clarky3009
1 post
Aug 24, 2008
5:54 AM
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Hey guys, i know you have heard this a hundred times over but here goes. I bought a Fender Pro Jr amp yesterday, looks fantasric, it has 2 dials, volume and tone. and 4 tubes at the back. I plug in my hohner blues blaster mic and start playing. It sounds just like im playing acoustic but louder... I want that dirty messy little walter style of sound. So i really need your thoughts on what i need to change or add to my amp to get it that way, Thanks guys
-- Alex
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Patrick Barker
123 posts
Aug 24, 2008
9:50 AM
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Turn up the gain and volume on the amp and cup your mic as tight as you can.
----------
"Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
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2draw
32 posts
Aug 24, 2008
9:55 AM
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yes very tite seal also I use tongue blocking with my rite thumb pressed against my cheek to seal better I'm sure there are other people on this site that can explain it better
Last Edited by on Aug 24, 2008 9:57 AM
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clarky3009
2 posts
Aug 24, 2008
11:35 AM
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Great thanks, does anyone know of any effects that would be an advantage? such as pedals etc, thx.
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Preston
41 posts
Aug 25, 2008
10:18 AM
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I like using a delay pedal in addition to distortion. I use the overdrive on the amp, I don't actually have a distortion pedal. And my delay is turned way down, I don't want it to sound like an echo in the grand canyon, just want it to add a little "something extra" to the sound.
If I'm not mistaken, Adam uses a little bit of delay as well.
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LittleJoeSamson
37 posts
Aug 25, 2008
11:03 AM
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Try using a low impedence converter and see if you can turn it up then without feed. Also a common trick seems to be changing at least the first rectifier tube to a slightly lower gain, i.e. going from 12AX7's to 12AU7's.
If you bought this at a store, you might ask them if you could try this out.
LJS
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kudzurunner
86 posts
Aug 25, 2008
11:30 AM
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I'll be very interested to hear the suggestions on this one.
My experience with the Pro Jr. is that it's a poor harp amp. I've always gotten exactly the sound you talk about: woody, without any useful compression and high-mid crunch.
What size speaker does it have? I seem to remember 1 x 12". That's a bad configuration for harp. If the speaker magnet is moderately big, that would explain most of what's going on. The SMALLER the magnet, the better the harp sound. Big magnets are for playing guitar loud without excessive breakup. I put a Mojo Tone 12" speaker in my Tweed Deluxe and it does well--but the amp still isn't as good as my amps with 10's and 8's for speakers.
Yes, in order to rescue this amp, you need to do several things:
1) Make sure you cup harp to mic as tightly as possible;
2) Turn up the amp to the point JUST before it feeds back. This is the best possible setting, frankly. I use small amps because I can always turn them up into the useful operating range without deafening anybody. The problem with most bigger amps is that you can't do this.
3) Purchase a tube preamp; it will fit between your mic and the amp. If you can jack up the mic signal before it enters the amp, you'll increase sustain and compression by driving the input (preamp) stage of the amp harder. Better tone.
4) If you've got an amp tech in the neighborhood, you might change out the tubes, as described above. I don't think this will help.
5) Have a friend with an electric guitar play through the amp for an hour or two while it's cranked all the way up. This will loosen up the speaker cones.
I just don't like the amp for harp. Sorry about that. It's a fine blues guitar amp.
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kudzurunner
87 posts
Aug 25, 2008
11:34 AM
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Here's a promising looking tube preamp:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-MIC200-Tube-Ultra-Gain-Preamp?sku=182491&src=3SOSWXXA
I had a Premier reverb tank for a while that had a tube premap. Zowie! It made ANY amp sound like a rocket ship. I throw it into my solid state Mouse and it had an unbelievably smokin' sound.
