dusty_Pockets
1 post
Mar 02, 2011
10:03 AM
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Hey guys. New to the forum... long time acoustic harp player. (Though never played with a band) I've made it a point to join the forum to find sound answers to questions long debated in regard to amplification and to learn from the experience (and avoid prior mistakes) of others.
So firstly, Yep...I know it’s all about the sound you like. I've researched for quite a while, read a lot of the archived threads (thank you to the Sr’s of the forum...great stuff)...tried a lot of amps locally.... just trying to make an informed decision.
I'm playing with a small blues band now (guitarist, backup guitarist, drummer and base player), and I need something to practice with...but something to get me through the noise.
Currently we have my running through the PA, along with the singer...which seems to work out great.
I'm looking for an amp that will give me good tone and allow for a line out. It does not need the bells and whistles. Volume...and perhaps Tone control might be nice.
Being cost conscious, would you recommend a Fender Pro Jr, or a Epi Valve Jr Combo…and have the mods done (I’ll have to pay, cause I’m no good with a soldering iron)…..or to just save up longer to get an amp such as a HarpGear. Please understand I’m not playing gigs every weekend or anything like that. My technique is sound...I just want to get amplified sound now.
I’m trying to figure if it’s worth paying for mods...or...if the price is about the same….to just get a boutique amplifier specifically made for harp.
(On a note to those who would ask...I have noticed that, in my findings, I particularly care for the sound of a clean mic…running to a dirty amp…though right now I’m playing through a Shure bullet into the PA).
Your thoughts and recommendations for my situation would be greatly appreciated.
And thank you all in advance for responding to me.
Pockets
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toddlgreene
2677 posts
Mar 02, 2011
10:33 AM
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Welcome aboard!
If you've got the money, anywhere from 5-600 bucks and up(this will get you into some used harp amps, and even some decent old boutique amps, although the latter will seldom be fitted with a line out), get a purpose-made harmonica amp.
First, check out the For Sale page on this forum.
Then, look at Fat Dog, Harp Gear, etc. Plenty of links here to your left for amps, mics, etc.
This isn't to say you MUST have a purpose-made harmonica amp, but someone else already did the trial and error for you, realized the shortcomings of most guitar amps, and voiced the amp to give good amped harp tone.
Or...There's the Harp Commander, or Lone Wolf's HarpAttack and HarpBreak if you want to travel light.
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Todd
Eudora and Deep Soul
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2011 10:37 AM
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KingBiscuit
19 posts
Mar 02, 2011
10:52 AM
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Hey Pockets,
I happen to have a Harp Gear 35 for sale. It's is absolutely mint and has a D2F custom cover on it.
E-mail me off line if you are interested.
Dan
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hvyj
1263 posts
Mar 02, 2011
10:59 AM
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Choice of mic and choice of amp are very much interrelated decisions. Different mics sound better (or worse) with different amps and vice versa. It's a symbiotic relationship.
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dusty_Pockets
2 posts
Mar 02, 2011
11:15 AM
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LOL...this will seem like a very Noob question. How do i email Dan, if his email is not listed in his profile?? *laughs at self*
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KingBiscuit
20 posts
Mar 02, 2011
11:35 AM
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@pockets That's a good question....I assumed like every other list, you could just click on my member ID and then click e-mail. Apparently not so.
That being said, here's my address:
jazz_cruisin@yahoo.com
Dan
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dusty_Pockets
3 posts
Mar 02, 2011
12:40 PM
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hvyj - Fortunately, i've at least been experimenting with a few mics. The Maddog Shaker mic, the Fireball V and my Shure 707A green bullet.
They are very different mics....but as I said... I sort of prefer the cleaner mics to the bullets.
