Re: Mics or Amps

[Steve Price <sprice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 31 Jan 1995, Barry Schaede wrote:

> The answer to your question is really none of the above. You really spell 
> it out when you say that Gary Bernath has your sound.  All that aside 
> mics and amps are personal preferences and although there are broad 
> acceptable categories I wouldn't tell you you were wrong if you played 
> through a Pignose with a kraco car stereo delay unit and liked it.  
> (someone on this list actually uses this rig) That all said here's my 
> opinion.  Stress subjective opinion for all the answers you'll get.  
> There is no right or wrong.  You're right the Shure is heavy.  I don't 
> like the way the Astatics sound but most people play through them and 
> sound just fine.  I personally feel that more of the sound is the amp 
> than the mic.  I also prefer tubes but I used to play through a solid 
> state Sunn Bass amp and it worked fine.  Again my personal 
> preference is for 10" speakers because they feed back less readily 
> than 12's and have a fatter sound than 8's.  I've always used high 
> to medium powered amps but I find myself eyeing Princetons lately.  
> The Silverface ones can be had quite cheaply these days.  Oftentimes 
> less than $200.  Everyone always says this but 
> it's true tone is you.  Not the equipment.  I've had people come sit in 
> with my band and use my equipment then get mad at me because they 
> thought I'd changed all the settings to make them sound bad.  
> FJM who cares what LW played through he's dead.
> 

I'm finding this discussion of amplification fascinating, and indeed 
individual preference should guide us.  

I use a Shure SM58 on a stand and I back away from it about 5 to 7 inches 
because I find if you hold the mic right in your hand it distorts the 
sound of the harmonica.  I run this through a solid state Peavey PA which 
has the advantage that I can run all the vocal mics through it.  Now, I 
admit my sound is a little more reminiscent of Sonny Terry or Sonny BoyII 
than LW, but remember what harps used to sound like?  =8^)-o-

Harp in your mouths and your ears, folks! ;)
	       _____
	Steve =#####= Harmonica Price!