[Harp-L] Re: LW amp

["M. N." <mnessmith@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

A few brief, somewhat pointless, rambling thoughts on Little Walter and his 
gear, tone, outlook, etc. (Disclaimer: These thoughts are NOT directed at 
anyone ..... just a few random musings.) First, there is no "Little Walter 
sound." Christ, on any collection of his hits, you'll hear three, even four, 
different harp tones, from acoustic to full-on grungy, to ethereal and 
echoing. That variety is a huge part of his genius. Second, there is no 
Little Walter mic or amp, period. The guy played anything that was laying 
around. Sure, most folks would agree the he generally used a high-output mic 
into a tube amp (guitar or PA matters little, in the 50s, they were both 
tube amps) but everyone singing or blowing harp into a mic back then was 
using a high-output mic into a tube amp. It's all there was. Third, not 
everything the guy ever played was the greatest stuff ever laid down. 
There's a good bit of LW stuff I find pretty weak. Maybe he walked on water 
(I guess) but that doesn't mean he never played a tired lick. Not a slam on 
Walter, just an observation. Lastly, if you've ever wondered what Walter 
would be doing if he were alive today, I have an answer: Pounding on his 
coffin lid, screaming, "Let me out, muth%^@#&$%ers!"
Carry on,
MN