Re: [Harp-L] Re: Little Walter

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris, the signal processing added to the LW tracks occurred in the 
studio and was done by the recording engineer.  While Mr. Jacobs was 
clearly a ground breaking player in the harmonica arena his innovation 
was more about the harmonicas role in the band.  Meaning he played more 
like a horn player than anyone who came before him.  His amplified tone 
being more an accident of the times he resided in and his acoustic tone 
than anything else.

Your objection to Sonny's conclusions is certainly valid in that it's a 
subjective call.  Personally I wouldn't dismiss out of hand an amplifier 
set up that I hadn't ever heard or tried.  I've never heard a solid 
state amplifier that really sounded like tubes to me but I don't 
completely dismiss the possibility that one could be made.  Sonny seems 
like very much a process equals product kind of guy and in terms of 
replicating that certain mid 50's sound he sure seems to have gotten 
some things right in terms of the process.  Me personally, I'm on a 
different road musically.  I do play through a very small 4 watt tube 
amplifier but I use a rack mount digital effects processor on the input 
and I really love that octave thing Mr. Ricci uses on the Live Mexicali 
Blues download.

In praise of an amplified sound that originates in a solid state device 
I have to say Madcat's most recent sound is just amazing.  I also have 
heard Billy Branch and Lee Oskar play through solid state amps and sound 
just great.  fjm