kudzurunner
1050 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:03 AM
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I had an email yesterday from a forum member who wondered whether I might consider making a sort of "harp amp summit" a part of the Hill Country Harmonica event. He imagined a room on-site where he might bring his five old tube amps and others might bring their amps--a giant woodshed where players could stand around, do A/B comparisons on any number of amps, and generally behave like older men at, say, a Corvette owners convention: lots of covetousness, appreciation, and of course LOTS of full-throttle roar.
I thought it was a terrific idea. The only problem is that we don't actually have a large space on-site at Foxfire Ranch--or at least we don't, as yet, have a large on-site space apart from the main stage. It's possible that Bill Hollowell will build one between now and then, though.
But it occurred to me that we might devote cocktail hour (call it 5:00 - 6:00 on either Saturday or Sunday) to this sort of event, and do it on the main stage. We could line up 15 amps, say, and have me and a couple of other players cycle through them, 15-30 seconds per amp. We could talk about what we heard. We could A/B a couple of particularly good amps. Then we could allow attendants to come up, with your own harp mic in hand, and try them out.
Foxfire is in the country; we could make all the noise we wanted and nobody would tell us we were making too much noise.
Anyway, I'm putting these two ideas out there: a main stage event, or a similar event in a side room, if it exists.
Comments?
I'll certain bring my amps. I'm also fine with people who have used amps to sell bringing those along.
What would be your dream harp-amp A/B comparison? I've heard a lot about Masco's and would love to hear one.
Last Edited by on Feb 02, 2010 8:04 AM
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jonsparrow
2021 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:18 AM
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i think thats a great idea.
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toddlgreene
702 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:24 AM
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It's an excellent idea, especially for those who have only ever heard such comparisons or demos on youtube, where the audio seldom does justice. Let me know, I'll bring a HarpAttack as well(and possibly the guy who makes them), and maybe some other bells/whistles.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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kudzurunner
1051 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:28 AM
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Here, BTW, is a great report on a similar event run by David Barrett--somewhat less free-form than the event I envision, but still very interesting:
http://www.hunterharp.com/ampset2.html
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jonsparrow
2024 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:28 AM
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i would like to hear a bassman vintage vs bassman RI vs hg50 vs super sonny. the ultimate 4x10 show down. an any other 4x10's that i cant think of right now cause i just woke up.
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Bluzdude46
428 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:35 AM
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Don't think it needs to be a room, Adam, keeping in with the Outdoor Festival just really an area away from The Main Stage where it wouldn't interfere with what is going on. Just need electricity to run to it, Got Extension Cord?
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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Luke Juke
96 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:37 AM
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Oh man. I'm gutted that I cant be there. I'm sure it'd be a great event. Someone has to video the amp test!!!
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toddlgreene
703 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:39 AM
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A quick aside, but worth mentioning:Adam, I see that he's had music events onsite before, but there's always the concern of overloaded circuits. Might wanna make sure his panel can handle all these things running at once.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
Last Edited by on Feb 02, 2010 8:42 AM
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jonsparrow
2027 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:42 AM
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you should do like a 50watt battle like all the 4x10's then a 5watt battle like the hg2, valve jr, champ, grethech (sp?) etc...
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Bluzdude46
430 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:49 AM
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Instead of a "Battle" or Demo, I woul;d rather put mics into Members hands to "taste test" Amps they haven't had the chance too. Reasoning is, you can't go to Friendly Freddy's Music Store (there's one in every town) And say "I'd like to try a Bogen Challenger with an American CM Bullet, please" I've spent thousands on amps just to experiment with sound and re sell until I figured out what I really wanted and what would give me that.
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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Bluzdude46
431 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:49 AM
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Instead of a "Battle" or Demo, I woul;d rather put mics into Members hands to "taste test" Amps they haven't had the chance too. Reasoning is, you can't go to Friendly Freddy's Music Store (there's one in every town) And say "I'd like to try a Bogen Challenger with an American CM Bullet, please" I've spent thousands on amps just to experiment with sound and re sell until I figured out what I really wanted and what would give me that.
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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jonsparrow
2029 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:53 AM
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there would be way too many people for that. every one would wanna try.
