I've read a lot on here about this, and I'd like to get some opinions about some different solutions to this problem I've read here - especially on how they compare.
The goal: I have a cool vintage Dynamic Hi-Z mic that I play either through my danelectro Hodad or through the PA at bandpractice. (I know, I'm cheap, but I spend the money I do have on harps and the time I do have on playing them to improve acoustic tone. I do play 'out' sometimes though, and would like to make a fast improvement.) Both with the Hodad and the PA, I find the sound too boxy, no matter how well I cup. The Hodad is of course a small box with 2 inch speakers, and the PA..well. Not the best of it's kind I reckon. I'm looking for a bit more depth and possible a little bit of 'tube sound'. As I save up for nicer things (ultimate 545 and Vht special 6 probably) I'd like to find a quick solution. The lone Wolf stuff is out of the question because of the price. Otherwise I would consider a harp break or a tone +.
There are quite a lot of options left though. -A digitech rp 55 -Behringer V-tone GDI 21 -Overdrive pedals. I read someone here has a Digitech bad monkey, which should be a pretty soft and round overdrive with a bass knob. Someone else said he liked the more expensive blues driver. -EQ pedals: give a bit more control, but won't change the tone to tube-like.. And of course the PA does have an eq.
Something I haven't read nothing about is the Behringer V-tone Acoustic DI. This has something the GDI 21 doesn't have: parametric mids. Could that one work for harp as the GDI does according to quite a few good reviews on here? Both come in bass-versions as well btw..
All these solutions are around the 30-40 euro mark. I'd very much like to get some opinions on this. If I were to buy something now, I'd perhaps lean towards the Bad Monkey, as it sound great on guitar-demo's on youtube. No idea what it sounds like for harp though, and I don't have a good way to try it out.
I wouldn't put much faith in any review of a pedal for guitar. A harp is a completely different animal and most of what works well for guitar doesn't work so well for harp.
I'd just use what you have now and keep saving your money for the gear you really want. It'll be worth it in the end.
Last Edited by on Jan 22, 2013 8:55 AM
I have the Acoustic DI. It is like my Tech 21 Para DI, but without a drive knob. You can get a great sound out of it ASSUMING, you are not after added drive. I apologize for no sound clips, but I love my Para DI, and found the Acoustic DI a great tool for a cleanish harp sound.
Let's put it this way the Acoustic DI will be super easy to work with and control feedback relative to a guitar overdrive pedal. You also get a full EQ and the ability to add analog warmth...plus, its has its own DI box.
Right now, I am trying to simply use the boost on my Zoom G5 as my "amp". I replaced the 12ax7 with a Tung Sol. It was a good blues sounds, but impossible to keep clean. I ordered a 12ay7 and will try that next. I am confident it would be good enough for live use 90% of the time, as I really just want a warm clean sound anyways.
I am really trying to maximize the gig with my custom wood bullet from Greg H. as that mic looks awesome. It has less bass and more mids than my Ultimate 57, so everything sounds like telephone blues, IMO, which is cool for somethings. However, I think I can dial it in to be a bit more dynamic and effects friendly.
If they made an element that would fit a bullet that was essentially a SM58 or SM57, I would pay really good money for it. ---------- Custom Harmonicas Optimized Harmonicas
Overdrive pedals: If you see a Boss of that sort, just keep walking. It won´t do you any good at all unless it´s feedback you´re looking for. I practically gave mine away.
I like the sound of the para. The sansamp is somewhat harsh here and there, but I like the break-up. Not worse than most amps I hear. As my mic isn't as clean as a fireball, and does break-up of itself under hard play, the Acoustic might be right.. mmm..
Btw, I once saw a vid of some looper that was interviewed by Lee Sankey. He had a (I think) JT30 shell with a Shure 545 cartridge in it. So it should be possible.
Now if Greg H. would only make a wood bullit with a sm 57 and a cool imp matching volume control thing sticking out from underneath it. Shouldn't even cost that much, as an sm 57 is probably not more expensive than one of those single impedance CM's? I don't know how complex it is to make though. Perhaps he/you can answer this!
Last Edited by on Jan 22, 2013 10:06 AM
I don't run the "blend" knob very high on those clips at all. That really adds analog warmth...will try to record something tonight. ---------- Custom Harmonicas Optimized Harmonicas
Here is a video from over 3 years ago in which I used a Bad Monkey to the PA with a 585AV Shure Unisphere Mic. The Bad Monkey worked OK, though I was frequently adjusting to deal with feedback issues.
I could not add much gain for distortion without getting feedback, but it sounded OK. The EQ available on the pedal is just highs and lows, with no mid range adjustment. But it is certainly inexpensive. You might try one at a music store with your mic and see how it works for you.
I have successfully used the LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI with this same high z 585AV mic to get a good acoustic sound, even getting a small amount of smooth distortion when I push it. It has EQ and notch filters, and is designed for acoustic guitars. The Baggs has very high impedance input. Originally I got it to use with a ceramic biscuit mic, but it clipped a lot due to high signal strength overloading it. But the Baggs is not a cheap solution, either.
The best sound I have heard straight to the board is Mike's Tech 21 SansAmp Para Driver DI. You can adjust the drive you want and have good EQ. If I had less gear cluttering my house I would certainly buy one of those.
Note: I like a cleaner distortion that mainly breaks up when you push it, not the classic harp constant distortion favored by many. ----------
I love my Harp Commander Four and Ron Holmes is working on a HC5 that sounds like it's going to be a tone monster. The effects loop works great and handles the impedance matching so that you can use whatever pedal you like without having to deal with impedance mismatches that many have experienced with popular harp mics and amps. All the best on your search! Jay ---------- Music speaks where words fail.
One day, I will have a bullet with a SM58 element, dammit! I think it couldn't be retrofitted to by custom wood bullet, which is still, some months later, gorgeous to look at. It sounds great too, but I end up using enough effects that a clean dynamic sound is very helpful.
A Zoom G3 is cheap, very versatile and easy to use. I have a vintage mic with Shure 99A86 CM and it sounds good with just some delay from the G3. G3 also has a whole bunch of amp models you can try if you want to gritty it up, and another whole bunch of effects to play with. ----------
Cool feedback guys. Liked the vid of the Bad Monkey! Think I'll go with the Behringer DI for now then. Would still like to hear Mike's sample, but understand you're busy trying to cramp that sm 58 cartridge in a bullet ;) Thing is, Zoom G3 and Harp commander is more of an alternative for a small valve amp, price wise. I'm looking for some of the really cheap alternatives mentioned in the OP.
Last Edited by on Jan 23, 2013 11:44 PM
