Popculture Chameleon
180 posts
Oct 28, 2016
8:26 AM
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still considering myself a beginning harmonica player I have a couple of friends looking into playing as well. and asked me this question.
I just went out and bought an amp I thought would be right and did that several times before I settled on a harp train amp, however these guys just want something for practicing at home and very light outdoor busking. not necessarily playing for big crowds but just to hear themselves in the outdoors for when they practice. I thought about something like the fender mini passport amp but I don't want to lead them in one direction- especially if they want to mess with effect pedals as well. any thoughts on how I can help them out-
I have recommended joining this form. :)
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Minor Blues
51 posts
Oct 28, 2016
8:56 AM
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A Greg Heumann modified Kalamazoo.
You can't get a better small amp with an enormous sound.
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Killa_Hertz
1851 posts
Oct 28, 2016
9:14 AM
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Hey POP,
For a small amp I really love my Vox AC4TV mini and my VHT Special 6. They are great. Although not very mobile.
For busking Battery power is a huge plus. Onboard effects aren't bad either.
I would recommend trying a Vox Rhythm 5. Its the newer version of the Vox DA5 which I have. It's a pretty versatile package. I would recommend going to your local Guitar Center and trying one.
Amp models are pretty good. Onboard effects will surely do in a pinch. It has three different wattage modes. Battery Powered. It has a separate input in the back with its own volume.... If you want guitar and harp mic into one amp.
The rhythm 5 even has a drum machine. To back you as you busk or to use as a metronome for practicing.
I think its hard to beat for the price.
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Goldbrick
1669 posts
Oct 28, 2016
10:55 AM
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Killa is right if you are going to busk you need battery power.
I have busked a lot over the past ten years guitar first and then harp .
I had the DA 5 it had no power on the street with a weak speaker
You need at least a Crate Taxi which is 2 channel 15 watts and uses a rechargeable battery
The Mackie Freeplay is also good
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1847
3777 posts
Oct 28, 2016
11:17 AM
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this is a secret weapon.
ehx
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Last Edited by 1847 on Oct 28, 2016 11:22 AM
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1847
3778 posts
Oct 28, 2016
11:20 AM
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so what i did was i posted, let it settle a bit, then when back hit edit, then dropped in the link.
just trying to outsmart the sensors. tring to avoid any red flags.
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SuperBee
4220 posts
Oct 28, 2016
1:47 PM
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Yep 'edit' is a good tool.
Sorry OP I don't have much insight into battery amps. I have an old mouse amp but that's a relic of a past age that isn't coming back. Harsh amp. Needs a clean mic. And a pig nose which is you know ok but I'm sure you can do better. I used or of those Roland micro cubes but ire ally thought the pig nose was about as good as long as you keep it turned down. That's it.
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Barley Nectar
1265 posts
Oct 29, 2016
7:54 AM
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1847, Man that thing looks sweet. I have never seen the EH. Looks high quality, I'm surprised. I don't need it but I like it!
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Thievin' Heathen
861 posts
Oct 29, 2016
9:10 AM
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@ 1847
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electro-Harmonix-Freedom-Amp-/131846440086?hash=item1eb2a90496:g:RH0AAOSwFdtXy18m
$450 for a battery powered amp off ebay does not really strike me as the "what should my 1st amp be?" answer. That seems more like the "I've got 6 amps already and just came into a small inheritance, what amp should I by?" answer.
Last Edited by Thievin' Heathen on Oct 29, 2016 9:12 AM
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Chaz
16 posts
Oct 29, 2016
9:27 AM
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My very first amp was a pignose hog 20. I quickly outgrew the sound, but for the purposes you describe it's not bad at all for solid state- especially with a pedal of your choice to help out- and cheap. Great battery life and charges quickly. If the battery isn't a must I would go right for a vht special 6. Very good little tube amp for harp out of the box and easy to modify... easy on the wallet as well. Still have my modded 6 as a backup I would have no problem using.
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LSB
207 posts
Oct 29, 2016
1:16 PM
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Seems like virtually everyone who sticks with playing more than a few months eventually ends up with a 30-50 watt harp specific amp, or something significantly modified to be a good harp amp. Typically this comes after buying, trying, and selling a bunch of less than optimal (for harp) amps.
So, the question for new players looking for a first amp should probably be: Do you want to spend a lot of money on a harp amp, or do you want to spend a lot of money before spending a lot of money on a harp amp?
My suggestion is rather than wasting time and money dicking around with amps and mods that never quite give you what you want, just go straight for something that is a great harp amp now, and be done with it. Unless you just like tinkering, then go ahead and take the long road.
As for busking, buy a separate cheap, used, battery powered whatever - Roland, Crate, Mouse.
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Georgia Blues
229 posts
Oct 29, 2016
4:14 PM
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I have had a fender sidekick 30 that I got for $50 in about 1988. Now I just use it for a practice amp, but For a cheap solid state it is capable of some very acceptable harp tones. Speaker swap a must. Fiddling with volume and gain will give you the whole range from very overdiven to smooth and fat. I put in a 12" pyle driver in about 1990 and it made a huge difference. Whole point being you can find these on ebay for about $100 these days. Cheap little workhorse.... and it gets loud.
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Spderyak
92 posts
Oct 30, 2016
5:17 AM
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I like the Vox DA 5.
Mostly I play it plugged in though sometimes esp out doors I just use batteries.
We used it to play to a room of 100 people or so if it's just acoustic guitar and harp.
The guitarist used a small Fishman amp for guitar and vocals and I used mine for harp only.
but if your jamming with friends who have mega big amps they will drown you out, so that is also a consideration.
I like to travel light, so nothing to heavy to carry around for me.
good luck
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1847
3780 posts
Oct 30, 2016
9:00 AM
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at 500.00 the ehx is pricey, i would wait for a better price. they are however extremely rare.
i never mention this amp because i always wanted another one, and i do not need someone bidding the price up further.
the amp is solid state so it does have some questionable overtones, but that is its only drawback.
which i will admit is a pretty big problem. however..... i use this amp all the time, it comes in quite handy.
it would make a great first amp, something you could keep a lifetime. some of you like to panhandle.... this amp by a wide margin
absolutely kills any other battery powered amp. the word decimate comes to mind.
also the quilter amp that is used in the video of the chain smoking alter boys,would also be a very good choice for a first amp.
listen to that video, to hear what it is capable of. "well with a few hours practice" and a top flight blues band, and a gigantic public address system
a friend of mine, just found a used one of those for under $500.00 usd. you can also run an extension cabinet for more volume.
but do we really need to play at ear shattering volume?
once again listen to that video, the on stage volume is reasonable, why do people think they need to play at twice and even three times that volume?
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Last Edited by 1847 on Oct 30, 2016 9:02 AM
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Spderyak
93 posts
Oct 30, 2016
7:17 PM
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ummm...what video ?
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1847
3783 posts
Oct 31, 2016
5:00 PM
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spyder...
the westside andy quilter thread harp to swing posted
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