Woody
27 posts
Sep 01, 2010
6:09 PM
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Hi everyone
I have been playing harp for 15 months.
I am seeking that 'Pat Ramsey' smooth distorted
tone............
My Laney HCM 1x12 60watt transistor amp does a reasonable
job on my gigs...but falls short of
always delivering a decent harp tone.
I can't afford a HarpGear amp........hence..
What stock guitar valve amps might suit this beginner?
Thanks
Woody
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Electric Harp....I just love it.
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N.O.D.
153 posts
Sep 01, 2010
6:26 PM
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Hi Bro have you looked at the Harp Gear Rock Bottom Model it's there entry leval Amp:)
now for the few extra $200 ya trying to save it won't happen buying a cheap Guitar Tube amp, ie Epiphone VJ
you will want to swap tubes do mods down the track,
there goes your $200 smackers out the window Bro,Calm Down wait ya time save ya Bucks if ya going for a Cheapo Valve amp go for thew Rock Bottom:) get it right the 1st time:)
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Cheers Bro:)
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ZackPomerleau
1063 posts
Sep 01, 2010
6:27 PM
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NOD knows where it is at.
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Joe_L
586 posts
Sep 01, 2010
6:44 PM
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Whichever amp inspires you to play more is the best amp for you. My suggestion is to try a lot of amps before laying out some dough on one.
If you must get one, get a small one that has good resale value like a Fender Pro Jr. They are cheap, plentiful and sound good. If you can get a good sound out of a Pro Jr, you'll sound good through most other amps.
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N.O.D.
154 posts
Sep 01, 2010
9:34 PM
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Bro the 1st Amp Buyers mistake is to buy a Guitar amp
to Play Harp, Bro I'm not going to tell you what amp is best for you won't happen i don't know:)
befor some one chimes in with rudeness telling you
that you won't sound like this Chap just buying an amp and Hay Presto you are Pat Ramsey sorry Bro:(
To put it kindly you are makeing mistakes a rookie of 15 months Playing time will make, prepare to spend up big Bro:)
Ok Fender Pro Junior USA $349 $400 Guitar amp:(
you will want to swap tubes buy a fist full $100 Bucks
maybe more,
you will get hung up on NOS tubes buy a fist full $200 + bucks, then theres all them recap Mod kits you can buy $45 $80,
after market Transformers $75 $125
geeze we better replace that Speaker what do we want CELESTION WEBER JENSEN $175 cheapo, Top Shelf $200 $300,
thats not good enough lets get a custom Finger Joint Pine Cab $195:)
Bro like i say i can't tell you what is the best amp
for you, may be find out what Pat used That would be a good start:)
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15 months playin Hay?
how deeps them pokets son?
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bigd
209 posts
Sep 01, 2010
10:08 PM
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You could also input "harp amp", in the search field of ebay thereby kind of marrying the above advisors (a guitar amp modded for harp already or a harp voiced amp or vintage that serves a harp well by a seller with a great rating). And you can go to the harp section of the Weber board where a lot of the amp experts post asking for advice on any potential ebay finds: Weber harp discussion: http://www.tedsforums.com/forum/index.php?board=7.0
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Joe_L
591 posts
Sep 01, 2010
10:39 PM
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@NOD - My first amp was a 50 watt solid state Yamaha guitar amp. I spent a long time practicing with it trying to get some old school tone out of it. I had varying degrees of success. It wasn't the best amp, but it kept me playing and trying to develop some skills.
Regarding the Pro Junior, why would you replace all of that stuff? It's completely unnecessary. I bought and played a used Pro Jr for a couple of years. It was a great amp. I played it stock for probably a year, before I bought a new speaker. While it improved the sound a bit, I could have easily not done the speaker swap.
No one ever complained about the sound that I was getting out of that amp. It's a good cheap way to get into amplified harp.
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LittleJoeSamson
444 posts
Sep 02, 2010
3:53 AM
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Woody....what kind of sound are you looking for ? Will determine the type of amp.
Short answer: IF you go new, you will pay primo $$$ for overpriced boutique rigs dedicated for harp. It's a niche market, and we harpers must be known for having too much $$$ or too little brains, or both.
If you have any git friends, inquire if they have some valved amps that are unsatisfactory. Often...after an amp has some time on it, the tubes get saggy and the speaker gets flabby.
