[Harp-L] Lee Oskar

[Chad Nordstrom]

From the website (general pedal info for harmonica):
https://www.leeoskarquickguide.com/harmonica-effects <https://www.leeoskarquickguide.com/harmonica-effects>

Lee playing through a rack (you can see his rack behind him):
https://youtu.be/mOXiJXHkiVA <https://youtu.be/4g4SNiHTwUE>

From the www.hunterharp.com <http://www.hunterharp.com/> (no longer live):
Favorite Gear

Stage: It depends on the music. My on-stage and studio handheld mic is an M160 Beyerdynamic double ribbon. I’ve used it for over 30 years. The M160 Byerdynamic is very “flat” (in terms of frequency response). It’s not as easy to blow out as you might think, too. I have them serviced occasionally, but I’ve never had one fail.

My current amp is a Shenandoah 200 by GenzBenz. I also like the Roland Jazz Chorus 120 and the Trace Elliott 100. I always like to start with a clean sound. You can’t really add to a sound; you can only take away. You can always make a clean sound dirty, but you can’t go the other way.

For effects pedals, I use two Digitech Whammy pedals, one set to an octave down, the other to chorus. I also like the Boss OC-2 analog octave doubler pedal. I have a custom made envelope filter pedal with the EQ designed by me. I use other effects pedals depending on what I want at the time. I don’t use distortion devices.

Reverbs and delays are important. I prefer high-end Lexicons. I have in my concert contract rider that I get two Lexicons. I use one for reverb and one for delay. TC Electronics makes good stuff too, but Lexicon gear is more widely available, and you always have to give the promoters 2-3 options. (Richard Hunter note: Lexicon makes reverbs selling for as little as $200 street price, and even the low-end models like the MPX110 sound great on stage and in the studio.)

When I play live, it’s important to me to use a direct box. My favorite is the Rapco Sweet T Tube DI. Regardless, I always use a DI box and run the effects into the DI, then run the DI to both the amp and the PA.

Everyone should carry their own mics, both for the sound and because of health reasons. I think it’s ridiculous when people mic an amp with any old mic that’s available. If you’re going to mic your amp, you should choose a particular mic. If it was me, I’d use the Beyerdynamic M160.

Studio: I’m always looking at new preamps. Pendulum Audio and the Vipre by Groove Tubes are my current favorites. There are lots of good preamps out there. Pendulum is a handmade masterpiece. I also like the UA tube preamps.


> On Feb 25, 2021, at 11:15 AM, Thomas E. McGovern <tmcg at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Hal,
> I can't answer your question, but I suggest you just give him a call at the number on his website (425-258-3585).  A couple of years ago, I needed an Eb minor tuned harp for a show and was short on time to get it. I called that number, ordered the harp for quick delivery, and was asking the rep a few questions and he asked "would you like to speak with Lee about that?' I said "sure," on hold for a bit and then Lee and I had a nice conversation. He was very gracious with his time and more than willing to talk harmonica. Maybe I just got lucky with the timing of my call, but it's worth a try to get your answer straight from the horse's mouth.
> Tom McGovern
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harp-L [mailto:harp-l-bounces at xxxxx] On Behalf Of Hal Iwan
> Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2021 11:10 AM
> To: harp-l at xxxxx
> Subject: [Harp-L] Lee Oskar
> 
> Hello all
> Can anyone clue me in on a couple other pedals Lee uses on Low Rider? I’ve only used an octave with a low C harp for solo. Major C for hook.
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
>