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kudzurunner
88 posts
Aug 25, 2008
11:36 AM
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Here's that reverb tank. I paid about $50 for it, fifteen years ago. It's worth every penny, though. Serious 'verb, and EXTREMELY serious tube-sounding hot-wire preamping.
http://capeguitarworks.com/reverbtank.html
This tank will make your Pro Jr. sound like....well, amazing.
Last Edited by on Aug 25, 2008 11:36 AM
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Gray
15 posts
Aug 25, 2008
2:16 PM
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Beautiful looking reverb unit Adam.Would love to wail through that.I think any amp would sound fat through that baby.
Thanx for the link up.
Another sweet amp is the Marshall JT30.Full tube,good size and sweet to look at.
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clarky3009
4 posts
Aug 26, 2008
11:40 AM
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Thanks very much to all comments. Adam i think i will buy the tube preamp which will help my tone, sounds great. for the tank though, that of course would be very helpful but totally out of my price range unfortuneatly, $350 was a bit much, do you know of any other cheaper substitutes? Thanks for the comments Adam.
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Guest
Guest
Aug 26, 2008
2:12 PM
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If you look in at this website this guy is about to make a Pro Junior more harp friendly.
Maybe something useful you can pickup here.
http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com
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LittleJoeSamson
44 posts
Aug 27, 2008
12:47 AM
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Couple of other quick things to try:
Easiest...tilt the amp in various configurations. Sometimes we focus too much on the gear, and forget that it is acoustics that we really are talking. Simple change of mechanics can be profound.
I did this with a fellow harpman at a recent jam. He had a small amp that had a decent sound when played by itself, but once other instruments started, when he pushed up the volume...you got it: Ear piercing feedback!
The small amp was setting on top of a brick island holding a tree. With his permission, I put the amp down in the well, leaning back against the tree at a 45% angle. End of problem and it sounded great!
Next, remove the back and play thru it to notice any difference, but be careful!!! Exposed wires/circuits!
If this is favorable, then you will have to customize a new back to cover the exposed electronics; while leaving the rest of the cabinet open. This would be the main cause for the "woody" tone IMO.
Another quick experiment is to drape some heavy fabric over the front...kind of like a baffle. Cosmetically, it looks terrible.
I knew of one quite awful harp player/ singer that always did this, and since he is now gone, shall remain nameless. The fellow was uber rootsy, and genuine. Never saw him in anything but a mismatched suit that loked like, and I am positive, that he slept in. He had only one front tooth left in his upper jaw. When I say awful, I mean his playing. He was a true bluesman, and a friendly chap. He did super slow Delta stuff, and only had three or four extremly used harps. He smoked and drank CONSTANTLY...even while playing. I seriously doubt that he ever did any harp maintenance...or even basic cleaning! Many times, I know he was out of key. But, he was true to blues, and his tone was spot on. Been so long ago, I can't remember the amp he used. Just remember that he draped this shroud over the front of it!
He was rather tall and gangly, too. He had these velociraptor hands ( like Big Walter ) and cupped the harp and mic so you could not see them!
I chatted with him after the last time I saw him. Everything was fine until I brought up Little Walter. Then his mood changed abruptly! He said, "I taught that (so-and-so) EVRY Thing he KNOW!". End of conversation.
Was it jive or true? Will never know, as he died the next year.
LJS
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kudzurunner
89 posts
Aug 27, 2008
4:44 AM
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Yes, open-back amps almost always sound better--less "woody"--but it's important to pull the amp away from walls to the sound has a chance to expand.
I've just put together a one-hour video entitled "Amping the Harp," in which I pull ALL my old tube amps out of the closet and A/B them, with and without my digital delay, to show how to extract the best possible sound. I'll put it up for sale on this website within the next week. I've also got a much shorter YouTube teaser, jump-cut like a music video, that will give you an idea of what you're in for.
