Max-T
8 posts
May 28, 2009
6:45 AM
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After reading through the wealth of information on these forums I thought I had my choice narrowed down alot in terms of amps.
I'm looking for a really gritty dirty Chicago blues sound, something that really gives you a bit of a crunch.
I've narrowed down my choice of amps to (bearing in mind my budget here is tight as I'm a student):
Fender Champion 600
Harley Benton GA15
Harley Benton GA5
Epiphone Valve Junior
All of these are below £150, which is my price range in terms of amps.
For microphones I've been looking on ebay for high impedance mic's and vintage mic's. So far I've found a coupple interesting ones:
Shure PE-588 - Hi-z Dynamic mic.
Turnner 22X with a Shure Controlled magnetic 99S556 TJ (1981) element
There are also several custom mic's which I am slightly warey of.
Any advice on the matter would be greatly appreciated. bearing in mind that my budget for microphones is also approximately £120
(I did see an Astatic JT-30 on ebay but it has a few days left and no-doubt someone will outbid me, if they dont though I think this may be the mic i'm going with.)
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"imagination is more important then knowledge" - Albert Einstien
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chromaticblues
110 posts
May 28, 2009
6:54 AM
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The turner mic sounds like a good idea for that sound.
If I had to pick one it would be the GA-5.
Last Edited by on May 28, 2009 8:57 AM
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congaron
4 posts
May 28, 2009
9:33 AM
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I use a valve junior head with a 12 inch jenson or two..depending on the room. I made a mic from a cb mic element and volume control mounted into a license plate light fixture. It is actually a low impedence mic and i use a transformer inline, but the low music fidelity of the element makes ait a great harp mic. Gritty when I want and trumpet or sax tone when i want. Also able to really get dirty when tightly cupped and turned all the way up. I can even get a fairly clean harmonica tone, but not as clean as through the PA system and my beta 57. the amp adds a little grit on the volume settings i use.
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wheezer
78 posts
May 28, 2009
9:54 AM
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@ Max
Check out Harpsucker on youtube. He demos all of those amps except the HB GA15.
I'm sure I read somewhere that the HB GA5 was better than the GA15 and that the Epiphone to get was the version 3. Aparrently the earlier ones had some issues with hum. Hope this helps.
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jonsparrow
371 posts
May 28, 2009
10:38 AM
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i have a valve jr an i love it. never tried any of the other ones so i cant comment on them.
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LIP RIPPER
55 posts
May 28, 2009
11:01 AM
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I just added to my amp farm. I have a Valve Jr amp head only coming. I like the idea of 4,8 and 16 ohm speaker choices. I'm going to make a few different cabinets with different speakers so we'll see how it goes.
LR
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Ray
27 posts
May 28, 2009
11:21 AM
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The Shure PE 585 is a clean sounding mic. But are good mics.
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djm3801
131 posts
May 28, 2009
3:22 PM
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I did some research on a Valve Jr compared to the Fender Champ 600 as I was in a position to buy one of the two but got priorities changed by the IRS at tax time, and now I am putting fun money into home projects - not fun. At any rate, most folks agree that Epiphone is the way to go. Never heard of the Harley ones - cannot comment. In fact, the Epiphone Valve Jr Head unit and speaker, according to another forum member who knows a lot, is even better than the combo. Lots of modifications available too. Popular amp.
Dan M
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Max-T
9 posts
May 29, 2009
3:03 AM
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Thanks for all the help, I think I'm going to go with the Harley Benton GA5 after seeing Harpsucker play through it on youtube. (that and its one of the cheapest ones so another big plus :) )
Lets just hope I don't get outbid on the mic!
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"imagination is more important then knowledge" - Albert Einstien
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Maciekdraheim
35 posts
May 30, 2009
4:55 AM
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Just like Jon Sparrow, I've got the Epi Vale Junior #3 (combo). Very gritty and dirty amp! With a HOT mic you will be able to cranck it up to about 25% getting a really nasty tone. Very fine amp for a price! About the GA5. I was also very interested in this one but I get a better deal on my Epi. About technicalities, smaller Benton is exact in technology as the Epiphone VJ #2, except the additional tone control that give you some more control on the sound that amp can provide. I think both of them are good pieces of hardware. As for the mic, If I were you I would go for that Turner with Shure element :). Also gritty, just as the amp.
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Max-T
11 posts
Jun 02, 2009
4:36 AM
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Thanks again everyone for all the help.
I've agree'd a deal with the seller who seems to be a great guy from spain.
its a little more pricey then I would have liked but the mic is a little rarer then the Harley benton GA5
that and the store where I was going to order from is out of stock atm so it gives me time to save up to get it.
for now I'll just have to steal my brothers amp and practice on his
thanks again guys ^_^
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"imagination is more important then knowledge" - Albert Einstien
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Kingley
2 posts
Jun 02, 2009
6:42 AM
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The Harley Benton GA5 is the exact same amp as the Epiphone Valve Junior. It's just rebadged in the factory.
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Miles Dewar
352 posts
Jun 02, 2009
6:59 AM
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I have a PE 588. This one is my favorite mic. It has a clean sound with a tad bit of "grittiness". Definately not as clean as the SM 58.
Overall the PE 588 is a great mic. Good looking too.
Also it has a large windscreen. You can hold the harp and mic very comfortably without cramping your hands. This is one of my favorite qualities.
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---Go Chicago Bears!!!---
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Bluzdude46
54 posts
Jun 02, 2009
7:20 AM
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I think I'm Dan's other forum member. If you decide to go with the Epi email me and I'll send you some info so you can crank it more then 25% without feedback. If you buy the Epi VJr new at this point it will be a version 3 unless it's been sitting on the shelf for 2-3 years. There are still a few lil modifications you can make to get more outta this little box. Best practice amp I've ever had
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Maciekdraheim
37 posts
Jun 15, 2009
1:20 PM
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Hey Bluzdude, how can I contact you to get some idea how to mod my Epi a bit to make it more friendly for a high impedance mic?
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