Buzadero
11 posts
Jan 05, 2009
2:40 PM
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Ok. Let me preface this by saying that I'm bored. I'm sitting out on a workboat, offshore beyond sight of land.
So, what is you current amp of choice? For practice at the house? For gigging? For busking? For avenging the harp aganst the heavy knob turners behind their fretboards?
Might as well add the mic you mate to it at the other end of the cord.
~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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KC69
32 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:01 PM
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I Like my set, mainly because of $$$. I work part time at a music store, lucky to get store discount on some items. For less than $90.00 I bought a 5 watt tube amp made by crate. Certainly love the sound for the price. An instructor gave me a bullet mic that needed an element. I found a ceramic element from an old hamm radio set.needless to say I have my own sound.
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superchucker77
120 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:02 PM
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Amp: Fender Champion 600
Mic: Shure SM57
Other equipment: Samson Airline 77 Wireless system and a Behringer Digital Delay pedal.
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Brandon Bailey
Superchucker77's Youtube
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KC69
33 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:07 PM
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I also use the digitech delay and have a bad monkey tube overdrive pedal(mainly when i'm on a sloid state amp. Looking to get a tremelo pedal( love big walters sound on Easy)
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KC69
35 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:11 PM
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Superchucker77: Love your youtube stuff. Good Luck in Feb. Jimi Lee is one of my instructors, would love to see you guys together!
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Buzadero
12 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:30 PM
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KC69, you're better off diving recreationally. It's a silly way to make a living.
My practice-at-the-house amp is a 1951 Champ. That's the first one. More to follow after I hear some more from others.
~Bluzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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superchucker77
121 posts
Jan 05, 2009
3:52 PM
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KC69: Thanks.
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Brandon Bailey
Superchucker77's Youtube
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MrVerylongusername
89 posts
Jan 05, 2009
4:34 PM
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For gigging I can't be too adventurous with different sounds, so on a stage with room to move (There are 8 of us)my rig is a 1980s 520D Green Bullet retrofitted with a 70s White Label CM cartridge, into an Electro Harmonix Holy Grail reverb pedal, into a Rocktron Hush Pedal and finally a Fender Bassman RI (all stock - not even a valve swap).
On a small stage I just play through my AKG vocal mic.
At home I play acoustic or through some toys (amp modeller, Boss loop sampler, POG, TC Harmoniser) into a Behringer headphone amp (I have to keep the noise down when the kids are asleep). That's when I get to be creative with tones.
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cm16600
53 posts
Jan 05, 2009
6:20 PM
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To KC69 ,
Hi,you're talking about a crate 5W i am interested in the blackheart little giant .It is made by crate .Is it the model you have ? Have you tried it ?
I am am looking for harp players feedback on this amp .
Right now i have a Champ 600 with a blue blaster and a EV 634 .
Chris
Last Edited by on Jan 05, 2009 6:22 PM
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jbone
2 posts
Jan 05, 2009
6:45 PM
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i have had several rigs over many years. currently for small rooms/medium rooms, a vintage silvertone 1482 with single 12", about 12 watts, tremolo circuit rarely used. very good tone but lacking i9n loud band balls.
big rooms, REPLICA '59 bassman 4x10, modded for harp with a couple of flat cone speakers and a couple other nice 10's in there, for good breakup at low or high volume either one. steve clark built it for me, his co. is sligo amps and he has a website of various fender circuit amps he builds. this bassman is hands down the best tone and volume i've ever owned.
mics for those 2 include a shure 707a bullet with 99a86 cm, ruskin custom bullet with shure crystal, shure 545s pistol grip "butterfield" mic. i have a handbuilt wooden mic shell with a ceramic element also but rarely take it out since it's really more a work of art than a work horse mic.
a couple of years back necessity dictated i use a small ss amp for harp- a danelectro dirty thirty with a cheap condenser mic plugged in. not bad tone-wise but nothing like a tube amp setup!
when we play on the street it's total acoustic. when i hit a jam on the spur of the moment i just step up to the vocal mic.
i just got a military issue e-v m43u mic that i meed to put a cable together for or have a different connector put on.
i also have a bushman torpedo mic, the one with vents and a dynamic element. it is low z so it plugs into the pa. at jams. tone is fairly good but i'm considering a high z element for it.
