Re: [Harp-L] amps for newbie

[Howard Chandler <h_chandler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I guess I should have asked what you were able to spend.  The HG2 sounds 
like a great solution if you want to make that kind investment right 
away.  If you want to get in with a low initial investment the Valve jr. 
seems like a good choice.

For the money, Valve Jr is about as close as you can get to a good old 
fender tweed champ.  Very simple circuit.  It can be easily modded when 
the time comes and for the small bucks it should be fun to use out of 
the box.  If you're not trying to maximize vloume before feedback this 
worth checking out.  I'm sure others more into these things will suggest 
speaker(medium$) and tube substitutions (small$) that will make it more 
harp friendly.    After that you'll need a soldering iron.  The 
simplicity of these amps have made it very popular with electronic 
tinkerers.  There are a number of suppliers who now carry things like 
replacement transformers and the like the valve jr.  And as has been 
mentioned, there are a number of amp techs who are willing and able to 
these things for you.  For about $150.00 you can't go wrong.
Good luck and have fun

Howard

dgilroy@xxxxxxx wrote:
> Mostly blues, some clean but mostly "down low dirty". Practice for 
> now, solo
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Howard Chandler <h_chandler@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: dgilroy@xxxxxxx
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 9:26 am
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] amps for newbie
>
> What style of music? Clean or "down low dirty"? For stage work or 
> practice? Band or solo.  
> dgilroy@xxxxxxx <mailto:dgilroy@xxxxxxx> wrote: 
> > Ok, I have seen a lot of good stuff regarding amps. Unfortunately, a 
> lot of it is "greek" to me. I have been toying with the harmonica for 
> years and now that I am over 50, finally getting serious. So, in a 
> sense I am a newbie. The good part is I can actually play the thing 
> somewhat. I think I am ready for an amp. My question to the group is, 
> what is a good quality starter amp for someone who isn't great but 
> will be soon? I don't want to have to rebuild the thing after I buy 
> it. I'll get to that as I improve. This is a great place to learn 
> about amps once you get your feet wet. I need to get my feet wet. 
> Thanks in advance. 
> > 
> > DGilroy 
> > _______________________________________________ 
> > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org <http://www.spah.org/> 
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> > 
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