I would go with the Delta sonic for a couple of reasons. First,the Delta Sonic is not on a PCB, making any work on it easier if any modifications were wanted. Secondly I have found that the 10" speaker gives the best results for harp, to my taste. Lastly, I own a Mission 32-20, so I know that the quality would be top of the line and backed solidly by its builder.
Gigging=compromise between volume and tone, especially when you are dealing with these small amps. They may sound great but it doesn't mean a thing if nobody can hear it.
Recording= whichever amp sounds better and is the quietest in volume and at idle.
I haven't tried any of those amps but I do enjoy 8s in small amps.
As the only one available in newzealand is the Fender(and the only one i have ever played)i'd have to go with the Princeton. Trouble is i can't justify spending 2200$ (c1700$US!) on a 15watt amp,well any amp for that matter i suppose. I really do like what i have heard on the tube of the Mission but i think that they are all really good amps. As has been said really depends on what you want the amp to do if you have the choice.
Hemi, can you please put up a video of the correct Meteor amp?
Yes, as far as I know Meteor has not shipped any amps in some time.
UPDATE -- I'm not sure they are completely out of business, but I did find a post from Scooter in 2010 that said the price of the Mini-15 amp was going up to $1650.
I am partial to the mission as I own a 32-20 but I definitely like the sound of the harp gear over the meteor. I don't have any experience with the fender Princeton reverb reissue.
But this choice is liking picking 1 car over three other really nice cars.
Last Edited by blueswannabe on Aug 27, 2013 4:56 PM
Both Mini Meats where rated 30 watts using 6l6's, 20 watts running 6V6. Scott told me they where rated on the conservative side but may be capable of as much as 25-35 watts.
I've owned three DT's and two MIni's and have played the PRRI. My second choice would be the DT. I would only pic the PRRI over the Delta because I prefer separate bass and treble and its a killer guitar amp. If I get a chance to play a Delta, It may change my mind.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Aug 27, 2013 5:56 PM
That looks like one of the Mini's I owned (red one) got it from Joe L and he got it from Dennis M.
Dam, that looks like a National Stage Star in the middle? Extremely rare ands its got four Rola 6x11 speakers. A real clean one sold on eBay awhile back for $3400. It's a Tremotone on steroids!
The Mini sounded good, only complaint is the volume. nice playing too!
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Aug 27, 2013 6:12 PM
Very tough decision,I would love to test drive them all,that is a moot point.
Since I have a VHt and a Hg50,needed a middle size amp bad.The mission is the one I would have got.Shopped in town,you know helping the local economy out,walked out of guitar center with a princeton reverb reissue under 800.Figured I can always sell to a guitar man,and it sounds decent with harp.I like the Freakin thing.
The reverb on that amp is awesome,granted probably used on a limited number of songs,but especially with the chro man you can sound like nobody else.Haven't played with the vibrato,definately would give you that something special somewhere.Yes old BBq Bob helped Randy on his Reverb pedal,he knows that every once in awhile killer sound.
I changed out a few tubes,to get some guitar harshness out of it.V1 5751 per rec. from some cats like Rick,and JJ6v6 for warmth.Seems to have worked for my sound anyway,but can't say for anybody else.Bottom line I think buying a harp specific amp gets you closer than tinkering,but your budget gets you a princeton you will be alright.Done to Dinner was excellent.
Last Edited by capnj on Aug 27, 2013 8:09 PM
That's forum member, Htownfess, blowing through the Meteor in the "Done To Dinner" clip. He's is a very toneful fellow. ---------- Ricky B http://www.bushdogblues.blogspot.com RIVER BOTTOM BLUES--crime novel for blues fans available at Amazon/B&N and my blog THE DEVIL'S BLUES--ditto
Here's one done a few years ago. The harp is not front and centre as in most of the videos above. It is though, being used in a typical jam situation (loud and raucous). I'm playing a JT30 with a CM99A86 element into a PRRI with a 12AY7 in V1. I don't have the chops of those guys above, but it should give you guys an idea of what a mere mortal sounds like through one.
