Re: [Harp-L] a little more on gear

[IronMan Mike Curtis <ironman@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On May 29, 2005, at 10:01 AM, Paul Routledge wrote:

> Yes, they used PTP wired amps in the old days because that's all that 
> was around.
> Yes, they probably would use custom amps if they were alive today.
> But if they went abroad or flew from one end of the states to the 
> other, they would use what was available.

While there are some great, well constructed vintage amps, not 
everything was.  Some amps were made as cheaply as possible.  
Danelectro was well known for using undersized parts (resistors, 
transformers, and such), figuring that most components are 
overdesigned, and most circuit designers called for overrated 
components.  For example, the output transformer in a 100 watt Dano is 
about 1/8th the size of a 100 watt Marshall.
These cheap amps would often fail, sometimes spectacularly.

Many bigger name touring artists have venues provide amps, PA, etc., 
and are very specific as to brand names, models, and such.  If you tour 
Europe, etc., regularly (and for enough money), it might make sense to 
do what Walter Trout has done.  He bought another set of amps, etc., 
that they store in Europe.

> When Rod Piazza plays in the UK he doesn't bring a HarpKing with him. 
> If somebody over here lent him one I am sure he would use it,
> but most of his gigs abroad are played through a Bassman RI because 
> that is what is readily available.

While I haven't tried a HarpKing, I've heard Rod Piazza play live 
through both of his.  To me, it sounds very '59 Bassman-like, but a bit 
louder.  I don't see most harpers complaining *too* bitterly about 
playing through a Bassman reissue ;-)

> Rick Estrin has played through everything from a Fender Twin (Red 
> knobs) to a borrowed Sonny Jr when he tours abroad.
>
> Yes of course you would use the amp of your choice when you can.  But 
> if you can't , you use the next best thing that is available to you.

The player accounts for about 80% of the tone.  The gear (amp, mic, 
etc.), makes up around 20%, give or take.  A bad player with great gear 
can't touch a great player with even marginal commercial grade gear.

I'm going to (re)tell an old story.  Some of you long-timers may have 
heard it before, and for this I apologize in advance.

Back in the 60's, I played bass for a popular band.  One night, Eric 
Clapton was in the audience, and was invited up to sit in.  We kinda 
felt bad, because the only extra amp we had was a cheezy solid state 
backup amp.  He plugged in, hit a few notes while tweaking the amps 
controls, and said he was ready.  And he sounded *exactly* like Eric 
Clapton, with that big, fat Clapton sound.  Would he have sounded any 
better through a Super Reverb or AC30? Probably - but he sounded 
_sooooo_ good thru that cheapie.

My point is that better musicians tend to be the least dependent on 
gear to get their sound.  Sure it's nice to have custom mics, boutique 
amps, $75 cables, and such, and we well may find that these allow us 
that elusive "extra something".  But even if given "bottom of the 
barrel, we can still sound professional.


> Ask any Pro harp player and they will all tell you about the nightmare 
> they have experienced when playing through hired gear.

yup - and some horror stories about "worst possible time" malfunctions 
of my own gear ;-)

> Yet they still do it !  Why you may ask ?
>
> The answer is simple, it's the cost and  logistics of taking your 
> favourite amp around the world.
> Would take your custom amp worth a couple of thousand  Dollars / 
> Pounds on tour to say India / China for a handful of gigs at a cost of 
> hundreds for shipping each way ?

That can sure eat into your profit margin.  And if the gorillas damage 
your amp, you're out even more.

> Yes it would be great to use the rig of our dreams all of the time. 
> It's just not possible for most of us, even Rod, Rick and Kim !!!
> However the single most important thing is that you convey your 
> message on the harp to the audience. You can still do this without the 
> greatest gear in the world.

Exactly!

-IronMan Mike Curtis
http://www.IronmanCurtis.com
http://www.SouthlandBlues.com