Re: [Harp-L] Anybody still play the old ones...

[46long Blake <46long@xxxxxxxxx>]

Unlike many on this list, I have only one amp, and it's an oldie:  a '62
Princeton with a real '58 Jensen p10Q that came with it when I found it in
an antique shop. I got it serviced after I bought it, gave it a 3 prong
cord, swapped out the 12AX7s for NOS lower-gain tubes, and have been gigging
small venues with this amp twice a month for seven years now without a
problem (knock on wood).  I probably shouldn't keep dragging around this
amp, but as I don't do this for a living, and as it gives me a tone I like
at lower volumes, I'm content for now.

I suppose if I were to start gigging at louder volumes (with a full electric
band, for example) I'd need something different. The few times I've used
this amp with a full band, I felt that it didn't cut very well, and that
great warm tube tone got a bit muddy as I tried to battle with the Deluxes
and Twins of my guitarists.  I have some amps I'd look into if I was in the
market - either mid-size or bigger OR another small one with a line out.
Thing is, I'm finding in my old age that no matter what rig I try, my tone
is pretty much the same. Luckily I'm pretty happy with that tone. This even
counts when I try a crummy solid-state amp.  There have only been a few amps
that I've tried that sound appreciably different to me that I really like:
Brad H's Sony Jr 410 -barked like a German shepherd, Jason R's rig, which I
swear is part wolverine, and this ratty old Kalamazoo Model II with what
appeared to be a bullet hole in the top of the cabinet that was for sale at
a vintage music store for $90 that was the best sounding amp I've ever
played through....which I didn't buy because I'd never heard of it before at
the time, and didn't believe that such a cheap amp was up to my
"standards"....oops.........

On Wed, Dec 9, 2009 at 11:00 PM, Grant Walters <grant@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> my friend (He works on amps) suggested that I get a Blues Jr. or Pro Blues
> Jr....
> for playing the harp.
> He further suggested I quit dragging my antiques on the road to gigs.
> Truth is that I bought these old things because of the way they sound and
> when I'm gone...
> well, who cares if they are in perfect condition.  They were all purchase
> cheap over the years.
>
> I guess I am considering  another amp for my mostly small gigs...that can
> handle a bit more of a beating.
>
> Here is my collection, minus my favorite old  tweed champ..
> these are originals...
>
> Gibson Maestro (accordion amp), Ranger ( as good as the deluxe), Fender
> Deluxe, Super, silver face champ ( do not like this one much) and a
> Magnatone (very cool).
> Playing with a JT-30 stock mic today, I tried them all out and found again
> that :
>
> the Maestro is my favorite...
> really cuts through and can be mic'd and has nice harmonica distortion on
> the chords.
> and has 4 - 8" speakers.
> For someone like me...Would the Pro Blues Jr. make the cut?
> I don't plan on any volume wars with guitar players.
>
> Hell, I guess I just like to look at them and even like the way they smell
> and buzz and love the looks I get when I drag one into a gig.
> When they came out with all these reissues, etc...I was disappointed but
> understand it would be nice to have one that I did not have to baby or worry
> about.
>
> What is your old beater favorite?
>
> take care
>
> Grant.
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
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