[Harp-L] Mics

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I had a little spare time today, so I decided to try a few of my mics 
with a couple of my amps.

Mics: Audix Fireball with Fireball V element, Bottle O'Blues, Astatic 
JT-30VC, Shure 545 (similar to SM57), Electrovoice MC300 (similar to 
Shure SM57)
Amps: Ron Holmes modified Crate VC508 Class A 5 watt tube amp, Peavey 
Transformer 112

Results:
To my surprise, the best-sounding mic with the Peavey Transformer was 
the $35 Bottle O'Blues, which produced a strong, bass-rich tone with 
less feedback than any of the other mics.

The best-sounding mic with the VC508 was the Audix, followed closely by 
the Astatic.  But the Astatic produced feedback at a lower volume level 
than the Audix. The Audix's superior feedback resistance also allowed 
the volume knob on the Crate to be cranked higher, producing a heavier 
amped tone.  The BOB produced feedback with this amp at a volume level 
way below either the Audix or the Astatic.  The Shure 545, as expected, 
had a noticeable frequency peak in the mid-high range that was not 
pleasant when amped, and it produced more feedback than either the 
Astatic or the Audix.  The Electrovoice had a slightly smoother sound 
than the Shure, but a bland overall sound compared to either the Audix 
or the Astatic.

Conclusions:
I have realized--again--that it's pointless to talk about a mic without 
discussing the amp through which the mic is played.  Players who own one 
amp who intend to own one mic should try enough mics to ensure that 
they've got a great amp/mic combination.  Players with multiple mics 
should test every mic they've got with every amp they've got to find the 
best combinations.

Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com