ira
2 posts
May 13, 2014
11:19 AM
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hi,
i have not played using my own rig for over 20 years and even back then often just jumped up to a mic regardless of what it was playing through.
at that time i had an old audio technica mic and a gorilla bass amp - 15w that kind of broke up the sound.
i like a bit cleaner sound now and am starting to jam electric with a bunch of other guys.
i went mic shopping and after playing loads of mics through the same amp with the same settings...wound up loving the sennheiser e835.
now i need an amp, and not sure what size or wattage i should get. primarily jamming in a garage and some small room stuff and can always put it through our own board or house sound board.
suggestions? comments? thanks so much.
ira
ps- i'm a special ed teacher so money does come into play for decision making...thanks
Last Edited by ira on May 13, 2014 11:21 AM
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rogonzab
556 posts
May 13, 2014
12:36 PM
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how much?
for 500 you coud get a custom harp amp from Rick Davis. For les you are better on ebay.
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Barley Nectar
390 posts
May 13, 2014
3:09 PM
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Garage bands are loud so get some power. 15-25 watts should work. Tube amp is defiantly the way to go. Fender Blues Jr, Pro Jr, Peavey Classic 30, One of the larger VHT amps, Lots of cool vintage amps out there but most need work. I like Lectrolab R500c, Sano 30W HiFi, any Gibson GA amp Fender Super Champ, Fender Champ II. A good vintage Fender Princeton will stand up to some bands. You want something with 2 power tubes. 2x6V6, 2x6L6, 2xEL84. The Roland solid state amps are cool too. See what is out there and hit us up with it. Buy the best you can afford...BN
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HawkeyeKane
2507 posts
May 14, 2014
7:50 AM
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"Peavey Classic 30"
And here I thought I was the only Peavey advocate on the forum. LOL
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Greg Heumann
2721 posts
May 14, 2014
8:27 AM
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"starting to jam electric with a bunch of other guys" sounds scary. It can get very, very loud. Just remember it takes 10X the power to get twice as loud. So my advice is "as big as you can carry". But there's a downside - a lot of big amps don't sound good turned way down. I'm a big advocate of owning a small amp (5-8W, for coffee house gigs, rehearsal, practice and recording) and a big amp for making sure you can hear yourself when electric jams go where they often do. (By definition you're unlikely to get any help from a sound guy at a jam.)
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/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
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The Iceman
1652 posts
May 14, 2014
8:38 AM
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For small amps, Rick Estrin sez: " an old tweed Fender Champ = The gold standard for good tone at low volume."
Unfortunately, they are pretty pricey these daze.
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The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on May 14, 2014 8:40 AM
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orphan
346 posts
May 14, 2014
8:44 AM
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Yep, HawkeyeKane, there are a few of us.
Hey Barley Nectar, what if he got a Peavey Classic 50 for under $500.00. He would have 50 watts or remove the two outer power tubes and go down to 25 watts. Wouldn't that be an option?
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.JPG)
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HawkeyeKane
2508 posts
May 14, 2014
8:57 AM
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"For small amps, Rick Estrin sez: " an old tweed Fender Champ = The gold standard for good tone at low volume."
Unfortunately, they are pretty pricey these daze."
True they are. But rogonzab's suggestion of a Memphis Mini would cover him should he decide to go the small amp route. Practically the same design with some tweaks to optimize for harp.
orphan, I've seen C50's go for that little used. Usually the 410's...the 212's usually go for a little more. I've always kinda wanted to see what a popular Bassman reissue speaker configuration might do to a C50 for better harp tone. Two Eminence 1028K's up top, and a pair of Lil Buddies on bottom...
I myself love the Delta Blues for harp. Nice reverb, tremolo, and your choice of a 210 or 115.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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orphan
347 posts
May 14, 2014
9:30 AM
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@ HawkeyeKane
I should have said used for $500 or less. I think the Lil Buddies would be sweet. I have not heard the Eminence 1028K's, but know that you are very familiar with the Eminence line of spkrs. Peaveys handle pedals on the front end very well too.
@ ira
Maybe you can check out some used amps at your local music store. That would give you an idea of how they would sound with your style of playing. If you like the cleaner sound, used Peaveys would definitely be an affordable option.