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paul45
58 posts
Mar 02, 2011
2:11 PM
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I think the VHT special 6 is a bargain for harp. I got one used for $155 shipped, and with a tube and speaker swap its pretty darn cool. And in the subtle sales pitch department I am going to part with a very cool looking and sounding National replica made by Vintage47 amps, set up for harp the same as Dustin Arbuckles of Moreland and Arbuckle. Check out www.vintage47amps.com or contact me at phoff45@hotmail.com
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hvyj
1264 posts
Mar 02, 2011
3:59 PM
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@dusty_Pockets: Personally, i am not a fan of bullet mics. My favorite "clean" mic is a 545 Ultimate available from Blows Me Away Productions. You can get one wired for hi-z or lo-z. Very versatile harp mic. IMHO, a Fireball V has its uses for certain applications, but is a little too clean for general purposes. BUT, using a Fireball into a really dirty amp can be pretty cool.
Some of the harp specific amps seem to be designed/intended for use with bullet mics. Some Fender amps seem to really work well with a 545. The integral volume control on the 545 Ultimate allows you to crank the amp up to its sweet spot for fullness and depth of tone and then roll off volume with the VC on the mic to set performance level and cool out the input signal to control feedback. There are other ways to do it, but this works pretty reliably.
I happen to think that the single most important piece of gear is a good mic. Find a mic that gives you the sound YOU like and that responds well to the way YOU play and then find an amp that works well with THAT mic. DON'T get an amp or mic just because it is "supposed to" be good for harp. Pick gear that gives you the sound YOU want for YOUR style of play. Let your ears and hands be your guide. I mention hands because mic handling (grip) is such a big part of amplified harp sound/tone. So, it's not just a matter of how a mic and amp combination responds to breath technique--response to mic handling technique is also an important consideration.
Last Edited by on Mar 02, 2011 4:04 PM
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9000
63 posts
Mar 02, 2011
7:15 PM
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If I was going to start all over I would by a harp specific amp...an amp that was built for harp by a harp player...an amp that has a good reputation with other harp players. If I had done that in the beginning I would be many dollars ahead and I still have some amps that I thought would be good but never really gave me what I wanted. It's the false economy of buying something cheap...and I just did it again this past year. Now I've got another amp that I don't use. I'm older but not much wiser.........
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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LittleJoeSamson
501 posts
Mar 02, 2011
11:00 PM
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Welcome ! d_P ! Lots of good informed comment here. I would say to get the BEST tube amp you can find and afford. ( i know...easier said than found ). Since it is a 'niche' market, the voiced harmonica amps are designated "boutique" with consequent $$$ glued on.
Search the archives. Even veterans like myself learn new tricks.
Everyone has their own uniqueness. ( I think I just invented a new 'Yogi-ism' ).
I don't like bullet mic's. Others swear allegiance to nothing else.
I started playing thru a Yamaha 2X12 transistor that split eardrums.
I was schooled to play softer and more dynamically by other players because of that.
I traded that for a Peavey Classic that I tested with Les Paul listening and approving. ( Wish I still had it ).
The Peavey was my gig rig for years, when I sold it to enable me to buy a Traynor YGL-3 MkIII 2X12 140watt monster that i have re-tubed, capped, and modded for harp.
I also have a museum piece Gibson EH-125 dometop that I only use for studio or special gigs. Kim Wilson has one that was featured in "Cadillac Records".
I have a number of other amps/rigs. I rely on my other music pals to tell me if the sound is OK ( REALLY GOOD ) or if it sux ( Pretty bad )
You KNOW you're on the right groove when other players ask you how you get your tone.
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toddg
18 posts
Mar 03, 2011
1:57 AM
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Hi Dusty ,
Welcome . I also have a mint harpgear HG 50 that sounds great with clean mics or bullets and it's been reduced to $999. plus shipping they are over 1,700 .
on the harp gear site . My info is on my profile ,just go to my website for email or phone
I have way too many amps !!
Todd
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sonvolt13
86 posts
Mar 03, 2011
5:13 AM
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If you like the convenience of going straight to the PA, you could also consider the Harp Attack, Harp Break, or Harp Commander 4.
