Gibbo
9 posts
Apr 16, 2013
7:39 PM
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Imagine my surprise and good luck that my Shure 520dx and GM in A (freshly tuned) arrived in the mail at the same time. Grabbed my Epiphone Valve Jr. and went out to the garage.
Note: I have never played any instrument successfully, ever, until now. I have a good background in vocal music, but not ever amp'ed beyond just a PA system.
Following advice of various people, I turned the knob all the way to the right and then just upped the volume on the mic to where it can be heard.
This sounds friggin awesome! The tone rolled into a Chicago Blues sound with some light breaking and distortion. I ran through the two songs I have mastered and was left wanting more, so I just started doing licks.
My wife came home about then and told me that I could be heard out by the mail box a half block away. She did mention it sounded good though. She then suggested that we replace the garage door with an insulated one.
I love my wife.
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Gibbo
Harp Player in Training
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SuperBee
1066 posts
Apr 16, 2013
8:09 PM
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That's cool. I'm interested in that approach to the volume. I do the exact opposite; mic up full, then I set the amp volume.
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markdc70
129 posts
Apr 16, 2013
9:06 PM
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I've read a few people's posts stating that they use Gibbo's amp/mic settings over the last few years. Usually, their reason for doing so is that they are "pushing the power tubes hard for that nice distortion that only they give". I've farted around a little modding my Valve Junior and building/modding effects pedals, and from what I've learned, this theory holds absolutely no water. By cranking the volume control on the amp and lowering the mic volume (on most harp amps), all you will achieve is LESS preamp distortion and NO change in power tube distortion (when compared with reverse mic/amp settings at similar sound pressure levels). Gibbo's settings make sense until you learn the way input voltages are amplified and divided in an amp's circuit, and then they make no sense to me. I would really like to hear from some of the amp tech guys here on this subject.
Last Edited by markdc70 on Apr 16, 2013 9:07 PM
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FMWoodeye
613 posts
Apr 16, 2013
9:09 PM
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Your wife said it sounded good? She's a keeper.
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Gibbo
10 posts
Apr 16, 2013
9:18 PM
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@FM - Yeah she said I sounded pretty good on facebook the other day, virtually in front of everyone we know.
I will try it the other way around tomorrow and report back. I like that concept better because I keep bumping the mic volume.
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Gibbo
Harp Player in Training
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SuperBee
1067 posts
Apr 16, 2013
11:01 PM
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Yeah Gibbo, its mainly a practical thing for me. If I have a VC I like to have the full range available. I just use the same amp settings I'd use if I didn't have a VC, pretty much. I don't like the thought of having my amp up in that zone waiting for me to bump the VC. I'll buy what markdc70 says too.
What kind of Epi you have? I used my stock mk3 combo at practice the other night...I can only turn it up to around 830-9 o'clock I guess, but its quite useable at that. I wouldn't want any more distortion really.
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Gibbo
11 posts
Apr 17, 2013
10:36 AM
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I have the Epi Valve Jr. combo amp. I got it off Craigstlist, so I am not sure if it is a model one or two. It definitely isn't the three (only one output).
My only real criticism is the lack of a headphone jack. My confidence in my playing is such that I'd rather keep to myself for now.
I had it cranked all the way to "11", but the mic was at 8 o'clock or so. Later today I'll switch it around.
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Gibbo
Harp Player in Training
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SuperBee
1068 posts
Apr 17, 2013
2:47 PM
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Have a look at the serial number. The first four digits represent month and year. Eg 1005 means October 2005.
The first version 2 is from 0106.
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harmonicanick
1872 posts
Apr 17, 2013
3:00 PM
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How do you dial in a wife that likes your sound?
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Gibbo
12 posts
Apr 17, 2013
4:35 PM
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So I just finished practicing. I think SuperBee & markdc70 are right on this one.
Max Amp/Min Mic (about 8 o'clock on the dial)
- Smoother, soulful sound.
- Betchya it would be good for jazz.
Max Mic/Min Amp (about 10 o'clock on the dial)
- More ringing sound, sounds like a a rock concert
- Breaks up when hammering out the notes
- Sounded crazy (but good) with the classicalish noodle I have been playing around with
As with so much in this hobby/obsession/profession it is about what you want. I think for me the cranked mic is the way to go with the sounds I am trying to create.
Thanks for the input guys!
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Gibbo
Harp Player in Training
Last Edited by Gibbo on Apr 17, 2013 4:37 PM
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