Thus, I think my best bet for playing along with others is jam tracks. I have Adam's, and think I may get Jimi Lee's too.
@Fil - Yeah . . . the Mini 5 looks good. Think I'll pull the trigger on that very soon. Just watching holiday prices to see if a particularly good deal pops up
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Destin
147 posts
Nov 26, 2015
7:56 AM
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Get the Harp Train by Lone Wolf, great amp, great tone, and very inexpensive.
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Rontana
223 posts
Nov 26, 2015
12:21 PM
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@Destin
Thanks. Listened to/watched the videos. That little amp puts out some great sounds . . . no doubt about it.
But, a bit pricey for me (trying to keep it below $200, like the Vox, etc).
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shakeylee
444 posts
Nov 26, 2015
7:27 PM
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It is a shame you have had bad luck with CL. In philly,if you want a small amp,you can get it off CL for 15 or 20 bucks.
You might want to give it another try. I saw tons of amps KC area for $50 and under.
You can just do a search in the music section and sort it by price ,low to high.
You can search under amp,amplifier,practice etc.
Bargains are fun!
BTW Kansas City is dear to me because lee Mcbee was such a great harp player .
I got one of his students when they moved to philly and ,wow,what a sound lee Mcbee had!
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www.shakeylee.com
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www.shakeylee.com
Last Edited by shakeylee on Nov 26, 2015 7:28 PM
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Chinn
126 posts
Nov 27, 2015
6:38 PM
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Rontana, I've played on a DA5 for the past couple years. I use an old JT30 with it. It has two 'Blues' amp settings which coupled with a hint of reverb make for pretty good solid state tone IMO.
The feature mentioned of the variable power settings works nicely, but the best tone definitely comes through on the high power setting.
I've moved on to a 5w tube amp picked up off craigslist, but will keep the DA5 in case I finally get over my nerves and go busking.
BTW, I got mine for about $60 shipped off eBay several years ago.
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Rontana
227 posts
Nov 28, 2015
4:53 AM
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@shakeylee
Oh . . . I thought you were referring to my earlier comment (a couple above yours) of trying to find a guitar player to collaborate with on CL. Yeah . . . I watch the amps on there, and have contacted a few people, but no luck.
It's a pretty cool city though. A few good blues joints (BBs, Knuckleheads) and of course the stellar BBQ.
@ Chinn
Thanks for that input. I think, for my purposes right now the DA (or, the Mini 5 as they're now calling it) sounds like a good bet. Going for about $150 new. Am keeping an eye open for holiday deals or a used one on ebay
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Thievin' Heathen
635 posts
Nov 28, 2015
11:36 AM
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"I've a plethora of cows, coyotes, possums and skunks who live close by, but so far I've yet to find one that can play guitar"
Don't give up. A lot of skunks play guitar.
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Destin
149 posts
Nov 28, 2015
11:31 PM
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I do like the Vox as well Rontana, it sounds great. I have a friend that has one, I heard it with a bullet, but he did put some different tubes in it.
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Ian
148 posts
Nov 29, 2015
8:42 AM
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I'm close to pulling the trigger on a vox mini 5 as well. All the examples I have heard are pretty sweet plus it's got so many features. Might reserve one at my local music store.
Can anyone give an idea to how loud it can get? Could it stand up in an amplified home jam session?
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Chinn
127 posts
Nov 29, 2015
9:06 AM
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Ian, if drums and an amped guitar are involved, I would say no the DA5 would not keep up -unless your partners were responsible and reserved.
BTW, and slightly off topic from the OP's post, when I bought my newest amp (Gibson Skylark GA5t) I tried a Vox AC4TV as well as the slightly newer red version. The red version had good tone and would get loud before feedback rolled in hard.
The AC4TV was much weaker tone wise and got feedback at a pretty low volume no matter how I set it.
I think my Gibson would keep up at a home jam, but not at a real jam as it's basically a Kalamazoo 2.
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shakeylee
447 posts
Nov 29, 2015
9:29 AM
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here's a tube amp for under $150(asking)
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5306884282.html
and here's a solid amp for $40 (asking)
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5334600362.html
sorry i missed a post,for the communication gap,haha
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www.shakeylee.com
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Ian
149 posts
Nov 29, 2015
9:34 AM
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The vox vx1 probably should be considered if we are talking about practice amps. Like the other modeling amps from vox it has loads of effects etc. I've played on one at the local store and it sounded great, especially for the price.
@chinn thanks for the advice on that, I was making a judgment call after having played the vx1 and hoping that the mini5 would be up to it. Looks like it may be a vx instead.
Last Edited by Ian on Nov 29, 2015 9:36 AM
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Thievin' Heathen
637 posts
Nov 29, 2015
12:58 PM
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This is fun. Did you say, "Craigslitst KC"?
$100 Tube
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5336157032.html
$200 Tube
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5328583006.html
$200 Vox Tube
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5296098370.html
$200 Tube (Looks interesting, I wonder if this one is any good for harp?)
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5276411432.html
$125 (I could make this work, big time, with a Digitech RP-350)
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5334521391.html
$75 Fender? ( I think I could work with this one)Buy this one!
https://kansascity.craigslist.org/msg/5330933259.html
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Nov 29, 2015 12:59 PM
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WindyCity
2 posts
Nov 29, 2015
5:10 PM
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Check out the new Windy City Amp from Sonic Pipe Amps....$375 for 1X8 combo, all octal tube designed for harmonica, not a converted guitar amp...check out the youtube clips and website, www.sonicpipeamps.com
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