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clarky3009
6 posts
Aug 27, 2008
9:25 AM
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wow, i really didnt expect such great advise from all the users, i thank you all alot. Thanks for taking the time Adam, helps alot, ive taken in everything you've said, on saturday im going to go down to a music store in Glasgow and try out some various preamp tubes etc. Send me that link when you get it up on site. Thanks again guys.
Last Edited by on Aug 27, 2008 9:48 AM
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JTThirty
2 posts
Aug 27, 2008
1:59 PM
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There is a new sheriff in town that is bent on helping out folks such as yourself. Mosey over to www.lwharpamps.com and order up the Lonewolf HarpTone Plus pedal and see if it won't get the PJ going into the tonezone. I've heard some amp clips played by a friend of mine who was testing out the prototype pedal and it sure seemed to bring out the beast in some amps that needed a little more coaxing. I think the pedal is going to be a hot item soon. Anyway--
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NG
34 posts
Aug 27, 2008
3:10 PM
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What do you guys think of the Fender Blues Junior?
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JTThirty
4 posts
Aug 28, 2008
8:15 AM
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The BJ is pretty much similar to the PJ as far as their electronics platform. The BJ has a master gain knob that the PJ doesn't and we harp players don't need and it has a sucky reverb. What Adam mentioned about 12" speakers for harp is glaring true as far as the BJ is concerned (by the way, the PJ has the 10" speaker). I tried to make a BJ work for me for a couple of years and I was never pleased with the results. I bought a 5 watt Kalamazoo 1 that absolutely blew the 15 watt BJ away as far as harp tone goes. I have heard audio samples of the BJ with a Lone Wolf Tone Plus pedal in front of it and it improves the tone, but it still needs a bit more of something.
If you're looking for modern, then I've heard the BJ A/Bd with the new Epiphone Junior half stack and the Epi blows it away (especially with the LW pedal). Anyway--
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NG
35 posts
Aug 28, 2008
12:20 PM
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I am after a great amp. Budget is around $1500.
I'm hearing great things about Sonny Junior amps. Gary Davis seems to have a great sound from one. Are they worth the price tag?
I have a Fender Bassman reissue and after playing it for a few months now I get that its not the greatest amp for harp. Certainly not under 4 volume. Just ordered the Lone Wolf pedal there. Hopefully it will help with the sound of whatever I get.
Had played through a Blues junior at a blues jam a few weeks ago and loved the sound. I was going to get one until I saw this thread!
Any ideas?
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kudzurunner
96 posts
Aug 28, 2008
3:05 PM
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I still love Brian Purdy's amps (www.harpgear.com).
I'm going to upload a long (56 minute) MBH video next week, or sooner, called "Amping the Harp." I'll post a teaser video on YouTube, too. I talk about my '55 Bassman, '54 Deluxe, early 60s Premier Twin-8 and Kay 703, and Mouse. Lots of honking!
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NG
36 posts
Aug 28, 2008
3:18 PM
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Cool. I'll wait for that. Groovey.
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LittleJoeSamson
47 posts
Aug 28, 2008
5:00 PM
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To follow up on my previous post about the blues harpman that is gone....at one time he was quite the player. I saw him late in his life where the cigs and booze caught up to him, and he was in ill health for some time. I did not want it to seem like I was disparaging him. Wish I had seen him earlier...he was only 63 when he passed.
The draped amp may have been because it was outdoors, tho not really sure.
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JTThirty
5 posts
Aug 28, 2008
9:28 PM
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I also have heard rave reviews in regards to Brian Purdy's Harpgear amps. Amps such as his won't need any tone pedals to straighten them out. The early youtube clips of Adam and his Premier illustrate what kind of tone can be had with a great harp amp in the hands of a great player. If you have $1500 to put towards an amp, then look into the Harpgear, Sonny Junior and Meteor harp specific amps. Keep in mind that quite a few gigging professionals lugged the Fender Bassman Reissue around before the harpcentric amps began to be design to meet the tonal needs. We can't buy Adam Gussow's tone, but he can instruct us as to how he got it going. Good idea to wait and hear his ideas.
