Header Graphic
Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Amped Harp Starter Pack. What'd you put in?
Amped Harp Starter Pack. What'd you put in?
Login  |  Register
Page: 1

MindTheGap
838 posts
Dec 08, 2015
5:02 AM
Here's the game: you are marketing a 'complete amped harp starter pack' similar to packs that the guitar manufacturers sell (containing guitar, strap, amp, leads, spare strings, DVD etc.). You've got to sell it to a price point, everything has to work, and it's enough kit to get someone started learning the instrument at home.

You can imagine making deals with existing manufacturers, big and small, to include their kit, books etc.

Assume every pack has a big yellow sticker saying 'Remember, technique and acoustic tone is more important than equipment'. If you peel that off, the same message is printed on the box underneath. And so you are not allowed to mention that in your reply here.

What would you put in and why?
Who's face and name would you like on the box?

Amended rules:
You can have a 'Starter Basic Pack' and 'Starter Deluxe Pack' if you like.

Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 08, 2015 7:59 AM
Popculture Chameleon
114 posts
Dec 08, 2015
7:04 AM
not bad- but its next to impossible because you would have to team up with so many businesses- Don't forget fender can do something like that because they moke both amps and guitars so its much easier for them to do this kind of thing- first there is the harmonica- more than likely Hohner- then there is the amp- and though Hohner has an amp its quite expensive so you would have to go third party- then there is the books( sheet music) a basic beginner's how to guide to playing styles- then there is the mic- more than likely either a shure mic or shaker dynamic because those can get expensive too
that being said here is my poor man's harmonica set up
3 or 5 pack of harmonicas with pouch and a cleaning cloth thrown in for good measure- either special 20s or golden melodies- to keep the price down
for amp I would use a honey tone as a bare bones kind of thing but I would change that to a blackstar mini fly 3 amp because it has more options of course going all out you could probably do mini fender amp or berhinger amp but the price would go up
for mic A shaker dynamic microphone
sheet music- something from Hal leonard's vast collection of books
beginner's guide- take your pick from the dozen of books out there I myself started with the everything harmonica book
a 3 set would proabably be able to go right at or just a little over 200 a 5 set would probably hit 275-300 depending on the kind of amp you used
MindTheGap
840 posts
Dec 08, 2015
7:15 AM
PC, thanks but you've missed the point a little - this is purely a game. Please disregard those practical realities you mention :), and have another go. You can choose items for 'starter basic pack' and another set for a 'starter deluxe pack' if you like.

The idea is to name specific things, you have to choose a specific book you want in there, a specific mic and so on.

I know your into pedals and effects - how about one of those? How about that new LW boogieman?

Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 08, 2015 7:58 AM
Ian
162 posts
Dec 08, 2015
7:17 AM
Cheap.... Begginners pack.....

Hohner special 20, c and a. Because they are good, clean bluesy tone.
Honeytone amp. Cheap, looks cool, sounds great for the price.
Eagle dual z mic (cheap as chips, but ok)
Blues harmonica for dummies. Because....
Chicago blues pack from Adam. Something to strive towards.

Last Edited by Ian on Dec 08, 2015 7:18 AM
MindTheGap
841 posts
Dec 08, 2015
7:22 AM
Ian - Bingo. I've seen that Eagle mic advertised (Honkin' Tom's site in the UK?).

Now what about your 'deluxe' pack? Go wild.

Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 08, 2015 7:48 AM
Ian
163 posts
Dec 08, 2015
8:29 AM
Ok.... So with some commercial thoughts in mind... Like availability etc.

7 set of crossovers or manjis. - so they can't complain that it's the harp that's holding them back.
Audix fireball - so they can try something in between a stick and a bullet...... Or a shure green bullet as its so iconic.
Hohner hoodoo amp - so they can play with reverb without a pedal
Same books etc
Bigger yellow sticker explaining tone etc!

Last Edited by Ian on Dec 08, 2015 8:37 AM
Rontana
232 posts
Dec 08, 2015
9:32 AM
Basic Beginner Pack

Two Hohner Special 20s in C
(because they're probably going to blow either the 4 or 5 reed pretty quickly . . . and for a few months most everything they learn will be on a C harp)

Shure 57 with mic stand and cables
(So they can get used to playing and hand grips in general before messing with cupping a mic. Also, because I think you should play standing - for breathing reasons - before sitting down)

Vox Mini 3
(you could go with a bunch of different ones, so just personal preference

Gindick's "Rockin' Blues" book and Adam's "Beginner's Deluxe" package
(because both get you right into playing . . . they're both fun and don't bog you down with theory)

Packaging?
Face of a harp player wouldn't help . . . the average, toe-dipping consumer wouldn't know who they were anyway. For best sales you'd just have to go with anyone famous even if they were only minimally associated with harp . . . maybe "Mick Jagger's Ultimate Bluesman Combo Pack."
nacoran
8811 posts
Dec 08, 2015
1:01 PM
For the 'Deluxe' I'd probably go to Greg and ask for an amp, mic and cables and then throw in 2 good harps in the $60+ range.