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littleeasy
42 posts
Mar 03, 2011
8:33 AM
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Many good inputs here. The best input is from the ones saying you have to match the mic with the amp with your liking. A different mic played through the same amp will sound completely different. I have an ultimate 545 and I play through a HG2, it doesnt fill the room so I have to play through the PA. I also use a Boss DD pedal and a Harp Break pedal. The nice thing about a smaller amp is if I want a clear sound I turn the pedals off and the volume down on the amp, if I want a more chicago dirty distorted sound I crank the amp and use the Harp Break and its not too loud because you can control the audience volume through the PA. I didnt buy a guitar amp to modify because i have never attempted to before and I want to spend more time playing than working on equipment. Both the amp and the microphone were purchased from very good companies owned and operated by harp players. I would recommend both Brian Purdy and Gregg Heuman.
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bluzmn
10 posts
Mar 03, 2011
9:34 AM
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+1 for the VHT Special 6; for $200 you can have an amp that sounds good for harp right out of the box. With a few mods you can have a great sounding harp amp; I'd suggest trying better tubes first and then maybe a different speaker. If you have a little more cash, I'd strongly recommend the Fat Dog 1A for $500; I have one, and it really gives me that fat, raunchy Chicago sound with a Shure Green Bullet with a CM element.
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Reverblow
10 posts
Mar 03, 2011
2:41 PM
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toddg:
Wow, a thousand bones for the HG50 is a deal. In another time I'd jump on it, but I'm not really gigging yet and own an HG2 now, which serves me well enough from my homeport. I'm sure you'll get a buyer soon.
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toddg
20 posts
Mar 03, 2011
8:44 PM
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Thanks Reveblow !
I got the amp on a partial trade plus spent a lot of cash too plus shipping I have lowered it down to bare bones .where I'm now loosing money because the guy I got it from basically got his cd promoted for free .
It seems like everyone that emails me wants it for less then the $999. A few even wanted me to ship it for free too LOL
I don't get it it's a great amp !! Times must be real tough or people just don't know how good this amp is .I'm only selling it because I just bought a 1963 concert that I can play harp and guitar with . Plus I have 14 other amps !!!
The Secret to this amp and my concert is how you set your controls and Vol !!
when I set up the amp just like my concert the harp gear is fatter !!
I found out if you bring the treble and bass up and leave the mids low and have the Vol on about 3 the thing rips !!! And that how I use the Concert !
With the concert there are no mid controls so I have the treble on 5 to 6 the bass on 8 and and Vol on 2 and 1/2 maybe 3 max . And it's loud !!! never needing to mic it ! Plus the harpgear has a line out !!
I think too many harp guys think they need to have the vol on 8 to 10 and the treble low .But that's not the case with my concert or harp gear !!
If nobody want' it at $ 999 . I'm keeping it because the other day I ran the concert with the harpgear and it was like harp heaven ! A wall of sound 8 x 10's !!!! it was incredible !!! If you like the sound of a Concert amp then you should like the HG 50 too gear too ! If you know how to dial it in !! plus have a good mic
Todd
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9000
64 posts
Mar 04, 2011
9:56 AM
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@toddg: I was thinking about selling my Brown Concert until I ran it in tandem with my big Meteor. Woah!! Running the cleaner amp with the Meteor gave me the tone that's in my head! I used my wireless and split the signal from there. Did you use a splitter or ?
All the best to everyone on the AMP ODYSSEY!
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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dusty_Pockets
4 posts
Mar 04, 2011
1:04 PM
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Thank you everyone for chiming in on your thoughts. It has been very helpful.
I also got an email from David Barnes at Vintage47amps. He seemed to also have a nice selection of vintage Oahu amps that might suite my needs....so it's an option at least.
My goal was at most to spend about 400-500 (+shipping) on an amp.
Thanks for the info about matching a mic to an amp. Seems having a few different mics, (purchased over time) might also be a viable option for me.
I had thought about picking up a lone wolf pedal or two...to try them out. But all in good time I suppose.
I'm still in the decision making process of deciding what amp to buy.
So if anyone else has any thoughts....I appreciate all the help!
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toddg
22 posts
Mar 04, 2011
2:02 PM
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Hi 9000
I just jumped the amps puttimg the mic into the concert input 1 and another cord into input 2 and plugged that into the harpgear , But I only did it for a test . I'm going to buy a ABY box that can run both amps or one at a time .( that's what Mark Hummel And Paul Oscher uses ) Paul recomends the Radial Big Shot true bypass switcher !
