Rick Davis
3077 posts
Mar 14, 2014
3:52 PM
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I have not had the opportunity to play them side by side. I have nothing but respect for the HG2 amp.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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kudzurunner
4602 posts
Mar 14, 2014
6:34 PM
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Send me a Memphis Mini, Rick, and I will do an on-camera, real-time comparison, with no foreknowledge of what I'll find. If I prefer the HG2, I'll send the MM back to you (as long as you provide postage). If I prefer the MM, well, we'll make a deal.
--Adam
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Mar 14, 2014 6:34 PM
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rogonzab
497 posts
Mar 14, 2014
7:49 PM
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That would be a great video to watch.
One advice: Rick, if you decide to send one, please send onde whit a broken in speaker for a fair comparasion.
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Rick Davis
3079 posts
Mar 14, 2014
8:33 PM
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Great idea, but all the Memphis Mini amps I have in the pipeline now are committed to customers who have paid for them. The only other MM amp is mine and it is out on loan to a pro player.
Tell you what, Adam: Send your HG2 amp to me -- the shipping address is on the website; link is below my sig. I'll ask Nic Clark to play them side by side on stage at Ziggies. I'll video the whole thing and everybody can be their own judge. It will take only a few minutes to do the video and the amp can be sent on its way to its new owner without missing a beat.
Or, if Adam cannot do this any of you who owns a HG2 is invited to send it to me. Ship it via UPS insured. I'll have the best player I know play both amps on a real stage, maybe as part of the Sunday Jam. How does that sound?
Update -- I posted this to my Facebook page: "Hey, do any of my Denver area harp buddies have a Harpgear HG2 amplifier? I'd like to borrow it if I could...."
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 14, 2014 10:31 PM
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kudzurunner
4603 posts
Mar 15, 2014
5:22 AM
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Rick:
That's not what I would call a reasonable counter-proposal, but I wish you the best of luck finding somebody who will go to that sort of trouble to help you achieve your purpose.
As W.C. Fields said, there's a somebody born every minute.
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Rick Davis
3080 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:00 AM
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Adam, what is UP? I cannot accommodate your request because – as I explained – I physically do not have any new finished Memphis Mini amps in my possession. Every one of them is committed to a customer who has paid for the amp and has been promised the amp will be shipped on schedule. I can’t take a new amp out of the pipeline for two weeks to ship it to you or anyone for testing. That might be possible in a few weeks but given the bitterness of your reaction to this I doubt that would be productive.
The only other Memphis Mini amp that exists is mine, and – as I explained – it is out on loan. It is the original MM amp, the first one made.
I like the HG2 amp. I’ve played it. I will absolutely get a comparison video made. But in the meantime we can get a general idea of the character of each amp by watching these two videos. Keep in mind the Harpgear amp costs several hundred dollars more than the Memphis Mini, and that Nic is not using any pedals with the amp, not even delay. This was the first time Nic had ever seen the Memphis Mini amp.
There are many other videos of the Memphis Mini amp at the website.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 8:21 AM
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rogonzab
498 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:15 AM
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Rick,
Just an idea, can you make a video of a random intermediate player whit that amp?
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Rick Davis
3081 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:18 AM
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roganzab: Yeah, me! It's on the front page of the website.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 8:19 AM
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HawkeyeKane
2384 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:29 AM
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Then again Rick, one of your buyers just might be thrilled at the prospect of owning an amp that AG has played on, and they'll have the video to prove it. Just a theory...
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Rick Davis
3082 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:45 AM
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Then again Tim.... Adam has just implied that all my customers are suckers. I'm not sure he is the best arbiter. Thanks for your theory.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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KingoBad
1442 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:52 AM
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Rick,
Adam was offering a chance to review the MM compared to the HG2 done by HIM. You can always have Nick play whatever you want there, but it still stinks of a setup, no matter who plays. As long as it is in your house, it is not a reasonable comparison.
Giving your amp to a recognized musician with a significant public presence who could give their comparison and opinion based on their recognizable playing and expertise would be a significan boon to your business.
Adam was offering a favor, which if I was starting to build amps, I would take in an instant. That is, if my product could stand the test.
