RE: [Harp-L] Re: Fender Pro Jr....



Since others have recommended alternatives to a Fender Pro Jr., I feel obliged to mention that a Digitech RP 255 amp modeler plus my patch set and a 100 watt 10" or 12" powered speaker from Peavey, Mackie, etc. (or a 40-50 watt keyboard amp with 10" speaker) would just about run you $400. It would also be louder, more versatile, and more expandable should you decide that you need more (of anything) later.  Finally, it would add a battery of effects to your arsenal going well beyond just the mic and amp, including excellent reverbs and delays, both of which are generally pretty important to amplified harmonica, and either of which would run you in the neighborhood of $100 all by itself.

This is a non-traditional setup, of course, and the technology is relatively new to harmonica players.  But an increasing number of harp players are using amp modeling technology, following guitar and bass players, who have adopted it en masse over the last decade.  If you want to keep it really simple, you could substitute a Fender FBM-1 Bassman modeling pedal for the Digitech RP.  Fewer knobs, no FX, and others on this list have used it very successfully plugged into a PA, powered PA speaker, or keyboard amp.

A second alternative is to use a self-contained modeling amp, such as the new Fender Mustang series, the Vox VT series, the Line 6 Spyder series, or the Peavey Vypr series.  All of these are very attractively priced and deliver a lot of bang for the buck, and the mid-priced models (in the $200-300 range) include amp models that are very usable for harp (such as the Fender Bassman) along with plenty of power.

A tube amp like the Pro Jr. is of course the traditional choice.  But there's no reason for players to assume that it's the default choice in 2011, and the value for money in amp modeling technology is very high.  Chips cost less than tubes.

Regards, Richard Hunter

author, "Jazz Harp" 
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
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