Rarko
18 posts
Jul 13, 2013
3:16 PM
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Someone told me that beginner player should buy first cheap amps, microphones,harps...
Is that a good way or should people buy some decent pro microphone or amp if they can afford it?
I think that cheap harps isnt very good start, but dunno about microphones and amps...
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FMWoodeye
740 posts
Jul 13, 2013
3:40 PM
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Rarko, check out the recent thread entitled Most Important Keys, and there is some good discussion on cheap harps vs. decent harps, etc. A small practice amp is just fine. An inexpensive mic like the Bottle 'O Blues will serve you well at this stage, and it's not a bad piece of gear to keep long term. I have a little Pignose amp in like-new condition that I would donate to you if you pay for shipping. It sounds decent with almost any mic, and it runs on batteries. It's loud enough that I've used it at tailgates, campfires and the like. I live in Michigan, so if you're in reasonable geographic proximity and you're interested, email me at lzoia@comcast.net.
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Ray
441 posts
Jul 13, 2013
3:43 PM
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Buy a Special 20 harp in C and learn to play some things before buying mic and amp. After you've learn to play using free Youtube lessons ( 6 mo. minimum) then look to spend at least a few hundred dollars for mic and amp. Just my opinion. Others may have better advice.
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Rarko
19 posts
Jul 13, 2013
4:08 PM
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I have been playin for 2 years, acoustic... and I think I am working fine with all important techniques.
I bought a green bullet with good element and it will arrive soon from usa (I live in Serbia, eastern europe).
And I am trying to sell my old guitar fender amp (unusefull for harp) and then I want to buy some decent harp amp. But some player recommended to me that I should go first with very cheap stuff. I realy dont know why...
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Jim Rumbaugh
887 posts
Jul 13, 2013
4:35 PM
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One man's cheap is another man's expensive.
I started of with cheap $5 harps, but I didn't have $30 to put on each harp. I now think the $30 harp range is a good starting point.
What do you want to spend??? You can probably get better answers that way.
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theharmonicaclub.com (of Huntington, WV)
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S-harp
138 posts
Jul 13, 2013
5:28 PM
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Rarko ... God question ... lets look at the signal chain ...
your body, the instrument, the mic, the amp ( with all its parts)
Here we find a strict hierarchy ... First and most imortant is of course your body, your breathing and technique. Next comes your instrument. At first you must focus on these. And you need a decent harp! Why should a beginner start with cr*p? Nonsens!
Ok. go ahead and by mics and amps and what not for a millon $ , you will still sound like exensive cr*p if you haven't developed good tech and at least have a deacent harp.
Looking for tone in gear easily waists to many important years. Gear is a matter of preferance, tone is a matter of person, you and a good instrument. A very good lowest level of harps would be SP20, Marine Band Classic and why not Big Rivers. A very good lowest level of gear would be a SM57, (you've got a bullet with a good element, great) ... and maybe a 5-10 w amp, like a VHT + a High/Low coverter to the 57
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The tone, the tone ... and the Tone
Last Edited by S-harp on Jul 13, 2013 5:39 PM
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FMWoodeye
741 posts
Jul 13, 2013
5:39 PM
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Well, if you've been working at it for two years, I guess you're not a beginner anymore, except in the venue of playing amplified. If you buy something that you're reasonably sure you can sell quickly for the same price, then you can avoid getting "hurt," unless shipping costs bury you. So I would avoid a new amp UNLESS you want to go with a decent inexpensive amp, like the Fender Excelsior priced at less than $300. I bought one of these recently, but it was to fill a specific space in my amp lineup. You're likely to get a deal on shipping, too. I really have no grasp of the availability and/or pricing of amps in Serbia. When your friends say cheap stuff, maybe they don't necessarily mean low quality.
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12gagedan
270 posts
Jul 13, 2013
7:38 PM
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I don't think a beginner should use anything less than a Big River level of harp. The old Pocket Pals were good, but "cheap" harps do more harm than good. Shit, I struggle to play a Bluesband, and I've been at this a long time. I also think it's a waste to start with an expensive harp. I blew harps out really quick when I started out. I can also rip on a stock MB right now. As for other gear, it's the same logic. Decent mic, decent amp will do wonders ($500). I got rooked into a Peavy "Blazer" for my first amp and it was garbage.
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12gagedan's YouTube Channel
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Rarko
20 posts
Jul 14, 2013
3:35 AM
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Yes, I wasnt very clear and I see where is misunderstanding. First thing: @FMWoodeye , you are right, I am not beginner harmonica player but playing amplified is totaly new thing to me. I played once one song at jam session and I head a problems with cupping, I felt like I will dropp that mic every moment.
And second thing: cheap and expensive is different in my country and in other parts of the world. For me, everything more then 150$ is expensive . So, for us SM57 isnt cheap (150$ is price here.. but the most bizzare thing here is - blues blaster and bullet 520DX - 200$). Same with amps - VHT 6 is 320$ in music store(it is more then a half of normal month salary here).
But I had luck that my good friend is in California and he bought a mic for me from Greg Heumann (and that was very interesting story, I will make another topic about that... microphone arrives tommorow, huray! :) ).
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rogonzab
343 posts
Jul 14, 2013
8:21 AM
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Rarko,
I feel your pain, in my country gear is very expensive too.
If you already have a good mic, now you need a amp. Can you tell us what amps can you get in your country? Whit that info I am sure that we can all help you to choose a good one.
Edit: you want to play in your house or whit a band?
Last Edited by rogonzab on Jul 14, 2013 8:22 AM
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Martin
409 posts
Jul 14, 2013
12:04 PM
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Rarko,
If your band is playing through a PA it´s an option for you to go straight into that, or via a pedal of some sort (plenty of topics on the here). Cuts costs quite a bit.
To improve your cupping technique, always practice with the microphone, even if it´s un-connected.
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Pistolcat
431 posts
Jul 15, 2013
8:49 AM
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In places were salaries are low and new-prices are high it can be more cost effective buying defects and have them restored by a professional. Not a suggestion, mind, merely a observation.
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Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
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Udderkuz03
13 posts
Jul 18, 2013
3:10 PM
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Get the cheap blues band $5 and the special 20 or big river. Play the blues band for awhile and then try the expensive one...you'll feel the difference and then know what more you can do with the expensive one...
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