Re: [Harp-L] Boss Micro Cube first impressions

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Richard,

I've never used a Pignose Hog 20 or Hog 30, and don't know what they
cost, so can't answer the question.

FYI, I've played around a little more with the MicroCube, and it's
pretty easy to drive it into feedback with my Astatic.  Because it's a
solid state amp, a tube swap won't cure the problem.  I have yet to try
it with my strumstick, but that's next.

As always, I strongly recommend that anyone considering ANY piece of
gear visit harmonycentral.com and read the user reviews there.  Doing so
will improve the return on your gear dollars by an order of magnitude. 
Believe it.

Thanks, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com

"Smith, Richard" wrote:
> 
> Thanks Richard.  I enjoy hearing these reviews. The question
> that comes to my mind is - - how does this unit compare to
> something like a Pignose Hog 20 or Hog 30, tonewise as well
> as pricewise?  Can you put it into perspective.
> Thanks,
> 
> Richard Smith
> Wormleysburg, PA
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx]On
> Behalf Of Richard Hunter
> Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 4:01 PM
> To: Harp-L; Harptalk
> Subject: [Harp-L] Boss Micro Cube first impressions
> 
> I was given a Boss MicroCube for Christmas, and just took delivery today
> (yes, it's well after Christmas; these things happen).  The following
> are first impressions.
> 
> The unit includes several amp models, one of which is a dedicated mic
> preamp setup.  Effects include delay, reverb, chorus, flange, and
> tremolo.  It's a very small amp, with 5 watts of power and a 6 inch
> speaker.  It's powered either by a wall wart or flashlight batteries,
> the latter intended for completely portable use.  Input is via 1/4"
> jack; output can be sent to another amp or console via line-out. I was
> astounded at the amp's general quietness when plugged in; there is no
> audible hiss, even when all volume and tone controls are set to the
> maximum.
> 
> The mic preamp sounds best by far for blues, much better than any of the
> amp models.  My Astatic JT-30 mic put out plenty of sound through this
> unit, with a lot of bite. I'm sure many players would find this sound
> perfectly acceptable for blues jams, if not for studio work. My Labtec
> AM-22 computer mic, which is preferred for use with my Digitech RP200,
> sounded very bassy and less distorted through the mic setup,
> understandable given the 600 ohm output from the Labtec and its
> generally steep high-end rolloff.  (The Labtec sounds killer with some
> amps, and absolutely dead with others.) I'd rate the mic setup at about
> B+ for basic tone quality.
> 
> The effects are usable, but nothing like flexible enough for serious
> work.  For Chorus and flange, one can set the effect level only, not
> speed, depth, or other useful parameters.  Delay time (time between
> repeats) can be set, but regeneration appears to be fixed -- you get a
> fixed number of repeats no matter what the delay time is.  Setting the
> delay time to something near the minimum gives a slapback effect that's
> certainly usable. Reverb level is adjustable, but the basic quality of
> the reverb is not tops.  Setting this control to a low level adds a
> pleasing quality to the tone. Tremolo time is adjustable, but not depth.
> The effect sounds good in any case.  I'd rate the effects section a C-
> overall -- passing, but not by much.  Only one effect can be used at a
> time.
> 
> Overall, this amp is a good practice and jamming tool, and the
> portability is unbeatable.  It's worth consideration by harp players as
> a standalone amp with some usable effects. In no way is it suitable as a
> replacement for dedicated (and more flexible) delay, chorus, flange, and
> reverb units.
> 
> Thanks, Richard Hunter
> hunterharp.com
> 
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