RE: [Harp-L] Substitute for tweed champ

[chicago bluesman <chicagobluesman@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I'm a big fan of the Harpgear line.  I've got an HG2, recently purchased a Double Trouble and use an HG35 for bigger/louder gigs in larger venues.  Like many people who subscribe to this list, I've owned a bunch of amps over the years and haven't played through anything that beats the HG2 in the small amp category.  I own a pristine '65 Fender Vibro-Champ, which is a lovely little museum piece, but to my ear it can't match the HG2 for tone and punch.  Other smallish amps that I've previously owned but have since sold in favor of the HG2 include: a Sears Silvertone, a couple of Kalamazoo's (great in their own way), a sliverface Princeton and an Ampeg Reverbrocket.  The HG2 has a line out jack should you need it--the way I hold my own with guitar players and work around the feedback problem is to go into the PA when needed.  So...maybe you'll get a chance to test drive one yourself sometime--I'd check it out.

All the best,

John

> Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:41:20 -0500
> From: bbbean@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Substitute for tweed champ
> 
> I've been out of the scene for several years, playing only the 
> occasional sit in and studio gigs, but I'm starting to pick up a few 
> more harp gigs. I have a great 6X8 Sonny Jr Bassman clone amp that's 
> great for big rooms or battling obnoxious guitarists, but I've been 
> using my mid-50s tweed champ for gigs with a decent sound man or small 
> rooms.
> Unfortunately, it's beginning to pick up a few crackles it didn't used 
> to have, and a quick check of prices show it's worth a whole lot more 
> than the $250 I paid for it in 1990 or so.
> So I'm thinking I should set it aside with my 54 Les Paul amp for studio 
> use only and get something a little newer and more easily replaceable 
> for gigs. I've seen the website for the Harpgear 2 amp, and am trying to 
> track down a Sonny Jr., but are there any other comparable small tube 
> amps worth checking out  these days? I'm not made of money, but I'm 
> willing to spend a few extra $$$ to get something that sounds right. I'd 
> much rather have a $1500 amp that barks like my sax than to have a $200 
> amp that yips like a chihuahua.
> Suggestions?
> 
> BB