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KC69
37 posts
Jan 05, 2009
7:09 PM
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Chris: Store owner has the Blackheart. Assume its same as you ask about, I'll find out. I know it switches between5 watt and 3 watt. His is like a small half stack. It plugs into a 10 inch Blackheart speaker cabinet. He uses for guitar and loves it, keeps it at his personal sound studio. I could borrow it and give you more feedback compared to my crate. The BlackHeart is made by Crate, I'm sure you knew that. We are a dealer at J&L Music in Marysville Ohio,43040. The owner is Jeff, I'm sure he be glad to price you one. Were not on the web. Phone# (937) 644-2191.
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bluesnut
54 posts
Jan 06, 2009
1:06 AM
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Sonny jr. 410 with a Turner +2 Controled Reluctance mic and no need for effects mostly, but when they are I use a danelectro deley and a Boss flanger. The 410 is a tone monster. It sounds great at all volume levels. My harp playing still needs to get better to bring out its full potential.
Last Edited by on Jan 06, 2009 1:11 AM
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harmonicanick
100 posts
Jan 06, 2009
2:16 AM
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Hi,
I would love a big, heavy bassman but I am limited by weight of amp as I live up steep stone stairs and as was said 'the older I get the better I was'
Getting back late after a gig is a nightmare getting the kit up to the house.
So I have a Fender Blues Junior, a delay pedal and have 4 different mics:
1. Old heavy green bullet which has a volume control added because it did not have one,I have put this on the lead so I can continue to use the stand screw fitting with a straight Peavey stand. Great sound.
2. Shaker Dynamic XLR - very nice to handle, light, good round sound.
3. Shaker retro rocket crystal mic, looks great but sounds harsh and toppy. Good for cutting through knob twitching guitarists!
4. Microvox electro harmonica mic. Unusual very small mic which fits through 2 fingers and plugs into a battery power supply which fits on your belt and this jacks into the amp. Battery lasts for a gig (2+ hrs)
Pure sound.
For jamming or open mics I just go through the vocal mic.
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MrVerylongusername
90 posts
Jan 06, 2009
2:23 AM
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I hear ya Nick!
And it's not just lugging the thing upstairs, It's getting it into my little hatchback car. A bassman is a beast!
Damn! I need a roadie and a van!
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cm16600
54 posts
Jan 06, 2009
6:11 AM
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KC 69 Thanks for you input let me know if you try it what are you impressions .I live in Europe so i won't be able to get it from you ,sorry.
Chris
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Bobbyred16
29 posts
Jan 06, 2009
8:02 AM
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I use a harpgear double trouble for open mics, gigs or just general jamming. I usually practice acoustic or through a cheesy little and I mean little fender practice amp. My mic is either a shure SM57 or my Dennis Grueling custom made turner silver bullet with a Ceramic element. I also have a DD-6 digitech delay pedal.
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Buzadero
13 posts
Jan 06, 2009
1:45 PM
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Nice insight. Thanks.
My street package is pretty simple. I keep a small office/apartment in downtown San Francisco that I sleep in during the week when I'm working around the Bay. Since I have nothing better to do, I find it quite rewarding to go out on Market Street and do some communing with the indigenous peoples of the street. During Christmas time, I'll do two or three nights in a row. It's amazing how much money one can end up with from holiday shoppers in the Spirit when they hear those familiar tunes. I usually marvel at the final tally and write a check for the same amount (minus a handling fee of a double bourbon at the bar) to a charity for either animals or the homeless. I have a favorite metal "hatch" that obviously has open space under it. It lends a very cool bass response to my little Pignose standard when it sits directly on it and is opened up just about three inches.
