I just thought that I would add that Meteor Harp amps which were only mentioned by Greg are made by Scott Berberian who is a harp player who actually did work with Gary at some point and eventually went in his own direction to build his product.They also were endorsed buy alot of pro,s.He originally built the bigger 50 watt Meteor which I own and then players suggested and asked for a more ergonominal(easier to lug around)amplifier and he started producing the smaller versian the Mini Meat(35 watts I believe).I just had to mention the other harp amp that is still available.BTW I know that Gary worked with Sonny And Brownie back in the day,hence getting his nick name Sonny Jr. but I always wondered if Sonny T. ever got to play through one of Garys amps.If so he must have whooped in his pants,eh.
Last Edited by on Dec 08, 2012 6:28 AM
I've said this before and I'll say it again, I believe this discussion is agenda driven. Amp tone is subjective, period. I've been lucky enough to own all the amps listed above with the exception to the Wezo. All of them offer features that appeal to certain players. I believe it to be true that you end up having a good relationship with the builder of the amp you like, not the other way around. I've settled on Meteor. I own the big boy and the mini-15. I now have a good relationship with Scott at Meteor. (he's a harp player as well).
Last Edited by on Dec 08, 2012 7:33 AM
I have the HG50 1210 that Hal Iwan sold. I bought it from him. It was not mdded by Skip Simmons. It was modded by Megatone amps, to add their features, boost, pad control, etc. It is, in effect, now a Harpgear/Megatone hybrid, of sorts. I can't say how it sounded initially, but now it does indeed, now sound very much like the Avenger, but it is lightly smaller and slightly lighter. I have another amp that is a bit smaller, so I would consider selling the HG50, if the price is right. It is in perfect condition. I'm just not sure I need to keep another large amp. I can't say who had it on tour, used it for demos, etc. All I can say is how it works now. Big fat tone variable breakup with the "Pad Control". You cantact me if you like through my profile conatct info. Not sure if I want to let it go, but I would consider it.
Looking over the garden variety mass produced guitar amps and the collectables and boutique guitar amps, I have to say the harp amps are way under-priced. Unfortunately, I can no longer afford any of them. BTW: By the time the harp players modify, customize and swap components in their guitar designed amps, they probably could afford a good purpose built custom harp amp.
@rbeetsme That's an interesting point regarding harp amps being under priced. When the super sonny was at the end of its production, the price point came down so far, it was cheaper than a similar bassman product and the components and cosmetics were much better. My guitar players loves playing through my Super Sonny, after a few tube swaps.
I bought a Sonny Jr 1 a million years ago, I think it was 1994. Back then, I had a variety of old guitar amps I used , but they were not as stable and dependable as today's harp amps. I was playing regularly and my best amp was a 59 Bassman, but it was too valuable to lug around and play gigs and I hated the idea of it sitting at home like an antique. I sold it to a collector and use some of the proceeds to buy a Sonny JR 1 and I used that for the next 12 years with never an issue or a problem, even though it was subject to much abuse. Plug and play, I love it.
As a poster said, it is great that today we have a variety of harp amps to choose from.
I agree, there is a variety of harp amps available. A lot of the longtime players still use their modded Bassmans, Twin Reverbs, Bandmasters and such. They created their signature sound with those amps and aren't ready to switch. Besides, some players have so much money wrapped up in their rigs they intend to keep them forever. Same with old Harleys. Used to be, you bought a Harley and then you spent the next couple of years replacing the carb, pipes, wheels, suspension and hot rodding the engine. It took that long to get them to ride decently and run reliably.
Last Edited by on Dec 08, 2012 9:56 AM
I will set the record straight-seems some here are easily confused,or misinformed,or both.
Gary built Kim a one off custom amp to use on "My Blues"-when Kin unpacked the amp,the quote"best amp iv'e ever played out of the box!" was born.
Kim gave Gary permssion and the rights to use that quote,which he did for some years.
Until Kim endorsed the Meteor-Scott made Kim two custom one offs-one had Little Walter stenciled on the grillcloth,the other had pink tolex-picked out by Amanda.
Thats when Gary stopped using the quote-now Kim endorses no one,but sems to use Fender amps exclusivley.
Last Edited by on Dec 08, 2012 4:58 PM
Hey Tom. You've had (or have) Harpkings and no doubt played some of Dennis G's (including the one I sold him). How would you rate Sonny's amps against them....I realize the variables inherent in the question, e.g. which Sonny Jr.? Which HK? etc......but generally? p.s. I play through a "Soulful" these days. My best.d ---------- Facebook
I had Rods red 4-10 and sold it to purchase a mint Green 4-10.
I own a Super Cruncher,which I upgraded myself from a regular Cruncher amp.
At the Beach Shack jam-which is notoriously loud-the Super Cruncher cuts better than the HarpKing-the King is louder,but I can get the Super Cruncher up to around 8 on the volume,plus get it deep into the house-i have had players in the audience tell me so.
I truly believe it cuts due to the 8's-one has a huge 30oz magnet on it-thats what projects the mids and highs into the house.
I love all my amps for different reasons-it's nice to have choices-I just purchased a 1961 Brown Pro-I will let you know how that stacks up-nice to hear from you bigd-happy holidays to you and yours!! Tom.
Last Edited by on Dec 08, 2012 7:27 PM
Thanks TMF, Nice quality vids. IMHO Wilson is the best blues harp player on the planet. Every time I see something like this or see him live, I feel like selling all my stuff. He does everything perfectly. Everything. Nathan James does a good job of helping Kim showcase those skills too.
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2012 6:32 AM
Thanks to all who responded, it was very informative. I also learned alot about Honda vs. Harley motorcycles! To quote Forrest Gump, "Internet threads are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get"-lol
The avenger is top shelf as are the other usual suspects.
It's all what ones ears tell them is best. What one wants from an amp.
Having played through a cruncher, a sonny 410 and an avenger I feel the avenger was the better sounding amp out of those.
A friend owns the 50 watt meteor and it is nothing to sneeze at. It sounds brilliant if you can get it turned up enough.
Another friend owns a harpking 610 and it is thunderous but I don't know that I'd buy one seeing as I think with the kinder afb and s bassman you can sound very close. The harp octave seems to give a bassman when set right the harpking vibe. I know some people can get the harpking singing at low volume. I never cared for it at low volume with my playing. I am not going to blame it for my short comings.
I personally really like what I have heard of the bigger harpgear amps. I just wish I could a/b the 1210 and 410 hg50s to decide which I want as I am torn. The difference in air movent is not major for me. YouTube videos really make it hard to judge anything.
As for finding an avenger. I am sure if you wait around and post to harp l and check here one will turn up. I have seen people ask in more than one thread in the past 3-4 months looking for offers on one. boutique amps in general seen to lose a fair amount of value on the second hand market. Not always true though.
One thing I have noticed is more non pros or even just living room players buy big boutique amps. Then they end up dumping them due to non use or lack of interest or needing the next best thing.
Most performing guys I know play bassman reissues. Or random vintage stuff. One of the best being a maestro 4x8. That amp is owned by the guy with the meteor and the meteor just comes out for his loudest shows where he is not in the pa. Otherwise it sounds under driven.
Last Edited by on Dec 09, 2012 3:12 PM
Loved that video of Sugar and Sonny...Once upon a time at a D.Barrett thing in San Jose I heard Lee Oscar and Sonny playing together spontaneously and it was a treat! ---------- Facebook
