need help with feedback!
Hello. I have been jamming for about a year and a half. My Amp is a Fender Blues Junior, my mic is a Shaker Madcat, and i recently purchased a Lone wolf Harp Break "Effect box...
i am having a very hard time with feedback. wherever I stand in relation to my amp, i get feedback. Can anyone help me with the potential proper settings for this combination? Thanks, T
Hi, T-Bone
The Blues Jr as it comes form the factory is a feedback monster. ANY amp will feedback at some point - however when an amp's gain is too high (yours is) the feedback threshold is very touchy. Lowering the gain substantially makes the amp much easier to control. There's quite a bit about this subject in a document I have on my site called "All About Harmonica Microphones and Then Some...." I think you can get it with this link: Download the PDF - but if not, just go to the top of my home page and download it. It will explain WHY gain is the enemy and how to tame it.
A volume control on your mic is a VERY helpful tool as well.
My suggestion for the blues jr is to replace the 2 innermost 12AX7's with 12AU7's. That sounds like a BIG change and it is, but you will still get full volume from the amp and it will be much more manageable. If you find it too much (and I don't think you will) you can always ratchet back up from there. If it isn't enough, THEN replace the outer most 12AX7 with a 12AT7 or 5751.
Let me know how it works out!
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
Try different tubes, a lower gain might help. Just my .02
Tube: Gain Factor:
12AX7 = 100
12AT7 = 70
5751 = 60
12AY7 = 40
5814A = 22
12AU7 = 17