harp amp

[LI_Slim]

I'd like to pick up an amp for use with my harp and "bullet"-style harp mic, that will help me get that overheated balls on Little Walter type sound. Any suggestions?

 

[Hard2Hear]

Hey Slim!

One of the best sounds I've heard is with that Sure green bullet mic and an old Fender champ amp. It has just the right breakup just when you want it.

H2H

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I'd like to pick up an amp for use with my harp and "bullet"-style harp mic, that will help me get that overheated balls on Little Walter type sound. Any suggestions?

Almost anything with an 8" or 10" speaker and under 20 watts is ideal. The Fender Champ, Blues Jr., or even the pawn shop Gorilla amps will work fine.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Little Walter got that sound by distorting the speakers. The problem with that strategy is when you have, say, a 50-watt or higher amp: it only sounds good when it's 'WAY too damn loud!

 

[mrface2112]

the harp player in our band uses a blonde blues junior. plenty of power and lots of breakup right where you want it.

doubles as a pretty nice recording amp (guitar) as well.


wade

 

[LI_Slim]

Thanks guys.

This confirms what I have been reading. I've got my ebay eye on a 1960-something Kalamazoo Model Two that I bet will be perfect.

 

[LI_Slim]

I got it

Here's that amp:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3724605054&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOAB:US:6

 

[BlindCowboy]

Looks like ya bought it. I was also going to suggest the old tube champs. I had a friend that plays through an old pignose and it sounds sweet..

 

[darrin_h2000]

I use the Crate VC508...I did forgo the bullet and I use my ATpro25 ...More balls

 

[LI_Slim]

I use the Crate VC508...I did forgo the bullet and I use my ATpro25 ...More balls

The Crate VC508 was also highly recommended to me.

Although I do have a bullet in most circumstances I end up using an sm58 or the like. I don't know that the bullet really adds much. I will check out the ATpro25 though; i am an AT fan.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Actually the Bullet doesn't add, it takes away. They were originally taxi dispatch mics so they were optimized for the vocal range, with a big peak in the middle and a steep rolloff on the highs. That's what gives the Green Bullet that honkin' sound. I've used mine to record bluegrass-style harp where I didn't want it to compete with the mandos and banjos.