RE: [Harp-L] on mics and amps and beginning set ups (long)

["Less Paul" <lesspaul58@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> In search of a good practice 
> amp I tried some others and considered kit-building a old 
> Fender single 12" or 10" replica, but this time I was smart 
> enough to ask Sonny Jr. for his advice. And he KNOWS his amps.
> 
> He suggested I find a Kalamazoo on eBay, told me what I 
> should pay for it - and I haven't looked back. I have 
> subsequently bought FOUR of them, reconditioned them. Sold 
> one to RJ Mischo who loves it. I still can't bring myself to 
> part with the other 3(but I will probably sell one of them.)  
> I have never heard a better small harp amp, even among those 
> that cost WAY more. (A good Kalamazoo can be had for $150 or 
> so -might need a little fixing.) This was a cheap, 5W 
> practice amp in its day. It really is very quiet and tame 
> with a guitar plugged in, but the higher drive levels of 
> harmonica mics turn it into a tone beast. It is loud enough 
> for some jams and certainly for practice.  
> Unmic'd it isn't enough for a stage performance, but it 
> sounds great mic'd through the PA. I have played through 2 at 
> once, one on each side of the stage - amazing. If you turn on 
> the two tremelos to different frequencies you get a true 
> "Leslie" type of effect - the sound moves all over the place.)
> 
> Every one I've bought has needed some work. Every one was 
> said to "work just fine" - but because I knew how good they 
> were supposed to sound, I knew something was wrong when I got 
> them - and with a little work I was able to get them into 
> much better shape. I say this because you can't just buy one 
> and assume it is right "out of the box".  I always convert 
> them to 3-wire power/ground for safety, 2 out of the 4 needed 
> speakers,  and 3 out of the 4 needed some caps replaced. But 
> even after reconditioning, they're still a bargain, and they 
> always blow everyone away with their incredible crunchy tone.  
> Contact me offline if you would like me to fix one up for you.
> 
> /Greg
> http://www.blowsmeaway.com
> http://www.bluestateband.net

I always like an excuse to show off my Kalamazoo page...
http://paulspage.home.comcast.net/harmonica/kalamazoo_model_2.htm