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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
HG-35 - First Impressions
HG-35 - First Impressions
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Randy G. Blues
114 posts
Dec 10, 2009
11:00 PM
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Got my first chance to play my new Harp Gear HG-35 so I thought I would share my first impressions.
This makes my 4th amp for harp use- I had a Roland Cube 60 which I sold to the friend who sort of talked me into buying it, the Genz Benz (described below), an Electar Tube 10 which I intend to keep, and now the Harp Gear.
I patiently waited for Brian Purdy of Harp Gear to get a demo or used amp and got a decent deal. I had sold one of my home coffee roasters (a spare) and along with the proceeds from the sale of my Genz Benz BP-30 (30 watts, Class A- an awesome guitar amp, but for harp not so much), I was able to cover the cost and shipping of the HG.
I chose the HG-35 because it was Brian's least expensive amp with full tone control (Bass Mid Treble). 35 watts, two 10 inch speakers, line out, low and high gain inputs, solid pine cabinet and "only" about 34 pounds. I say that because my Genz weighed a hefty 52 pounds and there was no way I could carry it. I picked up a folding hand cart and customized it to move the amp because I had to cart it wherever I went. I can fairly easily carry the HG from car to stage (if it's not too far). My HG-35 is the tweed model- I would have preferred Tolex, but being a beggar I was not afforded the opportunity to be a chooser.
I had played around with it at home, and played it once in a small coffee shop with just one other musician n guitar, so could not really open it up. Tonight I played the first set at the local open mic blues jam that I have spoken about so often.
I was able to stand abut 8 feet in front of the amp during the set, so this evening was my first chance to really hear it. Wow. When judging my comments you should take into account that I have only been playing (seriously) for about two years now, and with my limited experience in regards to amps, but I have never sounded this good. Two other musicians came up to me after the set and commented on my tone as well. One, an ex-pro drummer, asked for my card because he said he wants to use me to fill in when his regular harp player is not available! Wow! He said my tone was very cool and that I was "dressed for success.." I do try to look professional whenever I play.
I estimate that I was using about 50% of the amp's power at my peaks (just a guess). It still was able to drive a very good sound and when the other musicians turned up, I just gave a bit of a turn on my mic's volume control, and the harp cut right through the mix wen it had to. This evening I was playing through an Audix Fireball V. It gives a nice, smooth tone, but when cupped a bit more fully and driven can really enrich the sound and drive the amp.
One thing I noticed that the combination gave me was better clarity to my chords. The combination of that mic and that amp handled the chords easily where other combos created unpleasant harmonics which muddied up the interplay of the notes.
While I still have a lot of work to do to get the amp where I sound best (and I have not yet got the owner's manual as Brian is rewriting it), I was able to get something decent tonight. I started out with the tone adjusted from playing at home, but that was a bit too heavy on the mids and top, so I boosted the bass a bit. turned down the mids and highs, and it was a much better "fit" to the room.
While I cannot comment on other amps, and do not want to become embroiled in a flame war over that, I can (and will) only state that I am very pleased with the HG35- I can carry it, it has plenty pf power for most of the sort of gigs I play (and line-out when it doesn't), and it pours out full, rich tone.
And on top of all that, I was the only singer (such as I am) for the first set, so for the first time I played the "Front Man" and sung for nearly an hour this evening! That investment I made in my Bailey Fedora finally paying off!
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jonsparrow
1412 posts
Dec 10, 2009
11:33 PM
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sounds great. lets see a video!
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Bluzdude46
306 posts
Dec 11, 2009
10:06 AM
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No disputes Harpgear makes a great Amp The only issue is cost. It's worth it we know it is. Just some have it, some do not. My next Amp will be a Harpgear, I was also looking at the HG35 and then I'll probably sell the '59 Bassman LTD Re-issue. I figured buying the Bassman would be a good step to the HG and they have good resale value.
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Cisco
48 posts
Dec 11, 2009
10:13 AM
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I really like my HarpGear HP50 1210. I sold off one of my 59 Bassman's to help pay for it. But you should always have a backup amp in case your primary amp goes down. That's why I'm keeping the other 59 Bassman for a backup. With tube amps, you really can't afford NOT to have a backup amp, especially if you gig.
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Bluzdude46
307 posts
Dec 11, 2009
11:36 AM
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LoL Cisco, no worries I have a few. I'll keep the Epi Jr for Practice at Home. I'll keep the Epi V Special to fool around with the guitar. It would be down to selling The Bassman or the 2 Bogen Amps
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