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NG
37 posts
Aug 29, 2008
10:44 AM
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Thanks for that. Good harp amps are hard to come by where I am - Belfast. Its hard to know what you are getting relying on ebay. I am starting to think about buying new from Harpgear or Sonny Junior.
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Tuckster
20 posts
Aug 29, 2008
11:26 AM
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NG Don't be in too much of hurry to unload the Bassman RI. Lots of good harp players use them. Try some tube swaps first. If all else fails, buy a Kinder AFB+ for $360. It really will improve that amp. Not saying Harp Gear isn't a great amp, just trying to save you money. Spend the money you save on some custom harps!
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bluesnut
34 posts
Aug 29, 2008
11:37 AM
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I have a Sonny Jr. 410 and it sounds best to me without an effects pedal. Equipment: SJ410, danelectro deley pedal, turner cr mic all provided by SJ. Loud or soft it has the tone. It get's LOUD. I am very Happy all around with the amp and service SJ provided during the purchase.
Last Edited by on Aug 29, 2008 11:38 AM
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NG
38 posts
Aug 29, 2008
2:01 PM
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Cheers guys. I've already spent too much money on 4 custom harps :-) but they rock.
I am trying some new tubes in the bassman RI fairly soon. Got it on ebay and have no experience of how good tubes are. I suppose when someone sells on ebay they are not likely to give you their best tubes with the amp.
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belfast_harper
7 posts
Aug 29, 2008
3:16 PM
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If you are going to mic an amp to a PA, would there be much of a difference in the sound between using a mic and using the line out if you amp has one.
I would assume that using a mic rather than using the line out would give you a better sound, but with not having played through any amp or PA systems before, that is just a guess.
Last Edited by on Aug 29, 2008 3:16 PM
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LittleJoeSamson
51 posts
Aug 29, 2008
5:01 PM
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belfast; It is my experience that there are so many variables ( size of room, layout, different house PA's ) that I just have to try out both for the sound, unless I've played the venue before. Course, lineout is easier.
LJS
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oldwailer
168 posts
Aug 30, 2008
10:39 AM
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This whole thread has just recently become fascinating to me--I decided a year or so ago to just try to develop a good tone acoustically before considering amps and mics and all that stuff.
Well, then I started jamming a little at open mics--and started messing with the mics I have for vocals--with my little Hog 30 amp. I then came into a green bullet mic and now I am converted to eeelectricity. (Been an electrician for 37 years--but some of us are slower than others).
So, my question is, in light of all this information about the myriad foot-switches, amps, and accoutrement's, What is the basic, non-reducible rig? What I mean is--is there any way a harp player can hope to have a rig that could be carried into a club in one trip and set up in a few minutes? If the whole damn rig was battery powered it would even be better--just flip a switch and jam!
I guess the perfect solution for me would be a small amp that contained all the delay and stuff you need for a good sound--I hate all the footswitches and stuff that you have to daisy-chain across the stage--but I still want to get a great sound.
Is that possible?
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Tuckster
22 posts
Aug 30, 2008
12:27 PM
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I think we obsess waaay too much on equipment at the expense of tone. If you have great tone, you can play through anything. Then the equipment is a matter of taste and nuances.I'm not saying equipment doesn't have its place,but if only we spent as much time obsessing about tone. I've heard some less than stellar players playing through a good soundig amp.Early on in my harp playing journey, those guys impressed me. Now that I'm further along that never ending road I think: Hmmm-his amp is better than he is. I always practice acoustic,because it forces me to maintain good tone. That being said, I play a early 70's Bassman 50 head and a 4-10 cabinet.Also use a Boss DM-3 analog delay pedal. The delay is set very low-hardly noticeble as delay. It kinda "fattens" things up.I'm quite happy with the sound- I'll keep it 'til the day they bury me. Now use a SuperLux dynamic bullet style mic.One thing I've found is a favorite mic will sound different thru different amps.I tried JT-30, GB's, Shakert,BluesBlaster,Shure Commando,57,and a couple of others and the SuperLux sounded best to me.If I tried a different amp, one of the other mics might have sounded better.Always try out an amp with the mic you're going to use.
