1xhurricane
1 post
Jun 18, 2013
10:10 AM
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Hi Everyone,
I've been playing harp for a few years now and i'm starting to get a grip of things - the problem is i can't quite find "that sound" - try as i might. I have a good range of mics and i've even tried some of the effects pedals from Lonewolf so i'm starting to think it's the amps. I'd like some advice in re-valving a couple of amps, most importantly a little Belcat and a Vox V15. The Belcat has one Rubytube 6L6GCMSTR and one Rubytube 12AX7AC5HG - I'd like to start with that as there's only two valves so less cash to start with as playing harp has been a never-ending money-pit.
In my haste i forgot to mention that I'm new to all this (i've never posted on any forum before), I live in Scotland and am a member of a regularly-gigging Blues band.
Any help/advice would be much appreciated.
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Kingley
2779 posts
Jun 18, 2013
10:34 AM
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It's hard to tell if it's the amp or you that's failing to get "that sound" without hearing a clip of you playing harp. So here's a few questions and suggestion.
Questions:
Does the amp squeal with feedback when you turn it up a little?
Can you get "that sound" acoustically?
Is you mic cupping technique correct?
Do you play just single notes or do you use double stops, octaves, etc as well to fatten the acoustic sound?
Suggestions:
Upload a clip of you playing. Preferably through the Belcat. That will help us identify the problems more easily.
Try using a 12AY7 instead of the 12AX7. That will lower the gain and allow you to drive the amp more.
Look at your cupping technique and make sure you have a good seal on the mic.
Unplug all the effects pedals and just use the amp. Get the sound you seek from the amp alone, then start adding in the effects slowly to taste. Until you get a sound you like.
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5F6H
1637 posts
Jun 18, 2013
10:38 AM
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Start off by trying different valves in place of the 12AX7...like 5751, 12AY7...maybe even a 12AU7 if the amp has more than enough gain.
5751 & 12AY7 will probably cost around £20 inc. VAT each, 12AU7 you might get a bit cheaper if you try a Chinese version to start with (but this will tell you if you are going in the right direction, then you can spring for a better tube later).
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1xhurricane
2 posts
Jun 19, 2013
4:40 AM
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Hi Kingley,
Answers = The feedback does seem to be the major problem as i can't push the amp at all so i end up with feedback almost instantly. I can play with a clean, lightly amplified sound with no problem but what i really want is that broken-up and warm dirty sound that always seems to escape me.
My acoustic sound is fine.
Cupping technique is ok.
I play everything from single notes to big fat octaves and all the trimmings but as you know, some things just don't work with the whole overall sound being too clean and precise.
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1xhurricane
3 posts
Jun 19, 2013
4:48 AM
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5F6H - Thanks for your suggestions.
I'd like to be able to push the valves to get that broken-up sound - instead all i get is terminal feedback.
Playing with a constantly clean (ish) sound may be great precision practice but I'd really like to get "down and dirty".
www.badluckntrouble.net
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5F6H
1638 posts
Jun 19, 2013
6:21 AM
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The players with "down & dirty" tone you hear, have that all the time - amp or no amp.
The lower gain tube will help you get a warmer tone (less bright/harsh), anything that lets you defeat feedback some & get more volume at the speaker (not necessarily just on the volume knob) will help.
I'm not familiar with the Belcat amp & not aware of anyone else I may have heard using one, so I don't know if there are any caps/part of the design aimed at boosting highs. Keep the high EQ & gains low.
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