Tblues1
4 posts
Nov 12, 2011
2:09 PM
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Thinking of a single 15 inch speaker, 50W harp amp setup.
Any tips on speaker choice?
Alnico, ceramic, Weber, or?
Don't want too much early breakup, but I want some to be there when I lean into it a little bit.
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jimbo-G
42 posts
Nov 12, 2011
6:01 PM
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You want single 10" or two 8" IMO
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FMWoodeye
18 posts
Nov 12, 2011
6:27 PM
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Well, keep the comments coming. I'm looking for some gear, but I can't afford a lot of trial and error, and I can't afford a Sonny Jr. Avenger at $1,850. I might be attending that blues harp clinic in Columbus on the 19th, and it's said you can try the Avenger there. But I'm more into getting some used stuff that works for a less than wealthy old fat guy.
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jimbo-G
43 posts
Nov 12, 2011
8:09 PM
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I am going to be getting a vht special 6 purely on everybody's comments and on watching videos they look amazing and you can always Mic it if you need.
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Pluto
189 posts
Nov 13, 2011
7:20 AM
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Tblues1,
I own a minimeat which sports a 15" speaker. Originally they came equipped with a 10" and 2-8" speaker. The 15" setup sounds considerably better than the three speaker set up. But I would caution you from extrapolating from this application. I've tried unsuccessfully to incorporate a 15" with other amps.
That said, the Meteor Minimeat is the best amp I've ever used, included the Sonny Cruncher, Mission 20-35 or Harpgear 412.
Last Edited by on Nov 13, 2011 7:21 AM
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7LimitJI
576 posts
Nov 13, 2011
7:55 AM
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I've got an Electro Voice EVM 15L that sounds great with a Bassman head.
It does not have the volume of a 4 x 10" cab but has a nicer tone.
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The Pentatonics Myspace
Youtube
"Why don't you leave some holes when you play, and maybe some music will fall out".
"It's music,not just complicated noise".
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dted
7 posts
Nov 13, 2011
8:24 AM
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@PLUTO ---Please email me regarding Meteor 15". I would like to ask you a couple questions about your setup. Thanks---Dave
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Mojokane
467 posts
Nov 13, 2011
11:58 AM
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tblues,
I've always had bad luck with 15's. Feedback issues, and not enough grit and tone for my tastes. I like a Gary Primich, Paul Butterfield, Rod Piazza type of tone. But I don't play the big ass venues and can't afford the out of this world prices of what they use.
I would forget any hopes of making a 15 sound good. You really need to be more specific as to what you want to hear from a speaker, amp, and mic, combo.
Who are your influences, what mic do you fancy?
..and who would you consider to be the "sound" you want?...and go from there.
I play small to medium venues, and have found a pair of EL84 (12-14 watts), with vintage Rola's 2X10 or 2X12 speakers, to be the closest thing to these guys..
A good 1X12 is alright, too, but lacks enough bottom. There is plenty for some, but I prefer a good bottom end mostly. And THIN doesn't cut it.
A pair of 6V6's are great, too. For 2X8's, they are awesome. Ceramic 8's are the best, no less. Giving you a louder and stronger mid range. Alnico's don't measure up with a 2X8 load, don't ask me why.
They are close in tone, but the EL84 tends toward finer clarity with the distortion factor at lower volumes. Let's not forget the creamier mids, highs, and punch, when I need it.
I recommend, when going through the PA...
A Sennheiser 609...my newest addition, and it has out performed the standard Shure 57 in spades.
Allowing you the benefits of reverb, and truly dialing in your tone a little better, through the PA.
FINALLY, WHAT IS THE AMP YOU ARE PLAYING THROUGH?
50 WATTS IS A BIT TOO MUCH.
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Why is it that we all just can't get along?<
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5F6H
977 posts
Nov 13, 2011
1:03 PM
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@Mojokane "50 WATTS IS A BIT TOO MUCH."
I took "50W" to mean a pair of 6L6 in fixed bias, which is the most common format for a stage amp used for harp.
Tblues - if you head/knew of a 15" that you really liked the sound of, then I'd understand the request better, but whatever power output you stuff into it, a single 15" is not going to kick as much out as 3 or 4x10".
The amp design will have more effect on when & how much break up you get, a 50W+ 15" will still probably sound great with a 5W amp, but you don't want it limiting the 50W amp by being unable to cope with the output. Pick the speaker for tone, tweak the circuit for "break up".
