jimbo-G
9 posts
Apr 23, 2011
3:49 PM
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I'm hello, iv been playing for a while now, I want to sound like Adam I know I need some echo/delay in it but I'm making do without the now until I get a pedal. I'm playing through my dads practice bass amp with a cheap dynamic mic. The amp only has low, mid and high knobs on it and no matter how airtight I cup the mic and how its set up I still cant get the right sound. It might just be that my tone is not up to standard yet, but if anyone can suggest any ideas I would be very happy to try them. I'm also just plugging the mic straight into the amp.
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"Everyone has to start somewhere."
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Seven.Oh.Three.
48 posts
Apr 23, 2011
4:26 PM
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Adam has a video called "amount the harp" in the store section of the web page. I, personally, haven't purchased it (I'm not at the amping stage yet). But have heard many good things about it. I've purchased many of his lessions and if it's half as Good it worth the money.
Hope that helps
7.0.3.
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jimbo-G
10 posts
Apr 23, 2011
5:06 PM
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Cheers bro iv not seen it neither il give it a look.
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"Everyone has to start somewhere."
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MrVerylongusername
1681 posts
Apr 23, 2011
5:23 PM
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The model of amp you're using is really going to effect your sound. If you are using a relatively modern, solid state bass amp - designed for crisp, punchy bass sounds - you'll struggle to get an overdriven tone out of it.
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jimbo-G
11 posts
Apr 23, 2011
5:39 PM
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it is a modern amp not one of those sexy vintage ones, I don't know why they don't make them look like they used to, I much prefer them to the new plain black cubes that haunt everyones homes.
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"Everyone has to start somewhere."
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jbone
514 posts
Apr 24, 2011
10:30 AM
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you should take a look at say, an Epiphone Valve Junior.
small but with plenty of punch. can be used with several combinations of speaker cabinets. relatively cheap.
you could go the other way and look at say a Holmes Harp Commander or other modeling boxes which can produce pretty good tone.
i prefer a sexy vintage amp myself, with a sexy high impedance mic to match.
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strawwoodclaw
232 posts
Apr 24, 2011
11:20 AM
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you need a high impedance microphone (HIZ) to get that over driven sound. Adam Gussow uses a Shure dynamic HIZ mic (PE5H) & normally uses small tube amp with 8" speakers which adds to his sound , you can pick up a Shure PE35H or PE9H Shure 545 or buy a SM57 & use a separate impedance transformer , blowsmeaway.com sells good dynamic harp mics. then you need to find a amp that will take a HIZ mic. 50s tube combos are normally good for Harp or you can buy a harp amp built for harmonica.
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hvyj
1362 posts
Apr 24, 2011
11:49 AM
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Personally, I like playing through certain bass amps. They can give you a nice deep, dark, thick, but basically CLEAN tone. If you are looking for a Chicago style overdriven tone or a somewhat distorted tone like Adam gets you are simply NOT going to get that sort of sound from a bass amp.
Bass amps can sound pretty cool for harp because, among other things, they have larger coupling caps than guitar amps. They also tend not to be as prone to feed back. But they are not good for generating the sort of distorted tone many harp players like.
The Fender Bassman, despite its name, is actually not a very good bass amp. In many respects, it's more of a guitar amp. Some harp players consider it the standard by which harp amps are judged. Personally, I don't like them, but I'm not into crunch or distortion. But if that's the sound you are after, you are going to struggle trying to get that sort of tone out of a true bass amp.
Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 8:48 AM
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jbone
515 posts
Apr 24, 2011
8:40 PM
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having played through a genuine '59 bassman several times- along with a sonny jr II- and having had a replica '59 built- i must say the '59 is a true killer harp amp.
it is one of many, the advantage being that it will put out on a loud stage with no messing around with micing a small amp off and trying to hear oneself. you have the volume right there. and the tone.
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Kingley
1498 posts
Apr 24, 2011
11:21 PM
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jimbo-G - It's obvious that your fairly new to amplified harmonica playing. So the first thing I would do is to say make a video of your acoustic playing and then post it for people to listen too. This will answer the first question which is whether or not it's your technique that's the main culprit.
Let's assume for the moment (for the sake of argument)that you have good acoustic tone and technique. Here's how I'd suggest you proceed.
Get a small (5-10 watt) tube amp. Something like a VHT Special 6 would be ideal. You want an amp that has no built in effects or reverb (I'll explain why in a moment).
Get a decent mic wired for Hi-Z (hi - impedance). Either a bullet style mic or something like a Shure 545SD.
Practice with these getting a good sound and learn how your cupping technique on the mic affects the sound.
The reason I say don't get an amp with built in effects or reverb is that the temptation to use them would be too great. What you need to do is to concentrate on the pure amplified sound first and get that down, before moving onto effects. You have to crawl, before you can learn to walk and then run.
Be patient and practice as much as possible. It can take a long time to learn how to get good amplified tone.
Having said all of the above, I honestly suspect that it's your acoustic tone and technique that you'll find needs addressing first and foremost. Most players who have good solid acoustic tone will get a reasonable sound form almost any amplifier.
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7LimitJI
486 posts
Apr 25, 2011
12:53 AM
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Hi Jimbo, Hows it going ?
They are wise words from Kingley.
I went through a phase during my first few years of playing thinking I could buy the tone I wanted.
I bought and sold a few amps and mics before I realised it's not the amp,its the player.
A good amp allows the player to play.
It will not play for you.
We're gigging again at Da Vinci's on the 8th May.
If you come along to the gig. Bring a harp and you can have a quick play through my amp.
You'll hear then, what I mean.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 12:54 AM
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grahamonica
12 posts
Apr 25, 2011
1:42 PM
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Hey Jimbo...I,ve got a couple of amps and mics.
If you,d like to swing by some night this week
your welcome to have a blast and hear what you sound
like.....I still suck by the way!
PS.. I,m away on hol next week.
@ 7Limitjl.....see you at Da Vincis
Graham
07776297940
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jimbo-G
13 posts
Apr 25, 2011
4:43 PM
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@7limitjl. Im doing good like I will be stupid not to come to da vincis, so will be there. im going to a jam through in edingburgh tomorow (my first one) il try get a wail in there. Iv made freinds with a drummer so i have my own personal metranome i can take with me for some practice on the train.
@grahamonica. Im pritty busy this week. i can come round after your holiday, but you should come to this jam its in leith on the 27th starts at 9ish.
p.s. if your flying take your harp on the plane get a few people rustled up with the blues.
@everyone else. Cheers for all your help i now know something about amps and mics, not alot, but alot more than what i knew.
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"Everyone has to start somewhere."
Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 4:45 PM
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boris_plotnikov
520 posts
Apr 25, 2011
11:26 PM
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jimbo-G
Small practice bass amps (especially with 10' or 12' speakers but without twitters) can be perfect for harmonica, you need to just add some tube dirt. Get yourself LoneWolf HarpAttack (lonewolfblues.com) and you will be happy. Be sure that your mic is hiZ, if no also buy yourself impedance transformer.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
Last Edited by on Apr 25, 2011 11:30 PM
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