[Harp-L] Lone Wolf Harp Break, Lone Wolf Harp Attack

[David Brown <nonidesign@xxxxxxxxx>]

I thought it best to separate this discussion from John Sturm's post
regarding his sale of a Lone Wolf Harp Break effect pedal.

I ran a Sonny Jr 410 and a Sonny Jr Cruncher in tandem at a gig and put the
Harp BREAK in the effects chain with nothing else except a Kinder AFB and a
mic (late 50's Shure CM element).   The amps with the Harp Break "off" had
that creamy thundering drive associated with Bassman type amps. When I
engaged the Harp Break, the tone switched to a more aggressive "bite"
(Think of the opening notes of "Mellow Down Easy" by Little Walter). Wow. I
loved it.
 A few days later I ran the Harp Break through all my tube amps and it made
each one of them more punchy and snarly. It worked really great on my 64
Fender Deluxe Blackface.                 However, when I ran it into my 61
Gibson Discoverer it REALLY worked well. The EL82 power tubes in the amp
have a somewhat "mellower" tone to them. A great sounding amp on its own
for that type of sound. However, adding the Harp Break to it completely
changed the temperament of the amp's tone. It made it  fat, sharp, and
punchy. Wow.

Note: In all cases I had similar results at all volumes. Of course, using
the Kinder AFB allowed me to drive the volume up to about 8, so that helped
(boy did it), but even at low volumes (without the kinder in the chain) I
noticed a significant difference.

So, in summary, I think the Harp Break has three applications that I find
makes it a useful tool:
1. It can take larger amps and give them an over-driven tone associated
with smaller tube amps.
2. It can take an amp voiced through some stock power tube set-ups, and
give it a sound associated with another power tube type sound (as described
in the Gibson Discoverer example).
3. It can be used directly into a PA. I have done so, and was happy with
the tone, but I found the Harp Attack better suited to that purpose. I use
a Harp Attack in my amp-less rig and run it through the house PA (including
the monitors). I love it. I previously used a Harp commander (also a very
very good piece of gear), but felt the sound from the Harp Attack was more
to my taste.

Of course, all this is only my opinion, and my wife will tell you that
doesn't mean very much :-)


On Thu, Aug 7, 2014 at 11:37 AM, John Sturm <johnsmusic52@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> No reason, tried it with just the PA, worked decent.  We do a number of
> gigs that you have to take a boat to, was trying to get away without an
> amp. I have been through lots of gear, amps, mics, etc. Just that kind of
> guy. All Lone Wolf pedals are top notch. Speculating any different would be
> reading too much into it. I am in a music store 6 days a week. (owned it,
> sold it, stayed on to work here) I see gear heads every day. No matter what
> instrument you play, we are always looking for the Holy Grail.
>
> ------------------------------
> Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2014 11:17:16 -0500
>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] For sale
> From: nonidesign@xxxxxxxxx
> To: johnsmusic52@xxxxxxxxxxx
> CC: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>
>
> Not sure what John's reason was for for selling, but I just want to say
> that IMHO Randy's gear is good and I have never had any issues with him or
> his gear quality.
> I have a Lone Wolf delay, (2) Harp attack pedals (awesome for use with a
> PA), Lone Wolf anti-feedback pedal, and a Harp Break. In addition I also
> have (2) Kinder AFBs, have owned several Harp Commanders, and have a ton of
> other harp and guitar pedals as well.
> I use the Harp Break through loud amps (like a Bassman reissue) and it
> gives them a small amp growl/crunch while taking advantage of the amp's
> power.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Aug 6, 2014 at 9:38 AM, John Sturm <johnsmusic52@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> Lone Wolf Harp Break with 9 volt Dunlop AC adapter. Used twice, mint
> condition. first $135free shipping in the USA. Thanks
>
>
>
>