[Harp-L] Re: Amp feedback problems

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Cheech - the big problem is that, even though you might have bought  
that amp from a place like Harp Depot, it is a guitar amplifier first  
and foremost and it has too much gain. Microphones have much higher  
output AND are better at picking up sound waves from the air than  
guitar strings and pickups, so they're way more prone to feedback. The  
best way to reduce feedback is to reduce the amplifier's preamp gain,  
which on many tube amps is easily accomplished by substituting lower  
gain tubes in the preamp section. In the case of your solid state amp,  
I realize that isn't a helpful a solution.  So here are some things to  
try:

1) Yes, get the amp up at ear level - you should be able to hear it  
better.
2) Turn the "high" and mid controls all the way down. If, once you get  
the volume you want, you can bring them up a little, adjust then for  
tone.
3) You're NOT using the overdrive channel, right? Overdrive channel is  
a feedback nightmare.
4) Use a lower gain microphone. Some mics are simply less gainy than  
others. Sometimes what we call a "weak" element still has good tone  
but is a little less sensitive. Some old crystal mics are half dead  
and are perfect for this, believe it or not.
5) I'm not sure what "mic controls" you have but if there is some sort  
of tone control there, reduce its mids and high as as well.

/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net



> From: Cheechmail@xxxxxxx
> Date: December 21, 2008 12:52:55 PM PST
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Amp feedback problems
>
>
> I play chromatic harmonica (the only one) in a band consisting of   
> about 6
> Saxes, 4 Banjos and 3 accordians. I play by ear and the only way I  
> can  play is
> by hearing the notes that I am playing. I have a Suzuki 35 amplifier  
> and  I
> need to keep the volume up pretty high in order to hear my playing  
> above all
> the louder instruments. When the volume gets to a point that I can  
> hear my
> playing, I get a great deal of feedback.Someone advised me to place  
> the amp
> behind me on a chair with the amp tilted slightly upward
> with my body blocking it but I have not had much success with that.  
> Does
> anyone have any advise on how to eliminate the feedback problems. I  
> have the
> settings set with the Bass on mid level, the high on mid level and  
> the master
> volume about 1/2 setting. I regulate the mike with the mike controls.
> Thanks for any advice I can get.
> Cheeech
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