Re: [Harp-L] Amp modeler vs. tube amp pricing

[Gary Mulholland <g.e.mulholland@xxxxxxxxx>]

Ive spent thousands on amps but now I just use an rp through the PA , I
don't use many effects in fact I did the whole of our last gig using a
delay patch , that was all . And for the sound I want ive found the rp with
Richards patches has given me better tone than I ever got through a tube
amp. That's just me and I`m not saying ones better than the other but for
ease of set up, virtually unlimited volume, great tone with lush reverbs
and delays ( theres much more but I only use delays and reverbs ) and no
amp to lug around the country, I found the rp was by far the best way
forward tor me. I`m not a blues player and don't seek those overdriven
tones desired by so many but I`m pretty sure the rp does a great job there
too. In saying that I do own a wonderful custom made harp amp and cant
resist having a blast through it with one of Gregs ultimate 545s !! but do
I want to lug it to gigs anymore ? Only if I was doing a pure blues gig,
Like I said before the rp is far better suited to my style of play

Gary


On Tue, Sep 10, 2013 at 8:24 PM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Boris Plotnikov wrote:
> <Richard, anyway that 200$ tube amp have speaker and makes harmonica louder
> <besides effect, while Digitech RP is only FX and modeller unit and need an
> <amp with a speaker anyway. So to compare price/functionality/quality add
> <another 200$ for a keyboard amp.<
>
> Boris is absolutely correct that any amp modeler, Digitech RPs included,
> requires an amp of some sort to be heard. Some amp modelers, like the
> Peavey Vypr and Tranformer (beloved of Peter Ruth), the Line 6 Spyder
> series, and the Fender Mustang series, are sold as a self-contained system
> that includes an amp and speaker.  These tend to be priced significantly
> lower than a non-modeled amp of similar power; for example, a 40-watt
> Fender Mustang with a 12" speaker, roughly equivalent to a Blues Junior in
> terms of power, sells for $200, about the same as a similarly configured
> Vypr.
>
> For the Digitech RPs (or the POD HD/Zoom G3/etc.), which have no built-in
> amp, an amp of some sort is required.  However, that amp can be the PA.
>  Since every band (as a rule) has some kind of PA system, assuming that
> there's an otherwise unused channel on the PA, the amp modeler can be run
> straight to the PA, which is usually the biggest and loudest amp in the
> room.  In that case, the harp player only needs to pay for the amp modeler
> (and of course, if the modeler is an RP, for my patch set, or so I would
> hope).
>
> But assume we need to buy a keyboard amp too.  Keyboard amps big enough to
> be useful for performance with a band start at about $200 or so; my Peavey
> KB2 sells new for about $250.  Add in an RP355 ($200 new) and my patch set
> ($35) and the total is $435-485.  (Again, if you can use the PA, it's
> $235.) That's about $85-130 more than a Fender Super Champ XT, but it's
> also louder and far more flexible in terms of the sounds it produces (and
> the player's ability to change and shape sound in performance), and the RP
> can be taken to a gig by itself in a shoulder bag if a PA is available.
>  Getting the Super Champ onto an airplane, or even on a subway, is no easy
> thing by comparison, and you don't need an Anvil case to travel with an RP.
>
> In short, the price/performance ratio for amp modelers is very strong in
> comparison to more-traditional approaches to amplification.  Regarding any
> perceived shortcomings in tone, I have used an RP of one sort or another at
> every performance I've played for the last several years, many of which are
> documented via recordings at http://hunterharp.com.   Like I said in a
> previous post, I prefer to let the recordings speak for themselves, so
> check it out if you're so inclined.  If you think your preferred rig sounds
> a lot better than what you hear there, let me know, and point me to one or
> more of your own recordings so I can hear what I'm apparently missing.
>
> Regards, Richard Hunter
>
> author, "Jazz Harp"
> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
> Myspace http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
> more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
> Twitter: lightninrick
>