[Harp-L] Rotory Effects & POG for Harmonica to Hammond B3 mutation.

[Roger Boyce <roger.boyce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hey Ya'll 
Here's my experience with Roto effects and trying to get that thick
overdriven Hammond B3 sound.

In order of preference for roto effects -

1. Controlled throat vibrato ( intensity and speed control and ramping up
and down can be beat, and no irksome noise floor ) + an overdriven
tube/valve amp + an Electro-Harmonix POG. Believe it or not it's CONVINCING.

2. DLS Roto-Sim ( transparent, infinitely adjustable with external and
internal trim pots,convincing rotory effect,  ramping up and down with an
expression pedal - worthless built in overdrive and a teeny-weeny bit - at
least to my ear - of phaser artifacts) all in all the BEST outboard rotory
pedal.

3. Hughes & Kettner Roto-Sphere ( convincing rotor, but no ,way to control
ramp up and ramp down in real time, good onboard overdrive, freaking
intolerable noise floor level - lots of what is inside the pedal is smoke
and mirrors...anyone out there who is expert at solid state could improve
upon it with some time and imagination )

4. Sweetsound Ultra-Vibe or Mojo Vibe ( beautiful, sweet sounding, well
engineered units + the Mojo-Vibe - the newer model - can be expression
pedaled for ramp control......BUT it sounds like a vintage Uni-Vibe NOT a
rotory speaker....close but no ceegar! )

5. Option 5 (brand ) Destination Rotation ( inflexible, hopeless, wimpy -
save your money )

6.Maxon Vintage Series Rotory Phaser ( Phaser artifacts that RULE )

7. Any other Phaser - fuggetaboutit!

Now About The POG

POG -Great Little ( actually BIG pedalboard hog ) Unit ( although my
guitarist hates the sound - purist that he is ) infinitely
adjustable.......BUT....has a MAJOR noise problem - meaning it picks up and
amplifies ambient microphone noise.

This I have found can be dealt with by a Rocktron ( OK, OK, I KNOW they make
crappy sounding, poorly engineered and manufactured pedals ). The original
two knob, 'two channel' Rocktron Hush is the better unit.

When all is said and done I rarely use the POG + controlled throat vibrato +
overdriven tube amp for the B3 sound - but when I need it to comp ( play
rhythm ) it's a nice addition to the arsenal.

That being said I find myself going more and more minimal as I reach
geezerhood ( 59 ) + there's less chance of gear failure and tweak-neurosis
with a minimal rig.....thus more energy for soul and improvisation.

Yours Somewhat Truly
Roger 'Wader' Boyce
Writing from the bottom 1/4 of the dirtball known as Earth.