[Harp-L] Re: Boutique Amps and Feedback

[David Wilson <harpoon_man@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with what Spec20 said about boutique amps vs. tweaked vintage amps.  You can get great tone with reduced feedback tendency out of a tweaked vintage amp, and a lot of people choose this route.  
 
However, if you don't mind shelling out the $$, there is a lot to be said for the boutique amps since they can save you a lot of time and work experimenting with various mods.  I do not have much spare time, so I went the boutique route to maximize the time I get to spend actually playing the harp instead of working on amps.  I currently own a Meteor, and I am very happy with the sound quality and the loud volume without feedback.  That being said, boutique amps are not necessarily a magic bullet for avoiding feedback.  I used to have a Holland Westside 35 that tended to feed back whenever I tried to dial in a sound I liked.
 
Usual caveats apply:  regardless of the amp, you still have to have to know how to breathe, achieve resonance, and use good mic technique to create a big amplified sound.
 
-Dave
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