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toddlgreene
704 posts
Feb 02, 2010
8:57 AM
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I'm with you bluzdude, but also see how that could be a big cluster****, plus, there are liabilities to consider. Mr. x with the crystal JT30 might be cool with Adam and a select few handling their gear, but if Norman Novice were to accidentally drop it, as he's never held a JT...I could see some folks getting bent out of shape.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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Bluzdude46
434 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:09 AM
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Agreed, I have fairly stable CM Element mics and an American bullet that falling on the grass would probably not harm. Not suggesting anyone, unless pre arranged between yourselves take the risk of crystal mics being loaned for this. I will have my ceramic stick mic in my pocket and will only be plugged in after a fairly pointed this is a ceramic element be careful advisement. However I still think the possibilities are fantastic for those who would like to bring their mics and play thru an amp the don't normally have access too. I'm not worried about anyone being a jerk with my gear. I'll have plenty of Brothers there lookin' out and besides we all must be on our best behavior cause Mrs Todd is coming!
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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kudzurunner
1052 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:16 AM
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I think the overloading thing is a problem, since amps, in order to function well, need to be warmed up. I'll have to think about that aspect.
If there's a closed area, it will be just off the gazebo and won't really be sound-insulated. So the only reason to do it there would be if wives and GFs and familiies wanted cocktail hour without being blasted. It won't be possible to run an amp-jam offstage AND some other workship or somesuch on the main stage. That's the nature of the venue, I'm afraid.
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kudzurunner
1053 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:18 AM
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Bluzdude: I like your idea, but depending on how many attendees we've got, it's probably unworkable in one hour on the main stage. It's something that WOULD work if we had a set-aside area far away from the main stage that people could visit all day. And we do NOT have that, unfortnately. But I agree: that's what many people would want: a chance to try stuff out that they don't normally get to try out.
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Bluzdude46
439 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:26 AM
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ok we'll put our collective minds on it and come out with the best we can do for the guys. Very cool.
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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toddlgreene
706 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:28 AM
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Thhis might require a generator. Totally accessible down here in K-ville.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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Bluzdude46
440 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:34 AM
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yea Dem der Cajuns know how to run stuff when nothin is runnin' LoL
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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DeaconBlue
35 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:39 AM
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I have production number 1 of TWO Super Sonny VG's ("Vintage Grade") made by Gary Onofrio. Would love to compare it to Harp Gear's, Meteor's, Fender Bassman's, Weezo's, and other harp amps of similar size. I would also like to hear a REAL Pro like Adam play through it.
My question to everyone on this forum is, WHAT AMP WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO BRING TO A TRUE TASTE TEST?
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They've got a name for the winners in the world. I...I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama The Crimson Tide. Call me Deacon Blue.
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jonsparrow
2030 posts
Feb 02, 2010
9:54 AM
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all i have is a valve jr with a c8r jenson speaker. id bring it if they will let me bring it on the plane.
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toddlgreene
708 posts
Feb 02, 2010
10:29 AM
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I'll drag my Epi VJr, which by then will be totally modded. I'm driving, and it's small.
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Todd L. Greene, V.P.
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HarveyHarp
1 post
Feb 02, 2010
8:23 PM
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I can bring my Bogen 14 with Epiphone Cab, and also my Kalamazoo Model 1, and a variety of cool mics.
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Bluzdude46
441 posts
Feb 03, 2010
2:08 AM
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Cool Harvey. I'm bringing a Bogen ChA 33 Challenger. Love them for mid size amps and I use Ep[i cab too. Still say The Eminence Lady Luck is the best 12" speaker for Harp out there I'm also bringing a Modded Epi Vjr and My Bassman Reissue LTD Need someone to Bring the Fender Blues Jr and Princeton amps. Would be good if someone could bring an unmodded VJr
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The Original Downtown Philadelphia Fatman... Accept No substitutes!
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Blown Out Reed
31 posts
Feb 11, 2010
1:19 AM
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Oh Cuttin' Heads
I'm Your Huckleberry
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LeonStagg
120 posts
Feb 11, 2010
4:48 AM
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@ Bluzdude46, I've got a stock Epi valve junior combo.
I'll bring it.
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