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Danny
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KingoBad
1443 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:54 AM
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LSC and I must have been posting at the same time.
A second his post as we'll...
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Danny
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Frank
4027 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:56 AM
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I took Adams proposal as free advertisement "Shipping and handeling not included" by a internationally known player/teacher.
Last Edited by Frank on Mar 15, 2014 8:57 AM
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kudzurunner
4604 posts
Mar 15, 2014
8:57 AM
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Rick: I have not implied that your customers are suckers. That's silly. But since you're having a hard time decoding what I've said, I'll say it straight.
You're in business. I'm not. I have no stake in your business, so I have no material reason to want to help you.
Still, knowing that, I volunteered to donate my time to you. I said, "Send me an amp and I'll run an A/B test. I won't charge you for the time it takes me to run the test, make a video, and upload it. If you're willing to take a little trouble to send me an amp, and a little expense to ship it to me, you just may get a fabulous promotional video out of it--IF the amp is really as good as you say it is."
I call that being generous.
Your response was, "No, Adam, I'd like YOU to go the time and expense of shipping me YOUR amp." You didn't say, "You'll need to spend time packing your amp carefully--tracking down the right sort of shipping box, taking out and wrapping the tubes, carefully wrapping the amp, taking the box to your local UPS store, paying the shipping, and hoping it makes it through the mails--both ways--in one piece." But that was implied, and you're familiar enough with the whole process to know that.
I don't mind you not taking me up on my generous offer, but I do find it remarkable that you would have the nerve to suggest that I do all kinds of OTHER free work, and take a risk with my amp, just so you can make more money. A sucker is somebody--me, anybody on this forum--who would think that was a fair deal.
I hope I've made myself clear. I hold you in high professional respect, but I don't think you took quite enough time to think through the implications of your counter-offer.
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Rick Davis
3083 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:00 AM
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LSC, the definition of "Several" is more than two but not many.
I agree with most everything you say (At least I did before you changed your post). It might have been possible in a few weeks but it ain't gonna happen now.
I'll get a HG2 amp and a good player and make a video that lets the viewer decide. Should be fun.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 10:02 AM
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Rick Davis
3084 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:01 AM
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Adam, what did this mean:
"As W.C. Fields said, there's a somebody born every minute."
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Kingley
3517 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:02 AM
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Rick, I don't think Adam implied your customers are suckers. From what I've read he was merely saying that he was unwilling to ship his amp across the country to you.
Personally speaking I'd say that neither of you are best placed to judge the differences honestly between either amp. Adam is a recognised supporter of the HG2 and as such could have a biased opinion and you as the seller of the MM obviously have a vested interest. What it really needs is a player(s) that own or have access to both amps to make some totally unbiased video/audio comparisons. Any video/audio that was made would need to use the same settings on both amps, have no effects, no PA support and no post editing of the video or audio to favour either amp. I also think that although Nic is undoubtedly a very good player, his tone and mic technique would not be the best demo of either amp. Simply because more people cannot achieve that dark closed tone that Nic seems to favour in most of the videos you have posted of him playing. I think someone like Ronnie Shellist who has a much more open sounding tone would be a far better demonstrator and that people would probably relate to his tone a lot more readily.
That of course is just how I see it. I'm sure there are numerous other opinions on the matter.
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kudzurunner
4605 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:04 AM
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It means there's a sucker born every minute. You got the quote right. You just misunderstood my meaning. I trust that I've clarified my meaning above.
This is my last post on this thread. I'm sure it's a great amp. Good luck with it.
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Rick Davis
3085 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:14 AM
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Sorry Adam, I have explained over and over why that is not possible now.
I am not in search of an endorser. I have had several well-known players contact me offering to endorse the amp. It might surprise some of you to know who was among those who aggressively pitched themselves as a paid endorser of the amp, and I declined.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 10:06 AM
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Frank
4028 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:21 AM
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As many as you may have sold on MBH - I would of figured you would give him 2 or 3 of them for free :)
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dougharps
578 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:27 AM
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I think that online communication is easily subject to misinterpretations. I think that it is unfortunate that a casual exchange can escalate in a forum setting, and issues that could have been easily resolved in private communications take on greater importance as people respond defensively in the public setting of the exchange.