For the basic, I'd do a Shure 57 or 58. Not sure on the amp, cables, and then throw in a Sp20 and a GM.

You might offer 'Super Deluxe' with a couple harp specific pedals bundled in?



----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)

First Post- May 8, 2009
ME.HarpDoc
56 posts
Dec 08, 2015
1:41 PM
" enough kit to get someone started learning the instrument at home."
Basic Starter kit ~$250
Suzuki Folkmaster C,A
Pignose PG20 amp (get some tube like distortion)
SM 57 mic with low Z cable and impedance matching transformer
3 Minutes to Blues! Rock! and Folk! Harmonica with CD by David Harp
Resource list: websites re: cupping techniques, Harmonica for Dummies, etc.
Upgrade: Substitute a Hohner Sp20 for one of the Folkmasters +$20
Face on the box= Charlie Musselwhite. Why? A plug for Seydel :-)

Last Edited by ME.HarpDoc on Dec 08, 2015 1:46 PM
A440
491 posts
Dec 08, 2015
1:50 PM
Starter Pack:
2 SP20s, A & C 60€
Superlux D112 bullet 45€
Harley Benton CG10X Street 66€

Last Edited by A440 on Dec 08, 2015 1:54 PM
Garlic Breath
31 posts
Dec 08, 2015
8:08 PM
Marine Band, six pack of beer, and nicely endowed young girl who really goes for guys who can make her want to dance. Worked for me and most of your harp heroes!
dougharps
1068 posts
Dec 08, 2015
8:58 PM
Amplified Harmonica Starter Kit
from Musician's Friend assembled by Doug S.
(Note, if you need a blues harp beginner book or harps then you don't need this kit yet!)

Fender Mustang 1x8” = $120
Electro-Voice CO4 Cobalt Dynamic Mic  = $30
D'Addario Microphone Cable (Lo-Z)  25 Foot = $19
Audix T-50K Impedance Matching Transformer  = $25
----------

Doug S.
indigo
190 posts
Dec 09, 2015
3:09 AM
Starter: Bottle of Blues mike and a cable.
Fender mustang
a Hohner Crossover or Seydel Blues harp in C.
but i really think that @Garlic has nailed it

Last Edited by indigo on Dec 09, 2015 3:18 AM
SuperBee
3055 posts
Dec 09, 2015
12:20 PM
Garlic breath, is that the starter set? Im inagining the deluxe pack!
SuperBee
3056 posts
Dec 09, 2015
12:24 PM
Starter pack?..should be some sensible advice about no shortcuts and encouragement to take up a proper instrument
MindTheGap
848 posts
Dec 09, 2015
12:35 PM
Ok if you like the yellow sticker can also say, 'You'll be disappointed, it's tougher than you think, and everyone thinks it's a toy'. Better? ...but it could backfire and become some guerrilla-marketing thing, and become a must-have.

These items are interesting, some won't easily fit in a box.

I notice the fender mustang amp being mentioned. I wonder what that's like. Also the Electro-Voice CO4 Cobalt Dynamic Mic. I remember seeing that mentioned here before.

Last Edited by MindTheGap on Dec 09, 2015 12:45 PM
Garlic Breath
32 posts
Dec 09, 2015
9:18 PM
Just a bit of comic relief with some simple underlying truth. Try to hit the sweet spot of learning as much of the strictures of technique and gear as you can while not losing sight of what you enjoy and what you seem to have a knack for. The worst downward swirling vortex to avoid is the "who's better than who", and "who's gear is better than who's" mindset. If you aren't making mistakes, you're not learning. I have the 1960 Premier Twin 8, but I also want the Fender bass man, and the old Masco, and half a dozen different mics I don't have. Read, listen, then grab something and take off. Nice gear inspires you to play. So does the nice gear on that pretty little blond with the blue eyes. Try to hit the sweet spot on both!
nacoran
8817 posts
Dec 09, 2015
10:01 PM
"and encouragement to take up a proper instrument"
-Superbee

Lol. Amen to that! Of course, if I got myself a baritone tuba my neighbors would give me dirty looks before I got out of the parking lot!

----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)

First Post- May 8, 2009
MindTheGap
852 posts
Dec 10, 2015
2:39 AM
Too much philosophy for this thread. You need equipment to play amped harp. What's in the box?
rogonzab
850 posts
Dec 10, 2015
7:16 AM
Harp: Suzuki Harpmaster (cheap and very good)
Mic: Superlux or redhowler (cheap and enough tone, plus you get a bullet type shell if you want to upgrade the element)
Amp: VoxMini3 (cheaper than the small roland)

A free month in DB bluesharmonica.com would be nice too.
----------
Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.


Post a Message



(8192 Characters Left)


Modern Blues Harmonica supports

§The Jazz Foundation of America

and

§The Innocence Project

 

 

 

ADAM GUSSOW is an official endorser for HOHNER HARMONICAS