I'm clueless when it comes to harp amps. Please check out the specs of the amp below and tell me what you think (for harp).
Vintage Bogen Tube Amplifier. 20 watts. Model CHA-20, Made in USA. All tube. Hand-wired, point-to-point. 2-6v6gt's (push-pull); 1-12ax7(pre-amp); 1-12au7 (phase inverter); 1-6ax5gt (tube rectifier). Ready to go. A very "tweedy" sound. Great bluesy overdrive.
Wired to be able to A/B Channels 1 and 2 via a foot-switch. Master Volume. Bass (tremendous bass) and Treble. 1/4 inch Input and Output. Three prong power chord installed. On/Off Power (toggle) Switch installed in the back.
from your description it looks like a good harp amp setup. But your ears are the final verdict - if it sounds right for your style then buy it - of course you haven't mentioned what the price is yet.
If it gets loud before feedback sets in and it has good tone, then it's good. The flexibility to use different speaker cabinets is nice. If you like it, then it's good.
The only downside to the smaller PA heads is that they often can not be heard over a loud band, e.g. I had a fully restored Masco MA-17 that I borrowed for a month or so. I was running it through a pair of Weber Sig 8 Alnicos in my Harpgear Double Trouble. (Harpgear Double Trouble amp disconnected and turned off.)
It sounded great at home. I was tempted to buy it. I took it to a jam. I couldn't hear it. After the second tune, I unplugged the Masco and reconnected the Double Trouble. While the vintage tone was not present, that amp easily cut through the mix.
Several of my friends own 15-20 watt PA heads and they have the same experience/frustrations. If you don't mic them, you often can't hear them and neither can the audience.
I really liked the sound, so I shot this video and wrote up some stuff for my blog.
Greg - I ran that MA-17 through a pair of 12's on one occasion. I tried it through a single 15. It was a little better, but it wasn't meant to be.
I know someone with a Skip Simmons modded MA-17. That one cuts better than the stock ones with a pair of 12's and it's just loud enough to be useful in a bar. If the other guys start playing louder, it'll be buried.
small amps usually need a mi9c to the p.a. the several i've owned and loved over the years have rarely been able to compete with 4x10 and 2x12 guitar amps ,on stage. let alone a loud drummer. using a 20-25 watter as a stage monitor and letting the p.a. do the heavy lifting ie getting the sound out front is not a perfect solution but it's workable.
Thanks for all the feedback! The guy wants $400! Please let me know if you think that is insane or not. Here is his CL ad with pics: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/msg/1827698821.html
I am really curious if the tube configuration is ideal for harp??? I've read a little about it, but it all just seems like numbers an letters to me.
I used the amp at the open mic and it actually was fairly loud. It almost was enough before feedback. The house band promotes the jam as "the loudest open mic around". Drummer uses 26" kick drum, Bassist has 8X10 cab, and the guitar player uses a Marshal half stack and a huge leslie cab in stereo. It is out of hand and I wear earplugs!
Man, that is some wild and potent competition of other instruments. Are you considering buying this amp mainly to be able to sit in with these outta-control clowns ? $400 is not way overpriced ( not with the Weber's in the cab. ), but it's not cheap by any means. Configuration/tube complement similar to a Fender Deluxe Tweed or a Vibrolux. That rectifier: 6AX5GT is kinda odd, but I see they are lower priced in most tube catalogs. If you proceed and buy it, you might try a 12DW7/7247 for the phase inverter in place of the 12AU7. Then you could swap the V1 12AX7 for a smoother 12AY7 or a 5751 for tonal characteristics. 6V6's are the favorite power tubes of many harpers...and it's nice that there is a plentiful supply of good ones at decent prices. ( check out some of your local radio fix-it guys in your area. I've picked up various ones to test for around $5 @...sometimes less. I like late 50's Sylvania's and Tung-Sol's. GE and RCA seem to bring higher $$$. ) As other have suggested, micing the cab is often the solution for achieving volume while retaining tone. I just think it may be a constant struggle with as loud as you say the house players are.
Sounds like a good enough unit, though. If you like the way it plays, that's what matters...and have fun!
It's a nice harp amp...but IMO a little overpriced. You can find similar amps in better condition, (bogen 33 challenger) for a hundred less on e bay. ----------
Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn. They teach you there's a boundary line to music. But, man, there's no boundary line to art. - Charlie Parker
