[Harp-L] amp or amplified

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

	I have never fully understood why so many players who play electric  
harmonica  think it is preferable to play through an amp rather than  
just going in to the board (if there is a board).  If the player is  
in quest of the so-called Chicago sound, then  an amp is probably  
better.  I personally prefer a somewhat cleaner sound.  If the player  
(or the sound man) understands how to tweak the board and if the  
player has a good mic,  good breath technique and pays attention to  
the proximity and position of the harp relative to the mic element  
and how tight or loose the mic is cupped, tone does not suffer  
because an amp is not used, (unless, of course,  the player wants  
that distinctive distorted overdriven Chicago sound all night long on  
every tune).
	I will use an amp only when i have to. When I do,  i generally  
prefer 10 inch speakers.  I  suppose if one is using a lot of  
effects, having one's own amp provides greater control.  But it has  
been my experience many effects work just as well into the board.   
And it's a whole lot quicker, simpler and less hassle to go in to the  
board.  Most of the time,  the tone i wish to achieve does not suffer  
from lack of an amp and i can get a wider variety of textures playing  
into the board and better dynamics without needing a volume control  
on my mic.
	I carry my performing set of 13 harps in a Cumberland leather   
case,  7 or 8 spare harps  of the most used keys in a Lee Oskar soft  
case,  an EV re15 and an Audix fireball microphones, an XLR cord with  
an on/off switch and a separate  pigtail transformer (just in case I  
am required to go into an amp or other hi-Z input) all in a Meinil  
zippered drum stick case.  It's very portable and compact,  holds  
everything i need and is  very easy and inconspicuous to carry.  I  
can get my performing  harps, mic and cord out of the case, get  
plugged in, set up and  ready to play (or check volume and tone  
levels) in about 90 seconds (or less) after being called on stage  
from a standing start holding a closed case.
	I'm not knocking amps.  I have a couple of my own  and i like them.   
I just don't feel the need to use them very often. Perhaps players  
that use bullet style mics may have different needs. But  I do not  
use  bullet mics myself  (I'll use a Shure  545 or Fireball V in   
situations  when i do  go into an amp) .  I  can get an overdriven or  
dirty  sound when I want to by using breath and mic handling  
techniques without an amp.  I'm sure some  other players feel  
differently, but, if an electric  player's tone and technique are  
decent, I'm not convinced that  lugging an amp around to sit in  
provides a significant sonic advantage in most situations.
	Of course, in large venues, with a PA snake, sound man,  large house  
PA, etc. the same considerations may not  apply.  But that is not the  
typical gig situation for most of us most of the time.
	JP