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HawkeyeKane
2509 posts
May 14, 2014
10:19 AM
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The Legend 1028K's are the closest thing Eminence has these days to the blue frame alnicos that came in the first run of the Bassman reissues. The Legend is actually rated for a little more power, 35W as opposed to 30W.
The odd thing about the Peavey Classic series is that the Blue Marvel speakers loaded in them are actually rebranded Eminence speakers. Granted, they're OEM so specs prolly aren't gonna be as good as anything in the Patriot or Legend series. I'v always kinda liked the tone I've gotten out of Blue Marvels though.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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HawkeyeKane
2510 posts
May 14, 2014
1:21 PM
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However.....in case anyone's looking for some.....
http://angela.com/fenderspeaker108ohm30wattvintagebluealnico.aspx
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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SuperBee
1981 posts
May 15, 2014
5:04 AM
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I think you really need a set, but I'd go with something around 20 - 40 watt if I could only have one. I think you need a 12" with that kind of power if you only have a single speaker. I sing through the harp mic a fair bit, and I think the 12" helps with that. And I'd probably want separate gain control to make it a bit more versatile. And I like on board reverb.
I'm trying to think from the angle of one size fits all, but it's a tough ask. I've got a dozen amps and they all have their place.
Oh yeah, that seems to be a lo Z mic, so you'll need an impedance transformer or an amp with a lo Z input.
Last Edited by SuperBee on May 15, 2014 9:35 PM
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Slimharp
320 posts
May 15, 2014
8:23 AM
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ira First off, what are you playing ? Blues, Rock, Country. Secondly, make sure you use your new e835 in the amp you are lookin to buy as it may be different from the one you tested your mic with. There might be a huge difference. A good small amp to start is the Blues Jr. they are pretty common and you can pick one up for a reasonable price. A Memphis Mini ( with a line out for the board )with great tone for about $500.00 from Rick Davis is another option. If you want a bigger amp ( make sure your arms and back work well ) there is the Fender Blues DeVille or the Peavy Classic 50 for around $350 to $450.00. Spend a bit more and go with the workhorse Fender Bassman. One thing for sure, you are now on your quest.
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ira
4 posts
May 19, 2014
11:02 AM
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thanks for all of the responses..
so....why not just go straight to p.a.? i used my mic the other night when jammin with the guys and went through my digitech rp80 model processor and it sounded mighty fine... i have now tried the e835 mic through a few different amps, the model processor and straight through p.a. and just love it. didn't tell the guys i play with that i switched mics and they noticed something was more powerful right off the bat
btw slimharp...what do i play- everything...right now, blues and blues infused rock...but i also play folk music sometimes...
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ira
5 posts
May 19, 2014
11:03 AM
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on a connected note...are there any mic cables that come with a volume control?
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Barley Nectar
396 posts
May 19, 2014
1:55 PM
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See Greg Heumann above. Click the link to his web site. Happy Shoping...BN
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SuperBee
1999 posts
May 19, 2014
3:29 PM
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Why not just straight to PA? Many do, and if you do and like it, go for it.
For me, I don't, for a couple reasons.
First, there isn't always a PA.
But even where there is, I'd rather have an amp I can hear onstage. I got sick of gigs where I couldn't hear what I was playing and didn't have any way to influence it.
If you work with a soundstage you know is under control, an engineer who knows about the harp and can put you in the correct monitor so you can hear without feedback, and maybe a band where stage volumes are moderate, PA is viable and maybe desirable.
For me that wasn't working. Too many different stages, different soundies, and a band of unpredictable people. And gigs all over the place. One day up on a big stage, the next out in the bush in a shed...
Current band is calmer, but I still prefer an amp. I want to be in control of what I'm hearing.
I've heard plenty of citations of famous players who go straight to PA, and I've heard a:b comparisons of players with pedals and PA:amp, where I couldn't pick the difference. But I've also noticed that you actually can't really say much at all about anything based on recorded sound, and I've heard my playing, bouncing back off the end wall from PA...and I'd rather my amp sound
But if PA works for you, it's certainly a more convenient approach.
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