Anyway, the reason I asked the question at the start of the thread (besides my boredom) was that this past weekend I picked up an amp from Charlie Musselwhite at his house that is bigger than anything I've ever blown through. It's a 100w red-knob The Twin by Fender (the so-called "Evil Twin"). I hauled it back to a rental house that I've been in during the past few months on a job I've been doing. And, while I really only played around with it for about 20 minutes, it really is something. I had Charlie set the dials for me so I'd have a starting point. He says he has never really used it above volume 2 or 3, and I believe him. Wow. I finally understand. The light bulb has gone on in my head.
For decades, I've loved "that sound". Like pornography, I can't define it....but, I know it when I hear it. This big heavy box allows me to produce "that sound". All these many years of listening to the pompous and the techno ramble on and lecture about tone and technique. All the helpful "advice" that the internet has allowed the blossoming of experts from behind the anonymity of keyboards to shovel away in the forums and chatboards.
All the live harp sounds that I've heard produced and diligently analyzed the amps and settings from. Finally, I have produced those sounds that I always heard and thus knew were out there. Finally, after almost 40 years of pleasuring myself as a masturbatory harmonica hacker, owning more than a dozen amps and many more mics, I heard myself generate "that sound". Very cool. I can't wait to haul it home and spend some quality time with it.
~Bluzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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KC69
39 posts
Jan 06, 2009
3:07 PM
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To cm16600: Hey Chris if you check back to this thread. I talked with the store owner about the BlackHeart Little Giant. First he is not a harmonica player. He is a good muscian/guitar player and quality sound man. His opinion is that there's no reason to go with the BlackHeart Halfstack/with 12 inch sealed cabinet.Thinks its way too much for the application. He thought you would get the same vintage sound with the Crate 5 watt/with 10 inch speaker. The BlackHeart may give you a little more Bass is about all and is more expensive. In the US, last year s price om the B/H was about $300.00 and The Crate about half that or less. I get a great sound out of the crate a lower volume and mic it to sound board when necessary. Hope this info is some help.And I Thank You K.C.
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KC69
40 posts
Jan 06, 2009
3:12 PM
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Buz: glad to hear you like the pignose. I use mind in many applications. Of course its versatile, but also gives a great sound. Have also used it as pre-amp/monitor when hooked to sound board. I also use mp3 recorder as band in the box, play it through the pignose while i jam away. Can take it anywhere. And i Thank You. K.C.
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Bb
37 posts
Jan 18, 2009
5:58 PM
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I just posted this over on Harp-L. The Cruncher is my favorite amp. It's sweet. Read on:
Hey, I don’t post here a lot, I mostly lurk. There’s been a ton of
discussion lately about big amp vs. little amp, amp vs. effects box into a
P.A. etc ... It’s all interesting stuff and people have their own ideas
about what sounds good. Different strokes, right? Well, I’ve been playing
harp off and on for about 20 years. I’m 40 now. Got a lot more serious about
it about 2 years ago and I currently have a band that plays in and around
Birmingham, AL. My band is loud. And that’s not going to change. I just have
to deal. But as I front this band and blow harp too (and I’m an alright
player, not a total hack) I need a rig that will get me out in front of the
mix when I’m supposed to be. I’ve had several amps that I’ve tried to make
due with: the latest being a ‘59 Premier Twin-8 that sounded pretty darn
nice but just wasn’t workable for ME at the ARENA ROK!!!! volumes that I
can’t wean all my brothers from.
