Re: [Harp-L] Amp overkill

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

I certainly don't question the motives of those who choose to play through
big amps.  As far as I can tell, the pro players I know who use big amps are
sincerely convinced it gives them their signature sound in big rooms.  If it
is "ego" to want the best tone, then maybe you are right.

I have a different view.  I play a custom 5F2H amp in a 5E3 cab, with a
great-sounding line out to the PA.  It is about 10 watts and weighs 32
pounds.  The tone kills.

I certainly wouldn't accuse the people who play through a Cruncher of doing
it for showmanship or ego.  It's a great amp.  But it is bigger and
louder (and flashier) than the smaller amp I use.  If you have to use the
line out anyway, why pay all that extra money for what really amounts to an
expensive stage monitor?  Why not use a HG2?

-Rick Davis


On Sat, Jan 31, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Having opened last week for Rod Piazza, and then seeing Mark Hummel's
> harmonica blowout show on Thursday... got to see and hear a variety of amp
> setups. Piazza used his trademark Harp King PLUS another unknown amp on top
> of it (big enough to house 2 10's, though). Hummell used not one but TWO
> Meteors. They sounded ... well, big. And loud. But Charlie Musselwhite
> brought his Cruncher to the blowout gig. Like the other amps, it was mic'd -
> and line-out'd into the PA. It had all the tone in the world. Sounded just
> great - in my opiknion better than the other amps. It clear, loud, crisp and
> crunchy - with plenty of low end. In a room that size the PA is always used
> to help with on-stage amplification, so the listening level in the house was
> the same. SO - do we really need huge back breaking amps on stage? Or is
> that more about showmanship and ego?
>
> /Greg
>
> http://www.blowsmeaway.com
> http://www.bluestateband.net
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
>



-- 
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
http://www.bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/