Valerio
1 post
Feb 07, 2010
8:32 AM
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Hey all-
Last week I splurged and got a new amp (Carvin Vintage 16) because before I was mic-ed into the pa and wasn't real happy not being autonomous.
Now I'm stuck - my mic (Audix Fireball) was low impedance so I got a transformer to high but last night I played and it was horrible- no power and a lot of feedback.
Some other harp players said I should try a Green Bullet BUT to get a vintage one not a new one-
I guess the question is- was it a mistake getting the Carvin or is there a way to resolve the problems by just finding a vintage GB or something similiar???
Any comments or advice would be great - I'm here in Italy so there are few resources on hand.
Thanks.
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Tuckster
383 posts
Feb 07, 2010
8:52 AM
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Some amps aren't very harp friendly. I don't think a GB will help the feedback issue. Try a lower gain tube in V1. 12AY7 if you can obtain one.12AU7 are easier to find,but it might cut the gain too much.
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Scoltx
68 posts
Feb 07, 2010
9:05 AM
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Looking at these specs from the Carvin Store:
- All tube design - three 12AX7 preamp tubes, two EL84 output power tubes
- 1 Meg Passive tone controls for broad adjustment range.
- Front controls: VOLUME, SOAK, BASS, MID, TREBLE and REVERB
- GT12 speaker
- Output: 16 watts / 5 Watts, Pentode / Triode into 8ohms
It looks like you have a amp designed for lots of gain (3 12AX7's and the master volume (soak) give it away.
Try 3 12AY7 tubes to start, you can mix and match them with the AX7's until you find a combination that works for you. The IMT on the Audix was good but it just boosted the gain to the amp which also increase the feedback.
Another change you could make is the speaker, 12's are not that good for harp although some people like them. But even a different brand or model might make the difference.
The best distortion for harp is power tube distortion, which is why low gain amps (usually vintage amps or amps designed for harp) cranked up sound best. Dropping the preamp gain with a tube swap is probably your best bet to start. Good luck.
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Valerio
2 posts
Feb 07, 2010
9:18 AM
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Thanks to you both - good advice!
I am also going to try and track down the harp player that I heard using a vintage 16 and a GB - he was the one who convinced me to buy the amp in the first place - hopefully cut to the chase and figure out why his setup sounded so good.
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