recommendations for harp players
some observations from a blues gig recently
- If you bring your own amp, make it a loud one - my 45W Behringer Keyboard amp and PA didn't cut it at very loud volumes, even as a monitor - it's ok for jazz gigs, but not for the occasions when sound levels are cranked up. I was originally intending to use the amp just as a monitor, and to line out to the PA, but the PA had been misbehaving and I ended up lining in only after I couldn't hear anything through the amp! I'll be bringing the Back-Breaker next time. I've been very happy with the Behringer other than for louder gigs - I'd just recommend a 90W. Mind you, I hadn't time to set up properly, and it is possible that the gain of the preamp I was using was just too high for the box.
- Bring all keys of Richter diatonics to a blues gig. I was missing 1 in the set of 12, and guess what? Several tunes were in that key - B major. I played in third position on an A harp instead - this was ok.
- Have your harmonicas set up for the way you're going to play live. I had a harp set up for very easy overbending, but at full throttle, it cut out occasionally. A stock harmonica with minor modifications did the trick. By setting up here, I mean set the reed gaps in a way that's consistent with your playing style.
- My life was made a lot easier the Hetrick Harp Case, where I could see and grab every blues harp or chromatic harmonica I needed quickly.
- It is indeed possible to get the much acclaimed Audix Fireball to feedback. I was glad I had it, though, for the volume control was invaluable, and also as my usual mic may have been worse for feedback.
- The Digitech RPx400 amp modelling floor pedal sounds great live. I mostly left it on the one setting, but I could get a nice biting Fender Bassman type sound, without lugging one of those around. I think the RPx400 is a bit lightweight for everyday gig use - it will stand up to the occasional gig, but I'm not sure it would withstand constant bashing. It seems to be more aimed at the home recording guitarist. On the other hand, it has enough outputs (left and right line out, left and right XLR) to connect in stereo to any PA or amp, so maybe I'm being a little critical. See the gear page for a review of this unit.
eugeneryan.com