Re: [Harp-L] SS Rectifier

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

In fact, the excellent VHT Special 6 amp has an SS rectifier.  It is one of
the best small harp amps I've ever heard.

The issue is sag in larger amps, a very desirable tonal element much beloved
by the greats during the golden age of blues harp.  To my ear, the copper
plug-in SS recto sounds less warm than the real tube rectifiers used by
players such as Little Walter Jacobs and Big Walter Horton.

To be sure, some people prefer the crisper sound the copper recto provides.
Speaking for myself, I like a more vintage tone.

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

On Sat, Dec 11, 2010 at 3:45 PM, chicago bluesman <
chicagobluesman@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>
> I'm just wrapping up a series of gigs with an Italian blues band and I keep
> a HarpGear Rock Bottom amp over here for these occasions.  It's got a SS
> rectifier and I have to say that the tone is just lovely.  I also have two
> other HarpGears (an HG 2 and an HG35), as well as some other assorted amps,
> so I have a reference point.  The Rock Bottom's tone delivers a warm crunch
> and I would challenge anyone to identify it as a SS rectifier.
>
> > From: mx714@xxxxxxxxxxx
> > To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2010 08:19:08 -0500
> > Subject: [Harp-L] SS Rectifier
>  >
> >
> >  Rick Davis states: "The
> > rectifier tube is one of the tone generating components in a vintage tube
> > harp amp, and solid state just doesn’t cut it."
> >  The brown Fender Bandmaster and the Brown Vibrolux,two great amps for
> guitar and harp both came from the
> > factory with SS rectifiers. If solid state did not cut it,Leo would not
> have used it. I think it depends on the amp,
> > but you surely can't state the Brown Vibro and Bandmaster don't have
> great tone.
> >  The HarpKing also uses a SS rectifier,and it is one of the most
> versatile amps out there.
> >
> >
>
>