Re: [Harp-L] Amps

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony Stephens wrote:
<I would like to see if anyone has used a Fender Frontman G15 amp for playing the harmonica? If not what is a good starting amp. $100.00 or less.

Forget the Frontman.  It won't give you a great harp sound.  Ever.  Period.  I've heard people try.  

$100 is way low for a starter amp.  However, the Fender Mustang 1 sells new for about $120.  It's a "modeling" amp, i.e. it uses computer chips to emulate the processing path for a "real" tube amp.  It's small, so not useful for loud jams or working with a band, but it will give you a good sound with a little tweaking from the front panel.  However, it doesn't have a line-out feature, which means you can't easily use it with a PA system or bigger amp when you want to take your sound to a bigger venue.

At $200 your choices get a lot better and more various.  In that range there are plenty of 5-watt tube amps that are solid performers for Chicago-style blues, as well as bigger, more powerful modeling amps, like the Mustang 2.  At that price you can also get a dedicated amp modeler, like a Digitech RP 155 or 255, plus a small keyboard amp like the Peavey KB1 or the Behringer KT108.  The small amp will get you started, and you can replace it with a bigger keyboard amp when you're ready to get louder.  The amp modeling device will work with anything you plug it into.

For more information see:
http://www.hunterharp.com/whats-the-best-choice-for-your-first-amp/

Regards, Richard Hunter