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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
OT: Junior's First Harp Rig
OT: Junior's First Harp Rig
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Noodles
233 posts
Aug 12, 2012
11:05 AM
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I have a 7-year old nephew we call Junior. He’s the type of kid that gets bored easily and tends to go exploring; especially through drawers, closets and my vintage harp gear. He’s always grabbing my harps, yanking mic cords and twisting knobs. He likes jamming with uncle Noodles. It seems that when he comes over to my house, his first choice is to go directly to my harmonica sanctuary.—whether I’m with him or not.
Yesterday, I decided to nurture his interest and set him up, like any cool uncle would do.
I went on Craig's List and found a cheap amp for $10. The guitar cord that came with it is worth more than $10 alone. These amps were sold at Walmart, new for around $50. Jr’s amp is slightly used and came packed in the original box. It’s 10 watts, solid-state, 6” speaker and has an Overdrive control. In overdrive you get a raspy tone.
I was surprised by this little amp.
I dug up an old Special 20 and set up a bullet mic for him.
This is Jr’s first harp rig. Not too bad for a 7-year old.
The next time he comes over, I'm going to have an excited kid on my hands - but hey - that's what it's all about.
Last Edited by on Aug 12, 2012 2:51 PM
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rogonzab
87 posts
Aug 12, 2012
11:21 AM
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Can I be your nephew?...
The kid is going to love your gift, not so much his parents I think.
You are a great uncle.
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Noodles
234 posts
Aug 12, 2012
11:24 AM
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Thanks for the kind words. The amp will stay at my house for now. My studio just became "our" studio. He can take the harp home to practice, but the amp stays so we can "jam."
Now, when he comes over, I'll have a good reason to fire up the gear.
Last Edited by on Aug 12, 2012 11:41 AM
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jbone
1032 posts
Aug 12, 2012
11:42 AM
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so aside from that being a really great thing to do for a kid- ANY kid- i am curious if the mic and amp get along together well? i know i had the reverse the other night, i forgot my hi-z mics and so used an sm57 in my tube amp- which was pretty flat sounding until i got the tremolo going, which improved it some. the times i've tried a hi-z mic in a solid state amp has resulted in either low volume or total screaming hell.
i know, Junior could care less once he sees this setup, he'll be stealing your gigs soon!
my first rig- and i was a couple of decades older than your nephew- was a crate II solid state with a lavalier mic, and later a digi delay pedal to wet the sound some. i am also resurrecting a danelectro dirty thirty ss amp just for giggles, with a no-name condenser mic, which i used as a harp rig for a while. very easy to feed back but workable if tweaked just so.
funny too, i saw that same first act amp at a flea market yesterday for $10.
pat yourself on the back Noodles.
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Noodles
235 posts
Aug 12, 2012
11:52 AM
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@jbone
Just as you say... Low volume, but, compared to what? Granted, my gear will blow this stuff through the wall, but I'm kind of glad it doesn't crank. I had it a full volume with the 520DX (in the picture). It's touchy on feedback - no doubt, and can squeal pretty loudly. Anyhow, I have other mics, but the kid sees my Jt-30 with the volume control and wants one just like it.
The First Act amps are really best as a bedroom guitar amp, especially with the headphone capability.
Last Edited by on Aug 12, 2012 12:19 PM
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Noodles
251 posts
Aug 14, 2012
3:27 PM
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UPDATE:
Jr. came over today. He drifted into my music room as usual. I let him go in by himself to see if he’d notice the extra amp. He came over to me, (all jacked up), grabbed my arm and dragged me to the new amp. “Look what I found! Can I try it, can I try it, can I try it?” OK, I said. So, I hooked him up and left the room. When I can back, he asked me to teach him a song. I take the mic, and OUT OF NOWHERE, I get this KILLER tone. And increased volume.
Apparently, JR. twisted some knobs in my absence. This cheap amp sounded louder and had a bluesy, ballsy tone with the JT30, PE54 and the 520DX. So, I take back what I said earlier.
If you have a chance to pick up an amp like this for $10, like I did – DO IT.
Oh, and Jr….. he’s home now working on Row, Row, Row Your Boat. The kid is going to be a harp player.
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