Amp comparison Meteor, Sonny Junior, harpgear
I am in the market for a new amp and want to know how you would compare the 3 amps below and what you would perfer for your
playing style. What do you find in regard to tone for each for that Chigaco blues sound. What do most your other collegues play through?
David, Feel free to chime in with your opinion sa well.
Meteor Mini meat or new Mini-15
Sonny jr Cruncher
Harp gear 35
other
Thanks for your opinion.
528hemi
I have a brand new Cruncher that I'd make you a deal on. Reason for selling.....I also have a Super Sonny. I bought the Cruncher wanting a lighter amplifier. Did the same thing last year with a Mini Meat. Both are fine amplifiers as Dave says, but I prefer having the extra juice of the big amp. The Cruncher really isn't at much of a disadvantage, but when I go out I don't have access to the PA, so I take the big gun with the most speaker area.
What's different about the Super Sonny?
Harpwrench,
What is your email. I will send you a personal on the amp.
Thanks
Hello and thanks for writing. I knew this question would come up eventually.
There is no way that I (or anyone else) can tell you which amp is best for you.
If you have heard amplified harp playing that you like, you're hearing a "good" harp amp. It could be anything from Charlie Musselwhite playing a red-knob Twin, to Lazy Lester playing through a Silvertone, to Butterfield playing straight in to the PA.
Some people like new and shiny, some people like classic and collectable. Which are you? Both have their advantages.
Some old amps (Fender) and some new amps (Sonny Jr.) are just plain sturdier and built to handle more abuse. This doesn't affect tone, but it can make a BIG difference to a working musician.
Just get a decent amp and start using it to make the best music you can! There are so many things to learn and enjoy about playing.....an amp is just a tool to get you there.
Skip Simmons
The Super Sonny is based on the 410, just a different lower back panel and another Weber alnico to replace one of the Eminence Legends. Mine is an upgraded 410 which I've owned for about 5 years; the new parts seem to give it a little more LW-ish bite.
528Hemi my email is joemopar@northmo.net
Skip,
I think you missed what I was asking in my question. I was not asking which amp is best for me. I just wanted to know if you were familair with the amps I mentioned and how you would compare them. That being, Cleaner sounding, crunchier,etc.
I do understand what you are saying above but wanted to know if you had first hand experience playing these amps.
David, Thanks for your post. I kind of thought that both are real good amps and just need to do abit more homework to make the right choice.
528hemi
Hello 528- Well, I'm not a harp player. I'm really a vintage amp repairman! As far as new amps go, I think it is great that there are now some harp-specific amps being built. but I have no personal experience with most of them. Like I said, as a repairman, I appreciate STURDY, and I hate easily-breakable parts like plastic input jacks. Printed circuitboards and other cost-cutting construction methods have the big advantage of making the amps much more affordable. As for getting the "Chicago sound", I've heard Estrin get it standing in my driveway with nothing but a Marine Band and a grin.....no amp at all.
Skip Simmons
I have played the Meteor Mini Meat and Cruncher... those are both fine amps.