Hey, I'm new to all of this harp amp stuff and I was wondering if anyone can tell me if this amp would be okay for harmonica. Thanks to everyone who responded to my last topic, Real Blues Licks, so many of us are at that good intermediate stage, From here it may be a case of just trusting our own style and sound. Thanks again for the help.
I use one with a green bullet. Turned up to around 8 it sounds pretty good. Obviously not as good as a 50's one, but its decent. :) check my youtube, channel for videos of me using it, jfllr1 (channel name)
I also have one of these and it is an excellent little amp. I also play it with a green bullet and also a crystal mic and a couple of shure Hi-z mics. The only problem I had was feedback but this can be very easily cured with a valve (tube) swap. If you're playing out you'll need to mic it up but at the jam I play at it sounds even better miced up.
Don't worry...I know even less!! However swapping out tubes is really simple. The 600 comes with a 12AX7 pre amp tube and a 6V6 power tube. You only want to swap out the pre-amp tube as this gives you the amount of gain to the amp. On the 600 there is a small aluminum tube cover which is spring loaded and pops off easily...if you're looking from the back it's on the left hand side. Just gently pull out the tube being careful not to bend the pins and push in your replacement tube, making sure to line the pins up correctly.
I swapped mine out for a 12AT7 which gives about 70% gain compared with 100% of the 12AX7. I found I can turn the volume up full with most of my mics with this tube. However you can also put a 12AY7 (about 40%gain) or 12AU7 (about 17% gain). If you can, try all three out until you find the one that sounds best.
I must admit that I have only tried the 12AT7 up till now but I'm pretty happy with this.Hope this helps
I played in Charlotte street blues bar Wednesday night with the champ miced to the PA and had more than enough volume... Just get someone who knows about micing to do it and you should be fine :) ---------- "Blow as thou pleaseth"
I turn it up as far as I can and let the main man running the PA control what the audience hear. The only problem I've had was getting too near to the PA speakers and getting feedback, but you soon find out where it's ok to stand.
I play through a gretsch g5222 (same guts as a champ) with a sonotone cm10 ceramic. It's a nice little amp for the money. I've got an EH 12ay7 in the pre amp and cant decide over an eh or a jj 6v6. Ask before you buy whether it has an EH 6v6 or the chinese 6v6 (could save yourself the cost of an upgraded tube). I think the JJ gives a grittier tone and the EH gives a slightly smoother and a slightly darker tone, but both do sound good. The stock speaker sounds ok when its broken in, a little bit trebley on higher keyed harps for my tastes. I still ended up paying £60 for a weber sig 8 (mug)which is much better and just about fits in, but maybe not worth paying £60 for. I'm trying to find an idiots guide to installing a tone control but had no luck so far, if anyone can help me with this I'd be most gratefull. Many people like the vjr which is around the same price and comes with a 8" speaker. I went for the g5222 on looks and Adams recommendation. I think it'd be a good idea to get to a store and a/b them both. Good luck
