[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 23, Issue 4

["Derek Lark" <derek.lark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all, been listening here for a long time.

I have been playing acoustically for a long time but only in the last twelve 
months had to start to be amplified to play in a couple of jams that I like 
to frequent.

I have to agree with Robert Gaustad, first rule is to be heard in the mix, 
the greatest problem I have had is being loud enough to be heard on a 
reliable basis.

I started with a blues junior and green bullet set up and have been 
experimenting with lots of different options.

Once I played the bullet directly into the desk when a guest guitarist 
wanted to use my amp, got heard OK that day another time my JT30 crystal 
failed and played a $2 ebay old hi-z dynamic mic through the junior and was 
the loudest and by audience feedback the best I have been at the jam.

Last jam I used a Behringer valve mic pre amp with an old bullet dynamic mic 
direct to the pa and it worked really nicely.  I see that a few of the pros 
here use a similar set up when they travel.

OK so it isn't a 4 by 10 and an MC101 element with heaps of watts behind it 
but it does cut through and you get asked back to play some more.  And the 
audience don't mind as long as you are inside the mix.

Of course when I play in the bands I use the junior an mic up, get the 
preparation right etc etc but that is a whole different discussion!!

Cheers from Oz and thanks for the contributions here by all which has made 
the trip to where I have got to now a whole lot easier and better informed.

Derek