I thought Adam's offer was a generous opportunity for comparison, I understand why Rick couldn't ship to Adam, I understand why Adam declined Rick's counteroffer due to the effort and risk it involved, and I understand Rick's response to the ambiguous W.C.Fields quotation.
I respect both parties, and wish this point-counterpoint in the forum could had been avoided. This kind of thing happens too often on the internet during online exchanges in front of forum audiences.
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Doug S.
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rogonzab
499 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:29 AM
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A silly dispute, that is for shure.
I love Nick Clark videos, but I am still curious of how that amp would soun whit an average player (not you Rick, you are not intermadiate for this thing, you know to much about this amp), because most of us are intermediate player who want to sound like Nick Clark, but we all know that is a long way to sound like that.
Last Edited by rogonzab on Mar 15, 2014 9:30 AM
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Rick Davis
3086 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:32 AM
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Kingley, you may be right. I think Adam is an endorser of the HG2, with a free amp.
Let me ask you this.... Can you think of any amp maker who sent his amp off to be compared to other amps by biased arbiter? It seems a bit crazy to me.
I actually would have done this if Adam had been a bit more patient.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Rick Davis
3087 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:36 AM
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LSC-
From Dictionary.com:
"sev·er·al [sev-er-uhl, sev-ruhl] Show IPA
adjective
1.
being more than two but fewer than many in number or kind."
I'm a writer, too, and pretty careful with the language.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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Kingley
3518 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:41 AM
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Rick - To answer your question. No, I don't. However that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. Also I don't know what Adam's deal with Brian Purdy is, or if there is indeed any "deal" at all. It doesn't really concern me and quite honestly I don't really care.. I've stated my thoughts on the whole amp comparison process above.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 15, 2014 9:44 AM
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Rick Davis
3088 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:50 AM
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Doug, I agree with everything you say and regret that it went awry. But there is more here than meets the eye of the reader. Adam and I have discussed this offline in the past and did not come to an agreement. Nothing has changed. No hard feelings, just no agreement.
Clarity is the responsibility of the speaker, not the listener. The ambiguous "sucker" reference was not well crafted.
roganzab, what amp seller puts up videos of "intermediate" players using their amps? I don't recall that with Sonny Jr, or Harpgear, or Megatone, or any of them. Heck, I think it was risk to put up a video of me playing the amp! There is a range of players on the Videos page on the website.
An amp maker always wants to present his product in the best light, and he always wants to keep control of the message when he can. That is just basic business.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 9:53 AM
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rogonzab
500 posts
Mar 15, 2014
10:05 AM
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Rick, good point.
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Rick Davis
3089 posts
Mar 15, 2014
10:26 AM
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Adam wrote: "I hold you in high professional respect, but I don't think you took quite enough time to think through the implications of your counter-offer."
My thoughts exactly! I don't believe you thought out the whole 'sucker" thing. It was insulting no matter to whom it was directed, even it it was directed at you. I was not asking you to be a victim. Had you asked me to pay the shipping I would have certainly done it. It's called negotiation.
Tell you what Adam.... In a few weeks when I catch up with the current orders and obligations I will be able to send you an amp for review. If you give me your pinkie swear that you will be unbiased and be able to put aside your relationship with Harpgear amps we can do this. Let me know if that suits you.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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stokeblues
77 posts
Mar 15, 2014
11:23 AM
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It's like an episode of Will and Grace this!
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blueswannabe
432 posts
Mar 15, 2014
11:36 AM
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Listening to the 2 examples Rick provided of Nick and Adam, I hear lots of similarities between the amps. If anything, I think it will be a very close call.
The amps will speak for themselves. I would like to see a detailed and even handed comparison between the two. I think both will fair very well. And like I said one may edge out the other but only very slightly and maybe not even discernibly. Notwithstanding, the difference in price is nearly doubled. Price alone will dictate the decision of many potential customers.
