[Harp-L] Rod Piazza gear at Tampa Blues Fest - blow by blow



 I had never seen Rod play before, but was always told he uses a Harpking.  The promoter of the Tampa Blues Fest had his Harpking there but Rod played instead through a Fender Bassman sitting on the ground, and linked to a Silverface Fender Super Reverb sitting behind the Bassman, about 8 inches off the ground.  Both were mic'd of course through the P.A.  I am not sure if Rod used that setup as a temp substitute that was available just to get through  his set or not.  I was sitting in the very front row about 10 feet away from Piazza.
 
While setting up, Rod first pulled out a super duct taped pedal of some sort, I couldn't see what it was because it was so heavily duct taped.  Maybe one of you other harp l'ers will know what it was.  He also linked in the chain a light blue/white delay pedal.  This all went direct to the Bassman, then to the Super Rev.  During the set he pulled out a wireless rig, unscrewed the JT-30, screwed it in the wireless adapter, jumped into the crowd, and away he went doing his show.
 
One observation:  Rod's tone has always been large and I think, very distinquishable from other players.  I had always thought it had to do with his technique, of course, but also the amp.  I am much less convinced that the amp is the thing.  This is a relief after so many years thinking that the next amp around the corner was THE ONE.  Whatever he is playing through, particularly the mic and the mysteriious duct taped box seem to me to be much more of the source of his sound.  I mean, when he set up, and was just testing to see if the mic was on, like we all do, and only had one hand on the mic, the other on the controls, no real cupping, GEEZ - the harp WAS BARELY IN HIS MOUTH and the big tone was there.   I know what most of you will say, that it is Rod's technique all the way, but I really think that his mic and the box are fundamental to his sound now.  
That's just how I saw it, so sue me.
 
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