Amp Comparison

Looking at all of the choices for amplifiers out there today, both new and vintage, it can be challenging to decide on a rig that meets your needs. At the 2010 San Jose Harmonica Masterclass Workshop we gathered 26 tube amplifiers known for sounding good for the harp and gave them all a taste test. I was joined by tone monsters Gary Smith and Dennis Gruenling. In this test we try small, medium and large amps and speak about some important elements of using them on the bandstand. Below is the list of amps we tested in order of appearance. There are plenty of other great sounding amps that we could have included, but this is what I, the artists and students coming to the class could come up with... no amp was included or excluded for any reason other than this is what we could get our hands on. Thanks to everyone for bringing the amps in! AMPS (Listed in order of appearance) Masco, Model: 3311 - Newcomb speaker cabinet, 15" speaker & cone - Jon Harl Kalamazoo, Model: 1, 5 watts, 10" speaker - David Barrett Kalamazoo, Model: 2, 5 watts, 10" speaker - Jon Harl Supro, Model: Chicago 51, 5 watts, 10" speaker - David Barrett Epiphone Head & Cab (New) - Speaker changed to Jensen Alnico - Gary Smith Kalamazoo (New) - 7 watts, 8" Jensen Alnico - Joseph M. Goforth Fender Champ Clone (New) - 5 watts, 8" speaker - Joe Lempkowski Fender, Model: Pro Junior, 15 watts, Alnico 10" - Gary Smith Fender, Model: Super Champ XD (New), 10" speaker - David Barrett Fender, Model: Princeton (1959), 5 watt, 10" Speaker - Mark Overman Fender, Model: Princeton Reverb (1967), 12 watts, 10" speaker Meteor, Model: Mini Meat, 20 & 30 watts choice, 1x10" & 2x8" speakers - Joe Lempkowski Kalamazoo (New), 17 watts, 2x10" alnico - Joseph M. Goforth Sonny Junior, Model: 1, 4x8" speakers - Kinya Pollard Victoria, Model: Duel Professional (New), 2x10" - Gary Smith Fender, Model: Vibroverb (New), 30 watts, 2x10" speakers - David Croall Egnator, 0-20 watts, 1x10" & 1x12" Jenson - Gary Smith Meteor, 50 watts, 2x10" & 1x12" speakers - Jim Johnson MegaTone, Model: WEZO-45, 45 watts, 2x10" & Cabinet 2x12" - David Barrett Sonny Jr, Model: Cruncher, 1x12" alnico Weber & 1x8" alnico Weber, 1x8" Ceramic - Gary Smith Fender, Model: Bassman, 45 watts, Early 1990's Reissue (Eminance speakers) - Kinya Pollard Fender, Model: Bassman, 45 watts, Early 1990's Reissue with vintage P10R speakers - Mark Overman Sonny Jr, Model: 4x10, 45 watts, 4x10" speakers - Dennis Low Harp King, Model 4x10, 70 Watts, 4x10" speakers - Mark Overman Harp King, Model 6x10, 100 Watts, 6x10" speakers - Mark Overman Fender, Model: Super Reverb, 75 watts, 4x10" (Paul Butterfield's actual amp!) - Kinya Pollard