Last Edited by blueswannabe on Mar 15, 2014 12:00 PM
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MUDHOUND
47 posts
Mar 15, 2014
2:08 PM
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I'm with Adam on this one. Why in the world would Nic Clark (who is he anyway?) doing a demo be preferred over Adam doing a demo? This is a chance for someone to get a great review on their little no-name amp by a well known player held in high regard. But if the amp isn't 'all that' I can see not wanting Adam to play it.
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robbert
293 posts
Mar 15, 2014
2:31 PM
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Being a happy Blowsmeaway refurbished Kalamazoo II user, I'm convinced the Memphis Mini is also a great amp. From the examples I've heard, and from all the posts I've read from Rick, I don't think he would release anything but an excellent amp.
Does it compare with the Harpgear 2? That would be an interesting and educational comparison.
Having Adam perform the test is something I look forward to seeing!
But then again, I don't really have any skin in the game. Just always soaking up all the stuff I learn on this incredible forum.
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5F6H
1756 posts
Mar 15, 2014
3:02 PM
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I was writing a post, but I reckoned all that needed to be said was in hand, but I think some posters & the general population have slightly unrealistic perceptions regarding the economics of small scale amp building & supply.
Adam justifiably feels that his endorsement would add value to the product & benefit Rick. The reality is, however true this is, that profit margins are usually absurdly low, I don't know Rick's situation (it's none of mine, or anyone else's business) but typically, building one amp to ship around as a demonstrator can eat up your turnover for the next 4 or 5...that's 5-6 amps built merely to provide remuneration for labour - stay on square 1 - & we're not talking "get rich quick" hourly rates here. Profit? If you're lucky, or very clever, maybe.
More often than not, even if you order from a well established small scale builder, your order only starts being built after payment or a sizeable deposit. Sometimes amps are built in batches (to take advantage of multi-unit parts pricing) and there may be an amp or two waiting to find a home, unlikely in the early hours of a venture, unless a test/development item. An amp builder with amps sitting idle, waiting for a buyer, is a man in debt.
Full credit to builders who have been able to provide evaluation & endorsement amps...but I think we're a little lulled into an unrealistic sense that this is normal.
I can well see the constraints faced by Rick, whatever the value of high profile endorsements. A little patience whilst he deals with immediate concerns and hopefully, like he says, he'll have the scope to be more flexible.
Much like playing, most folk who get in to this game do it for love of the instrument, the amps & to share what they see as a good thing...profits & getting rich are way down the list, but hard realities of economics can't be ignored if you're to stay in business.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
http://www.facebook.com/markburness
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SuperBee
1753 posts
Mar 15, 2014
3:51 PM
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^thats a great post, 5F6H
I don't know that really there'd be much gleaned from a video side by side comparison. Too many variable by the time the sound gets to ones brain.
An endorsement from someone with a reputation involved...would of course be worth something, but at what cost?
Notwithstanding the sound quality, I find it conceptually difficult to remove the price factor from a comparison of these units. As far as I can tell rick has produced a unit he believes represents the very best value for money without compromising the performance. Built with performance and reliability in mind, then finding the most cost effective means of delivering.
Whereas, the HG philosophy seems to be more like 'when only the best will do'. In a straight shoot out, you'd expect it to come out ahead in every category...except perhaps 'value for money'.
Because rick is right, in fact it is not only 'several hundred dollars' more expensive, it is an additional 70 % more expensive. That's nearly 3/4s as much again...some folk might not altogether unreasonably say 'almost twice as much'.
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Rick Davis
3090 posts
Mar 15, 2014
4:01 PM
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Mark Burness, thanks for a clear explanation of the challenges involved in the amp business. I know you've been there.
The business part of the Memphis Mini is even more complex because the supply chain is so long: The amp begins its life in a factory in China where it is partially built, to our specifications. We finish it here in America. The timing, number, and logistics of shipping to America has a lot to do with the cost of goods sold, and it impacts the thin margins Mark wrote about. It is a challenge that I enjoy working on.
Nic Clark is one of the best players I know and his style and tone are classic old-school Chicago blues. That is what the Memphis Mini amp is all about. I'd like to hear him play the amps side by side and let the listener be the judge. No commentary is really required.