Sounds off to a guitar freak...but can be right for us harp geeks.
The EV Jr. is a good starter, with tube swaps.
The Blackheart amps are better, if you can find them.
Get a good tube amp, and don't wonder about tone.
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5F6H
295 posts
Sep 02, 2010
5:10 AM
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@NOD "Bro the 1st Amp Buyers mistake is to buy a Guitar amp" Amps are amps, they don't know whether they are guitar amps, or harp amps, or trumpet amps, or whatever. A few out of the box amps are pretty good for harp, some are as good as anything yet conceieved, irrespective of what the guy trying to sell it calls it.
I'm a bit confused why people are suggesting 5-15W amps to replace a 60W gigging amp (though the Pro Jr does punch well above its weight, as does the Laney LC15)? Assuming that you want similar or better power output look for a 2nd hand Blues Deville (not Hot Rod Deville), Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb, Fender 59 Reissue Bassman.
+1 for the Rock Bottom, if a lined out 5W amp is the kind of thing you might find giggable (you will need some method to monitor the amp on stage, careful nt to overcook the volume on a small amp lined out, otherwise you'll sound like a wasp in a jam jar, let the PA do the work).
Little Joe, "boutique" amps aren't particularly expensive in real terms, Sonny Jrs/HG50/Meteors are in fact CHEAP, even a Victoria is cheap compared to what the original amps cost in their heyday. Fender handwired versions of the same amps available today are no cheaper. Most of these "expensive" amps (Vero/Allessandro/Clarke/Kendrick etc) are bought by guitar players, they cost what they cost to build when you employ craftsmen to build them (hourly rates for labour will actually be surprisingly low!). I have easily spent £10K+ over the last 15yrs chasing down & buying/building amps (I'm certainly not alone in this)...in comparison, one amp at £2-3K, that I could pass on to my grandchildren (with a service every 20yrs) would be a bargain!
Woody, I'd give you the same advice I'd give anyone, try out any new prospective purchase, side by side with your current amp, to be sure you are moving "up the ladder" rather than accross to a different ladder. Do not sell your curent amp to buy something else purely on testimonials.
Last Edited on 2-Sep-2010 8:10 AM
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MrVerylongusername
1216 posts
Sep 02, 2010
8:06 AM
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5F6H wrote:
"Woody, I'd give you the same advice I'd give anyone, try out any new prospective purchase, side by side with your current amp, to be sure you are moving "up the ladder" rather than accross to a different ladder. Do not sell your curent amp to buy something else purely on testimonials."
One of the best pieces of advice I've seen in a long time. Well said.
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Joe_L
593 posts
Sep 02, 2010
8:09 AM
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I didn't read the whole original post. I saw the I've been playing for 15 months thing and thought he was new to amplified harp.
If you're looking for a big amp, I would track down a reissue Bassman with four blue frame Eminence speakers. I was looking for one, but I didn't buy one. I found a good deal on a Super Sonny before I found a good deal on a Bassman.
If not that, I would buy a Super Reverb.
Last Edited on 2-Sep-2010 8:11 AM
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N.O.D.
156 posts
Sep 02, 2010
8:03 PM
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I'm a bit confused why people are suggesting 5-15W amps to replace a 60W gigging amp
I'm a bit confused why poeple are suggesting
amps that maybe out of your price range
look for a 2nd hand Blues Deville, Fender Custom Vibrolux Reverb, Fender 59 Reissue Bassman.
what part of this simple sentance can't people comprehend that your budget is tight,
( I can't afford a HarpGear amp )
i suggested a Harp gear because it has a line out it don't matter what the output, if it's played Via the PA or Mic'ed up:)
like is say nobody can say what amp is best for you Woody mate:(
May be try setting up your amp clean get a tube Pre amp look at Lone Wolf Pedals, if you get a lone wolf Pedal Ya got a good start to add to your Tool Box, when you do buy a Real Harp Amp:)
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Did i mention Tools
it Pisses me off when i get @ in my Face
and Tude :/
Last Edited on 2-Sep-2010 8:05 PM
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rbeetsme
295 posts
Sep 04, 2010
5:34 AM
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Greg Heumann at www.blowsmeaway.com sells modded Kalamazoo II amps that are reasonable and great for small and medium sized rooms. Look no further, give him a call.
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