[Harp-L] Review: Custom Peavey H-5 Cherry Bomb harp mic
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- Subject: [Harp-L] Review: Custom Peavey H-5 Cherry Bomb harp mic
- From: Special20 <special20harp@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:01:51 -0600
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Make no mistake about it, this is NOT a stock Peavey H-5 mic. It is
modified by mic ace Greg Heumann at http://www.blowsmeaway.com/. In
fact, the only stock Peavey parts in this mic are the shell and on/off
switch.
Greg installed a better volume pot and a Shure Controlled Magnetic mic
element. This is a 99A86B element. Hi-Z, made in USA. It's the same
element used in the earliest Shure 520 mics.
I A-B'ed this mic against my regular gig mic, an Astatic JT-30 shell
with a similar element, a Shure CM 99A86GB, also Hi-Z, made in the
USA. In the comparison I played a short blues riff on a Bb harp. Both
mics were played into my Masco amp at low volume, with identical
settings for both. This was recorded using a Zoom H4 recorder about 4
feet in front of the cab.
The sound difference is pretty stark. Greg Heumann's Peavey H-5 mic is
unusually dark and growly, warm. I like it very much. It sounds
similar to another custom mic I have from Greg, and I don't know how
he gets such fat tone. Must be his mojo or something...
It may not be right for every song or vibe, but it sure sounds great
with raunchy blues, and it makes my Masco positively honk. I think I
prefer the JT-30 with my Champ, but the Peavey mic complements the
thump of the 2x10 closed back cab I use with the Masco.
This mic is a keeper. I recently sold off a bunch of mics, and with
the Peavey I am now down to only three. I like the range of tones I
can get even with this small collection of harp mics.
Pictures and sound samples are at the Blues Harp Amps blog:
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/
-Rick Davis
Blues Harp Amps blog: http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/
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