The Memphis Mini amp speaks for itself, and does not really compete with any other amp. There is nothing quite like it in it's price class. The Harpgear HG2 and Greg's refurbished Kalamazoo amps are both awesome but not really in the same niche. They can all peacefully coexist.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 15, 2014 7:39 PM
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MJ
682 posts
Mar 15, 2014
5:14 PM
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If everyone played the same amp and sounded like the next player, what a boring tune it would be. Diversity and singularity is a refreshing quality.
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sonny3
134 posts
Mar 15, 2014
5:18 PM
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Good one Frank.I try to stay clear of threads started by Rick as they are usually trying to sell amps or Nick Clark.
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Littoral
1048 posts
Mar 15, 2014
9:21 PM
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Man, I sure would love to get David Attenborough's take on this.
Last Edited by Littoral on Mar 15, 2014 9:21 PM
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HumbleHarper
1 post
Mar 15, 2014
11:18 PM
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Its HILARIOUS how most of you just jump on Gussows side instantly. They should call this forum the Gussows Minions Forum because thats what you all sound like. Adam is obviously in the wrong here and in his later posts hes trying to save his ass. In the first post I hear the voice of a pompous egotistical man. All of you guys on here really think Rick Davis should build an amp, pay to send it to Adam, just so he can try it out and make a video of a side-by-side comparison with an amp that he is a paid endorser of? Then if he doesn't like it Rick has to pay return shipping. That just SCREAMS bad business to me.
I'm sorry to burst all of your bubbles here but in the real world, not the MBH world, Adam is not famous. Hell he isn't even famous in the blues world. Hes not even that famous in the blues harmonica world. If it weren't for his video lessons or this website NONE of you would have heard of him. Adam Gussow does not have a high enough profile to sell an amp. I bet the HG2 barely sells. No harp player I've ever heard has been trying to get the "Gussow sound".
Adam Gussow someone needs to shove some humble pie down your throat.
Now ban me see if I care. Most of you on here are jokes who aren't ever gonna go anywhere.
Last Edited by HumbleHarper on Mar 15, 2014 11:36 PM
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Kingley
3521 posts
Mar 16, 2014
1:04 AM
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HumbleHarper - For the record I for one didn't jump to Adams defence and can see both sides of the coin. As far as I'm concerned Adam is a big boy and perfectly able to defend his own corner as is Rick.
To be quite candid though it's Adams house and many of the people on here are students of his, so that reaction is to be expected really I suppose. As for no one hearing of him before this website or his YouTube lessons, well sorry to burst your bubble man, but I'd heard of Satan and Adam in the 1990's and had heard one of their CD's so I was pretty well aware of him before this forum ever started. I can honestly say though that I'd never heard of HumbleHarper before today :)
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 16, 2014 1:06 AM
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didjcripey
724 posts
Mar 16, 2014
1:15 AM
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Humble?
Nice first post.
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Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Mar 16, 2014 1:16 AM
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Milsson
115 posts
Mar 16, 2014
2:30 AM
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One thing to consider is that the MM is china made and the hg2 is a high quality "boutique" amp. My experience says that you ALWAYS get what you pay for. I shure wouldn't buy the cheapest amp I can find if I'm going to gig with it.
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Kingley
3522 posts
Mar 16, 2014
2:52 AM
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Milsson - Whilst I understand where you're coming from, you're thinking is a little flawed. Some of the Chinese made stuff is incredible quality. I own a VHT and it's built like a tank. I have gigged with it quite a lot and it never fails. The whole I'll only but made in (Insert country name here) products is a ridiculous mindset. A lot of the Asian manufacturers are turning out amazing quality products these days. Plus of course don't forget that most of the American manufacturers have their products made in the Far East. Even if they are assembled in the USA, etc, etc. The parts in them have usually come from the Far East. A lot of the Fender amps are now made in China, as are the guitars and they still sell like hot cakes. Of course a boutique hand built amp will always be a different matter and you're right on the money there. But for most store bought items buying things from the Far East is just as good as buying a made in (insert country name here) in most cases. I happily ride a Japanese motorcycle, use a Chinese made amp, use a made in the Far East TV, washing machine, cooker, vacuum cleaner, etc, etc and have had no problems with any of them at all.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 16, 2014 2:55 AM
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kudzurunner
4606 posts
Mar 16, 2014
5:24 AM
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Since I swore above that I had made my last post to this thread, I have stayed away from the thread until now. (Also I've been working hard on other stuff.)