Last Edited by on Aug 30, 2008 12:36 PM
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sandgroperboy
1 post
Aug 31, 2008
4:47 PM
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Hi Alex
you can take 2 routes with gear,one will lead you to a life of obsessive chasing of mics,amps( older amps)even older amps etc) and finding something that works and then work on your tone and your timing!
For your budget buy a Kalamazoo 1 or 2,these are simply great for harp
they will be able to give you the sound you want for under $300.
For stage work,give up the BS about which amp etc and buy a Harp Commander
and my friend most of the audience won't care that you aren't playing through what Kim is now endorsing( the latest of about 20 amps he is said to have endorsed). Remember your job is to entertain with sound and emotion not some pathetic mojo re old gear.
Liberate your self by making life simple.
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kudzurunner
101 posts
Aug 31, 2008
6:41 PM
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I wasn't familiar with the Harp Commander, but I found a link by googling, and I'm intrigued:
http://www.holmeseng.com/
I assume this is a preamp box for harp. You plug your mic into it, connect it to the house P.A. with a cable, and dial in the sound you want--a tube-amp sound, most likely.
More discussion about this unit, please, from anybody who's used it.
A comment about using the line out from an amp vs. miking the speaker: What you lose by running a line out is ALL the harmonics--and tone--that accrue to the overdriven speaker coil, rather than to the amp electronics. These are a key element of good harp tone. They're not the only way to achieve good amplified harp tone, but they're a key element. So there's a tradeoff in using a line out. You gain something in convenience, but you lose something, at least potentially, in tone.
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LittleJoeSamson
53 posts
Aug 31, 2008
11:17 PM
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Adam, in doing lineout versus miced...yes the miced gets the signal to the board with the solid tone. In doing a lineout, the sound guy has to set the signals low...just like adjusting an amp. Lineout is "easier" and quicker if the sound guy is professional, and you trust him/her. A mic'ed, double mic'd set up will amplify the sound YOU create and control. It is just more of a hassle.
(still going in to the mains)
My worst sound guys were the failed git players. They were the primadonna's.
My best sound guy was a drummer. had an ear for bass/lowtones.
I may sound like a curmudgeon ( I'm really a softie! ), and I guess I am .
There is a prejudice among the broad brotherhood of musicians that harp players are too loud, obnoxious, and barely worth playing with! There are some that make this bias semi-valid ( Think Little Walter ) This concept that is drawn from psycho guitar players is ironic.
Tone, Style, Phrasing, ....we all know these terms, and it is entirely subjective.
If it sounds good, it's good.
If not good, stick with your day job.
I would encourage everyone here to explore beyond the accepted.
You never know what you might find!
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baz
11 posts
Sep 01, 2008
1:07 PM
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Hi Dont want to spoil the party but Wrong amp and wrong mic
To get the Chicargo sound you have to understand the fundamentals of harps and mic configuration.
Firstly guitar amps are crap harp amps. Why?
Well you need head room on the output valves for guitar amps but very little for harp This means the bias point on the output valves needs to be set nearer to saturation than with a guitar set up.
Secondly The peamps need low volatage to which means alteration of the power supply resistors
Thirdly If your Honner Blues Blaster is newer than 5 years get rid
Modern Blues blasters like shure 520 are not good harp mics`
They suffer from mass production and sound tinny
The Dx version of the shure 520 lacks balls so where have we gone wrong?
Well just go back 40 years and see how these mics and amps differed
Mics had hand wound elements not machine wound. Amps had little speakers Were easily over driven,were underpowered but easily driven to saturation by harps.
