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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Quest for tone : Redux
Quest for tone : Redux
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LittleJoeSamson
400 posts
Aug 12, 2010
5:18 PM
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Yeah, so all the usual caveats apply. So many factors that go into what makes good "tone", and that determines so much of what makes amped harmonica sound pleasing...or dreadfully NOT.
Had a terrific conversation last night with Kevin McCracken, an absolutely wonderful player and super nice guy.
As there was a full house of a good half dozen harp players, we had opportunity to talk and share. One of Kevin's former students is among them, and I am pleased to say a fairly recent friend of mine. He learned alot from Kevin, and has come a long way. Both Kevin and myself have been encouraging him to step up and bark !
Kevin found a great amp that sounds super for harp: a Fender Super 210 Redknob...stock tubes. Sucker's loud at 60 watts, but fits Kevin's style and ability.
I played just a few songs, as there were many waiting. I did the Junior Well's version of " Why Are People Like That ? " that filled the dance floor. My rig was the Blackheart BH15H with the recently acquired RCA COMMAND 5751 in V1 and Mullard 7247 in V2. UNBELIEVABLE harp tone !
( Now I'm divided between using "Raven" {blackheart HD} and "Blanche"...the Noble/Ampeg Rocket. I plugged a sweet Tung-Sol 6SU7GTY in V2 with a Sylvania 6SL7WGT in V1, two 6V6GTY's for power, and a rare Matsushita 5CG4 for rectifier. Almost heaven.)
I also did some tweaking with the Museum piece Gibson EH-125. I swapped a primo Bendix 6106 rectifier ( tried it with the Rocket, but it works better here. ) VERY Smoothe with the slow warm-up. 2 X 6V6GTY...and here is the BIG difference: I have had metal jacket Mullard 6SQ7's for pre-amp and a metal jacket no name 6J5 as PI. I replaced with Sylvania and Raytheon 6SQ7GT/G and a Sylvie 6J5GT/G...metal collar glass tube.
WHAT a difference ! Sounded great before, but now it sounds beautiful. Best way I can describe it.
The 120 watt tone beast, "Carmen" got updated with a RCA 5751 in V2, pre-amp Channel Two...effects.
MAN ! Made reverb JUMP.
Interesting: With bridged channels, it was plenty loud. By turning DOWN channel 1 volume, gain and volume WENT UP !
Can't use this much, but I can GARONTEE not to be drowned out EVER.
Now, I need to find that Danelectro Commando before I go broke !
[ BTW...I cherish that I have NEVER had to use a Fender. Overpriced and over-rated. ]
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toddlgreene
1662 posts
Aug 13, 2010
5:27 AM
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Man, LJS, you've got plenty of toys, and you apparently know how to play with them! I'd love to hear all these. The only tube-swapping I'd ever done up until recently was for value(like preamp swaps), not different brands or NOS. Big differences can be made.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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LittleJoeSamson
401 posts
Aug 13, 2010
2:09 PM
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"Man, LJS, you've got plenty of toys, and you apparently know how to play with them! I'd love to hear all these." TLG
Yeah, Todd. Every one is distinctive and creates a certain 'flavor' for the type of sound. They are essential "tools" that have helped to define my persona as both a performer and producer.
I'll be using all of them for the October 8 "Blowdown Hoedown" I'm putting on. Great time to visit the California Central Coast and enjoy some of fine wines made around here, too.
( I have room for a few "special guest" harpers...and it's my call .)
Thanks, J
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toddlgreene
1668 posts
Aug 13, 2010
2:14 PM
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Wow...my mom lives in San Rafael...wish I could make a trip as soon as October- I would!
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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