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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Bullitini vs the 545
Bullitini vs the 545
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Lou
39 posts
Dec 21, 2018
4:56 PM
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Hi, I'm using a Bulletini right now & really like. I'm thinking about getting another mic and looking at the Ultimate 545 Greg makes my question is there much difference sound wise & feedback control between them ? I don't need 2 similar sounding mics.
Thanks
Lou
Last Edited by Lou on Dec 21, 2018 4:56 PM
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Littoral
1653 posts
Dec 22, 2018
5:45 AM
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Sorta help, maybe. I have the bulletini in a JT Shell and a bulletized 57, which Greg suggested. The 545 is said to break up a wee bit more but any difference to the 57 is marginal. I find the bulletini to be pretty clean with a nice curve to the frequency response. I'd suggest getting the 545 if only to have a real dependable backup and an extra mic for pa (amp mic) purpose. The 57 is the industry standard for that extra use though.
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Lou
40 posts
Dec 22, 2018
7:39 AM
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That helps & maybe saved me some money, I usually play through an amp the times I've played through a PA I just used the vocal mic SM 58. The Bulletini seems to be a hotter mic than the old Shure Bullet I was using and in larger rooms works great but we played a small room a few times and I really struggled with feedback & was thinking maybe a different mic would help. Maybe I'll try running the Bulletini through the PA & see how that goes.
Thanks
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snowman
397 posts
Dec 22, 2018
8:40 AM
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try the "harp tone+" lone wolf with either bulletini or 57 thru pa---very helpful--thicker sound--
clean mic thru harptone + and or Harp break or harp attack then pa great back up set up if no amp
Last Edited by snowman on Dec 22, 2018 8:41 AM
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dougharps
1873 posts
Dec 22, 2018
8:46 AM
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The Bulletini should work fine with your amp. I do not believe it is especially feedback prone as compared to other mics, in fact, probably less feedback prone than many bullets. Do not fall prey to the fallacy that a different mic will fix everything. The Bulletini is a solid performer.
The problem is more likely related to your amp size relative to the volume you are seeking to be heard over the band, the gain structure of your amp (number and gain of preamp tubes), your amp gain and EQ settings, and the volume setting on your mic. You don't necessarily have to turn the mic all the way up. Some anti-feedback pedals are just pads, reducing mic output, and you can adjust that with mic volume control.
If you are using pedals, some pedals add treble, gain, and/or sustain that may contribute to feedback. Amp speakers make a difference, too. One of my amps was trebley, and almost useless in terms of volume before feedback until I put a darker 10" Lil' Buddy speaker in it. Now it can crank out a lot more volume.
Your amp placement and mic handling may create issues, too. If the amp is behind you, are you keeping your body between the mic and speaker? Have you tried putting the amp beside you? Sound is produced from the front and back of an open back cab, in an hourglass shape. Standing beside the amp reduces volume at the mic.
I have played through Bulletinis and not experienced feedback problems more than when using any other harp mic. I would suggest you experiment with just the mic and your amp with no effects, trying different mic volume and amp settings to get the most out of the combination. Then add effects one at a time adjusting settings, and see how each affects feedback. But start with no effects, not even reverb if it is built into your amp.
When you change the mic you use with any given amp, you need to find new amp and mic settings that work with that combination to get the most volume and/or best tone possible. Experiment...
If you are under-amped for the band volume and room size, no mic will compensate for that lack of punch and magically give you the volume you need. However, even if the amp is big enough, the settings are the key. I have seen poor amp settings reduce the effective volume of very powerful amps to the room volume of small amps.
You can spend a lot of time and money buying and trying different gear. I believe it is more productive to first learn how to get the best possible results from what you already own before spending on more redundant gear. The Bulletini is good gear, so the problem is not the mic.
If the amp is not enough for your band and the room, you need a larger harp amp or to use the PA. Electric guitars with magnetic pickups through high gain amps can get more stage volume than almost all harp mics and amps due to the feedback issues inherent with a mic.
This is just my viewpoint after spending lots of money and time discovering these principals. A lot of creating good volume and tone is based in the skills of the player, including adjusting amps and pedals, managing the mic, and most importantly, playing the harp with good tone. If the gear is decent it is important to build the skills in using the gear and harp.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Dec 22, 2018 8:48 AM
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Lou
41 posts
Dec 22, 2018
12:42 PM
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Dougharps, great points & well taken I think the feedback problem was a combination of everything you brought up with my skill being the weakest link. I'm playing through a Allen Sweet spot it's based on the old Fender Princeton reverb, using a low gain pre amp tube I think a 12ay7 amp is about 18-20 watts. For some reason the band played so darn loud in that little room I couldn't figure it out & there was no time to mess with amp settings. I never had feedback problem with that amp & mic prior to playing in that room. The amp has a 12" creamback in it I think I might try a 10" speaker which my help sound cut through the mix.
When we set up my amp was stuffed behind everybody right next to the drum kit & guitars players amp. I think my amp has enough volume. I need to ask my mates to turn down a bit (wish me luck on that one)
Next time we practice I'm going to spend some time with settings & set up & figure out what may be causing the feedback.
I've only been at this about a year & half so my chops & tone are just barely OK, it's been a great journey so far. When starting out I had no idea how much work & time it takes to become a decent harp player !
Thanks
Lou
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garry
749 posts
Dec 22, 2018
2:16 PM
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I played through an Ultimate 545 for years before getting a Bulletini. Unless you have a specific desire for a stick mic vs bullet, I don't think the 545 gets you anything you don't already have.
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Littoral
1654 posts
Dec 23, 2018
8:41 AM
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Oh, the problem is you have a band that's too loud. In most cases that comes down to music being the bonafide priority as opposed to the self congratulatory noise of people having to get off on their own noise. Grown-up sometimes takes awhile. Such is my rant.
The alternative, sometimes, is sitting out until the volume is reasonable (musical). A favorite phrase: serve the song.
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