It was an age when everything that could go wrong with a guitar amp ended up being the best thing ever for harp players.
There are some specialist manufacturers who produce this gear You need deep pockets or an understanding of electronics and loads of patience until the right bits turn up at junk sales!!! Keep honking
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JTThirty
6 posts
Sep 02, 2008
9:24 AM
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I haven't played through a Harp Commander, but have heard tales of many who have done so. The HC is on it's third upgrade and it has a little brother referred to as the HC Junior without as many input/outputs and bells and whistles. I have heard favorable tales of those that use it as a pre-amp direct box into the p.a. and most say it gets as close to a amped sound that you can get without an amp. Others have told of using it to split a signal into the amp and out to a p.a. And others have said that it really fattens up an amp that needs more harp tone and doesn't do a whole lot to a harp specific amp with good tones already. My take is that it sounds like it makes for a good piece of equipment to haul around to jams or to travel the countryside with when transporting an amp is not feasible. I have only heard good things about the Harp Commander. Someone's bound to be able to enlightened us more on their experience with the box.
See ya--
Rick
www.bushdogblues.blogspot.com
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MN
Guest
Sep 05, 2008
10:32 AM
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Adam: I'll bring my Harp Commander (first edition) to Klingenthal and you can try it out first hand. Can't wait! ... Mark N.
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bluzlvr
54 posts
Sep 05, 2008
1:59 PM
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Going back to the subject of line out, that feature on the HarpGear amp is advertised as getting the same great tone the amp is known for. I assume that means it sounds as good as if it were miced. Can that be possible when the amp's speaker doesn't come into play? Everything I've heard about these amps makes me really, really, really want to buy one....
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clarky3009
8 posts
Sep 06, 2008
7:33 AM
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I've been looking on a harmonica website and their is a very cheap amp, so can someone have a look at it and tell me if it is any good? The link is http://www.harmonicas-direct.com/index2.html - When it opens go to the 'accesories' page and scroll right to the bottom, it's the only amp there. Thanks guys!!
-- Alex
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Guest
Guest
Sep 06, 2008
11:14 AM
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Alex,
I have had a look and must admit it is not an amp I have heard of being used for harp. Although, someone may prove me wrong.
Given a choice I would much rather have your Fender Pro Junior and make it more harp friendly.
If you are finding the Pro Junior too large, look for a shop where you can try an Epiphone Valve Junior or Fender Champion 600.
Perhaps a smaller valve amp that you can 'overdrive' easier, may suit you better.
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clarky3009
9 posts
Sep 06, 2008
12:47 PM
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Ah good, now i know :D. Thanks, I'll stick with the pro jr i think, ive ordered a few harp friendly items so hopefully it will turn out great!
--- Al
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Zhin
Guest
Sep 06, 2008
7:06 PM
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I don't think the amp is to be blamed. Correct me if I'm wrong but Billy Gibson uses the same amp and he's got a killer hot tone.
I strongly believe it's the mic that's the culprit. When I first started harp I bought an SM-57... soon after I bought a Hohner Blues Blaster (reissued version with the 5$ kobitone element) because I thought that was the only way to get the Chicaaawwwwgo tone... I assumed that just because it's a bullet it's gonna sound good.
It was truly a bittersweet moment when I did a back to back comparison with the SM-57 and BB... BB does not have low end frequencies. Maybe just a tiny bit of mid-bass but it definately does not pick up the frequencies between 200hz-400hz properly at all. I have since chucked the BB into storage and will get it's element replaced someday.
I am well aware though that other bullet mics perform far better than the BB. But I am happy with my SM-57. It gives me the edge, punch and growl I want. This is not a mic for everyone though, and it's not always the best. But for my playing style and setup, it's a good thing.
Seriously, make sure you have the right mic before you even consider ANY purpose built harp pedals. Test your mics out on different amps, mixers, and computers (I went as far as observing waveforms) to really get a good idea on what your mics are capable of in the first place.
