Jackster
1 post
Oct 29, 2010
1:50 PM
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Hello, I am new to this forum, and this is my first post. I am also new to the harmonica, and have only been playing for 4 months. I am looking into getting a mini amp for my harp. I want one that costs less than 200, for I am on a tight budget. I do not like that sound that comes from an amp with a "harp mic" in it, such as the JT30 (kind of like a brassy/metalic sound, I do not like it). I want the amp to sound like "Adam Gussow's amps", and I want that reverb/delay sound that he has on his album Kick and Stomp, that is the sound I want. I am looking at the Epiphone Valve Junior, would this be a good choice if I plugged in a delay/reverb pedal into it with a mid-quality vocal dynamic mic? Please let me know, any help would be greatly appreciated.
-Jackster
Last Edited by on Oct 29, 2010 2:15 PM
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Hondo
43 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:14 PM
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I think you will get alot of good responses on the Epi Valve Jr. There are alot of 5 watt amps out there. Try different mics when you can and maybe you'll find one that you like.
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Jackster
2 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:16 PM
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Thanks for the help, will the delay and reverb sound good on it?
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eharp
860 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:30 PM
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you might want to consider a crate.
they have a model that can run on batteries and has various effects built in.
i believe most amps do not have effects and you would then have to buy pedals.
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Jackster
3 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:33 PM
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Okay, thanks, therefore, if I bought a pedal and a shure mic, would it sound pretty good? (opinion and recommendations)
thanks so much
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Hondo
44 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:36 PM
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I've only been playing a couple of years (and have no help here in my town)so I don't have a trained or critical ear. But I have a cheap Ibanez delay pedal, an Epi Valve Jr. half stack and a Fender Champ 600. It sounds fine to me. Probably no doubt that experienced people on here would have constructive criticism but I'm new and I don't gig. Top of the line equipment would do me no good. Like someone said "Crap in-Crap out".
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Jackster
4 posts
Oct 29, 2010
2:57 PM
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Sweet, that is my situation also. Do you like your fender champ 600, do you get a nice delay/reverb sound out of it like the adam gussow style? Thanks.
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ZackPomerleau
1232 posts
Oct 29, 2010
3:12 PM
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Those Vox Valvetronix amps are great, I used to use one full time.
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Hondo
45 posts
Oct 29, 2010
3:20 PM
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Adam is playing a very nice Harpgear amp and a Boss DD3 pedal (and he's good). In regards to my equipment, it's like a contractor told me once (when he did a sh**ty job), It's good enough for who it's for. Yep, I like the Fender and the Epi. Biggest difference is the Fender 6" speaker and the Epi has a 12" speaker.
Last Edited by on Oct 29, 2010 3:26 PM
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Jackster
5 posts
Oct 29, 2010
3:30 PM
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Zack: thanks for the recommendation, I'll check it out...
Hondo: Thanks again, and yes that is why Adam sounds so good, it's because he is so good!(and has amazing gear) for now I will just stick to the simplistic materials, like the epi, a cheap reverb/delay pedal and a mid-quality shure mic.
Thanks again for the advice
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N.O.D.
332 posts
Oct 29, 2010
5:01 PM
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Bro i played an unmodded Epiclone VJ, ie Lagacy 5watt it's the same amp as the Epiphone, Last night with a vintage Black Back Shure Bullet:)
I can't Fault them at all now when you get one there are many Mods you can do to them to get em Kicking as a Harp amp:)
I recommend the Mercury Transformer Upgrade and Revolver upgrad kit converting the EL84 to a 6V6:)
Thats right i forgot you don't want to spend a Heap of Cash well Bro Grab this amp NOW!!!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Epiphone-Valve-Jr-Mercury-Magnetics-Upgrade-6V6-/230544142238?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ad806f9e
It's all be done for you this is value Bro Get it!!!!
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Cheers:)
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Jackster
6 posts
Oct 29, 2010
7:52 PM
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N.O.D.: Thanks so much, I'll check it out!!! It looks pretty sweet and it is a good deal, I might snag it!
Thanks.
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eharp
861 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:33 AM
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a suggestion when buying your gear.
take some harps into the store and try the rig out.
and take your time in doing so.
no impulse buying!
no buying because it's pretty!
dont settle cuz "that's all you have?"!
and if you go to different sources for equipment, besides the harps, take the other gear you got with you.
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N.O.D.
