[Harp-L] Regarding Masco MA-17 & ME - 18's from Wader

[Roger Boyce <wader1@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robb
I have a Masco ME-18, an MA 17, a Masco combo amp and a few others 
Masco heads. The 18 & 17 have been worked on by Skip Simmons who is 
considered the best with old PA heads and does a lot of work for Sonny 
Jr., Little Charlie and the night cats, etc. The MA 17 is supposed to 
be the holy grail of Macos for harp players, and is reportedly the 
circut that the Sonny Jr harp amp is based on. Having said that I find 
my ME-18 to be the hottest and sweetest sounding of the heads for harp 
- at least after Skip tweaked it for the instrument. The MA17 is great, 
 just not as good. My little Masco combo - the ones with the musical 
note on the grill cloth and the two tone tolex really sings as well 
when the tubes heat up - and is a great practice amp. By the way, the 
little Masco amp heads work best with an EQ ( cut out most of the mids 
for a scoped tone and less feedback )  and an analog delay in front to 
open up the sound. Mascos once gone through are very reliable. For 
gigging though I use a Kendrick Texas Crude Harp amp ( with 4 - 10's ) 
which is no longer in production.
Best Roger 'Wader' Boyce