First practice amp
Hi David,
I am looking for some advice on purchasing my first amp for practice. Reading other posts and seeing what is available at my local music shop I have the option these two:
Vox DA-5
or
Fender Champion 600
I have read:
http://www.bluesharmonica.com/amps_and_mics
Looking at Youtube and the above the Vox does seem to have some good tone for a solid state, but should I be going for the Fender since it is tube?? can I please have some advice and or your opinion of which way to go before purchasing. Both are similar price so that is not an issue.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Sorry, I didn't see your post earlier... questions to me should go to the "Ask David Barrett" section of the forum. I would recommend spending a little extra $ and go for the Fender Super Champ XD ($300 sale at musiciansfriend.com). 10" speaker, tube, lead channel and FX section (reverb and delay), it's one hell of a good deal for all of the things we like.
Thanks David, even though I addressed the question to you I was hoping to provoke some discussion from those in the know.
I am particularly looking for a first amp to practice the basic of holding mic etc and recording a few samples for review without blasting my house and neighbors. I have been playing for about 2yrs and deliberately holding off on the amplified playing so as to work on tone etc first and I read somewhere that it is recommended practicing both amped and acoustic.
The Super Champ XD does look like a good option, however these are a lot more expensive ie over twice the price of the above options. Also availability in NZ seems to be a problem. Might consider this as my second.
So going back to the 2 options I am looking, what would fellow harp players go for with regard to a small practice amp? The Fender looks like a 1 trick pony that some people complain has an annoying buzz and that you have to crank to get a proper overdriven sound (what ever that is). On the other hand the Vox is solid state - does that matter?? - and some comments are that it puts out decent tone without the family running a mile:)
Thoughts??
Tube is preferred, but at that price point it's not going to matter that much. I recommend you save your money, it's not worth buying a cheaper amp and not being happy with the tone.
G'day Sledge, i was holding back from saying anything before because i thought you just wanted david to answer...but now you have given the green light...
i have been in that sort of place fairly recently.
i bought a vibra-champ xd, which is similiar to the super champ but only 5w, 8"speaker and cheaper...i bought one from LMS for $AUD350 (and i think i paid through the nose...seem to be a bit cheaper online)...anyway, i reckon its a great little thing...very similiar features to the super champ as demonstrated on this site, but doesn't have the separate clean channel. does have built in delay effect which i find really good for harp, and some of the not-too-overdriven amp models are quite nice...and plenty loud enough for the jobs you mention. i've been using mine at mildly amplified (no drums) jams...plenty of scope to play quietly and use dynamic range...
i have heard guitarists complain about the amp models on these modelling amps; i reckon they are pretty much ok for what i am doing.
i also have a 30W Ashton Viper with 12AX7 + 12AT7 preamp and 2x EL84 output, 12" speaker...its ok (since i had it worked on to fix a quality control issue...carbon smudge on circuit board which was arcing when the load got high) but really a bit too loud for these applications...hence the fender...but the Ashtons are also a cheap option...i paid $500 for a new 30w all-valve amp...(+ $100 for repairs, but thats my fault for not getting it fixed in the warranty period)
oh, theres always the pignose option...great little thing...5w ss, you can hang it off a guitar strap...quite a nice fuzzed tone...small and light enough to send through the post..i paid $75 for mine, 2ndhand...runs on 6xAA batteries or power adapter, has a line out so can use it for a preamp...i believe zappa used one at some point for recording...theres some youtube clips of guys playing harp through them...
Hey Sledge!! - given you are in NZ, shipping is a major concern which is too bad. Greg Heumann (Blows Me Away) fixes used Kalamazoo amps and sells them. They seem to be recognized as a great small (5W) amp for harp. I'm certainly more than pleased with mine BUT recognize that shipping it would be expensive (might be worth checking though.
The little research I did before I got mine was leading me towards checking out Epi Valve Jr and the Vox DA5. Speaker size and reports by harp players were why I was leaning that way. Although in a main amp, I would lean toward tube, for a smaller practice amp I don't know that would stop me IF I liked what I heard. Brian Purdy at Harpgear has solid state in the Double Trouble amp which is highly touted. He says on his web site - "This amp uses a solid state rectifier but your ears wouldn't know it with the design we use. We opted to go with the solid state rectifier because it allows us to keep the amp smaller without sacrificing any tone"-
For sure, take your mic and harp to the store and plug in and try out the amps and trust your ears. The frustration for me was that it all seems to be about compromise unless you want and can afford (in more ways than one) one of those big suckers that sound so wickedly good!!
Good luck with your search!!
Hi Dave & Hank, I appreciate your comments. I haven't considered the pignose or the Epi Valve but both look look a very good option. The vibra-champ also looks good but the price is a bit more that what I would want to spend at this stage. Once again sourcing looks like an issue for these options in NZ.. however I have just found a EpiPhone Jr:). I think I will take Hank's advise and take the mic etc along and try before buying. I will post an update on which way I decide to go.
a practice amp?
do you have practice harps?
practice mics?
why would somebody want to spend any significant money on a practice amp?
save you money so you can buy an amp that can be used for gigs&practice!
i understand the need to play amplified. by a lil smokey for $30 or so. i use one with a madcat shaker. the whole thing is very compact and portable and can be used in many practice type situations.
i, and others, have all gone down this trail. we all got a bunch of gear, which at the time was very cool, that has become more of a "i shoulda..." stuff.
if you just gotta spend money and want to buy an amp, i would suggest something fairly inexpensive and battery operated like the pignose or crate. these you can take anywhere and play and be loud enough unless you are competing with a band. but buying either is a slight setback in your purchase of a quality amp that you will soon want to buy.
Once again thanks for your comments eharp. I absolutely agree with you that the end goal for me is to eventually play on the bandstand when I will spend some coin and get suitable gear for this purpose. With this in mind I need to work towards that goal, and a step would be to practice at home with some inexpensive gear. I think I read somewhere that it takes a good year to learn how to play amplified, hold mic etc etc. Certainly a quick look at some vids suggest there is a bit to learn than just stepping up with a mic in hand and playing.. hence the 'practice' amp that will not blast my family.
I am going to take your advise though and try and find a pignose or crate:)
I just bought one and it rocks. I compared the Champion and the Super champ. i liked the 600 better. It is only my personal opinion. It worked for me when I tried it out. Go to the shop and plug in. You will not know until then.
Check out Lone Wolf Blues Company's Step by step "how to" for modding an Epiphone Valve Jr. for harmonica:
http://www.lonewolfblues.com/projepimod.html
I forgot to say that I already have a Shure 520DX.