Rick, I appreciate your modified offer. Although I've felt from the beginning that I would have no trouble being objective about the HG2--because my professional ideological orientation is as something of a contrarian centrist, always trying to speak up for what's not being spoken up for when the mob takes over--I'd concluded at some point yesterday that I would at this point be unable to be objective about your $^%*$(@@!! little amp.
But since you've come back in a gentlemanly way with a reasonable proposal, I believe that I, too, can be reasonable. I would be interested in hearing, testing, and comparing your amp with my HG2.
For the record, although I think the HG@ is a terrific amp, it's not my go-to amp of choice. In the kind of setting I usually work in, as part of a duo, it's a little too loud (yes!) and a little too aggressive. It's better for outdoor than indoor applications. But it's very dependable, surprisingly loud, and overdrives easily, and fully, with my funky Shure dynmaic mic. So I have no trouble recommending it as a good first amp for players looking for a secret weapon they can bring to jam sessions and fly-in gigs.
That being said, it's a fairly expensive little amp, as little amps go, and I would be happy to try something that pitches itself as a competitor. I view this as something of a Car&Driver test situation between two exotic sport coupes.
I'm not interested in sinking the Memphis Mini, so if for whatever reason I'm completely underwhelmed, I won't put a video out there that trashes the amp. And if, in my opinion, the MM give me a more useable--or more memorable/wild/wooly--sound than the HG2, my friendship with Brian Purdy will be able to withstand that, I believe. I have no official endorsement deal with Brian. He doesn't pay me, or give me free stuff--although as I remember, the HG 2 that I actually own was free, or at cost. I honestly can't remember.
Point is, I'm game to make the test. No rush. If and when you want to send me one--and I DON'T expect or want a freebie, at all--then please do. Alert me that you'll be doing that, when and if you do. And you're free to change your mind. No hard feelings either way.
It's a full moon today. Things always get tweaky here at MBH in the two or three days prior to that.
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6SN7
426 posts
Mar 16, 2014
6:06 AM
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Adam's original video on the HG2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52wExLrtF84&feature=player_embedded#at=609
"I've accumulated quite a collection of vintage amps through the years--a tweed Bassman and tweed Deluxe from the mid-1950s, a Premiere from the late 50s, a Kay from the early '60s, and a Mouse from the late 80s--and there's no doubt about it: Brian Purdy's little hand-wired Champ-type-thing is an astonishing achievement. It has bright, warm highs, the perfect degree of "sag" when cranked up, twice as much volume as you'd expect, and three times as much bass. I've learned to cringe when I plug my Shure dynamic mike into "reissue" type tweed amps; none of them deliver what I need. Brian's amp delivered EVERYTHING I need, effortlessly."
-Adam Gussow of "Satan and Adam"
Nice to see that this has been resolved and there will be a test in the future. It would be great if Adam brought all his "lunch boxes" and did an A/B test. Honestly, this is a pretty cool test. It would be incrediblely cool if a Kalamazoo was added to the mix....just saying.
If someone asked me for advise for buying their first harp amp or a small one, I would suggest to them to buy one that is plug and play, ready for harp (no tube or speaker changes.) The candidates would be, in no particular order,
1. Kalamazoo from Blows Me Away
2. Memphis Mini
3. HG2
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Mar 16, 2014 6:13 AM
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Rick Davis
3091 posts
Mar 16, 2014
7:26 AM
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Adam, done and done. As I said, it will be a few weeks. Let's take this offline from here. I'll contact you.
