[Harp-L] Best harp amp for under $500

[Tim Bete]

I'm looking to buy my first amp but don't want to spend very much. What's the best harp amp for under $500?
Tim

[Zack]

HarpGear Rock Bottom is $500.

--
-Just Finished: The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.
-Currently Reading: Nothing, tomorrow going to pick up Brave New World, only
a $1.50!!!
-Currently Writing: "Chastity's Lief Harmonica."

[paul hoffman]

I have a sweet Harpgear 5f2 I will take $500 for (plus shipping). Tweed, weber alnico 10a125o. contact me if you want info or pix.

Paul
> Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 18:49:18 -0700
> From: t...@timbete.com
> To: har...@harp-l.org
> Subject: [Harp-L] Best harp amp for under $500

>
> I'm looking to buy my first amp but don't want to spend very much. What's the best harp amp for under $500?
> Tim

_________________________________________________________________
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[ALAN FUNK]

Has anyone tried/used Fat Dog amps?

Truly would like to get one but don't really know anyone personally that uses one.

Looking to upgrade my sound and these look very interesting on the web page.

Prices are reasonable too.

AMF........

Message: 12
Date: Wed, 7 Jul 2010 18:49:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com>

Subject: [Harp-L] Best harp amp for under $500

To: har...@harp-l.org
Message-ID: <419064....@web81707.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

[Mike Rogers]

I use and tell my students to check out the Kalamazoo, at
www.blowsmeaway.com. Gregg does a great job with restoration, and they
have killer sound. Under $500. They do need to be mic-ed in a band
situation.

Bullfrog

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[Richard Hunter]

>On Wed, Jul 7, 2010 at 9:49 PM, Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com> wrote:
>

>> I'm looking to buy my first amp but don't want to spend very much. What's
>> the best harp amp for under $500?

$500 will buy you a 5 to 15 watt amp with an 8" to 12" speaker. You can search the Harp-l archives at harp-l.org for recommendations. One frequently recommended setup is the Epiphone Galaxy Junior with a half-stack cabinet, which is within your budget.

As an alternative, consider a keyboard amp with an amp modeler like one of the Digitech RPs. A number of the people on this list are using these and can provide comments on their experiences if they choose.

If you go the amp modeler route, your costs are as follows:
Keyboard amp by Peavey (KB3, 60 watt, 12" speaker) = $298 new (musiciansfriend.com)
Digitech RP355 (top of the line amp modeler, why not?) = $200 new
Richard Hunter patchset for RP355 = $25

That's slightly over your $500 budget ($523 to be exact), but in addition to a wide range of amped sounds, you also get a lot of effects (like reverb, delay, etc.) that would run you in the neighborhood of $75-100 apiece if purchased separately. You also have an amp (the Peavey) that will do clean sounds very, very well, as opposed to the sounds you're going to get from a small tube amp.

You can reduce the overall expense by choosing an RP255 instead of a 355 (which cuts the price by $50, at the expense of few amp and cabinet model, FX, and less EQ flexibility), or getting a used RP350 (which is the same as the RP355 minus a few amp and cabinet models). I wouldn't get an RP155--that device has no expression pedal, and you really want one.

regards, Richard Hunter

author, "Jazz Harp"
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
Twitter: lightninrick

[Splash!]

Used Kalamazoo2.

And if you need more volume, stick a SM-57 (or similar ) microphone in front
of it and plug into the PA.

Greg at Blows Me Away can help you for sure.

Splash!

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tim Bete" <t...@timbete.com>
To: <har...@harp-l.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 9:49 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Best harp amp for under $500

[Abner]

I have Greg's Kalamazoo ( sorry it mine).
And it's fantastic.
I also have a bullet mic from Greg.

Abner Galdõs

The Puerto Rican BluesMan

[Billy James]

Fat Dog Amplifiers seem like an excellent harmonica amp.I've played one [only several times in a jam situation]. It sounded very much like a 'Little Walter' tone and cut through, projecting well apparently, with a full Mississippi blues house band.I really like my Fat Dog Splitter [I link-up Kalamazoo Model 2's or whatever I wish]. I've found Robert Reynalds to be a genuine and very polite man to deal with [not like another bi-polar,arrogant personality I unfortunately dealt with a few years ago who basically toats as 'the best' harp amp 'distributor/creator' ever, who I think is more 'hype than substance' in his quest for creating the ultimate honker]. *Check out Stan Street [The Hambone Gallery]in Clarksdale Ms.I know he recently purchased a FD410 ? Stan is using it professionally 'regularly' and is quite an excellent Chicago style player.He facilitates studio gigs[ http://www.stanstreet.com/home.html ]and plays the Ground Zero Club as a regular front man [as well as featuring in festivals down there and beyond]. Stan also paints a great blues focused picture *[tee shirt] for purchase at the gallery down there.I hope this is helpful. Of cause if you can pick-up a vintage Kalamazoo Model 2 or Premier 50 which I own you'll be more than happy if you have them working or refurbished.See Greg Heuman [blowsmeaway.com] or EBay. They are both great little vintage amps that I play and use for smaller gigs and recording projects. A line out will get you into the mix [blowsmeaway.com]. Also, if not into to finding the ultimate bargain amplifier, [or for travelling] you'll get heard with a Lone Wolf Harp Attack Tube simulator, Delay and Octave pedal. I personally also like my Ashton Bass Busking Wedges which are purchased here in Australia. They are not tube amps but are both very handy [rechargable battery] four inputs and sound really great especially in an acoustic setting. Miked to P.A. and if you plug a Digitech RP200 into them they will cut it in most situations with an lovely smooth sound. Only around RRP $300 AUS. Obviously there's lot's of other options,so good luck on finding 'the best' harp amp under $500? Happy Honkin'...

