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

[Paul Routledge <kingley@xxxxxxxxxx>]

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.

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

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.

Paul