Popculture Chameleon
15 posts
Jan 31, 2015
3:44 PM
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Even as a beginner I know Lone Wolf Blues is the king when it comes to harmonica pedals but for those starting out and wanting to get there feet wet in effects I was wondering if there are any decent cheap end pedals out there that are good for harmonica. That way I can practice see if I really like the sounds and then save up for the pricey pedals.
I've seen stuff on amazon like berhinger and danelectro pedals but really haven't heard any kind of response from the harp community. I know which pedals I want to start out on but not the brand. Is there a big difference out there. any other cheaper end pedals that I am not aware of- any info and advice would be helpful. I already have my amp- a pignose 7-100 I also have a honeytone amp however I am thinking about getting a pignose hog 30 as well. I also have a modern shure green bullet mic and a shaker mad dog mic as well.
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HawkeyeKane
2693 posts
Jan 31, 2015
3:49 PM
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The Dano Mini Effects series are great IMHO. I use a bank of at least 5 of them every gig. Fish n Chips EQ, PB&J Delay, Corned Beef Reverb, Milkshake Chorus, and Tuna Melt Tremolo. Sometimes I'll also use a Rocky Road Rotary pedal to get nice fat Hammond/Leslie tones. They're a great bang for the buck and I highly recommend them if one is on a budget.
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Hawkeye Kane - Hipbone Sam
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Harp Study
71 posts
Jan 31, 2015
4:06 PM
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I have a zoom g1xon multi effects pedal that runs $70 new or $50 if you don't want the wah pedal (which I always set to use as a volume control pedal).
There are some great amp models, reverbs and delays as well as a nice basic looper along with some drum tracks.
For that price you just can't go wrong with all that you get. I think there are some great affects on the pedal.
I'll also second the dano electro pedals. They are great priced and have a great sound.
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Greg Heumann
2943 posts
Jan 31, 2015
5:41 PM
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Absolutely nothing wrong with pedals, as long as you know what they do and don't do. Because many beginners are under the wrong impression, let me just gently warn you that distortion pedals are absolutely NOT where it is at to get big dirty bluesy harp tone. Lots of beginners think they can use a guitar style overdrive pedal and that it will help them sound like Kim Wilson. It won't. It will cause big feedback problems and just sound like crap.
Don't confuse what I said above with a pedal like Lone Wolf's Harp Attack or Harp Break - which are great for getting a tube amp sound through a PA. But they won't create the input - that has to come from you and your mic, and most importantly your tone and cupping technique.
Delay, reverb, chorus, octave pedals? All fun.
My two cents......
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Jan 31, 2015 5:42 PM
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harpwrench
979 posts
Jan 31, 2015
6:10 PM
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Waste of money at your stage. You haven't developed a style yet to know what pedal would work with it. They won't make you a better player. Blah blah blah. Little Walter etc etc didn't need pedals. Sorry, just my dry humor enjoying the irony:)
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Goldbrick
842 posts
Jan 31, 2015
7:10 PM
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danelectro fab echo is a good one to start with
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rogonzab
653 posts
Feb 01, 2015
8:01 AM
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Por playing in your house, any multieffect pedal is good. You can play whit it and make a lot of noises, and used they are cheap. They are fun!
If you want to play a gig, they are no good, you are going to have FB problems.
Joyo makes good pedals. I use to own the Joyo Analog Delay, and it sounded very good, and it cost me less than a MB/SP20/GM.
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Sorry for any misspell, english is not my first language.
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MindTheGap
522 posts
Feb 01, 2015
8:27 AM
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Joyo JF-14 American Sound is interesting, and cheap so if you don't like it no harm done. Lots of gain is available, but you can also set it quite clean. It provides a wide range of EQ.
The Digitech RP pedals are cheap for the 2nd hand old models, and you can buy harmonica-specific patches or roll your own. http://www.hunterharp.com/store/ Lots of fun to experiment with.
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FreeWilly
461 posts
Feb 01, 2015
8:41 AM
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Save up for a good amp with reverb and forget about pedals altogether.
I predict you WILL regret every buck you spent on cheap pedals down the road.
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Kingley
3827 posts
Feb 01, 2015
8:44 AM
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I agree with Greg and Joe. You don't need any pedals. I would suggest spending the money on a subscription to bluesharmonica.com or taking some in person or Skype lesson with a good teacher. Or spending the money on CD's and harps and sitting down and listening to those CD's over and over and learning to replicate what you're hearing. That will get you further down the road to being a good player than any gear ever will.
Last Edited by Kingley on Feb 01, 2015 8:46 AM
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jbone
1873 posts
Feb 01, 2015
8:52 AM
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My very first rig was a Crate ss amp and a lavalier type mic. Dry as a bone! Back in the early 80's. A guitar buddy recommended a Champ with a Green Bullet but I was a hard head. Knowing what I know now I would have gotten the Champ/Bullet rig together and save a lot of hassle.
Instead I got a Boss DD3 delay pedal and it did wet things up a bit. It was more a toy since I had no clue about how to get good acoustic tone yet at that time. I later opted for a 12w tube amp and a pre 80's GB mic and that was a great rig. No pedals. Bought, tried, sold a lot of amps over the years. Had a Bassman '59 replica, hand built even.
Three years ago or so I bought a Lone Wolf Harp Delay. I run it with a Silvertone 1482 amp. Or I don't, I can go either way.
Acoustic tone is the primary thing. If you can step to a p.a. mic and sound good regardless of pedals or not, then you can begin building an arsenal of sound and effect.
