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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Live and learn....
Live and learn....
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congaron
252 posts
Nov 13, 2009
9:22 PM
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As you all know, I am pretty new to harmonica and the blues. I am learning new things all the time.
Today's epiphany may be interesting to some of you.
Early on, I purchased an epiphone Valve junior head and began experimenting with microphones. I was already experimenting with microphones for live sound and PA usage. I have several working models of electret vocal headset microphones and have been able to use variants of these with harp as well. When I bought the evj head, i also began looking for the perfect speaker and cabinet.
I have a 100 watt stereo modeling amplifier with 2 12 inch jensen speakers in it. Some of you know I have cannibalized this into several different combinations of milk crate speakers and even a dual 12 cabinet using the original amp cabinet with the amp removed and some mods to seal off the front.
When I began this journey, I was unable to use the 100 watt amp due to feedback issues at even the lowest settings. Tone was simply not even a player, so i got the tube amp.
Now, Eight months later, I have reassembled my ss amp and have been using an 8 inch cabinet from a burned out guitar practice amp for my valve junior. The tone is somewhat bass deficient, but pretty darned good.
Here's the discovery..I can play through the 100 watt modeler now! It was all about mic and cupping technique. I began to suspect this as I played out with the band more and more. Feedback hasn't been an issue, even on much higher amp settings with the EVJ. No preamp tube mod...I was using a 5751, but went back to the 12ax7.
Obviously the 100 watt amp has HUGE volume potential. Being a good modeler gives me plenty of tone options and even effects if I so desire. Now I have a good outdoor option and the modeler can be insert out patched to my EVJ for super tone control over it when I use both! Two channels, plenty of volume, tube tone+really good modeling and i find I suddenly have even more tones than i thought i ever needed. Mic of choice? Still a cut down vocal mic...low impedance into my wireless beltpack.
This is so cool. I guess my mic technique and choice of mics has really made an improvement in my options since back in late march.
I still have the digitech DI'd into the PA option as well.
Just thought I'd share.
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jbone
193 posts
Nov 14, 2009
5:34 PM
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so what mic?
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GamblersHand
96 posts
Nov 16, 2009
1:07 AM
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I wouldn't be surprised if it's also partly your improving acoustic tone and resonance. When I first started regularly playing live I was a pretty mediocre advanced beginner, but after gigging a year or two I found that I was incrementally shifting the amp volume and bass down as my sound improved. And going through less blown-out harps.
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congaron
263 posts
Nov 16, 2009
10:11 AM
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The mic is a samson r21 vocal mic i cut down and flattened the ball to within 1/4 inch of the element. The xlr connector is epoxied back into the body. It's super rugged. it's here in this video about my homemade wireless rig.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/505673.htm
Yes, I do work on acoustic tone way more than mic'd. I'm sure that is a big part of it too.
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