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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Rocket “amp”
Rocket “amp”
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SuperBee
5423 posts
Jun 05, 2018
6:34 PM
I was gifted a Rocket Amp at HCH.
The ‘amp’ is a model with non-vented covers, marketed as being more suited to amplified playing than the standard Rocket.
It played nicely but I thought a little too much air required on the low end so I opened it up yesterday.
As I expected, I found the blow reeds in chambers 1-4 were offset a little higher than ideal for me so I closed them up a little. That’s all it took to make an excellent responsive harp.
While I was there I inspected the reed shape and action through the slots.
I was impressed to see the setup was really good overall. Quite consistent, just one reed in the entire harp was going in tip-first. The fixed end of each reed was set nice and close to the slot, allowing the reeds to all work efficiently.

As you all probably know, the Rocket uses same reed plates as the special 20, but I’ve seen a LOT of sp20s stock, and never saw one set up like this.
I think this harp has benefited from extra attention in the factory.
While this is the first Rocket ive owned, it’s not the first ive seen. I’ve worked on a few. I’m a fan of the type, having been impressed with each one that has come to me for service.
I used to think they were too expensive but I’m rethinking that position. I’d probably charge $15-$20 to do the setup which appears to be done in the factory. They cost about $25 more than a special 20 so on reflection that seems about right to me.

Btw, I tried Andrew Zajac’s prototype ‘semi-custom’ Rocket/Sp20 hybrid at HCH, and that was a fantastic harp. For a player like me it seemed about perfect. I’m not sure what the asking price is but the harp I tried was a match for the best custom harps in my kit.
jbone
2577 posts
Jun 06, 2018
6:12 AM
So it's a harp, not an amp?
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Gnarly
2504 posts
Jun 06, 2018
9:54 AM
I repaired one and was impressed.
Yeah, it's a harp.
SuperBee
5424 posts
Jun 06, 2018
1:38 PM
Yeas it’s not an amp, nor is it a vehicle which uses thrust from a rocket engine, although that may not be entirely clear from the OP.
the_happy_honker
298 posts
Jun 06, 2018
2:25 PM
I bought two Rocket Amp harps (G and A) and found them to be indistinguishable from Special 20s in terms of tone and playability. I much prefer the vented covers of the Rocket.
jbone
2579 posts
Jun 06, 2018
8:05 PM
Strange to me that they put "amp" in the name of a harp. I looked it up and there it was.
Once we win the lottery tonight I will be in the market for a few sets of new harps. Mics. And actual amps. Plus a place to keep at that stuff next to the new RV.
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the_happy_honker
299 posts
Jun 06, 2018
10:55 PM
I think the "amp" in the name refers to fact that non-vented covers give a better seal when cupping a microphone. More compression equals bigger wah.
SuperBee
5425 posts
Jun 07, 2018
12:30 AM
My posts must be too long.

Yes, see second sentence of the OP.
the_happy_honker
300 posts
Jun 07, 2018
2:09 AM
Too long? Just my attention defic- and here I am jonesing for the football season to start. *Sigh* Chips, I'm hungry.


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