Has anyone else searched for the ultimate lightweight harp rig? Not just a mic to the PA, but a rig you control? When I am between bands, I often sit in a lot, but it is not predictable. I previously mentioned in another thread about speaker choices that I was experimenting in putting together a super lightweight amp set up for sitting in. I frequently sit in with local bands, and have often used a mic straight to the PA, and sometimes a small tube amp with a mic to the PA. I wanted a different approach that did not rely on the PA, and was fascinated by the Electro Harmonix Magnum 44 and 22 Caliber power amps.
I decided that the 44 watt amp would cover most situations, including the loud bands. I tried one out, playing through a cab at the store, and bought one. Experimenting at home I found that it could be too bright, even with the bright switch off, and tried using a cheap Fish 'n Chips eq pedal, which let me shape the tone. I experimented with mics and settled on my high z Shure 585AV. I bought an Eminence Lil' Buddy 10" speaker and put it in a very small light enclosure. With this mic and speaker, when the Mag 44 is set to about 2:00, it is LOUD, but has a decent distortion, much better than might be expected from a class D power amp. The Danelectro eq pedal was noisy, so I switched to using my LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI which has low z out, but also a 1/4" jack out. It allows you to notch troublesome frequencies, has presence, and an effects loop. I used a very old analog delay. It sounds pretty good.
I used it last night and it was not necessary to mic it or to run the low z out to the board. I sat in with Kilborn Alley at the Iron Post in Urbana. I put the speaker at the front of the state angled upward at about 75 degrees and bounced the sound off the ceiling. This avoided beaming it at some innocent audience member. It is a small to mid sized club, seating about 90 at max. The harp was audible at a good volume on stage and throughout the club. The owner had been concerned it might be too loud, but with the whole band playing and PA in action, it was just right. A tube amp fanatic friend of mine acknowledged that it sounded good. The whole rig weighs about 15 pounds with mic and cables. I put the amp in a trumpet case with my harps and an extra mic, and just carry in the trumpet case and small speaker.
To play quieter rooms, I will just cut back on the levels on the eq. ----------
Certainly an interesting approach, any chance of any clips?
Begs the question what a small tube amp would sound like, lined out into the Magnum 44 & a speaker? Interesting to see what's achievable before the law of diminishing returns (weight & price) kicks in?
I tried Phil Jones Bear CUB AG100. And it have great and loud clean undistorted tone for harmonica for its tiny size. I get a great results with playing clean and through LoneWolf Harp Attack in the shop and at my friend's home, but I never tried it live. It have great bass response despite it has two small 5" speakers. Is there anyone who tried it live? ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
I've been using an a Hartke AC75, with a highly modified Boss BD-2 blues driver pedal, and Audix Fireball V or SM57 mic. I've had the BD-2 pedal custom built by a guy in Nashville. Vast improvement and super portable if you just want to use that in a clean amp like the AC75.
Not exactly the standard blues setup but I think it sounds great and people always ask what I'm using. Definitely better than the few non-vintage tube amps I've tried. Way more bass and control and plenty of options to go direct out to pa and use the amp as a monitor. The DSP provides a decent delay as well.
---------- Tait Sweigart
Last Edited by on Jan 17, 2011 12:54 PM
@5F6H I really need to get some better video up on YouTube, instead of stuff shot by friends.
I haven't shot any video of this setup. Maybe I'll get a chance this weekend, but I am not sure... I have to have a chance to turn up without others being in the house. It isn t a traditional tube amp sound, but sounded good. ----------
I've always used a Holmes Harp Commander for this purpose. The newest model is really great. It adds "distortion" without adding hardly any gain. I've had no problem running into the stage monitors. I get compliments on tone. I've even been playing some full gigs with it. I sometimes set up my Brown Fender Concert on stage and leave it on standby as a decoy. I think it's a great piece of gear. ---------- Music speaks where words fail.
9000 Now if you really wanted to showcase a dynamic example you would do a video utilizing the Fender Concert for 1/2 a song and the Holmes Commander for the other 1/2 of the song. That would be a generously informative post. Really, really helpful..d ---------- myspacefacebook
I was pleased that there were other gear experimenters posting to this thread.
I like to hear about other players trying unusual amps for harmonica. I like traditional tube amps with bullet mics, but I also like the use of vocal mics and the Fireball V. I have enjoyed trying different effects, as well. I think it is possible to find a good tone on most gear, and experimenting teaches you how to adjust different set ups.
@Boris Boris, I greatly enjoy the different videos of you playing diatonic and chromatic harmonica.
One of my concerns about my EH set up was whether the 10" Lil' Buddy speaker would move enough air to be heard over a band, but it did the job.
You said that the AG100 gets good bass response with the small speakers. You also said you haven't tried playing it live in a club. I know you play some larger rooms. Do you think the AG100 could be heard in a small to medium club with a band playing without using the PA?
Rasputin, AC75 seems to have a lot of good features including vocal mic input, notching frequencies, and Digital Effects. Do you always go line out to the PA to be heard on stage? Would it cut in a small club without PA?
@5F6H I meant to note this in my last post, but I had to go somewhere and ended quickly. I have several vintage tube amps, including tube PA heads, and I enjoy experimenting with mics, amps, and cabs to get a good sound. I have used a 14 watt Gibson Explorer as a monitor tilted in front of me and mic'd to the PA.
I don't like to haul the tube amps around unless I am booked for a gig that needs that sound. I wanted a light weight rig for sitting in.
I had thought about using the EH 44 Magnum to mic a small amp to enhance the volume, but I haven't tried it so far. I think that the law of diminishing returns would apply as you mentioned, since I would be hauling a lot of gear again. I might as well bring a bigger tube amp, or just mic a small one to the PA.
The EH works fine and is extremely light when played alone, with no pedals and no EQ. However, it had feedback problems without eq, if you tried to push the volume too high. The use of EQ helps, but means bringing another pedal.
I hope other players post different non traditional setups that they have tried. I know that some use keyboard amps and pedals, as was noted above by eharp. I have followed Richard Hunter's site and his Harp-L postings for quite a while.
Adam's setup pairing solid state and tube amp is also interesting. I have never seen a Mouse amp other than on YouTube. ----------
dougharps Thank you, man! For large enough club rooms I use two 10" amps now and it's loud enough but to be honest I get tired of bunch of cables, extra pedals to make my my shitty second amp sounds good. This Phil Jones have different type of speakers than regular amps. It's really 100W of power into two 5". I not sure if it will be heard, but it's possible. I really want to try it live with Harpattack or Digitech RP200. ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
@ Dennis: I've got a bunch of stuff goin' on right now but I hope to post something with the HC4 in the future. The thing that I really like about it is that I can dial in the overdrive from song to song. If were playing a Chicago style tune I want as much drive as possible but for more progressive stuff I want a cleaner tone. My experience with tube amps is that after you find the sweet spot it's difficult to alter tone without impact the volume in a big way. ---------- Music speaks where words fail.
How about one of these,K10's or other powered speaker,on a stand with a Harp Attack going into it ?? Even 2 with a stereo delay or tremelo panning from side to side.
Doug, the Hartke AC75 is 75 Watts, or 50 from the drivers and 25 from the ribbon, so about 50 solid watts which is more than enough for a small club. Weighs 40 lbs so it's not exactly lightweight, but it packs a serious punch. Built to handle a one man band with acoustic/vocals.