Our second cd was recorded solely acoustic and it's to me a good example of decent acoustic tone throughout.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000386839482
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbTwvU-EN1Q
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sonny3
242 posts
Feb 01, 2015
9:46 AM
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Yep, i went heavy into equipment before i realized i couldnt even play harmonica well yet.Focus on the insrument and learning it does not take weeks but YEARS.
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MindTheGap
523 posts
Feb 01, 2015
10:54 AM
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I have to say this is all very good advice, which I took to heart when I started. But you do actually need something to play through. I stuck with an SM57, a Harp Break and lessons. If and when I get any good I might buy something else.
That said, it is fun to experiment. It's supposed to be fun right? I have access to a lot of gear to try. So far all my experiments have all shown what a good choice an SM57 and Harp Break are. All very cost effective too.
If people were building a 'beginners set' in a bubble pack to play amplified and acoustic harmonica, I wonder what they would include?
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A440
328 posts
Feb 01, 2015
11:18 AM
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I would advise: start with a delay pedal, and use it sparingly...set the knobs for a very subtle effect. Two inexpensive models that work well with harp: Artec Analog Delay and Joyo Analog Delay. The are similar to the highly regarded MXR Carbon Copy, at a fraction of the price.
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SuperBee
2386 posts
Feb 01, 2015
12:43 PM
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i bought a LW Delay so long ago i dont remember. well before i needed it. i still have it, and its still useful. i have the LW Octave also and that is useful if i need to push the amp. point is, i'm not out of pocket. good equipment lasts and it can actually help you learn. i also bought a harp shield and harp break and had no problems finding a buyer for each of those when i decided they werent for me.
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Popculture Chameleon
16 posts
Feb 01, 2015
6:31 PM
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Appreciate all the advice- but one thing has changed I managed to get my hands on a spider 4 line 6 30 watt amp. And for free to boot! I like the reverb that is on the amp pedal as well as the crunch tone that is installed. I want a couple of pedals so I can get a good sound when Im playing I have decided to get a pb and j delay pedal and a fish n chips equalizer to add to it. I may get a chorus pedal down the line- Im still up in the air about getting a Micro Pog. I wont get something like that though until I get much better with my playing. At least owning these kind of pedals wont break the bank and it will help me experiment with my sound while I am practicing. Later on I can by the Lone Wolf pedals I want for my pedalboard. I have already followed Kingley's advice and have hours of harmonica songs from everyone like Paul Butterfield and Little Walter to Sonny Boy 1 and 2- to Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters. and a couple of newer artist as well. Like Jason Ricci and Geneva Red. I'm not really trying to copy anyone's particular sound- I'm actually trying to develop my own while learning from the greats of the past.
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bublnsqueak
41 posts
Feb 02, 2015
3:34 AM
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Surely its about the journey not the destination!
I am having lots of fun learning all sorts of things. One of those is finding my limits: I have a 5W amp that I've modded (enjoyed learning how to do that), a cheap Zoom multi effects pedal (had fun getting confused by that) and now a cheap analogue delay (really pleased to have worked out how to use that. Several cheap and cheerful mics ie akai dm13 (not really developed a favourite yet - don't have the ear)
Still nowhere near where I want to be in terms of Technique, understanding, tone!
So I would guarantee that the OP WON'T regret purchasing rubbish, inappropriate gear as it will teach him/her stuff they need to know.
(Don't pay over the odds and sell 'em on)
I am a novice at this Blues Harp game but I know a thing or two about learning - self motivated experimentation and learning from your mistakes are very important.
Surely those of you who have 'arrived' had fun during the journey?
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MindTheGap
524 posts
Feb 02, 2015
5:10 AM
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bublnsqueak - Right on! No one is going to stop us having fun experimenting, but I think the advice is well intentioned and is about not expecting to sound great just by buying equipment.
I'm surprised that people think that beginners are always going to think like that. But I suppose they must have come across that attitude - as the same advice is often repeated here.
The other side of this coin is the wonderful revelation that you don't need the most expensive kit to start enjoy making music, and indeed to make good music. Same thing with the stock vs custom harp debate.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Feb 02, 2015 5:12 AM
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bublnsqueak
42 posts
Feb 02, 2015
9:07 AM
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Agree that all the above inputs are well intentioned - apologies if I gave any other impression.
Not everyone learns in the same way.
Paul
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Kingley
3833 posts
Feb 02, 2015
9:29 AM
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bublnsqueak - You're right it is about the journey, not the destination. What the more experienced players are generally doing is trying to save the beginners a lot of grief, by showing them the most important points to focus on and save them a lot of cash and frustration in the process. I wish this kind of advice had been around when I started playing harp back in the 1980's. The only advice I got to any question I asked as a beginner was "You'll figure it out". Even now that I have more knowledge, I still don't know a lot. When I need to know something there are a handful of people on here who's advice I pretty much always heed. As I know they know what they're talking about and they've never steered me wrong yet. Joe L, Greg Heumann, Harpwrench (Joe Spiers) and BBQ Bob are some of those people.
Last Edited by Kingley on Feb 02, 2015 9:30 AM
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Raven
1 post
Feb 03, 2015
1:35 PM
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Start with good harps: Suzuki Manji, Hohner Spec 20, Lee Oskars or Seydel, add a Shure Green Bullet or Audix Fireball, a decent amp and practice, practice, practice! When you can smile at your own playing, then experiment with pedals that other players have found pleasing. At present I only use a Danelectro PB&J delay pedal. (Very affordable for anyone.) Has anyone experimented yet with the EHX B-9 or C-9?
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