Waldo
15 posts
Jan 13, 2012
8:42 PM
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I've never dealt with Mics or amps before and was looking to pick up a setup that would be inexpensive and give me a chance to get used to being miked. What would guys suggest?
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Constantine
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smwoerner
26 posts
Jan 13, 2012
9:16 PM
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Quick, dirty, easy, and versatile…VHT Special 6 $150 to $200, Shure 545SD (or a 57 or 58 with an impedance adapter) $99.99, and a good cable $40, to start then… bulletizer from blowsmeaway $50, delay pedal $50 to $100 (look for a used Boss on craigslist) a short cable $20, then volume control or custom job from Greg on the mic.
This is low power enough to play at home, loud enough for a small jam and enough tone to be mic’ed at a larger jam…and then sold off at a minimal loss to finance the next big purchase…
Otherwise it’s a cheep solid state or combo amp, a green bullet or blues blaster and wondering why you spent $200 to sound like fingernails on a chalk board…
Not that I’ve very recently been there…
There are other potential options for less if you watch craigslist and ebay but, it’s a risk.
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ReedSqueal
232 posts
Jan 13, 2012
9:21 PM
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And after that, beware of E.A.S.
(equipment acquisition syndrome)
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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lumpy wafflesquirt
507 posts
Jan 14, 2012
1:43 AM
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get what YOU want. Whatever it is, someone will come along and say it is wrong.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Jagrowler
88 posts
Jan 14, 2012
2:05 AM
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I'm more a less with Lumpy on this one - if you see something cheap (esp second hand) and fancy giving it a go then don't worry about anyone else - whats the worst that could happen? - answer = another listing on EBay!
Here in the UK there is a guy called 'Honkin Tom' who sell mics on EBay - google him and lots of info comes back, inc YouTube demo's. He has a good selection of new mics at good prices.
Lots of guys on this forum like their small HoneyTone amps (I can't comment) and I use an old 5W Pignose although the 2nd hand prices have recently become too steep unless you lucky.
BTW. I once saw a guy busking using a mic plugged into an old battered 1980's 'ghetto blaster' - very loud and fantastic sound (he was more of a jazz than blues player).
Give it a go, and good luck.
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Kingley
1731 posts
Jan 14, 2012
2:35 AM
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I second the idea of a VHT Special 6 and a Shure 545SD. It's a very good cheap set up. Once your amped tone and technique are honed, then you can upgrade to a bigger rig if need be. The VHT can be kept as it's an ideal home practice amp.
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FMWoodeye
196 posts
Jan 14, 2012
6:25 AM
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I have a little Pignose 5-watt amp, and you can pick them up for less than $100 new. For a cheap but serviceable mic, I'd recommend the Bottle 'o Blues. They were about $50 when I bought mine. If you go this way, at least you have a new mic. I have an old JT30, a Shaker Madcat and the BOB. The Madcat and the BOB sound about the same to my ear, and the general consensus is that they are "fair" mics. I have very limited experience with amps. The Piggy is battery operated, so it's a piece of gear (if it meets the threshold of gear) that you can keep for campfires, parties, tailgates, etc. If you do a forum search, you'll find a lot of posts regarding microphones.
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eharp
1664 posts
Jan 14, 2012
8:27 AM
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team that bottle o blues mic up with a little smokey!
it will give you a nice taste of electric harp.
i have used my little smokey for campfire jams, practice w/ bt, small office parties and jamming in the car while waiting to pick up the wife.
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Greg Heumann
1424 posts
Jan 14, 2012
8:54 AM
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smwoerner's suggestions are good "sound advice".
The 545SD is not marketed as a harp mic, it is certainly a good one. However there are several bullet style production mics marketed specifically to harp players. Hohner Blues Blaster and Roadhouse, Shure 520DX green bullet, Peavey Prowler, Apex, etc. Most of these are designed to be CHEAP to produce because the harp player market is tiny- and they're just not all that great. You can (with some help from us to know the difference) find much better mics used on FleaBay for similar prices.
The http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/2734506.htm thread discusses this subject too.
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Waldo
17 posts
Jan 15, 2012
12:06 AM
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Thanks guys!
I think I'm going to get a Bottle 'O Blues Mic with a Little Smokey. The Smokey over the Pignose because I'm not looking to spend that much yet and the Smokey is perfect for what I want.
Also, what would your suggestions be on hand free harmonica playing for a pianist? Should I bother with a mic? Should I use a rack or learn to play with the harp in my mouth?
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Constantine
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eharp
1673 posts
Jan 15, 2012
9:28 AM
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"I think I'm going to get a Bottle 'O Blues Mic with a Little Smokey"
THAT ONE WAS MINE!! DO I WIN SOMETHING?
go with a rack.
however, learnig to play it like sbw II and rick estrin, cigar style, would earn you soooo many cool points....
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DanP
240 posts
Jan 15, 2012
10:33 AM
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@Waldo
If you just want a cheap solid state amp to practice with, you can get a Danelectro Honeytone amp for about the same price as a Little Smokey amp. The Honeytone has volume and tone controls and a belt clip. The tone control is important when playing through a solid state amp because too much gain can cause feedback so you will want to set the tone control low.
Of course, if you want to get serious about amplified harp you will want a tube amp. You will have to spent about $300 or more for a basic mic and amp setup. Go with Greg's advise about that.
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Tommy the Hat
564 posts
Jan 15, 2012
10:59 AM
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I have Bottle O Blues as well as a Smokey and a Pignose. The BOB/Smokey combo is great for what eharp says. The car, a quick fix etc. Sounds great for just a little amp and it can be carried in your pocket. But for $70 (that's what I paid new at Guitar Center) for Pignose, which also can be played in the car and is pretty portable that isn't a bad choice either. The sound of the Pignose (IMO) is head and shoulders above the smokey. Rockin Ron was selling the Pignose around Christmas for $80.
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Tommy
My Videos
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Waldo
18 posts
Jan 15, 2012
11:56 AM
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It is going to be a practice amp for me, so I'll try and get a used Pignose Hog-20 if I can for cheap. Otherwise I'll go with the Little Smokey. I will end up using for camp fire/talent show type-events fo a little while before I upgrade to a nice amp.
How is the Pignose 5-Watt compared to the Little Smokey out of curiosity?
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Constantine
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eharp
1676 posts
Jan 15, 2012
12:09 PM
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pignose is a much better amp.
if you wanna go that route, checkout the roland micro cubes.
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Jagrowler
90 posts
Jan 15, 2012
12:18 PM
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In the UK the 5W Pignose is getting too expensive - the last one I watched through EBay (and it was well used) went for about £70 (best part of $100!), and the few places still selling them want about £120. If you can get a new one for $80 then its a great purchase, as it will give a decent sound and be useful for busking/ outdoor use.
As a general, portable battery amp it is a super buy! I paid about £40 (new) for mine maybe 6 years ago and have not regretted it.
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eharp
1677 posts
Jan 15, 2012
12:48 PM
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i gotta believe the looks are boosting the price up of the pignose.
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Waldo
19 posts
Jan 15, 2012
4:01 PM
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How does the Honeytone compare to the Little Smokey?
Is there a good way to ifnd out if an amp is good without buying it? People demo them on youtube and say they're great, but that's not helpful.
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Constantine
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eharp
1678 posts
Jan 15, 2012
4:56 PM
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if your local music store doesnt have it, where you can take your gear in, there guitar center has a 30 return policy. i think that is for online orders, too.
then check their parent store, musicians friend.
and some dealers, probably commercial dealers, offer a return policy.
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Waldo
20 posts
Jan 15, 2012
6:29 PM
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Well, I managed to pick up a used Hog-20 that looks pretty good for $39 shipped. Hopefully this guys didn't screw me over.
I'll post back here in a week or 2 when I get everything in with the results.
Thanks so much you guys!
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Constantine
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Waldo
22 posts
Jan 16, 2012
2:51 PM
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I don't think the Bottle 'O Blues Mic comes with a cable, and the amp I got didn't either.
What kind of cable should I get, length, bent/straight ends, brand?
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Constantine
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Tommy the Hat
568 posts
Jan 16, 2012
8:24 PM
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The package deal for the Bottle O blues and Smokey amp combo came with a cable. A cheap one but it works.
I know....that was no help right.
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Tommy
My Videos
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Waldo
25 posts
Jan 16, 2012
8:34 PM
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What do you guys use that you like cable-wise?
@DanP
Herpderp... I didn't even think to look in the FAQ, thanks lol, first question on the faq btw
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Constantine
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lumpy wafflesquirt
508 posts
Jan 17, 2012
10:14 AM
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@waldo "Should I use a rack or learn to play with the harp in my mouth?"
That sounds like a damn good trick. harp in mouth and playing the piano at the same time.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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Waldo
27 posts
Jan 17, 2012
7:21 PM
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Are Planet Wave cables good? I've seen some random people on the web say so...
found them for a big discount, was wondering if I should get the 10 or 20 foot too, it's a $3 difference, but I think 20 is way too much for me...
http://www.sweetwater.com/c44--Planet_Waves--Cables?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=accessory&utm_term=planet_waves_cables&adpos=1t1&gclid=CJzVqsXE2K0CFYUZQgod3xGInw
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Constantine
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HawkeyeKane
634 posts
Jan 17, 2012
8:25 PM
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Planet Waves are decent. Our dearly loved Rockin' Ron stocks them.
http://www.rockinronsmusic4less.com
I myself am pretty partial to Zyzyx though, and RoadHog.
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Hawkeye Kane
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LSC
142 posts
Jan 18, 2012
10:22 AM
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Personally, I'm of two minds about Planet Waves. Their top end are good cables but over priced. They do a budget range which I've had nothing but problems with. Most store brands are as good as anything and the price is usually better than Planet Waves and the like. Look for Belden cable if you can find it. It will be stamped on the cable itself. That is the best you can buy and sometimes used by store brands.
Having said all that, If you can afford it I would spend a bit of extra money and get Greg at Blows Me Away Productions to make up what you need. Ask him about length. He uses top quality cable and connectors and shrink wraps the connectors. Having purchased one of his cables I can state with reasonable certainty you will never have to replace one of his cables in your lifetime. That is value for money.
BTW, there is very little, if any, tone difference between brands. There is a big reliability difference.
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LSC
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HawkeyeKane
642 posts
Jan 18, 2012
10:34 AM
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@Greg
Did you by chance mean Peavey H5? I thought the Prowler was an amp.
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Hawkeye Kane
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