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Cisco
179 posts
Mar 04, 2011
2:16 PM
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A better ABY switcher is the Radial Twin City A-B-Y. It is a step up from Big Shot and requires 9 volts and has LEDs and no loading of the tone.
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toddg
24 posts
Mar 04, 2011
9:40 PM
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Hi Cisco ,
That might be the one Paul uses . I went to the sight and wasn't sure .
I will buy that one then or ask Paul again what he uses , Plus try to get all the info requested about his mics etc !!
I spent 2 hours on the phone with him last month and it was hard to remember everything he told me .
He had great stories about Muddy Etc Etc and he is one of the best one man shows out there !!!
Not only is he a great harp player ,he's just as good on Guitar and Piano !!
And plays Melodica with a Leslie or Roto Vibe effect that sounds like a Hammond B 3 !!
He sure is a great guy and a wonderful talent ! If you don't have any of his cds get some !!!
Todd
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bluesonthewater
10 posts
Nov 29, 2011
5:21 AM
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- i have- 5 rebuilt custom mics-2 jt 30s-with great 151s 1n them one is origainal-looks brand new. and -- 2 turners-99a86-- 99t556-----1--jt30--99a86--all mics have volume controls--custom grills--PRICE 155.00 FREE SHIPPING THE 151-S-HAVE GREAT BOTTOM AND CRUNCH THE CONTROLLED MAGNETICS-OHMN OUT AS THEY SHOULD-NICE EVEN TONE ----------MASCO---ME 27--- A 30 WATT MODDED AMP--FRIST IMPUT --RESTIOR--FOR HARP---2ND IMPUT STOCK ---PHONO KNOLB--CHANGED---TO---MASTER VOLUME---FATTTTT TONE BEST MASCO HEAD---AND IVE HAD THEM ALL---NEW --RADIO STYLE CAB--- NEW CUSTOM --TOLEX---CAB LOADED-- WITH 2X10S---1 8 INCH----1 6X9---WORKED---ON MATCHING--THE HEAD AND CAB FOR A YEAR--- THIS AMP IS A JOY TO PLAY AS ITS OVER TONES BEAUTIFULLY---ON TOUNGE BLOCKED CORDS DURING DISTORTION THIS AMP WILL LAST---PRICE---DROPPED FROM 800.00 TO---600.00 BUCKS---80.00 SHIPPING AMP LOUD----BROWN --TONE--- I ALSO HAVE A BOGEN S- A MASCO MA 25--THE BIG BROTHER TO THE MA 17 AND A RARE-MA-25---N SUIT CASE --2X12S I DO THIS AS A HOBBY---SPEND LOTS OF TIME MAKING THE AMPS GREAT HARP AMPS--- NO GRUMMY STUFF HERE--- HAVE MANY OTHERS TO MANY TO LIST---CALL1-662-640-2652--OR GO TO WWW.VINTAGEHARPSTUFF.COM---NEW SITE---USE YOUR adress BAR to see pics TO AXCESS AS IT IS NEW--0R--EMAIL ME AT BLUESRIDE69@GMAIL.COM IVE SOLD LOTS OF STUFF --TO PLYERS WITH GREAT RESULTS----THANKS--JOHN
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2011 8:19 AM
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Greg Heumann
1358 posts
Nov 29, 2011
9:15 AM
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Hey, John - a little constructive criticism here.
1) Your post is not related to the original topic.
2) Your post belongs in the "for sale" thread
3) YOUR POST IS IN ALL CAPS AND THAT MAKES IT HARDER TO READ AND SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE SHOUTING. PLEASE TURN THE damn CAPS LOCK KEY OFF.
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/Greg
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toddlgreene
3465 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:06 PM
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Thanks Greg-your Honorary Moderator badge is in the mail. :-)
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Todd L. Greene
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bluesonthewater
12 posts
Nov 29, 2011
4:32 PM
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my bad i forgot where i was--as i dont get to the site much--but ill also send a honary-badge to ya greg
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