Hello fellow harp players! I practiced harmonica since November of 2010. I bought a Shure SM57. I need to soon buy a XLR cable and a matching transformer soon. BUUUT I don't know what I should buy as a amplifier. You see I am gonna buy one for performance because my university has a Jazz/blues club, of which I want to join. So they are using amplifiers and probably the PA system. I want that distorted tone NOT an acoustic tone. -Thanks!
Note :Kingley is a very experienced and fine player. NO amp will make you sound like him, however, this amp combined with good acoustic tone and a decent mic are a winning combination. ---------- Todd L. Greene
That or the Epiphone Valve Junior are both great amps for harp. I have an Epi that I got before the VHT was out, and it's modded now. Sounds sweet, but I'd go with a VHT if I was buying a small amp now. Plus, I believe it comes in a 10" or 12" speaker version. ---------- Todd L. Greene
Firstly, thank you to Todd for the very kind words. Yeah I got bored with YouTube and deleted my videos in a moment of madness. I'll have to open another account and re-upload them.
The VHT is a great little amp with killer tone. Way better than the Epi Valve Junior in my opinion. The VHT SPecial 6 does indeed come with a 10" speaker. In my humble opinion it's the best small amp out there for anyone on a budget. If you can afford one though, the HarpGear 2 is an amazing small amp for harp.
Well, if you Google 'solid state' there's a pretty good description. But, in layman's terms, solid state amps don't use power tubes. All-tube amps generally have a much 'warmer' sound that you'd get from solid state, among other things. Tubes can be overdriven to create a desirable distortion, and with the execption of some of the newer modelling amps, solid state amps lack that important feature. ---------- Todd L. Greene
A tube amp will not sound as harsh as a solid state amp. Most people say it sounds warmer. One other thing is that a 5Watt tube amp will sound louder than a 5 watt solid state amp. However I have played SS amps that sound great with harp. best advice is to get down to a music shop and try as many as you can until you find a sound you like. This may take you 40 to 50 years.
Todd beat me to it!!
---------- Oisin
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2011 2:37 PM
My problem with the VHT and Epiphone Jr is that they need to be tweaked to really get the most out of them. As a beginner you need to focus on playing not messing about with your amp. A HarpGear 2 is way way out of your budget and more amp than you need at this stage.
On the higher end of your budget, and perhaps a just a bit more but well worth the extra in terms of value for money, I would strongly recommend a vintage Kalamazoo Model 1 or 2. First of all they are IMHO one of the very best sounding small harp amps ever at any price. Second of all,unlike a new amp, you will never loose money on one. Prices are rising all the time even in this economy. Its pretty certain they will at least hold their value, unlike a new amp which will be worth less the moment you walk out the shop door.
You can find Kalamazoos on Ebay quite often for $250-$300, though some folks are asking as much as $400 and more. Even as late as last year you could get one for under $200, which shows what I mean about never loosing money on one. A better bet if you can wait is to get one from Greg Heumann at www.blowsmeaway.com. Greg specializes in restoring "Zoos" and when he sells you one you know it will have been sorted and will be reliable. Also those who know Kalamazoos most likely know of Greg and if you ever want/need to sell his name will command a premium. ---------- LSC
"My problem with the VHT and Epiphone Jr is that they need to be tweaked to really get the most out of them."
The VHT Special 6 sounds good out of the box! If you wanted to, you could spend a little more cash and purchase some "harp friendly" tubes and pop them in, but you can get a decent sound with the stock tubes.
Check out http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/ and do a search for: VHT. I think he has a vid of an unmodded, stock tube Special 6. ----------
Oh thank you all for all of the advice. I know it is cumbersome to answer a harmonica player who started playing amplified harmonica. I feel like...in the words of many of my friends..."noob." Lol.
"My problem with the VHT and Epiphone Jr is that they need to be tweaked to really get the most out of them"
I don't know. Kingley got some really nice sound out of his stock amp. Greg Heumann had one that he swapped the pre-amp tube in. He seemed pretty happy with it when we talked about it.
I can see why the Kalamazoos model 2 and 1 are bit scarce...
VHT 6 sounds really tempting to get. I heard about the Epiphone Jr. but I heart other things. VHT 6 is probably my amp. If not. Kalamazoos also sound good too.
I REALLY want a HarpGear2 They sound incredible and Loud.
I have a VHT Special 6 and a Kalamazoo model 1. The stock VHT is a MUCH better sounding harp amp. It's louder and has better tone. The K-zoo amps are all raspy and trebly, but the VHT is dark and chunky. I like it a lot.
You can find more info on tube / speaker swaps, mods, and the VHT in this thread: http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/978220.htm ----------
I agree with Ant on the Epiphone Jr. They are a nice tube amp. Probably the best low cost tube amp you can get. I am going to go in a different direction here though. As you can see there can be a lot of modifications made to improve tube amps. which is one reason i am not a huge fan ouf them. I dont like to or have the time to tinker with things. thats why i am going to suggest solid state.
here are a few choices and reasons why. I am not saying these are the best amps in the world but for the money they are worth it all day long.
