Mojokane
272 posts
Feb 03, 2011
2:08 AM
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You wouldn't believe it if I told you, so have a listen. The brand of speakers is a secret. But the amp is a Kalamazoo One. O.k ok...there ...(2X12's)....alnico Clevelands. Verrry hard to find.
MP found a matched pair in the trash, in the rain. Called me up, and I drove right down and saved them from ruin(true story).
A friend showed me how to build a cab and head, and presto...Looks like something out of Texas, or somewhere in the deep south. Over the top. And...boy! the tone is monster!
ok ok. the speakers aren't Clevelands. they're Rola's. Something of a secret amongst vintage speaker collectors. Under rated and very reasonably priced. My advice is, if you are interested in buying, to be patient, wait for decent deal, and snipe. Your welcome.
They're out there.
The heart is the amp.
Perhaps, Greg can help you with that...I had a few caps replaced, but that's it. Not tranny upgrade or anything. Greg's an expert on the Kalamazoo 1 & 2's, and would know more about the upgrades, than I. I'm just a low budget hack who modifies mics, and builds new loving homes for vintage tube amps and speakers. I lucked out with this one.
And MP is the proud new owner. I saw it mentioned in the other thread 'playing through the PA'. I couldn't help advertise.
Mp is a great friend, and an awesome player, too.
oh he's playing a 200 chop canary yellow w/ a white CR...
Being close to my neighbors, we really didn't get the sweet spot. But it did fairly well just the same.
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NiteCrawler .
108 posts
Feb 03, 2011
4:36 AM
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Real,real nice job on the cab and head,it looks great,sounds great and your tone and playing through it sounds great.Not bad at all,for a hack;as you call yourself.I have a kali-1 and love the tone.Every now and then I jump it into a 2 ten,1 fifteen bass cab;Balls To The Wall,I must say.All the way around though,if this is the tone one desires you can,t beat the Kali.For as cheaply made as the stock cabs are made,the sound that comes out of them is awesome.Another little sleeper cheaply made low watt amp is the sound projects/lectrolab(cardboard special) amps.They don,t quite have the same power projection as the kali,s but the tone that comes out of them is awesome also.The upside to these is that they can be had for alot cheaper than the zoo,s.I apologize for going a little off topic here but figured I,d let some of you folks know about these other little jewels if you didn,t already know.Again Mojo,Great refurbishing job,BTW where did you get the snakeskin wrap?
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MP
1359 posts
Feb 03, 2011
9:56 AM
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i need a haircut. i look like a serbian warlord.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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LittleJoeSamson
480 posts
Feb 03, 2011
12:44 PM
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Sounds / looks great! That little bit of delay is tasty. Nice growl throughout the range. I like the simplicity.
@MP...I thought your do is more of a silver Donald Trump. Ha! ( My comb is a razor ! ).
Quite the mic collection, too.
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MP
1360 posts
Feb 03, 2011
1:39 PM
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hah! donald trump! actually it's a reverse DT since i have hair to spare.
this amp sounds best with no delay. the sweet spot(every amp has a sweet spot) is a notch higher on the vc. also, it loves a high output crystal biscuit.
then it starts to perform........
i like the head design, it's like a Matchless amp head.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Greg Heumann
1032 posts
Feb 03, 2011
8:50 PM
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Kalamazoos love mics in general. It likes a good strong CM or CR too.
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/Greg
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Mojokane
273 posts
Feb 03, 2011
10:57 PM
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Thanks! NightCrawler...That is MP playing. We're neighbors here in Honolulu. He found the speakers, too.
I put the thing together.
I just finished my day and read the thread...yeah, these are one of the best for harp.
I had help with the snake skin. Antique Electronic Supply. They're reasonable, and ship QUICK! Cost me roughly $14-20. I forget.
I have another Kalamazoo One waiting in the wing.
The next one will be a combo unit...less to haul around. Being a career wood refinisher. I love to make attractive wood cabs.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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MP
1366 posts
Feb 04, 2011
9:52 AM
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@ gregg,
yes they do love mics in general. i like it best with a biscuit loaded with an unbelievable brush crystal that came out of an EV-920? is that the sphere shaped EV?
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Ray
298 posts
Feb 04, 2011
11:23 AM
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Didn't I see a few modded EV920's being sold on ebay a few yrs back by Mojokane? I first saw the snakeskin 'Zoo in the background of one of the auctions. :o)
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Mojokane
274 posts
Feb 04, 2011
1:52 PM
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yup...that's how long it's been around.
920's are uniquely designed to fit both a CM or crystal. For me, the fit(in hand) is ideal.
this one?
