Re: [Harp-L] Audix Fireball (V) vs Blues Blaster

[billhines4@xxxxxxxxxxx]

search the harp-l archives on the fireball and fireball V. There have been some good comments/comparison. IMO, the fireball is good if you are playing a range of styles rather than "just blues". It reproduces the clean harp sound better than anything I've seen/heard, at least in its price range, unless you get into some pricey senheisers or whatever. others can comment. I use mine for when I sit in with a rock band to do a few tunes and it's good for that, as you said, very feedback resistant. The V has a volume control, the original does not. The original, at least the older ones, don't have the new element for better base response, but you can send it to them and have them add it. 

now you *can* get the "blues sound" from it, but you might have to work harder than a regular good blues oriented mic. I've had Mike Easton try mine and he said that his style requires a lot of use of hand compression, cupping styles, etc to shape his sound and the fireball wasn't as responsive to that.  Since he used it I've had the Musslewhite mod done to it so maybe i'll have him try again. 

But *IMO* if you are doing "just blues", get a good bullet or biscuit if you like those styles, or maybe something like the Shure 545 (older ones, hi-z) that Butterfield used. Research the harmonica mic pages at some of the great sites like harpon and others. 

I'm sure you'll get some good comments here. You can only go up from the blues blaster, haha. But that LD Miller kid uses one (through wireless!) and he sounds good too, so there ya go.

Bill Hines


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Jim Konish" <konisj@xxxxxxx>
> Hello,
> 
>  
> 
> I've read a lot of very informative reviews on harp-l about the Audix
> Fireball and Fireball V mics, and many of you guys have described them by
> drawing comparisons with a number of other commonly used microphones.  To
> everyone who has already posted their thoughts on this, thank you.
> 
>  
> 
> As jam-packed with information as previous posts have been, I suspect that
> there are plenty of relative newbies like me who haven't yet explored
> multiple mic options, and don't have a sufficient basis of comparison to
> understand how the Fireball and Fireball V are unique.  I've been playing
> for 3 years now, and I'm still using my first rig, a Hohner Blues Blaster
> (purchased new in 2004) through a Fender Blues Jr, Over the summer I got to
> sit in with Reverend Raven and play through Benny Rickuns' unbelievably nice
> rig (I don't remember what it was, but the tone was so spectacular it was
> difficult to refrain from giving the amp a hug on stage), and that got me
> thinking that it's finally time for me to start exploring other gear
> options.  I'm considering giving the Fireball V a shot.  Is there anyone out
> there who owns both a Blues Blaster and either Fireball model and could
> explain how their characteristics differ from the Blues Blaster, aside from
> the Fireball being low Z and more feedback resistant?
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jim Konish
> 
> www.deepblueshag.com <http://www.deepblueshag.com/> 
> 
>  
> 
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