1. Roland Micro Cube - Portable, battery powered or plug in. loud for its size. plenty loud enough for home practice or a small jam with friends. built in effects, delay, chorus, tremelo and more. also has a modeling switch for black panel, brit combo, classic stack, acoustic. Aux input for your MP3 player or Ipod. line output for headphones, link to computer or direct to soundboard. and if you ever need more volume you can use this as a preamp on a bigger amp og just run it through a PA. I have one and know a bunch of guys that do and everyone loves them. price about $120
2. Roland 20XL same effects and inputs/outputs as above but much more volume. not as portable and does not run on batteries. price about $150.00
3. Orange micro crush. this is a really small amp. none of the effects but it is portable. runs off a 9v battery. and believe it or not it sounds ok and is only about $60.00. this wouldnt be my first choice but if you are ona tight budget they are kinda cool.
I agree with LSC, get a Kalamazoo from Greg Heumann. You can spend a bunch of time and money searching for a great harp amp, as I did, or you can go straight to Greg and get an outstanding Kalamazoo. Make sure you get the line out option to make it totally plug and play.
his budget is $300.00 they are great amps but its going to cost him about $450.00 to get one shipped with a line out. this is his first amp, do you really think he needs something like this. get something of quality, thats affordable, and will last. it doesnt need to be a spiced up tube amp. if it's his first amp i am assuming he isn't playing large gigs with it. get one i mentioned above and then you will have enough left over to buy a set of 5 harps or an effects pedal or beer!
Having owned both the Epiphone Valve Junior and the VHT Special 6. I can assure you that the VHT is far superior in every way to the Epiphone. Don't get me wrong the Epiphone is a good little amp, but it pales into insignificance when compared against the VHT.
I agree with Kingley. I've played through both a Valve Jr and a VHT. I think that while the Epiphone does the job, the VHT is still the better option.
I'd personally stay away from solid state amps. Although you can sometimes coerce a decent sound out of a solid state amp, tube amps are the way to go if you have any interest in achieving a nice fat warm tone. ----------
@ Matzen I wonder if people really believe that? It is said so often yet i hear good players sound good on both solid state and tube amps. i think there are a lot of tube amp snobs out there that are not evenwilling to open their eyes to solid state. It is better tecnology, they have modeling amps now that give much more options. Tube amps can be driven to distort. that is the only advantage. you can add a distortion pedal and have the same thing. you can use effects to distort a solid state amp sound at low gain/volume. a tube amp will only distort at high gain/volume.
RT123 - It's not all about distortion. It's more about overdrive, overtones and the general tonal colouring produced by valve amps. A Solid State amp will never compare to a good valve amp because the way it overdrives is completely different. The overtones produced by a good valve amp are infinitely more suitable for the frequencies produced by the harmonica than any Solid State amp. Amp simulators and pedals can never achieve that tone either. Once you have played them all side by side then you'll know the difference. Sure pedals and Solid State can come close to it. Although not close enough. At least in my opinion.
If it weren't for my Epi Combo being modded, I'd have ditched it by now. It's a good-sounding amp MODDED, and a decent-sounding one stock, but it's hindered by that 8" speaker, regardless. Not enough bottom end for my liking. Now, the power head version into the 12" cabinet is a MUCH better option. Still having the choice to make now, I'd get the VHT and be done with it.
But, here's an example of me playing my modded Epi thru the 12" cabinet. It isn't miked up, either.
(rhythm throughout, solo around 1:00, C harp)
Sorry, no vids of me playing it through a lower-keyed harp.
I have both. I have a Epiphone Valve JR, and i have several solid state amp. I prefer the solid state because they are most consistent. i used the term distort and you used the word overdrive. maybe i should have said overdrive but that is what i meant. this shouldnt be a discussion of valve or solid state because i have learned in the past that valve amp people will NEVER be willing to see the other side where as solid state people can appreciate the value of both. Keep in mind this guys question is about what he should get for a first amp. i think i gave valid reasons for my choice above. tell me why i am wrong. if you want me to give in and say tobe amps are great and solid state amps suck then i will. i am changing my suggestions..... Pakman450 - you should go out and get a Harp Gear HG50 for your first amp. They are about $1700.00 but you will love it. solid state amps suck. this is the amp for you. you dont want a Epiphone Valve Jr because it doesnt compare to a VHT and a VHT cant compare to a Fender bassman and a fender bassman cant compare to a Masco and the Masco cant compare to the Harp Gear.
All the negativity about solid state is based on the technology of the 70s and 80s. Odd order (non-musical) harmonics - harsh clipping etc... I think the technology has moved a long way from that.
Listen to any rock track on the radio and there's as much chance that it was recorded using a Protools plug-in as there is that it was recorded using a real amp and cabinet.
I'm as happy to use an amp modeller as I am to use my Bassman.
I'm not anti Solid State at all. I used a Boss GE-7 direct into the PA as my "amp" for many years. I've also used multi effects pedals and various other pedals. I've also owned and played through numerous Solid State amps. I often use a Pignose 7-100 at home for practice.
