Re: [Harp-L] Portable P.A. amp?

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"jazmaan@xxxxxxxxxxx" wrote:
<Am I the only person on a never-ending quest for a decent sounding portable amp that I can sing through <at a rehearsal where there's no P.A. system in the room?  Most guitar amps sound pretty crappy when you <try to sing through them.   Any recommendations?

A keyboard amp will certainly do the job--it's basically a self-contained PA system, designed to amplify sounds with sharp transients and a wide range of frequencies with minimal coloration.  Most keyboard amps include 3-4 bands of EQ and at least one lo-z XLR mic preamp, in addition to the usual hi-z instrument inputs.  Many of the newer models also include basic effects like reverb and delay.  (My Peavey KB/A 100, purchased new in 1996, also includes reverb, but it's about the worst reverb you ever heard.  What the hell--the mic preamp is really good.  The newer models use much better-sounding digital effects.)  You can even use a keyboard amp all by itself for your primary harp amp if all you want from the harp amp is clean and louder.

Keyboard amps cost anywhere from $150 to $500 new, depending on size and power.  Peavey and Roland are reliable names; Behringer has some good models, but make sure to check the specific model against the user reviews on harmonycentral.com.  I recommend something with at least a 10" speaker, although models are available with 8" speakers.  Make sure also that the model you buy has at least some EQ and at least one XLR mic input and preamp.

As an added plus, you can use a keyboard amp to add volume to your favorite harp amp or amp modeler on a gig.  I used my Peavey as the back end booster to my Crate VC508 for years, and I use it for my Digitech RP200 and RP250 now.  The keyboard amp just takes whatever you feed to the input and makes it louder--no added color like you'd get from a tube guitar amp.  Very handy.

Regards, Richard Hunter
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp