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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
DigiTech RP90
DigiTech RP90
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HawkeyeKane
628 posts
Jan 17, 2012
11:11 AM
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In my quest to add more effects to my harp at gigs, and owing to the fact that my Kalamazoo 2 only sports a frequency-variable tremolo, I decided it was time to get a pedal.
Originally, I had planned to put together a board of stompboxes to achieve this, but after getting feedback from several folks here, I instead opted for a multi-fx modeling pedal. The DigiTech RP355 looked promising at first, but after awhile, I realized that it really had more settings and features than I would probably ever use. Not to mention that the funds I had saved up for this turned out to be inadequate since the retail price on the unit went back up after the holiday sales had concluded.
So, I turned to a scaled down variant of the RP355: the RP90.
A few major differences between the two...
RP355
32 amp models
30 tone libraries
30 effects libraries
XLR as well as 1/4" left and right outputs
140 presets (70 factory, 70 user)
RP90
12 amp/cab models
32 effects models
1/4" left and right outputs only
100 presets (50 factory, 50 user)
Won't go into the headache of every single detail between them.
So far, having programmed 8 of my own presets in and having used it twice now, I'm pretty satisified!
One of the amp models is a '65 blackface Fender Twin Reverb 2X12. While that's not quite as desirable as a Princeton, it does get the job done very nicely once you dial up the low EQ and fatten it up a bit. Another model is a '57 Fender Tweed 1X12. This is good for getting that nasal honk tone that goes well with upbeat blues tunes. I've also managed to use this model in combination with a chorus setting that gives my harp a damn good squeezebox emulation for The Who's Squeezebox. One thing the 355 has that I wish the 90 had as well is the '59 Fender Tweed Bassman model.
It features three types of reverb: spring, room, and hall. IMHO, I think the hall reverb sounds best, but I'm still dinking around with all of them.
The expression pedal has given me control of these effects close at hand instead of running back to an amp to change them. It's also given me control of my gain or volume settings for extra adjustment on my loudness or crunch tone.
Two things I'm not wild about...
The tremolo effect is not very noticeable. Even with the expression pedal wide open, it gets lost really easily. I'm more inclined to stick with using the trem built into my 'Zoo.
Also, the variances between different amplifiers being used with the pedal are pretty astounding. I tested the pedal on my little Marshall MG10 practice amp in the basement while getting a feel for it and programming my presets. But when I got it into my 'Zoo the following night, I had to readjust the master level and preset levels pretty drastically, even considering there isn't much difference in the wattage rating between the two amps. This was an oversight on my part obviously. With time I should be able to get these little piccadillos figured out.
All in all though, I do recommend this unit for smaller rigs n' gigs. It's a good bang for the buck, and when used properly, it'll widen the field of effects and expression several times over.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2012 1:03 PM
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eharp
1684 posts
Jan 17, 2012
12:01 PM
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i have a slightly used rp150 if you wanna negotiate a fair price.
i love my 355 but i am going into a pa.
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HawkeyeKane
630 posts
Jan 17, 2012
12:10 PM
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By chance do you mean the RP155, or is the 150 an older model no longer offered? I'm having trouble finding that.
If it's the 155 you mean, thanks, but I don't wanna trade off the expression pedal for the Bassman mod.
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Hawkeye Kane
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eharp
1686 posts
Jan 17, 2012
1:11 PM
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i'm not sure. i'd have to dig it out. i thought it was a 150.
but it doesnt have the expression pedal, that i am sure of.
good luck on your purchase.
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