For a beginner getting his first amp for harmonica I would always suggest a small 5-10 watt valve amp with no effects. The reason for this is simple. Playing amplified requires different techniques and you need to develop those techniques and have a good foundation before you start adding other things into the mix.
For those reasons I suggest the VHT. Because it's the best small amp for anyone on a budget in my opinion.
Last Edited by on Aug 18, 2011 10:55 AM
JBHarmonica recently sent a vid to my phone of his latest acquisition:A Guyatone Harpist Junior-solid state, runs AC or on baterries...25 watts, 8 inch speaker, sounded damn good to me, cost around 200$-but in Japan. I don't know of anywhere in the States where you could try one, but worth checking out if you can deal with the logistics. ---------- Todd L. Greene
Check out fellow MBH member Greg Heumann's site. He has a primer on harp amplification. Though it's geared toward mics, it's got some discussion about tube vs. solid state i think.
Just find a post of his on here and there will be a link to his site as part of his signature.
Toddlgreene - nice playing, and good harmony vocals. I thought the amp tone was a little bright.
RT - Most good harp players use tube amps, and there are good reasons for that. They are not tube snobs, but they may be tone snobs.
Gary Smith produced a video about blues harp amps that you can still get on DVD. It demonstrates a lot of the reasons tube amps are superior for blues harp tone.
Think of all the great players who use tube amps: Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite, Rick Estrin, William Clarke, Paul DeLay, Rod Piazza, Jerry Portnoy, and on and on. I can't think of one who uses solid state, but I'm sure there are some.
I like some solid state amps for harp. But I don't like them as much as I do a good tube amp.
@ bharper - I wasnt calling them tube snobs, i was calling someone who tells a guy his first amp needs to be a tube amp a tube snob. As you can tell by the 4 posts above yours that they are guys that are NOT tube snobs. They can appreciate the value of both. The tube snob is the person that says a solid state sounds like shit and a tube amp is great with nothing to back it up.
RT, in general, a solid state amp does sound like shit for blues harp, and I have years of experience to back up that observation. In particular, CHEAP solid state amps sound like toasted shit. Pak's budget would limit him to shitty solid state amps (with a few notable exceptions).
Here's the deal: A new player knows nothing about tone. He should get a good small tube amp to begin with so that he can learn about tone. After he has a tonal vocabulary he can make an educated choice about which solid state amp sounds good for harp.
There are some newer SS amps-the digital modellers-that give good results. Brandon Bailey has made some vids of himself playing thru a Vox modeller, and it sounds sweet. ---------- Todd L. Greene
"Here's the deal: A new player knows nothing about tone. He should get a good small tube amp to begin with so that he can learn about tone. After he has a tonal vocabulary he can make an educated choice about which solid state amp sounds good for harp."
I'd also add that the most important thing before anything is good acoustic tone. If you don't have that, then I'd hold off buying any amp and just concentrate on getting the acoustic sound together first.
A VHT Special 6 costs £130GBP - £199USD brand new. You will not get a better small amp for harp for at that price. Whether Solid State or valve, unless you got a steal from ebay.
"I'd also add that the most important thing before anything is good acoustic tone. If you don't have that, then I'd hold off buying any amp and just concentrate on getting the acoustic sound together first."
Excellent! This is almost a complete what amp should I buy thread. All we need is for someone to say something like:
"Everyone knows that tone comes from the player, but good amplified tone comes from good acoustic tone and solid microphone technique."
If a person is buying equipment on the used market, you can pick up some solid state amps for fairly inexpensive prices. You can pick up a Peavey Bandit for less than $150. I've used one of those on occasion with a Lone Wolf Harp Tone+ pedal and a Shure 520DX (with the stock element.) It was a pretty clean sound, but I got some nice tone out of it.
You can learn a lot about mic and amp technique playing through solid state gear. If you can sound good through a solid state amp (or a PA), you'll sound pretty darn good through a good tube amp. Skills can be learned on a variety of equipment.
Microphone handling technique can also be learned by using a microphone that isn't plugged into an amp, a cup or a bottle. If a person has a hard time holding a bullet mic comfortably, try holding something a bit larger like a cup. If holding a stick mic causes hand cramping, loosen the death grip and carry around a harp case (like a Hohner box).
Since, the original poster wants a distorted tone, it's probably easier to buy a tube amp and learn how to use it than to spend time hunting for equipment that will provide the sound of a tube amp.
RT, go back and read this thread. The $199 VHT Special 6 is a point-to-point hand-wired tube amp driven by a 6V6 power tube that has better natural harp tone than anything else in its class, tube or SS.
Tube amps are not mainstream? Well, they certainly are among working harp players.
I respect your enthusiasm for SS amps, but I just don't share it. When people ask me what amp a new player should buy, I always recommend a small tube amp, such as Fender Champ or VHT Special 6.
Joe-L, am I correct in guessing that you are not a new player? I think your skills would allow you to get some good sounds out of a Peavey Bandit. But for a beginner it might be a very discouraging thing.
Last Edited by on Aug 17, 2011 6:11 PM
