Solid State Amps for Harmonica - the Peavey Studio Pro 40

[@neocollective]

Great tone and demo !! Couldn't agree more with your approach, my $2k basses are jealous of the passionate affair I'm having with a $100 Squier I met on Craigslist, LOL

[@mitchelevans9914]

Not bad at all. If one is on a budget, this is a really good way to go. It's a bit like what I did until I got a Stage5. That Behringer mic must help the amp get a good tone. I also recommend a noise gate pedal for amps not customized for harp, to help prevent feedback. Your playing is a step or 3 above most of the other dudes who have Harp amp reviews on the Tube. I can listen to you play without cringing.

[@craig7102]

not a bad tone at all

[@Jonathan-L]

That Berhinger XM8500 actually sounds nice!

[@OneHarp]

Indeed! And very little $$. People are obsessed with what they think they *need* to sound good, when they ought to be paying more attention on figuring out *how to use what they have* (or what they can afford) to its full extent. I think most people will be surprised at how nice they can sound with "average" or even "cheap" gear...

[@Jonathan-L]

Ditto to that. I've been on the 'boutique gear' merry-go-round on & off over the years and I actually enjoy coming back to cheap 'garden variety' gear. Whilst I may never get that holy grail sound that would cost big $$$ of trial & error with buying & selling expensive mics & amps, I'm happy with cheap gear that still sounds good for what it is. I remember a couple of years ago I bought a Fender Champion 20 and it turned out to be quite good for harmonica. I've also got a $800 custom built harp mic from Chicago and a $100 Blackstar Fly 3 ... they're both good amps, but the Fly 3 is a little gem, perfect for home practice & small jams. I have a cheap old no-name brand of vocal dynamic mic that is beat up but sounds good. I've bought bullet mics (eg re-issue JT30, Shure 520D, Bulletini) that don't sound any better than cheap alternatives (eg Superlux D112C). There's a clear reason though; it's my playing technique ... only a highly skilled technique will make vintage mics & boutique amps sound they way they should. It's a bit like guitarists playing style being able to bring out the best in their pickups, pedals, amps. For harmonica, one thing that is important to tone and that's the acoustics of the room ... larger room, wooden floorboards, high ceilings give a good sound. Have fun!

[@OneHarp]

Great response! Yes, gear is fun on it's own to get into, discuss, debate, etc., but it is also too easy to get sucked down a never ending spiral of GAS. Lol! I think we all have to go through that on our own to some extent, and hopefully we come out the other end wiser, if not richer...

[@mdoug5608]

+OneHarp i totaly agree, i'm a guitar player (playing blues, rhythm'n'blues), and it's the same here in France, a lot of people loose time and money to find the best gear, without spending enough time in playing...it's a consumerist way of thinking, happiness by "having", not playing... :-(

[@denniscochran1747]

okay sonny

[@greghenderson4582]

Dont do anymore of these videos the price on these will go up too high for all of us that love these amps !!!

[@OneHarp]

Haha! Ok, mouth zipped!