[Rick Davis]

This is a smokin' deal: The 5F2H is a BIG step up from your typical
under-$500 harp amp.

--
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/

[Rick Davis]

I tested and reveiwed the Fat Dog Model 2A amp at the Blues Harp Amps Blog:

http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/2009/11/review-fat-dog-model-2a-harp-amp.html

--
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/

[Rick Davis]

The best? It depends on what you want to do with it. If you plan to use if
for home practice and some low intensity ensembles there are lots of
choices. But if you aspire to play at loud blues jams you have fewer
choices, and you may have to upgrade in the future anyway.

Every blues harp player should have a small tube amp for practice. It will
never become obsolete for you. Most of the under-$500 amps in this class
use a single EL84 power tube, a design I find to have a pinched and nasal
tone (some amps more than others).

The best of the "new" amps in this class is the Epiphone Valve Junior
Half Stack:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Valve-Junior-Half-Stack?sku=481475

Great tone. The 12-inch speaker in the separate cab produces a nice fat
tone much bigger than the other single-EL84 amps. I use this exact cab with
my 20-watt 1953 Masco ME-18 amp. Very impressive and very economical.

The next step up in "new" amps would be the Fender Pro Jr, an amp with a
2xEL84 design that sounds better (and is a LOT louder) than the single EL84
amps:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Pro-Junior-Combo-Amp?sku=480511

This amp will be loud enough for most jams. Its tone can be inexpensively
improved for harp: I wrote about a Pro Jr project harp amp at the Blues
Harp Amps Blog:
http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/2008/09/fender-pro-junior-harp-amp-project.html

Among new amps, you should consider slightly more expensive amps that are
specifically made for harp. The Harpgear HG2 is an exceptionally good
5-watt amp (with a 6V6 power tube instead of the EL84).

Richard Hunter wrote about amp modeling, and there are two Roland solid
state amps I like a lot for harp: The Cube 30 and the Cube 60. They are
inexpensive and sound great with the COSM models and effects; with plenty of
guts for jamming or performing.

As I said, lots of choices, but these are the amps I can recommend in the
under-$500 class. Of course, buying used on eBay you can find some great
deals on Fender Silverface Champs and other vintage amps that sound great,
but they may require a bit of time and attention to get right.

Here is the only real rule in amp buying: If it sounds good to you, it is
good. Let your ear be your guide. You can hear samples from lots of
different amps at the Blues Harp Amps Blog.

--
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/

[Richard Hunter]

Rick Davis wrote:
<Richard Hunter wrote about amp modeling, and there are two Roland solid
<state amps I like a lot for harp: The Cube 30 and the Cube 60. They are
<inexpensive and sound great with the COSM models and effects; with plenty of
<guts for jamming or performing.

Thanks Rick for reminding me that modelers come in a complete package too. I should have mentioned that the Vox DA5 is inexpensive (less than $140 new), loud for its size, and plenty gutsy in terms of its tone. It has built in delay and reverb too, not the best I've ever heard but plenty good enough for the money. It sounds very good with a wide range of mics. And finally finally, take a close look at the Fender Super Champ XD, which sells for about $325 new, and is a hybrid amp featuring a tube power amp section and a modeled preamp section.

In general, and contrary to popular sentiment, I believe that amp modelers, whether or not part of a complete amp, offer better value for money, especially for beginners, because of the wide range of tones they offer for relatively little money. So I'd much rather buy a Vox DA5 than a Kalamazoo for a first amp. The Kalamazoo sounds great, but it's not going to produce the same range of sounds that the DA5 can make. And you'll still have to lay out for delay, reverb, etc. with the Kalamazoo. (All that said, I own two tube amps--a modified Crate VC508 5-watter and a Sonny Junior Super Sonny--and I love 'em both.)

While we're at it, it's important to note that an amp and a mic make up a system, and changing either one dramatically changes the overall sound. So when you go to check out an amp, either bring the mic you plan to use, or test the mics when you test the amps. If at all possible, go to a dealer to check out the gear. If not, buy online from musiciansfriend.com, americanmusical.com, or zzounds.com, any of which will give you a 45 day no questions asked refund on your gear (but not on shipping costs--still better than being stuck with an amp you hate).