In case you guys missed it, forum member Walterharp has a Memphis Mini amp and a Kalamazoo amp. He posted good remarks about both amps and commented about the differences in tone. Sorry, I can't find the tread right now but I bet somebody can provide a link.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
Last Edited by Rick Davis on Mar 16, 2014 7:52 AM
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Rick Davis
3092 posts
Mar 16, 2014
7:27 AM
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Adam, done and done. As I said, it will be a few weeks. Let's take this offline from here. I'll contact you.
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-Little Rick Davis
The Memphis Mini harp amp
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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1847
1583 posts
Mar 16, 2014
7:35 AM
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man, don't get me started.
i had planned on staying out of this fray.
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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Gnarly
960 posts
Mar 16, 2014
9:25 AM
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Found it! Here's the link--
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/5461423.htm
Hope this makes everyone calm down . . .
Here's the post--
There are videos of very good players using this amp, and you can tell from those videos it has good tone. It breaks up nicely when you dig in and is moderately clean at lower volumes and signals. I base my analysis of tone on regularly playing a bassman-clone, a 1958 low wattage push-pull Dan Electro and a Kalamazoo. The Memphis Mini has a tighter and brighter tone than the two vintage amps, some of which will probably loosen up as the speaker in the Mini gets more broken in. It clearly has less bass response than the bassman even with tone all the way to bass, as would be expected. The amp cut through the mix well at the gig and I could hear myself play with the volume set half way up with no feedback problems. The amp was miced to the house with a touch in the monitor. People in the audience (including a soundman/ harp player) said it sounded good. If you do not trust the sound guy, then a bassman type larger amp is still a better choice in this setting. The guys in the band also liked the tone.
I ended up settling on using the sonic maximizer and a touch of delay. The maximizer boosted the clarity of the amp to my ears and I like a little delay. The mini sounds great without any pedals as well. The octave pedal offers more break up, but that is only needed on one song we do where the effect is part of the show. The amp sounds way better than the simulated amp patches on the RP355. The amp sounds better to me with the bullet mic than the sure 545, which is a bit bright to my ears in this amp. It responds well to tight cups on both mics with a good solid tone that really cuts through.
I had been looking to a get a fender champ-type amp and give it a spin. The commercial re-releases run $700+ for used versions and about $1000 new, a true vintage version is really expensive, and the kits out there will set you back about $500. The Mini comes in right around $500. However, with the kit you would need to buy a different transformer and upgrade the tubes a bit, and you would end up with no tone control and a good bit of work. If you are handy at building, you could probably build your own cabinet and get it done cheaper. There are several other small tube amps out there that can be had for less. A revamped Kalamazoo is a common choice, and if you like a grittier broken up tone, it would be better to go with the zoo. However, if you want a punchy solid little amp that will not break the bank, that you can carry into a gig without breaking your back but delivers some more volume, and produces a classic vintage tone without too much break up, this could be the amp for you.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Mar 19, 2014 12:15 AM
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1847
1585 posts
Mar 16, 2014
10:34 AM
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If it weren't for his video lessons or this website NONE of you would have heard of him.
The first I heard of adam gussow, I was in a record shop
mid nineties. I found his cd. Living on the river.
Here was a white kid my age, jamming with a one man band in harlem.
I have never been to new york , if I had, and had passed by mr. satan
I Would have thrown a few dollars in the tip jar for sure. I would certainly have asked to sit in. I seriously doubt I could have taken it as far as adam did but I was intrigued.
I bought the release, and took it home.
This guy can play! He had his own sound.
Next thing I know I am hearing him on the car radio.
No more doggin fooling around with you.
Next thing I know they announce he will be appearing at the house of blues., he is on the bill with rod piazza and sugar blue.
My top two players of all time… well this week.
So lets do the math shall we?
Has a record out
It is getting airtime
Has a local gig with prominent harmonica players
Unless of coarse in your little blues world they are also unheard of?
Most of you on here are jokes who aren't ever gonna go anywhere.
Is there somewhere we are supposed to go?
I,m not looking for a recording deal, I am not delusional, but I play well enough To sit in and play music. Isn’t that enough?
I had a girlfriend once ask me,
Who are you going to please with that little thing?. ....... ME
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i get a lot of request when i play my harmonica
"but i play it anyway"
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