<
Last Edited by on Feb 04, 2011 2:28 PM
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MP
1367 posts
Feb 04, 2011
2:29 PM
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ray, yep! gregg turns the grilles.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Ray
299 posts
Feb 05, 2011
6:26 AM
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One like that but with your 'Zoo in the background of the photo. :o)
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Mojokane
275 posts
Feb 05, 2011
1:00 PM
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yeah, like MP said,Greg turned about 4 grills for me. And while he was at it he stripped the factory plating took off the bib, and stand hole, and buffed them all to a nice gloss finish..
I would then take it a step further, and have it chromed plated. With either a satin or gloss show chrome plate finish..really nice finishes. The only way to go...as you can see, they are pretty nice lookin.
This was about 4 or 5 yrs ago. I'm nearing another mic building phase soon. If you'd like one, get your order in. I'll be customizing a new batch 3, maybe 5 or so. I prefer to chrome plate them. They cost a little more because of this. But the cost of doing business is going up, too.
I may not be able to fetch what they're worth, these days. I end keepin em for my own use..
Plating is not cheap. Greg's cost has gone up, and little things like a gasket, CM or CR element, and my labor, etc...
Greg, will do the same, and also engrave you intials on the grill, too. He's amazing!!
If that's what you'd like, then see brudda Greg.
We'll both fit them with a CR or CM of exceptional quality. And guarantee great tone and response.
Having a good ear for tone is paramount....these are players mics.
Between MP, Greg, and myself, we can pick out the 'exceptional quality' part pretty easily. I get MP involved with the quality control end.
Especially through a Zoo. ,
I won't use anything less than great.
The Zoo's are great. Even better through 12's.
I'm a big fan of the lower wattage amps.
Though, I did just get a Masco MA-17.
And wow! talk about tone.
Oh well, enough rambling...
This labor of LOVE is costing me.
Time to go play some harp!
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2011 11:11 PM
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Ray
300 posts
Feb 05, 2011
2:14 PM
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Isn't the MA-17 a 17 watt amp? :o)
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Mojokane
276 posts
Feb 05, 2011
2:54 PM
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not with 2 6L6's ;)
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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Mojokane
277 posts
Feb 05, 2011
4:06 PM
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Ray...just did some researcch...I think you may be right...,i'm still working on the facts...but it does seem obvious, eh? It's an amazing thing, with the masco.....very loud. Can't get past 3 or 4 with my Rola 4X10 alnico's. MONSTER TONE...clearly a winnier combo.
Joe's Blog does a demo....wow!
http://joesbluesblog.blogspot.com/
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2011 4:07 PM
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Ray
301 posts
Feb 05, 2011
5:31 PM
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I think Masco's Model #'s usually indicated the watts. I believe my Masco MA-808 PA is 8 watts and my Masco MAP-120 combo is around 12 watts. I think nearly every Masco made when working properly sounds pretty good with harp. I've never really heard any complaints, only praise. :o)
Heres a site listing the models with some info. BUT the speaker info for the MAP-120 is wrong. Seems part of the info is PA and not combo for the MAP-120
http://www.radiomuseum.org/m/masco_usa_en_1.html
Last Edited by on Feb 05, 2011 5:41 PM
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Mojokane
278 posts
Feb 05, 2011
6:22 PM
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tanks...
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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strawwoodclaw
201 posts
Feb 05, 2011
6:40 PM
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@mojokane Masco MA 17 is around 17 watts with two 6l6
" we are all alive at the same time let's kill each other
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Mojokane
279 posts
Feb 05, 2011
7:42 PM
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yup, we're figuring this out as we go. They are real loud, and appear to be about 25 to 30. Man, do they rock! with the right speakers! You can't go wrong. Makes me (almost) forget the Kalamazoo.
Totally different deal. It's like the EL84 thing is awesome in it's own right. When you go to the 6L6, then you leap in to another level of amplification sounds.
Thanks Strawoodclaw..
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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MP
1376 posts
Feb 05, 2011
8:49 PM
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hey mojo, deleted misinformation. it's all eds fault. he said 40 watts and i believed it (i played it) and you're the fall guy.
i burn with shame. i knash teeth. i blame ed. i blame me. i'll take a cudgel to bed and belabor mine own back if that helps.
sorry brah, auwe!!!------
MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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Mojokane
281 posts
Feb 05, 2011
11:09 PM
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yeah, that's the ticket....it's MP's fault!
could of fooled me....thanks for the cover.
i'm heading down to OnStage and see Jeff Said No. SHould be a hoot. They have a chick singer that sings rather unusual. Kinda like a guys voice coming out of this babe bod. Definitely a girl....surreal just the same. She has Byron under her spell. Hell, me too...I'm going to see her, too.
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Why is it that we all just can't get a long one?<
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