So, I did some homework, listened around to what some other folks were
playing and made a choice. I contacted Gary and with his guidance decided to
buy his Cruncher during his holiday sale. It felt like a big investment at
the time. My band plays out between 4-6 times a month so I’ll make it back
soon enough, but I was worried what the Mrs. was gonna say when she saw the
bank statement. Anyway, Gary got the amp out to me fast. I was stunned when
I unboxed it. It’s simply gorgeous. I could go on and on about the
absolutely flawless tweed job, the finish, the wiring inside – when I showed
it to my wife (who is really not interested in gear) she had to admit it
looked hot. But what really matters is the sound right? Playing it in the
house it was immediately better than anything I’ve ever had. It gives total
definition to every technique I can throw at it. It makes me work harder to
be a more nuanced player because it IS so responsive. I’ve been guilty in
the past of just blowing my fool head off in a desperate attempt to be heard
– this is not a problem now – it presents a new and better problem: the
garbage in, garbage out problem. I see this amp as an incredible learning
tool. Of course, the best players will sound great through sub-optimal
equipment because well, they are just that good. But I can hear things about
my own amplified playing now that I never quite got before.
Friday and Saturday night my band did a two night stand at at roadhouse in
Kimberly, Al. TP Millers is the name of the place and it is bigger than most
of the places we play by quite a bit. It’s a good 40+ yards I’d say from the
stage to the back of the room. And the room is wide too. Well, using a
combination of the line out and mic-ing the 12” as per Gary’s instruction
the Cruncher was magic. It’s that 50’s Chess Records harp sound full and
rich and just right in the mix. The guitar player took a stroll to the back
of the room during My Babe and Mystery Train and came back with a smile. He
loved the way it, WE sounded. On stage I could not only hear myself, but
was reminded to play lighter, with more attention to shaping my sound. Oh,
and it sounds equally awesome at lower volumes. I could get a sound I love
with out making my ears bleed at home.
Man, I dunno. There’s so much more I need to do to fully exploit the
capabilities of this beautiful instrument. But I love my Cruncher. Gary has
been very helpful to me. Just my personal experience. I’m happy now that I
can stop fussing around chasing gear and start chasing all the sounds that
made me want to pick up a harp in the first place. If you want to talk to me
about this amp, email me. bharrison@luckie.net.
Very satisfied Cruncher owner (# 92 I think),
Bob Harrison
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Blackbird
27 posts
Jan 18, 2009
6:54 PM
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The Vox DA5 and alternately the Roland micro cube for practice or busking. Battery powered or electricity plugged, light, and have built in options for some onboard sound control. I only have a green bullit mic so far. Havent busked yet, but getting to the point where practicing on the sidewalk at the risk of acquiring unintentional spare change for it wouldn't kill me. I bought the Vox over the Roland due to the variable watt switch for lower battery consumption, and more overdrive at lower volume.
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Violin Cat
12 posts
Jan 18, 2009
9:14 PM
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Harp Gear! HG 50 or any other one. I have tried everything out there ALL boutique brands and Fenders and more, I could of had a mess of 'em for free too but none sounded as good as my Fender Bassman until I found the Harp Gear. There is nothing that compares to that sound. Check my vids on you tube just type in jason ricci and harp gear or jason ricci and BBE or just watch any of the performances from the last year or so. I love this company, their amps, and the customer service can't be beat ask any H.G. customer about that and you'll get the same story wether they liked the amp or not..
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TylerLannan
48 posts
Jan 18, 2009
9:24 PM
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right now I'm using a rather beaten and small solid state by fender. Frontman 15g. I hate it. It waaaay to hot for mic'd harp. I've been slowly saving tho. I'm gonna get a peavy delta blues 210. Great amp as far as I'm concerned. I played it at my local store. Great sound. My mic of choice is a vintage electro voice EV 638. Hopefully soon I'll be able to pick up that peavy. I've been told that a tube amp is a must for harp players.
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*you can only keep what you have by giving it away*
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DeaconBlue
17 posts
Jan 18, 2009
10:14 PM
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I want to echo what Bb said about the Sonny Jr. Cruncher. With my Chuck Gurney custom Brown Bullet with 49' controlled reluctance "blackie" element, and Lone Wolf delay, my Cruncher (#57)kicks like a Tennessee mule. This amp is truely amazing. Chuck's custom mic puts the Cruncher in overdrive like I like it. The mic cuts through the entire register (lows, mids, and highs) with thunder. I will be forever be indebted to Gary Onofrio (Sonny Jr.), Chuck Gurney(Fat Bottom Harp Mics), and Randy Landry(Lone Wolf)for the FAT vintage Chess Records era Tone I have been striving for.
