In a few weeks I'll have money to buy my first real amp, curently using a Danelectro Honeytone with a SUKM silver bullet. I'm lookink for a small amp to play at home. I don't want to spend more than 350 including shipping.
The only amp that I can buy localy(Montreal) is the Fender Champ 600 and from the clip by harpsuker I don't like it.
I found a store in Ontario Canada that will sell and ship a VHT special 6 combo it wil cost me 342$ shipping included.
I'm considering buying a Kalamazoo that as been worked on by Greg Heumann for almost the same price than the VHT shipping could be a problem as I don't have a car to meet the seller and I'm afraid of what it will cost to get it here buy mail. I also have a tough time convincing the minister of finance that a 50 year old amp could be a good buy
I don't really want to buy outside Canada because of the duty fees. Buying without trying or buying used scares me a little because I'm really not the tech guy I know nothing about amps and I will have to rely on you guys or the sellers word. I don't think that the Zoo guy is trying to screw me he seems like a nice guy but if somebody was going to screw me I would never know.
thanks for your help and advice
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
Ditto on what MJ said about Greg. I've bought a wood bullet and a Kalamazoo 2 from him.
You won't be disappointed in the Kalamazoo...it's one of the best harp amps I've ever heard. If you have the cash, have him put the line out option on it. You can plug into the PA at Jams and get loud.
It's likely to be a little tone monster. The vht is still a decent buy at 350 but it's getting close to halfway to the cost of much better amps I bought mine for less than 200 bucks usd and I put about 80 more bucks tweaking but that wasn't essential. It was fine stock. I just mess with things
Don't get me wrong the vht rocks and dollar for dollar is one of the best buys of the amp world.
Wait a while and save up a little more if you have to but get a Zoo directly from Greg. He's one of the most respected people in the harmonica world so you will have no worries in that regard. He has a waiting list so contact him today.
The Zoo may be 50 years old but that is actually a plus. As a vintage amp it will hold it's value and, given enough time, will actually increase in value. The VHT will be worth less the day you take it out of the box and then you'll get hung up trying to make it better. A Zoo from Greg will deliver immediately and you will have the peace of mind of knowing you got one of the great classic small harp amps. Value for money, there is no contest. ---------- LSC
Last Edited by on Mar 09, 2012 6:55 PM
The Zoo is the one on the for sale page and it's been bought from Greg, the guy lives to far to just try it. Like I said one of the problem is convincing the wife that a 50 years old amp is a good buy.
The VHT special 6 combo sells for 300$ thats a lot more than in the USA but it's a good buy.
Before getting information for the zoo I was sold on the special 6 but after seeing a vid of it in action and pictures of it I'm really tempted. this is a lot of money for me that's why I ask you guys for advice.
Thanks a lot
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
I just recently sold a killer custom Kalamazoo, my third Zoo! I thin out the herd, pick up another Zoo and then stumble onto something just a little better. Got to stay away from Craigslist and ebay! The only other small amp I would recommend is a Kendrick Champ clone, I have 2 of them, they are terrific. Cheaper than a vintage tweed, but still pricey.
I love the reference to your wife as the minister of finance. Cracked me up. If this is your first amp, then trying it out is less of a factor. Your tastes are going to be changing frequently as you gain experience. Odds are, you'll love either amp. The odds are equally good that in 6-8 months you'll decide you don't like the amp. You'll sell it, then a year later wish you had not. It's all a part of developing your skills ( or not and blaming the gear) while you ride the gear roller coaster. The Kalamazoo is your best option right now, sight-unseen. As stated above, it's a well-regarded harp amp that will hold value. ---------- 12gagedan's YouTube Channel
"If your wife has a problem with a 50 year old amp, ask her how old the diamond in her engagement ring is..." Just make sure she has one before you ask that. ;)
Thanks a lot guys for helping me. I will know in a few days wich one I will get. ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
Another vote for the Heumannized Kalamazoo. But save up another 50 bucks and have him add the line-out option on it. You won't be sorry you did it because you'll have an optimal way of boosting the amp from a standalone 8W output to a PA or extension accessible powerhouse.
