Recently I had the good fortune to be gifted with a Memphis Mini from Jellyroll Johnson. Being mainly a guitar player I’ve always tried to make do with unmodified guitar amps for amplified harp but was never happy with the tone. I have to say I really wasn’t initially too impressed with the Mini either but today I tried plugging a Joyo American Sound into it and I was amazed.
Before using the Joyo pedal I had to turn the Mini up really high to get it to break up and then it was too loud (for playing in the house) and feedback was a problem. Also the tone wasn’t anything to write home about. But with the Joyo I was able to dial up an awesome tone at any volume and without the feedback issues. I tried it with a bulletized 57 and 545 but believe it or not the best sound came from an el cheapo JT-30 Roadhouse.
The cool thing is I can now get a great blues sound at a low volume for practicing at home. I haven’t tried plugging it straight into the PA but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work just as well. All in all I’m really happy with my Mini/Joyo tone and at about $30 you won’t find a better deal. And please no comments about how it’s Chinese junk or whatever. If I had the money I’d buy a Harp Break and still plan to one of these days but in the meantime if you’re short on funds like me this pedal kicks butt with harp or guitar.
I haven’t played harp through the Joyo American sound but I have experience playing electric guitar though it straight into the PA. I teach music in a high school and when my kids put on a performance I put the guitarists through the pedals for a very passable sound and I have complete control over the mix and volume. In a gig recently my lead guitarist’s amp played up and he finished the gig through my pedal that I keep for just such emergencies. He was quite impressed and the punters had no clue. I have tried it with guitar into an amp as an overdrive but not successfully, it’s strength is as an amp simulator into a PA.
Last Edited by Prento on Jul 23, 2019 3:37 AM
