Re: [Harp-L] still need to decide on a mic



Yes, I am familiar with the Vox DA5 and with other small modelling amps.  To
compare their tone with a Super Sonny (a very fine large tube harp amp) is
kind of silly.

There are lots of good small tube amps out there that will sound better if
the new player aspires to the "Chicago Sound."   I have no doubt the Vox DA5
(or the small Roland COSM amps) can sound good for jazz, but for blues the
the tone of a good small tube amp is unique.  Gary Smith owns an Epiphone
Valve Jr. Half Stack for practice and he told me the tone is amazing.  He
even occasionally gigs it in small venues.  That is high praise from a
player considered by many to have the finest vintage Chicago harp tone.
I've played the Epiphone and it has impressive natural blues sound.

Digital modelers just can't duplicate the character of a good tube amp.  I
cannot think of a single top pro "Chicago style" player who relies on
digital processing instead of real tube warmth.  The young player who
initiated this thread said he was after the Chicago tone, so in my opinion
he would be best served by using the real thing.

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

On Wed, Sep 1, 2010 at 3:14 PM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Rick Davis wrote:
> <If your goal is "Chicago blues sound" I'm not sure the Vox DA5 (or any
> small
> <solid state amp) is your best choice.  Since you aspire toward the old
> <school Chicago tone you will no doubt be attracted to tube amps as your
> harp
> <journey progresses and your skill and ear improve.  The tone you admire
> was
> <produced with tube amps.  My suggestion would be to start out with a small
> <tube amplifier.
>
> Rick, the DA5 is an amp modeling amplifier, not just a "solid state amp."
>  Among other amps, I own a Crate VC508 modded by Ron Holmes and a Sonny
> Junior Super Sonny, two excellent tube amps set up by two of the best harp
> techs in the world.  I know good tube tone, and the DA5 produces very good
> harp tones.



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