Though I will agree with Rick on the Fender Excelsior. It looks like a fantastic little amplifier. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2012 6:33 AM
Good deal. That line-out on mine has saved my ass on many occasions. I love my 'Zoo. It's completely disassembled at present so I can build a new solid oak cabinet for it, but I have the chassis and all its bits organized and protected in a big sturdy toolbox.
I can see where the Excelsior MIGHT be too beefy for a home/practice amp, but the Greta would probably be good for that use actually. I thought the both of them in conjunction would be great too. Use the Greta as a preamp head with the line-out running into the Excelsior. Maybe paint the front panel a less obnoxious color? But the vintage look of the two together would be outstanding, especially with that VU meter on the front of the Greta.
---------- Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2012 10:50 AM
Exactly. Model 2 is what I have so its force of habit for me to say 8. I guess that trem circuit tube adds enough of a gain boost to reclassify the output rating. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
Blues13, I rechecked the Kalamazoo website and read that the Model 1 was 5 watts. It also said the Model 2 was a model 1 with tremolo. I could not find anywhere that said it was 8 watts. I do not believe that tremolo would add 3 watts output to an amp. Not with a single This I found in Wikipedia.."At the same time Gibson introduced the Kalamazoo guitar, they also began production of a line of Kalamazoo amplifiers. They were marketed primarily as budget model practice amps to supplement the marquis. The first amp introduced, the Model One, began production in 1965 along with the guitars. It was followed in 1966 by the Model Two. Both used vacuum tubes for power, rectification, and output. Both had a 5W output and a 10" Alnico speaker. The differences between the two were few, with one major exception. The Model 2 was equipped with a tremolo circuit tube to accompany the volume and tone controls shared with the Model 1. The Model 2 proved more popular with this extra feature. The last of the Model 2's produced were given a brown, wooden finished face in place of the usual black panel. By present day standards, these models are not as desirable for use with guitars. However, they are fairly sought after by blues harmonica players for use in amplifying their sound with microphones due to their distorted "fat tone".
MJ, that wiki article was actually written by yours truly. The amplifier and bass section at least. I guess I need to tweak it. Wrote it months ago. But to get some clarification before I do....
That's the problem though. I really do think they're actually 8 watts instead of the 5 they were originally quoted at. Or maybe they're 8 after some modernization by Greg or whomever ... ---------- Hawkeye Kane
I sent an email to Miles O'Neil asking him. The Maximum-Signal Power Output of the 6b5q is 5.7 watts. It is actually a minor point in the scope of everything, but good to know anyway. Whatever the wattage, I think the Zoo 2 is a great little harp amp. It is the first clone that I built and still have.
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2012 5:07 PM
I know I read 8 watts somewhere but can't remember where. I taught it was on the kalamazoo field guide. harpsucker in the description of is youtube vid writes 10 watts. I'm curious to know if it's 5 or 8 but I don't really care, whatever the wattage I'm buying it. ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
Last Edited by on Mar 12, 2012 5:43 PM
A single EL84 is good for .... 5-8W. I don't know what the true number is for a kalamazoo- I have always heard 5-8. But the difference is negligible anyway, and it depends at how much distortion you measure it.
There IS an important difference between the Model 1 and Model2 - most model 1's had both stages of the 12AX7 preamp tube biased differently than Model 2's. This makes them more prone to feedback. Whenever I rebuild a Model 1, I set it up to be exactly like the Model 2 in this regard and it makes it better than the original setup for harp.
dude! congratulations! i love my heumannized zoo. you are in for such a treat. and with the line out you won't have to buy a mic to mic into the house PA. good judgment! you will make beautiful music with it!
I have to agree with Mike. The 'Zoo isn't that powerful of an amp compared to, say an HG35 or an Avenger. But it still cranks loud in the confines of one's home. If I practice my ampification techniques, I use one of my solid state amps because they have headphone jacks. I have a 22 month old, and even from my basement, my 'Zoo can be heard on the second story where he sleeps. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
This piqued my interest after Rbeet's post...funny video, too. Yes, there is harp content...and guitar, lap steel and...accordion. I'd like to hear that 15" in person.
