Re: [Harp-L] Lapel mic setup for traveller.

["Billy James" <billyjames@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Arnold, 
Well, I'm very sorry to say that this little mic seems to have no brand embossed *[the pack discarded long ago]. 
It's a standard looking black 'steel' head/silver spot grill with a plastic DC power adapter DPA315 in the line *[which by the way I had extended years ago when using it for street busking]. It comes with a 1/4" jacks plug. 
Also It takes 1XAA battery. 
I suggest in my experience, Lapel mics are usually worth anything between $10 and $40 AUS. 
I've even seen them in street markets from time to time, so they are worth a try. There are 'no specs' available with this one [which I've had and hardly used for at least 12 years].This was initially purchased for use to mic a Stomp Board.
I just took this outta my collection, as I didn't want to risk loosing a good 'bullet' whilst footing it about Thailand plus I basically thought it worked ok and was very light weight and one can hit it with  quite a effective cupped hand effect [which can be an extra style enhancing option]. It was 'quick to setup' a thicker however slightly 'synthed' tone also to control, independently from vocal mics, to my PA channel and the LW Tone pedal was up pretty much up 'full'. So Is it Hi Impedence? 
I can't say. Obviously another alternative may be a FM lapel mic which could juice it up a touch more? I suggest other players and techs may know much more about the use of lapel mics? Madcap Ruths bizzare hand microphone never grabbed me[it was quite expensive too if I recall].
For now all I can wish is happy days and may you discover what suits you ASAP.
Thanks for the quiz Arnold-
Sincerely,Billy James 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Arnold Wiliem 
  To: Billy James 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 6:53 AM
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Doing the Thailand Harp Shuffle


  Hey Billy!

  May I know what kind of cheap lapel mic you have? Because at this moment I'm looking for a cheap mic that has high impedance and suitable to be plugged into Lone Wolf effect pedal. Currently, maybe my budget is around 50-90 bucks.

  Cheers!
  Arnold


  On Tue, Mar 31, 2009 at 1:13 PM, Billy James <billyjames@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

    Just a note to thank those HarpL members who gave me decent 'advice' and a few tips on travel and blues in Thailand recently.
    I'm back home and happily so, after playing spots in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and basically orientating myself all about the country north and south.

     For this trip I simply took 'an eight harp attachment' to the lefty belt made by Jeffrey Spoor at Cumberland Custom Cases plus the nifty Lone Wolf Tone Pedal, plus simply a cheap lapel mic and cords. The darn setup worked very well indeed direct to P.A.
    It certainly helped create an 'truly awesome harp sound' on my material supported by an eight piece [three saxophone] big band at the Jazz bar in Chaing Mai.
    At first a bit daunting to jump in after the dwiddle of the jazz, I hit them with two menacing Howlin' Wolf style numbers and around three hundred partying expats and Thais went wild.
    I found the Saxophone Club and the Blues Bar in Bangkok great fun too, mind you several local players practically fought to get on and jam later one night.
    Fortunately, I was relaxed and prepared early, plugged in for action. The Blues gigs obviously often begin later in the evening and it's always a gas to chat with bar staff and other players.
    Most of the Thai musicians I met [in several genres] were excellent players with a fine knowledge and feel for blues. Lots of expats from Chicago to 'hell knows' are over there and they can swing it too.
    I played harp and Jaw harp [which was a big hit] in many situations and in common place communications. I found the result was always very warm and open to fun. They truly are the Land of Smiles over there, but also the Land of Struggle as is most of the third world .
    I found the country is physically hard yards [unless you are a fat tourist with it all sussed and booked into resorts], but it was rewarding and it has many opportunities musically, I think.
    I found the music stores were well stocked in Hohners however the common Chinese harmonicas majorly affordably available to the Thai's  are absolutely useless.
    So now I've come home and immediately ordered the Lone Wolf Harp Attack Pedal. I'm impressed with the fact a reasonably cheap effects unit can be risked and packed for travel to give me that extra oomph when jumping into uncontrolled jamming opportunities to perform. I'm sure it will earn it's keep as has the Tone Pedal.
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