[Harp-L] Thunderharp mics / SJ410

["david j. brown" <nonidesign@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There's some "back and forth" on the list about this mic. I contacted Steve
in the past and he emailed me info when I was inquiring about the Nady VHM-7
mic on a recent post ( I bought the Nady out of curiosity and will get one
next week. If I don't like it I'll gut it out and put a CM element in it).

Steve informed me that his Thunderharp mic has a dynamic element. What the
element is specifically he wont disclose, which is fair enough, but at
$250.00 that's a leap of faith I wont be able to take. I won't pay $250.00
for a mic with a mystery anything in it when I can get a mic with a vintage
CM or CR element for around the same price. A vintage Shure 545 costs a lot
less if I want a mic with a dynamic element... and I know what a 545 sounds
like. 

Steve also mentioned the relationship between dynamic elements and
transformers. I have two identical cheap Japanese mics, one with a
transformer, and one without. I have to say the one with the transformer
kicks the other's butt. If his Thunderharp mic is a dynamic element with a
transformer it may very well be a punchy monster.

That said, I haven't played a Thunderharp mic. It may sound like God's
touching it for all I know but I have a SJ410 and a SJ2 amp and I could plug
a beer can into either one of them and the amp would do the rest.

I place value on quality, and cannot judge what I have not tried, so I do
not want this post misconstrued as a neg on Steve. He is a member of our
select community and as far as I know, an decent guy. More great gear
available for us harpers is a good thing especially since the major
manufacturers don't seem to give us a damn. I would love to hear more posts
from people who have actually bought, or at least tried , his Thunderharp
mic who are not associated with Steve. A good mic, at any price, is a good
thing for us.

Concerning Sonny Jr. , his amps, and his person: all I can say is that he
makes the best damn amps I have ever played and stands by his stuff like a
parent. He has a passion for quality and his products are not just great
amps, they are outstanding examples of American industrial design ( a
vanishing product in the USA, I am sad to say).

Usual disclaimer: Nobody pays me to say anything I don't want to. I'm not
for rent and neither is the space in my head.