I tweeted Fender and told them to send me an Excelsior to check out for harmonica. I am sure they'll have it to me in no time... ---------- Mike VHT Special 6 Mods Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
To late for the might be to loud,done deal. If I'm lucky I'll have it before the weekend. one of my neibhbor listen to is tv so loud in is basement that you think it's the tv in my wife's son room and the second story neighbor listen to music so loud that I'm starting to know the lirics. I usualy have good jugement I never play amped past 7pm and don't play harp past 8pm, my daugnter goes to bed a 8. I usualy play amped on monday and tuesday because they are my days off.
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
Got home from work today and there was a big box waiting for me, making a good day a great day. I played 5 min before supper and maybe half an hour after. Volume on 6 or 7 most of the time, felt that I should crank it up and find that sweetspot but didn't whant to push my luck. Monday I'll have a least 30 min alone I'm gonna find that sweetspot. First impressions are great. Now that I have good gear I can only blame myself for the sound.
I want to give a big two tumbs up to Beardharmonica it was really great to do business with him. he always responded fast to my email and he shipped the zoo fast.
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
Most Zoo's can't even be pushed to 7 unless your mic is weak. I just rebuilt one today that won't make it past 5 1/2 with a strong CM. Let me know if you have any questions. Shoot me the SN# and I can tell you when I rebuilt it. ---------- /Greg
Hi Greg the number on the back of the speaker is 43079. I play with a SUKM silver bullet with a mexican 99C86 DJ cm element with the superboost mod, I hve a guitar cable conector on it and my cable scratch when I move it. The cable it pretty beat up and old could it be the problem.
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
I'd say that's the most likely explanation for your scratchy sound Martin. Only other things it could be are either the 1/4" jack on your SUKM, or theinput on the 'Zoo. But Greg's method of rebuilding 'Zoos includes a reinforcement of the input and its surrounding faceplate, so I kinda doubt it'd be that. Cables go bad. It's just a natural occurence.
It's a model two. I've been doing some thinking today and I realized that I wasn't getting the same volume I used to have with the honeytone. I have a two foot cable that I use for my pedal gonna try playing with that tonight.
Do you have the original speaker in yours? I have the original in mine but also have a brand new Weber sig 10 ceramic that was never put in, just curious.
I don't really know much about amp,tube and mic so if you know some interesting site that I could visit and learn a few things I would be glad for the help.
Martin ---------- Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. Isaac Asimov
What you have is a low impedance element. The "superboost" mod then is an impedance matching transformer inside the shell to make it look like a high impedance mic. Nothing wrong with that but the output depends on the transformer. No big deal - if you can get feedback before 9 on the volume knob, everything is working OK. ---------- /Greg
Good to see you've remedied your volume issue. One thing I would point out in terms of the comparison between the 'Zoo and the Honeytone...the Honeytone is solid state and the 'Zoo is all tube. You're always gonna have differences in tone, volume, and effects when you go from SS to tube. There are exceptions to that, but very, very few.
Yes, mine has its original CTS alnico. My advice, and I know Greg will agree, is leave it alone. Its a gem in an amplifier of that class, and sounds terrific. If it should ever go bad, then your Weber would be a very good replacement. But if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.
The best resources you could ever hope for on this rest in Greg, and the aforementioned Kalamazoo Field Guide written by Miles O'Neal. I've learned tons from both of them since getting my Deuce from Greg. The one recommendation I could make is in the area of effects. If you want some reverb, or some other amplifier's characteristics added to the 'Zoo's output, then look into a good pedal setup like a DigiTech RP series or one of Lone Wolf's many great pedals to achieve it. ---------- Hawkeye Kane
question on the VHT Special 6 amp, can you plug a high Z harp mic into the Low Input Jack and an electric guitar in the High Input Jack at the same time and have them both be amplified?
