2plankr
14 posts
Mar 05, 2012
9:20 AM
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I love the sound of Sonny Jr.'s Cruncher but I am looking for a smaller amp. Can someone tell me if the Cruncher will still have that over-driven Chicago distortion at lower volumes or does it have to be used at high volume to get this effect?
Thanks.
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Joe_L
1772 posts
Mar 05, 2012
9:23 AM
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Buy a Masco PA head from Skip Simmons.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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Kingley
1845 posts
Mar 05, 2012
10:04 AM
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It all depends on what size amp you want. If it's a 5-7 watt small amp then a HarpGear HG2, VHT Special 6, 5F1 Champ or Kalamazoo would be ideal for that sound. If you want a mid sized 15-30 watt amp then a Fender Princeton, HarpGear Double Trouble, Meteor Mini Meat, Fender Deluxe Reverb or the Masco that Joe mentions would be good choices.
Last Edited by on Mar 05, 2012 10:04 AM
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easyreeder
226 posts
Mar 05, 2012
10:23 AM
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I have an HG2, and a Kalamazoo. Both need to be cranked up before they growl. They both sound pretty good at low volume too, but it's not that nasty sound.
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Willspear
69 posts
Mar 05, 2012
11:47 AM
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I don't have a cruncher but with my bassman I have great luck with pedals for a little help if the volume is too low.
The harp break forces a nice breakup if not used to max gain
The harp octave can with a lot of amps make them sound champified when set somewhere between nearly off and 9 o'clock.
If you really need low volume. A sub 6-7 watt is in order
If I was looking at between a Princeton and a bassman. The meteor mini 15 would call my name I think.
My two amps for playing out are a Princeton reissue and a 1990 reissue bassman. Princeton sounds killer and is loud for a small amp.
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bluemoose
694 posts
Mar 05, 2012
11:49 AM
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If you are considering the $$$ range of the Cruncher but want smaller, take a look at Victoria amps.
Best small amp I`ve ever played.
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MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
Last Edited by on Mar 05, 2012 11:49 AM
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rbeetsme
673 posts
Mar 05, 2012
12:12 PM
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I just checked the Sonny Jr. site. Gary has suspended the business while he continues to recuperate. This is very sad news, I have great respect for him and wish him well. I would appreciate updates on his progress if anyone is close to him. I believe in a living God who heals and will be praying for him.
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LSC
181 posts
Mar 06, 2012
10:44 AM
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Kind of depends on what you mean by low volume and in what situations you intend to use the amp.
Gigwise, I can get fine tone out of my Super Cruncher without necessarily cranking it up. If you're talking more like bedroom level then I would go with a Kalamazoo from Greg Heumann, though he normally has a waiting list.
Besides tone, the advantages with the Zoo over the VHT is that if you get one from Greg it will be killer out of the box. The VHT is good but seems like everybody feels a need to mod them to get it right. The other Zoo advantage is you'll be hard pressed to loose money if you ever need/want to sell. They are vintage after all, very popular, and will hold their value and possibly even go up again in the future. Any new amp is like a car, it will be worth less the moment you walk out of the shop. That would include the Sonny Jr. unless he stops making them, which would be truely tragic. But look what happened with the Harp King. Silly money these days.
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LSC
Last Edited by on Mar 06, 2012 10:45 AM
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MJ
380 posts
Mar 06, 2012
11:42 AM
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Pluto, Drop me a line, I am very much interested in buying.
My email is in my profile.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2012 8:31 AM
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MJ
381 posts
Mar 08, 2012
8:34 AM
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I have heard that Gary might be home soon but still not doing business for a bit. Godspeed with his recovery.
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tmf714
1045 posts
Mar 08, 2012
8:41 AM
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Pluto-contact me offlist about the Cruncher-
tmf714@hotmail.com-thanks.
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HawkeyeKane
764 posts
Mar 08, 2012
9:04 AM
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On the subject of the VHT Special 6...
Is the general consensus that for use with harp, the Special 6 Combo is the way to go? Or has anyone ever tried the Special 6 head with one of the cabinets? Seems to me that with one of the matching cabs that go with it (either the 112 or the 212), it would sound a little beefier than the combo's single 10". Especially considering that the cabinets are offered with Celestions.
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Hawkeye Kane
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toddg
100 posts
Mar 08, 2012
12:38 PM
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I have the super Sonny and it sounds great at low Vol as well as loud ! The cruncher does the same thing !!
