bixntram
1 post
Oct 04, 2009
7:57 PM
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Hi, all,
I just started playing harp again after more years than I care to admit. I'm just starting to research harps, mics and amps. Have a couple of Lee Oskars and Super 20's, but not too crazy about them. I think I'm gonna go with the Suzuki Overdrive or Firebreath. What does anyone think of these?
I need a cheap mic and and a cheap street amp right away for a gig. I've been looking at the low end pig amps, etc, and that would be fine for my purposes. Also, the various cheap 'bullet' mics.
I should mention that I'm primarily a trumpet player, so I'm picking up harp as a second axe. It's starting to come back to me. I should also mention that I'm not hooked on that Little Walter 'dirty' sound that's so popular. I want a clean sound for single note runs and to jam with other horn players. I don't have much $$ to spend on a mic and and street amp, so I really could use some advice on this.
Many thanks and hope to hear from someone.
Scott in Vermont
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jbone
162 posts
Oct 04, 2009
8:55 PM
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matter of fact, i am about to go with an overdrive here. been playing a variety for years, mb, blues harp, lee oskar, big river, bushman delta frost, hering 1923 vintage. all workable harps but i have gotten interested in suzuki lately. one thing has led to another and my thoughts of a bluesmaster got upgraded to a firebreath- wives can be wonderful! early christmas present.
look at epiphone valve junior amps. great bang for the buck but will need a mic to the p.a. probably. the head works great with say a 2x10 cab. don't go too cheep on the mic, there is usually a decent bullet on ebay for $50-70. i'd look for a cm element or maybe a dynamic. maybe even a crystal element depending on what sound you want.
let us know what you hit on! and good luck.
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tookatooka
592 posts
Oct 05, 2009
2:12 AM
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bixntram@ Take a look at Brendan Powers YouTube demostration of the Overdrive before you decide. Quite a few people have found them awkward to play due to the coverplate hole design.
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Andrew
654 posts
Oct 05, 2009
3:18 AM
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Damn, I was confusing the Overdrive with the Manji (or vice versa) when I suggested Suzuki hadn't given any thought to how you could play it fast!
Last Edited by on Oct 05, 2009 3:19 AM
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MrVerylongusername
543 posts
Oct 05, 2009
3:47 AM
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I was give an overdrive. It's a nice airtight harp and it will really help you learn the right embouchure/technique for overblows, but it really is fiddly to play those overblows in any musical context (using the holes). I see it primarily as a learning aid, and to be honest with the right gapping you can learn the technique on any other (cheaper) harp. For the money there are more practical harmonicas.
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MrVerylongusername
544 posts
Oct 05, 2009
3:53 AM
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Re: mics - if you want a clean sound then go with a vocal mic direct into the PA, you might also want to consider the Audix fireball. If you aren't using a PA and want an amp, then if you really don't want dirty, you'd be better off getting a keyboard amp as these tend not to colour the sound the way a guitar amp does. The Roland Cube series seem to be very popular. If you use an amp you should use an impedance transformer to ensure you get the best tone from your mic.
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Kingley
394 posts
Oct 05, 2009
3:58 AM
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I would avoid getting a bullet mic of any description as you are after a cleaner sound.
I'd recommend an Ev RE10, Shure 545SD or a Shure SM57. The RE10 and the SM57 will both need an impedance converter to go into the amp, as they are Lo-Z, you need Hi-Z. All these mics have a cleaner sound.
Amp wise I'd say if you want it for street playing you need a battery amp. So I'd recommend something like the Lectrosonics Mouse or Maxi Mouse, Crate Taxi, Roland Street or a Pignose Hog 20.
You could find any of those mics on eBay and maybe even the amp as well for a very reasonable price.
If your budget could stretch to it, I would say get an Ultimate SM57 / SM58 / SM57JR from Greg Heumann at http://www.blowsmeaway.com/
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jbone
163 posts
Oct 05, 2009
4:05 AM
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i have to make a correction- i just ordered a pure harp, not an overdrive!
i admit to not being much of an ob/od guy. that overdrive harp does look intriguing, but i think i'll stick to something more mainstream, if a bit high end.
another note, greg heumann does very fine work and knows his stuff!
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wallyns10
16 posts
Oct 05, 2009
6:52 AM
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I got a real decent EV 664 off ebay for no more than $70, thats a hi-z/lo-z combo with a real nice clean sound. The only thing is that its really bulky and heavy...but you get used to it, and I think I read somewhere that Butterfield used it before.
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snakes
359 posts
Oct 05, 2009
9:12 AM
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My suggestion is to go with the Fire Breath over the Overdrive. The Overdrive is more of a specialty harp with holes for your fingers to facilitate overblows. The Fire Breath is a beautiful (playing and looking) harp with a sealed rosewood comb that will make you plenty happy. You could also go with a Manji if you wanted to save some bucks. They are a great harp as well. Hope this helps.
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nacoran
226 posts
Oct 05, 2009
10:29 AM
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Have you ever tried a tremolo? Some of them have a sweeter sounding tone than diatonics, especially on sustained notes.
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