I'm not saying don't go for a 15" (Norton Buffalo, Little George Sueref, James Harman, Kim Wilson have all got great sounds with them) just go in with your eyes open regarding relative output (db).
As Arne says, Scooter Berberian is the only guy offering current 15" based harp amp, I'd guess he has auditioned a few.
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www.myspace.com/markburness
Last Edited by on Nov 13, 2011 1:07 PM
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toddg
78 posts
Nov 13, 2011
1:26 PM
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Hi FM ,
Contact me offline If you want .My info is on my profile , I have a lot of good amps I might sell Silvertones , Airline ,Plus might part with my SJ super sonny and Cruncher for the right price
Todd
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strawwoodclaw
282 posts
Nov 13, 2011
4:00 PM
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My Meteor has a Weber 15F150 in a 30 watt amp & that sounds great. If you are using a 50 watt amp a 150 watt 15" Eminence Legend might be good especially if you have a Kinder AFB+ pedal. I love 15" speakers for harp. there is somebody on ebay who sells vintage Jensen C15N re coned by Weber. I think the alnicos break up quicker than ceramics. what is the 50watt harp amp that it is going in?I get loads of grit & tone out of the Meteor 15
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shbamac
172 posts
Nov 13, 2011
4:35 PM
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I've got a 60's Custom Kraft Electra Bass Amp (same as the Lectrolab R700C) with a 65 Jensen C15N. No idea how this speaker would work in another amp but it's excellent in this one... per my taste.
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Tblues1
5 posts
Nov 13, 2011
7:50 PM
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Thanks for all the info.
I'm thinking of the Mission Harp Amp setup with the 50W transformer option.
My reasoning is to try for maximum punch with minimum weight, without relying on line out or micing. Nice to have the option but I prefer to not rely on it.
Thought a 15 would be a different approach.
I don't really want a Meteor.
Don't like the big one for a couple of reasons I won't go into.
Main influences on style would probably be Charley Musselwhite, Paul Butterfield, maybe Mark Hummel, hard to say , They all have something.
At this point it's just an idea.
I'd like to get waht info I can before taking the plunge.
Harp King, Bassman, Megatone are really a little heavier than I'd prefer. Not out of the question, but light weight is a good thing.
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5F6H
978 posts
Nov 14, 2011
4:53 AM
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Head & cab, rather than a combo?
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www.myspace.com/markburness
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tjtaylor
5 posts
Nov 14, 2011
7:51 AM
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Look around, try some 15' speaker amps out, I agree with a previous post that 50 watts might be a stretch. I own a 1960 Danelectro with a 15' Utah speaker and 6L6s but I would say it's more like 30 watts. It is one sweet harp amp, really has a lot of vintage tone and is useable under most conditions. It is hard to find a 15' amp that is good for harp but when you find one they are awesome. By the way I gave$250.00 for the amp about a year and a half ago. There are several demos on youtube of good harp players using these type amps if you look around a bit.
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shbamac
173 posts
Nov 14, 2011
10:52 AM
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I've got a Mission 1x12" config. Excellent amp, very versatile, tons of thick creamy bottom end. From what I listened to (on the net) the Mission is darker than any other "harp amp" out there. Which is one of the main reasons I went with it.
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strawwoodclaw
283 posts
Nov 14, 2011
6:11 PM
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The Mission harp amp is a 30 watt amp with a 50 watt transformer to beef up the sound. Megatone do a lighter weight 30 watt harp amp as well. 15" speakers are great for harp,Big speaker Big Tone .
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Baltobluesman
11 posts
Nov 14, 2011
6:39 PM
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Admittedly, I was going for a distinctive sound and I didn't have a tone of $$ to spend, but I swapped out the speakers in my Fender Super 210 over the summer with a couple of Eminence Patriot series Ragin Cajun (10 inch) and it bloody screams. Major improvement in tone and volume over the stock speakers, I don't have to mic the amp anymore and I love the tone. The clean channel breaks up at just the right point for me and I haven't had to mic it since I swapped--and I play in a 6 piece with a very big sound. They aren't alnicos, so it's a heavy mother to haul, but I stop ma bitching as soon as I flip the standby switch and blow those first few notes... But you have to find your own sound. Read reviews, listen to samples online, find someone who has one you can play thru and remember, if you don't love it when you first hear it, you won't want to play through it once it's in your rig...
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