Safe Bet Amp?
Is there such a thing?
As I begin to work on my skills at playing amplified, I'm thinking that it might be wise to get an amp and mic combo that I know works fairly well for harp... that way if it sounds like crap I know it is my fault and my technique needs work! I figure I'll get a bullitini, but I'm wondering if folks have suggestions for a safe bet amp that isn't too expensive. I'm not sure I'm ready to pay for a Memphis Mini, and I don't trust myself enough yet to evaluate old amps. Maybe the 5-watt Fender Champ (which is the vibro xd, correct?)?
Thanks, David. Is 15W not too large for playing around the house? Will I be able to get it loud enough to distort in the way we want for good harmonica tone? I may have the chance to get a Blues Jr. from a friend of a friend, but I thought 15W might be too powerful, and that I might hold off on that until I started playing out. Is it possible to get good distorted tone at lower volume out of a 15W amp, or should I concentrate on finding something in the 5 to 10W neighborhood?
Thanks very much.
You're right that a lower-wattage amp can get more distorted at lower volumes. The smaller amp you'll also commonly sacrifice bass. If you want to get distortion at lower levels, then use the distortion channel built into the amp. The Super Champ sounds better at lower volume than the Blues Jr. The Blues Jr sounds better at louder volume than the Super Champ. I feel the Super Champ is a better choice for you than the Blues Jr.
Great: thank you for the help.
Hi David,
I found a Champ X2 head listed locally for under $200, which seems like a good price. Would I be able to run that using either my Peavey Classic 20 or Fender Princeton 112 Plus as a cabinet and get the tone I'm looking for. I asked Skip Simmons about using either as a harp amp, and he suggested that although neither would work very well for harp, they may work well as a practice PA (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/guitar_amps). Do you think they would work as a speaker for a Champ head?
The Peavey Classic 20 and Princeton 112 are amps that can work for harp, but are not "known" for being really good for the harp. It sounds like you're serious about getting something good for the harp, so I now suggest you sell these two amps and get a real good amp. Spend the money, get something good, something you won't have to replace... like a Gibson GA20 (1950's), or Fender Princeton Reverb (1950's through mid 60's) or a Masco with a cool cabinet. That's my two cents.
That's a great idea: thanks. I'll see what I can do.
Hi David, following up on this:
What are your thoughts in he Fender reverb reissues? Above you suggest targeting a Princeton from the 50s through mid 60s: does that extend to the reissues of those years? I've played through a couple reissue 68 silverface Princetons in guitar shops, and have generally liked them. Today I played through a 65 blackface reissue (this guy: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/fender-limited-edition-65-princeton-reverb-15w-1x12-tube-guitar-combo-amp-bordeaux-reserve/j26960000000000?rNtt=Fender%2065%20reverb&index=4) and didn't really like it: too bright. I have a lead on a 65 Deluxe reissue, so I'm anxious to hear how that sounds.
All of those are reissues rather than amps from the 50s and 60s, though. Do you like that line of amps, or would you recommend searching harder for a vintage model?
I tried all of those and didn't care for them. If you can get your hands on a vintage Princeton, that's the way to go. You don't have to spend the $ on a blackface, the silverfaces through to late 1960's sound great.
Thanks: I'll donsome digging and see what I can turn up.
I think the bullitini is a good choice. For an amp, the Fender Super Champ X2 is a good choice.