Regards, Richard Hunter

[Tim Bete]

Wow, thanks for all the responses! I'm wading through all the suggestions and listening to online sound samples. I'm certainly learning a lot.
Are amp modelers difficult to figure out? I don't want to become a sound engineer, I just want to blow a little amplified harp. GarageBand has an amp modeler that I've used a little but I don't understand what most of the settings mean.
Tim

[Ken Hildebrand]

Tim... If you're looking for a small practice amp, the Vox DA5 is really nice. I bought one a few months ago after reading some of the reviews here, and I really like it !

It can run on 6 C batteries or AC adapter (supplied). I bought some rechargeable Tenergy 5000mah NiMH C-size batteries (from Amazon), and battery charger, and they work great with it (so far!).

I like the different "styles" and "effects", and being able to plug my iPod with backing tracks into the Auxillary Input to practice with. Sounds great with all my microphones too.

It has an adjustable power settings of 5 watt, 1.5 watt, or .5 watt, so it can be really LOUD, medium loud, or barely loud... great for practicing!

If you can, go check one out at your local music shop.

I think there is at least one YouTube video from a harmonica player demonstrating it a bit.

Highly recommended!

Ken H in OH

--- On Fri, 7/9/10, Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com> wrote:

> From: Tim Bete <t...@timbete.com>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Best harp amp for under $500
> To: har...@harp-l.org

[Splash!]

Here's one on my local Craigslist.

http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/msg/1832933620.html

Splash!

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2010 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Best harp amp for under $500

> The best? It depends on what you want to do with it. If you plan to use
> if
> for home practice and some low intensity ensembles there are lots of

> choices. <snip>

[Richard Hunter]

Tim Bete wrote:
<Wow, thanks for all the responses! I'm wading through all the suggestions and <listening to online sound samples. I'm certainly learning a lot.
<Are amp modelers difficult to figure out? I don't want to become a sound engineer, I <just want to blow a little amplified harp. GarageBand has an amp modeler that I've <used a little but I don't understand what most of the settings mean.

Amp modelers in themselves aren't all that tough to figure out--they act like amps, and they have similar controls. What's tough is when the amp modeler is bundled with a whole bunch of effects--compression, delay, reverb, EQ, chorus, flange, etc.--and with a bunch of cabinet models, which is the case with the pedals made by Digitech, Line 6, and Zoom, among others. That's a lot of stuff to configure.

I make it easy for Digitech RP users by selling patch sets for the RP250/255/350/355 that include several sets of 60-70 pre-configured sounds--amp models plus FX, all ready to go. Line 6 (Pod) and Zoom (G1, G2, etc.) users have to figure it out for themselves, which several players have managed to do. But it takes time. The $25 I charge for the Digitech patch set represents hundreds of hours of development time. (I think it's worth the $25 for most people.) Once you've got the patch set, it's as easy as loading the patch set, plugging the mic into the device, plugging the device into the PA or keyboard amp, and selecting the patch you want.

The dead-simplest amp modelers out there are the Boss Fender Bassman and Fender Deluxe Reverb pedals. You get a pedal that basically includes one amp model and one cabinet model, plus reverb in the case of the Deluxe Reverb pedal. They sound good. My only quarrel with both of these pedals is that they give you one amp, period, and that's not incredible value for money when you can buy a pedal for the same money ($150) that gives you a couple dozen amp models plus a lot of FX. But if you want one basic good sound in an utterly simple package, that'll do it for you. Plug the mic into the pedal, plug the pedal into the PA or keyboard amp, set the volume and tone, done. Keep in mind that you will definitely want to add a delay (or reverb, in the case of the Bassman pedal) at some point, and that's another $100 or so. You'd have to do that with a real Bassman or Deluxe Reverb too. (But your keyboard amp or PA may have that covered for you.)

The Vox DA5 is almost as simple as that, and for a self-contained unit it's hard to beat for a first amp, especially given that it costs less than $130 new. I love mine. But it won't do the trick for loud gigs with a full band, and it sounds different when you run a line-out from the amp to the PA. Even so, it's one of the best and lowest-risk choices for a beginner--you get a good amp with the most important FX for short money, and you'll still enjoy playing through it years from now.

Lotta info, huh? Hope all this is useful. The truth is that it's a lot harder to find bad gear now than it is to find good gear. All of the suggestions made on this list to this point will give you a setup with at least one really good sound. If you're willing to spend $500, a Digitech amp modeler with my patch set and a good keyboard amp behind it will give you a LOT of great sounds.

By the way, I don't recommend that beginners buy their gear used. Used gear is a good choice for people who've been around the block and know what they like. For a beginner, it's a good idea to buy new from a dealer that offers a warranty and a good return policy, so you can back out of the deal if you don't like the sound. Note that there's an exception to every rule, and if, as some posters here have suggested, you buy a rebuilt Kalamazoo from Greg Heumann, you can be sure that you're going to get quality gear that sounds good with harp.

Finally, remember to treat the mic and the amp as a system, and make sure to use your chosen mic when you test your candidate amps or amp modelers.

Good luck and regards, Richard Hunter