I suspect (relative to tone) I would choose the Delta......However as a performer (especially if you're a gun for hire in bands where you do not control the dynamics) you've got to have the volume so I would go for the Mini....My relationship to that Mini above was thus: I had John Kinder build me a Soulful amp (I believe mine was the 2nd after Rod's) with a roaring 2 10''s.....Sold it to finance the Mini which was anemic in comparison to the Soulful so I sold the Mini and went with a monster vintage Magnatone (for sale)....these days I'm on my 2nd Soulful.....It breaks my heart but I may have to ebay this one at some point: unemployment, kids, etc....but pound for pound the Soulful has been my my best performance amp to date for it's combo of thunder and tone......I joke in earnest when I say I need an amp therapist! ---------- Facebook
The Meteor Mini is probably louder than the Mission Delta Sonic amp, but it makes 30 watts instead of 15, is no longer available, and sold for twice as much money. I'm not sure it should be included in this grouping.
My preference would be this:
1 - Mission Delta Sonic. I jam frequently and gig occasionally so I need a loud amp. Even if I use the line out I need the amp to be a loud monitor so I can hear myself. The Eminence Lil Buddy speaker has a sensitivity of 98.8 dB at 1 watt/1 meter, which makes the amp surprisingly loud for it's size, and the ceramic design makes it punchy. If you play out, volume matters - especially with a small amp.
The 8-inch alnico Weber speakers in the DT have a sensitivity of about 92.5 dB. Two of them on the same baffle gives a 3 dB bump to about 95.5 dB. The DT and DS are both giggable amps and both sound great, but the DS is significantly louder and more present. You have seen the videos of Nic Clark and others playing the DS amp with a loud band, without using the line out. The amp honks.
The sensitivity of the Jensen C10R speaker in the Fender Princeton Reverb RI is 94.7.
The DS amp has the sound I prefer: warm tone and a soft crunch, not a ragged rasp. If you like the torn-speaker sound the amp is probably not for you.
NOTE: I am extremely biased. I had something to do wtih the design and development of this amp.
2 - Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue. I really like the sound of a single 10-inch speaker in a good harp amp. It gives a human vocal quality to the harp tone. Kingley makes a convincing case. All three of these amps are really excellent, so I used the price as a tie-breaker. The $899 price tag on the Princeton puts it ahead of the DT.
3 - Harpgear Double Trouble. The is probably the rattiest sounding amp in the group (and I mean that in a very good way), sounding a bit like two Champs daisy chained together. I like it, but at nearly $1100 it is hard to justify against the other two.
I owned two DT's. I had a lot of money with different tubes and speaker into both of them. They sounded great, but weren't loud enough.
The PRRI would be my first choice because you can get them used and generally mod them on the cheap IF necessary.
If I was going to use it live a lot, though, and I was playing strictly blues, the DS looks VERY good. ---------- Mantra Customized Harmonicas My Website
why is this not relevant? there is one for sale on this site the op specifically asked about it that makes it relevant.
i had a chance to buy one i cant remember the price it was either 700.00 or 900.00 dollars used still kicking myself for not buying that one. the op post did not say based on price or wattage the mini is raspier tone the delta sonic more warm.
i agree with rick and ninja it is harder to use a smaller amp live at times sometimes however it is easier. i posted a clip on ricks thread yesterday what is the consensus on the tone i liked the sound i was getting. just curious
1847 - Not really relevant for me. The other three amps are all pretty similar, while the Meteor Mini 15 is an outlier: It is no longer available from the builder, it makes twice as much power, and it cost a lot more when it was new: $1650. And I believe the Meteor amp that is available from a forum member is a Mini-Meat, not a Mini-15.
And 528hemi (the thread author) wrote of the Mini 15, "Actually it is 30 watts (advertised) so not really in the same catagory." I agree.
It is generally thought that it takes a 3dB increase in volume for you to hear the difference. It also takes twice as many watts from your amp to get that 3db increase. You gotta go from 15 watts to 30 watts to really hear the difference.
But if instead you use a speaker that has 3dB more sensitivity you just made your 15 watt amp sound like a 30 watter.
That is one reason I like the Eminence Lil Buddy speaker so much, and its big brother, the Cannabis Rex. They both have a nice smoky tone for harp and their sensitivity is quite high, giving you a lot more bite from your amp.
Alnico speakers from Jensen and Weber, for example, won't get as loud with the same watts but they will compress more, giving a vintage quality to the sound.
Amp volume is not all about watts. An efficient speaker or speakers with high sensitivity will make your amp kick butt.