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MP
2085 posts
Mar 08, 2012
12:44 PM
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a Zoo would be nice. on the For Sale page a guy is selling mice and maxi-mice. or is it mouses and maxi mouses.
these have a lot of midrange break-up for battery powered transistor amps.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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HarpNinja
2260 posts
Mar 08, 2012
12:53 PM
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@2plankr
What is the intended use of the amp? IMO, if you need to use tone pedals to get the sound you want because of volume, you probably have the wrong amp.
Things like the Zoo, VHT, and HG2 (I've owned all three...still have the VHT and HG2) are small enough that you'll always get to crank them in a live situation.
However, if you're just playing at home, YMMV. My HG2 isn't too loud for home use so long as people aren't trying to sleep. That being said, an amp at a fraction of its volume would be plenty.
I've played in blues rock and rock bands and tend to favor a sound on the verge of breakup - not too nasty. I use dynamic mics. It 6+ years of gigging with said band types, I've never needed a 50W amp at optimal volume for the best breakup.
I am fine with something like a Bassman or HG50 on 3-4 on the dial. I can't imagine players after the Chicago sound needing that much power - assuming the band is trying to play at appropriate volumes and aiming for best sound.
For stage monitoring, I had mixed results with a Double Trouble. The Cruncher would probably be a great choice for gigging with a band and using a PA for heavy lifting.
Mike
VHT Special 6 Mods
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
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2plankr
15 posts
Mar 08, 2012
1:45 PM
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Hi Everyone,
I'm looking for an amp that I will be able to use in small venues as well as medium sized venues. I saw Adam's post on micing his Kay through a PA speaker which sounds interesting. I think I'll rent one and give it a try. Thanks for all the great reply's.
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2012 1:46 PM
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HawkeyeKane
770 posts
Mar 08, 2012
1:50 PM
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@2plankr
Rent a Kay 701? You're a lucky guy if you have a source that has one up for rent.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2012 1:51 PM
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2plankr
16 posts
Mar 08, 2012
9:15 PM
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I am planning on renting a PA combo and running my Kay through that. That would be a more economical way to go.
Robb
Last Edited by on Mar 08, 2012 9:19 PM
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Greg Heumann
1524 posts
Mar 08, 2012
11:27 PM
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Don't forget Adam does a solo show. He has a lot of control over his sound and doesn't have to compete with a loud bass player, full drum kit and out of control guitar. The Kay through the PA thing works well for him. If you're playing with a 5 piece band or at a typical jam,, however, that solution is frought with problems unless you have a sound guy who is paying constant attention caring to harmonica in the band. Yeah, like THAT's gonna happen.....
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/Greg
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bonedog569
490 posts
Mar 09, 2012
9:02 AM
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I played through a Cruncher briefly at SPAH. I did not have it cranked very loud and it still had a wonderful crunchy tone. Just go for it if you can find one and can afford it.
the Special 6 Does not NEED mods - its amazingly good as it is - especially for the $. Handwired by starving nymphs in China.
You won't go wrong with Greg's 'Zoo' either.
If you've got the bucks- the small harp gear sounds good to me too, If you want a smaller purpose built harp amp.
If adventurous - shop garage sales and CL for any vintage tube amp
Made by Valco - Supro, Airline, Montomory Ward, Silvertone,
Oahu- there are others. Look for a single 6v6 tube - or two for a bit more umph.
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Last Edited by on Mar 09, 2012 9:15 AM
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6SN7
198 posts
Mar 09, 2012
12:02 PM
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I have 3 small amps. A Simmons Masco, a 58 fender deluxe and a cruncher. I use the cruncher to play or in small-medium rooms. I don't play thru the PA. I don't use any pedals and play blues/jazz/soul. Works for me.
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Willspear
79 posts
Mar 09, 2012
6:52 PM
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Ron sunshine plays through a cruncher in most of his video demos and it sounds fantastic. With all the different Mics
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MJ
383 posts
Mar 10, 2012
8:40 AM
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Actually Ron Sunshine uses a variety of amps in his demos. I have seen him using Fender Bassmans, Pro Jrs, Harpgears, Silvertones, and others which I can't recall at the moment. Ron could probably sound good through a transistor radio. That is not taking anything away from what a Cruncher can sound like.
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Willspear
80 posts
Mar 10, 2012
9:39 AM
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Yeah I should have said recent videos
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2plankr
17 posts
Mar 12, 2012
9:11 AM
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Thanks for the many reply's and advice.
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