335 posts
Oct 30, 2010
8:05 AM
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Eharp Bro, our Bro has only been Playing 4 months :)
I think it's best we steer him in the right direction
at this stage of his Playing experience, Like i say i played a Epiphone VJ Variant,last night my Brothers
with no Mods useing a 1950 Shure Black back with volume control the amped rocked:)
The Amp i suggested From Ebay is a Bargain with the Mods already done $299 Mercury Transformer Upgrade kite and 6V6 Conversion:)
Would i Buy this amp if i was Looking For a Epiphone VJ Yes In a Flash get it now or Blow your Cash:)
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Cheers:)
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Train-train
29 posts
Oct 30, 2010
9:31 AM
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I bought an VHT Special 6 after doing some intensive research. It was a risk as it was money down first to get it ordered. This VHT is 6v6 powered and has a very usable tone range as well as a half power switch that further enhances tone but at lower volumes.
The 6v6 just has a warmer and more likable tone than the 84s. This VHT amp claims to be point to point hand wired but I don't want to further that debate. The VHT is much louder and ballsier that the fender 600 but the Fender really does not have much volume. The VHT is on par for volume with the Valve Junior but it exceeds it in tone.
It would be interesting to A/B the factory VHT against the modded Valve Junior that N.O.D has suggested.
The VHT I mentioned can be bought for $199.
I like cheap amps and I like tone. The VHT does it for me.
Last Edited by on Oct 30, 2010 9:36 AM
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eharp
862 posts
Oct 30, 2010
9:51 AM
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and what is the "best direction" nod, bro?
the one you suggest or is there the possibility, and probability, that there are other "bests"? your post infers i am steering him in the wrong direction. that's fairly insulting, mighty prejudicial and extremely false.
4 months or 4 years or 4 decades- the answers will not change.
jackster-knowing train-train as being very much an amp enthusiast, i would follow his advice blindly. he has probably investigated more into amps than anybody else i know.
like any thread where one asks for suggestions on gear, you are gonna receive different, and sometimes conflicting, answers.
take all of these as personal opinions.
enjoy the journey. take your time to research and try the gear. dont make hasty decisions.
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MJ
199 posts
Oct 30, 2010
10:15 AM
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I would be inclined to go with a small combo with a 6V6 power section. I personally prefer the sound of 6V6 over the el84, however the Valve jr. combo is a very good way to go also. My go to amp is a 5F1 tweed champ cloned with a few custom mods. My opinion on Mercury Magnetics is that they are overrated and overpriced. I have used Hammond trannys in all of my projects and they are priced better and to my ear work as well. I prefer the combo to the head for the reason that it is all in one package. If you get a head only, then you still have to find a speaker that works for harp. Not to mention lugging more stuff around. I have had valve jr heads and combos and think the combo is best.
As eharp says, everyone has a nose and an opinion. It may take you a couple of amps to decide which is right for you.
Last Edited by on Oct 30, 2010 10:17 AM
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DanP
156 posts
Oct 30, 2010
12:33 PM
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Click on Amps for Sale on the left side of the page. There Adam recommends a couple of small starter amps for developing players. They each sale for around $200.
Last Edited by on Oct 30, 2010 1:12 PM
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ZackPomerleau
1236 posts
Oct 30, 2010
2:06 PM
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Brandon Bailey uses the amp after I told him about it...I seriously think most harp players would say it's much better than the Valve Junior and it can sound like other amps, too (it's digital but with a 12AX7 tube to make it sound good). If you can find one, try one. They make a few version. They even have a mini one, but I don't think it has a tube (still sounds good to me).
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N.O.D.
336 posts
Oct 30, 2010
4:53 PM
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Check it efart
Q-1 what is the "best direction" nod, bro?
Don't spend shit loads on your first amp
Q2 The one you suggest or is there the possibility, and probability, that there are other "bests"?
Yes save his money buy a real Harp amp he's not ready for amplifacation,or get a $20 buck 10 watt from the Pawn shop,save ya Bucks get a Harp gear RockBottom or HG2 when you have save a few extra Bucks:)
Q3 your post infers i am steering him in the wrong direction. that's fairly insulting, mighty prejudicial and extremely false.
Your not worthy..
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WTF Scratchin my ass?
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ZackPomerleau
1238 posts
Oct 30, 2010
5:19 PM
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My way isn't expensive, either. He should try both but personally the Valve Junior isn't so great in my opinion compared to the Vox stuff. Eharp was only being insightful.
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captin beef harp
60 posts
Oct 30, 2010
6:14 PM
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@ zack i looked at these some nice stuff could you tell us the one that you have .
thanks
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Jackster
7 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:21 PM
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nod, dan, mj, eharp & train-train: its so nice to hear all of your advice, i pretty much need all the help I can get, so this is EXTREMELY helpful.
Thanks so much.
Let me know if anybody else has other recommendations...
I looked on the amps for sale page and saw a Gretsch G5222, would this be better than the epi v jr?
