Re: [Harp-L] Amps

[Rick Davis <bluesharpamps@xxxxxxxxx>]

The Fender Frontman 15 actually makes a pretty decent harp amp for the
money.  Here is a link to a video of a Dex Lane playing his at Ziggies
Blues Jam in Denver:

http://youtu.be/7wvgMk-fmRg

Does it give you great harp sound?  No, but it certainly is not bad.  I was
impressed.  A few years ago I saw Clay Kirkland play through one of these
amps in the local IBC competition.  He won, and his performance and tone
were excellent using only a Fender Frontman 15 and a delay pedal.

Tony, as a starting amp it can teach you a lot about mic technique,
feedback issues, and it will be loud enough for some stage work,  If you
aspire to play amped blues harp, there is no substitution for what an amp
does.  Of course, a vintage style tube amp might be "better" if that is the
sound you are after, but there are none I could recommend in the price
range you specified.

-Rick Davis
Memphis Blues Amps
Denver Colorado USA

On Tue, Sep 23, 2014 at 8:27 AM, Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

> Tony Stephens wrote:
> <I would like to see if anyone has used a Fender Frontman G15 amp for
> playing the harmonica? If not what is a good starting amp. $100.00 or less.
>
> Forget the Frontman.  It won't give you a great harp sound.  Ever.
> Period.  I've heard people try.
>
> $100 is way low for a starter amp.  However, the Fender Mustang 1 sells
> new for about $120.  It's a "modeling" amp, i.e. it uses computer chips to
> emulate the processing path for a "real" tube amp.  It's small, so not
> useful for loud jams or working with a band, but it will give you a good
> sound with a little tweaking from the front panel.  However, it doesn't
> have a line-out feature, which means you can't easily use it with a PA
> system or bigger amp when you want to take your sound to a bigger venue.
>
> At $200 your choices get a lot better and more various.  In that range
> there are plenty of 5-watt tube amps that are solid performers for
> Chicago-style blues, as well as bigger, more powerful modeling amps, like
> the Mustang 2.  At that price you can also get a dedicated amp modeler,
> like a Digitech RP 155 or 255, plus a small keyboard amp like the Peavey
> KB1 or the Behringer KT108.  The small amp will get you started, and you
> can replace it with a bigger keyboard amp when you're ready to get louder.
> The amp modeling device will work with anything you plug it into.
>
> For more information see:
> http://www.hunterharp.com/whats-the-best-choice-for-your-first-amp/
>
> Regards, Richard Hunter
>
>
>