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Rick Davis
1 post
Sep 10, 2008
1:04 PM
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Clarky, to make the Pro Junior into a good harp amp you don't need tube preamps or tricky gizmos... You only need $90 worth of the right tubes and speaker. I just finished with my Pro Junior Harp Amp Project and the results are pretty impressive. Details, photos, and sound clips here:
http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/2008/09/fender-pro-junior-harp-amp-project.html
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps blog
http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/
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jpmcbride
2 posts
Sep 10, 2008
1:52 PM
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Clarky,
Great advice from everyone on this topic. One more angle to consider ...
A lot of what is called the Chicago Sound has nothing to do with the amp and mic but is in the players technique. Think of James Cotton playing through a vocal mic straight into the PA and STILL getting a big, full sound.
I remember when I first started I took some lessons from a local player and I could not figure out how he got that dirty distorted sound, WITH NO MIC AT ALL. Everything I played was nice and clean and he had "that" sound that I wanted. There was no amp there so I couldn't blame it on that!
Eventually I figured out that you get that big sound with technique. Using chords and octaves, tongue slaps and pulls, double stops, all the tricks of the trade that no one tells you about. Adam covers all this stuff in his videos and even talks about how to get some of these sounds with pucker instead of TB.
I guess my point is that to get that really down and dirty sound you have to learn the techniques, the mic and amp alone won't get you there.
Jim McBride
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clarky3009
10 posts
Sep 11, 2008
10:01 AM
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Great guys. Thanks!
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3 cav 84a
4 posts
Sep 11, 2008
4:59 PM
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G'day, I am certainly no expert on the subject but I bought a Danelectro dirty thirty to start off with, (it was reasonably cheap)this was my first amp I ever bought so I had nothing to compare it with.It was too noisy to be playing at home so I did a search on the net and found this place
http://www.guytronix.com/home.html
They had a model called a Gilmore Junior which can be either a 1/2 watt or 2 watt by changing one of the valves. It is in a kit form and I made it myself. I used a Weber 10" speaker and made the cabinet "Soldier Proof" with a padded top so I can sit on it when playing if I want to. You might think that half a watt or even 2 watts would not put out a loud enough sound but it is more than enough for what I wanted and in my opinion it sounds really good. A good learning experience in making it as you get a good understanding of what makes the amp work. Guytronix is in the USA and I had no trouble getting the parts etc sent to Australia.
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Bobbyred16
20 posts
Sep 19, 2008
7:26 AM
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From an ex-user of the Blues Jr., I highly recommend that you dump that amp, or keep it on your shelf and spend the money for a Harpgear Amp. I have the Double Trouble model and it's a great small amp for any kind of gig. It's loud and produces great bottom end/and overdrives very nice. I've used it in small club gigs, open mics, and this weekend will be using it at my first blues festival. :-) This amp will not dissapoint, I spent about 1300 for mine, and when I got it, I plugged my mic in and I was in love with it. Worth every penny and thensome. My advice is to stay away from Sam Ash or Guitar Center or any other chain music store, they are not very "harp" friendly or knowledgeable about the right amp for a harp. Let's face it all the sales people in those places are usually some kind of metal guitar player.
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clarky3009
11 posts
Sep 21, 2008
2:53 AM
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True, ill try and save up for a harpgear amp.
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shaneboylan
55 posts
Oct 11, 2008
2:21 PM
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here's a question - does the amount of wattage of the amp you use affect it's loudness in the case of harp amps? Surely if that was the case then the fender champ 600 would sound incredibly low in volume??
Would it be possible. for instance, to use a Fender Champ 600 as your gig setup if you were playing in most clubs????
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MrVerylongusername
7 posts
Oct 11, 2008
3:44 PM
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A small amp (5W - 15W) can sound fabulous, but you'll probably need to mic it up to play even a small venue.
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