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They've got a name for the winners in the world. I...I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama The Crimson Tide. Call me Deacon Blue.
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oda
9 posts
Jan 19, 2009
8:28 PM
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I'm thinking of getting a 'Fender Frontman 15R Guitar Amp" because I can get a good deal on it... is this good for harmonica? I've never tried amplified playing, frankly I'm not even ready yet, but the deal is pretty good ... but not worth it if the amp is not good for harps! anyone?
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DeaconBlue
18 posts
Jan 19, 2009
9:39 PM
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They've got a name for the winners in the world. I...I want a name when I lose. They call Alabama The Crimson Tide. Call me Deacon Blue.
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TylerLannan
49 posts
Jan 19, 2009
9:47 PM
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nooooooooo! Don't do it! Save your self while you still can. The frontman 15r is the same model I had only mine was the 15g (no reverb). It's horrible. First off it's either loud or no volume at all. Second it's solid state, you want a tube amp for harp. Third the feedback past the volume set at 3 is so screeching and howling it might make your eyes bleed. I wouldn't take it if it was offered to you for free. I just recently replaced mine. I was gonna get a big ol delta blues 210. But seeing as how I live in an appt building that's not really practicle. I went with a fender champ 600. I figured that if I need more volume than that at a gig I can just mic it through the PA. Great tone in a small and affordable package. I got mine brand new at my local shop for $170. Plus there's mod kits available. What ever you do tho DO NOT get the frontman. I don't care if he's throwing it at you. It's not worth the headache.
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*you can only keep what you have by giving it away*
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GGiles
15 posts
Jan 20, 2009
5:39 AM
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Fender Champion 600 here as well! Still looking for a mic to use with it.
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oda
10 posts
Jan 20, 2009
9:15 AM
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Tyler, thanks for the advice. I'll just develop my acoustic until I can afford something worthwhile then :)
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Thunderfromheaven
15 posts
Jan 20, 2009
1:11 PM
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My main amp is a fender champ 600 with the wax/foil tone stack caps, better tubes and weber speaker from-
https://www.specialtyguitars.com/champ-upgrade-kits.html
I have also fitted the following kit off ebay-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=360108967316
This kit removes the hum, allows a standby switch, internal fuse and also allows you to select a 2w or 5w mode. On 2w you can crank it up and get better tone at lower overall volume. Easy to instal kit actually and makes the amp better for home use.
I use a sonotone cm10 mic, they are indestructable, cheap and sound great. Available off ebay, mine was $36 USD mint in box with the stand. Here are the specs
http://www.roger-russell.com/sonopg/sonom.htm
I am looking at a Boss dd-3 pedal but at the moment plug into an AXL thin amp and then feed the champ from there. There are loads of effects on the thin amp, it sounds awesome on its own and really gives control of the champ. with reverb, flanger etc.
The best part of this amp though is I can plug my ipod into it using the RCA inputs and play Adam's lessons or music through the amp. The music volume is controlled by the ipod and the harp mic by the amp. Great for playing along to lessons etc as I can select the volmes i want and just play along to music and both sounds come through the amp together. Would be good to busk with if you are on your own.
I got mine for $100 US in a lap top bag, it is great to practice on and as it has a cigarette lighter power lead as well as the mains one, I can run it off a portable battery jump starter for up to 9hrs at a time!
http://www.stevesmusiccenter.com/AXLThinAmp.html
Last Edited by on Jan 20, 2009 1:15 PM
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LIP RIPPER
23 posts
Jan 20, 2009
2:08 PM
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KUSTOM TUBE 12A. SWITCHED PREAMP TUBE OUT WITH A 5965 GE TUBE, DIGITECH DIGIDELAY AND A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT MICS. RIGHT NOW I'M RETROFITTING A NEW BLUES MASTER WITH A SHURE ELEMENT.
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