Would a $50 mic and a $50 delay/reverb pedal sound good?
Let me know, give me your honest opinions, remember, I'm a beginner and don't really care about the little things.
thanks.
(any help and advice that I can get is great!)
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Jaybird
206 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:27 PM
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I'd like to offer some advice but,
Opinions are like assholes... Everybody has one.
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Jackster
8 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:32 PM
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yes, lol, I'm thinking about getting the epi v jr with a delay reverb pedal, or do the same with a gretsch g5222, which do you think would sound better?
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Joe_L
762 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:57 PM
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Get a Valve Jr. They retain their resale value quite nicely or buy a used Pro Jr. You can use those to play with a sympathetic band.
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Jackster
9 posts
Oct 30, 2010
7:59 PM
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thanks joe, do you like the tone of the epi v junior?
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eharp
865 posts
Oct 30, 2010
8:25 PM
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jackster- have you tried out any of the gear you are leaning towards?
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shbamac
9 posts
Oct 30, 2010
8:35 PM
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I've got a Epi V Jr hot rod (it's for sale). Comes in a head only and it has true spring reverb. I've used it once. It sounds good. The spring reverb sounds better to me than any reverb pedal. I use a Premier 90 reverb tank. But not that much. Reverb doesn't work so great for harp, to me anyway. I would go for the Lone Wolf Delay and the Harp Break before reverb.
I have played the Epi V Jr combo and it sounds good. The Gretsch sounds good but I like the Epi better. Both the Epi and the Gretsh are feedback prone with the mics I use. I do like the Fender Champion 600 better than both the Epi/Gretsch. But you need a better speaker and tubes. I use it with a 12" Stromberg-Carlson and a 10" Weber Sig. It's not as feedback prone as the Epi/Gretsch. I've also played with Egnater that sounded good but I can't remember which one and it was a head for about @ $200 I think.
If you want a really good cheap mic pick up a Akai Dm13. You get them on ebay for about $15 to $30. Sounds fantastic with 5 watt amps.
... Another amp I've tried that I liked was the Crate V5. Great sounding amp.
But remember that these are my opinions... Aslo, I wouldn't buy an amp just because it sounded good on youtube or a someones CD. What you hear on youtube doesn't mean you will sound that way. Two people playing the same amp with the same mic can make them sound totaly different.
I would try to go to a store and play as many amps as you can in your price range before you buy anything. For the money though I think the Epi V Jr is a good choice. That with delay and an OD pedal...
Last Edited by on Oct 30, 2010 9:00 PM
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ZackPomerleau
1239 posts
Oct 30, 2010
8:46 PM
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Hey man, I have the 30 watt version. They just re-released them now,
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captin beef harp
61 posts
Oct 30, 2010
9:31 PM
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thanks zack
these amps seem to do alot of things at good price
did you have to do anything to it to make it harp friendly
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Joe_L
763 posts
Oct 30, 2010
9:38 PM
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No, but I've heard the Epi Valve Jr . A friend owns one. I've considered buying one but I own several small amps
Personally, I would get a used Pro Jr or a Champ, but 200 bucks won't get you anything fabulous, so you might as well buy something that you can resell should you become serious.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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ZackPomerleau
1240 posts
Oct 30, 2010
9:53 PM
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CBH, nope, just mess with the settings for an hour or so. I found good harp tones very quickly, just write them down!
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captin beef harp
62 posts
Oct 31, 2010
12:15 AM
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well jackster alot choices from alot of good harp players.
im also lookin for a cheaper amp
this vox says it will sound like 22 other amps wont get bored. fat dog is the cheapest amp made for harp that ive seen but twice the price as these.good luck good advice to check them out first.
and welcome to the forum .
(thanks zack im gonna try one of these nice for guitar as well)
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captin beef harp
63 posts
Oct 31, 2010
12:15 AM
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well jackster alot choices from alot of good harp players.
im also lookin for a cheaper amp
this vox says it will sound like 22 other amps wont get bored. fat dog is the cheapest amp made for harp that ive seen but twice the price as these.good luck good advice to check them out first.
and welcome to the forum .
(thanks zack im gonna try one of these nice for guitar as well)
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Jackster
10 posts
Oct 31, 2010
2:49 PM
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e-harp: I have not tried any amps yet, I'm going to head down to the guitar center or the music box and see what I like soon.
captain beef harp: thanks for all of the tips and info, the vox sounds like a nice deal, and thanks for the welcome
shbamac: thanks for the very informative post, ill
consider the hot rod. akai dm13 sound like a good mic too.
joe and zack, thanks again.
Thank you guys so much, its nice to hear good things about these mini amps. If you have anything else, let me know.
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