Re: [Harp-L] Re: amps for beginners?

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mmmm.. I think there is a lot more to amped playing than just increasing
your volume, just as there is a lot more to electric guitar than just diming
the knobs.

Are you familiar with the amp I recommended for beginners at the top of this
thead?  The Epiphone Valve Junior Half Stack is rated at 5 watts (I think it
is actually half that.)  It has a single EL84 power tube.  This amp ain't
gonna blow the windows out or get you arrested.  It is a surprisingly good
sounding amp for not a lot of money.  It is great for practice or
low-intensity jams.  The tone is really exceptional with a warm sound, and
just a bit of tearing along the attack edge of the notes if you use a bullet
mic.  You can find it for under $300, and you don't need to make any
modifications to it to make it sound good for harp.

It is nowhere near the quality and tone of, say, a Harpgear amp, but it is
cheaper and can be picked up at your local Guitar Center.  It is a good
place for a new player to start.

-Rick Davis


On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 11:28 AM, Howard Chandler
<h_chandler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Despite the last eight years this is still a free country.  As far as I
> know there are no legal considerations to how you play your harp.  I don't
> get the permission thing.
>
> You do not need permission to get an amp, (or a tattoo). If you want one
> get it.  Neither will make you a better player.
>
> My ONLY point is you do not NEED one until someone tells you, "Hey, I think
> you play well but I can't hear you".
>
> Learning to use an amp and mic makes a lot more sense once you have
> something to play and a need to be heard above a band.
>
>
>
>