Ask Amp Tech Expert Skip Simmons

In order for a tube amp to develop it's maximum power with the least distortion, an amp's output impedance should be matched to the impedance of the speaker cabinet. In other words, an amp with a 4 ohm output should be connected to a 4 ohm cabinet. However, in the real world an amp can tolerate a mismatch of up to 100% ( up or down) without harming the amp in any way, so feel free to experiment a little. A popular thing to do is to add an extension speaker to your small combo amp. This doesn't actually make the amp more powerful, but it does add more apparent volume and punch. continue reading...

Quite a range of experts have been brought together on BluesHarmonica.com to give advice and answer questions. I know that those new to the site could really benefit from reading all of the old posts, and that people who have been around for awhile could also benefit from reading them again. continue reading...

Maybe this is just another crazy thought from the amp guy, but practicing harp with your microphone in your hands but WITHOUT an amp will improve your amplified tone. I know that a lot of the low-end in your tone is developed by cupping and technique, not just your amp, so try to practice while holding the mike in your hands even though you aren't using the amp. It may also keep neighbors and family a little happier!

Skip Simmons

which came first, the one with just the vibrato or the one with the reverb.
Are they in some different from eachother, apart from the reverb and vibrato features?

Hi Skip,
I'm hunting for my 1st amp (on a budget), won't go for the smokey 'couse I want to work on my tone, not trick it with a distorted sound.

I would really appriciate your opinion over the vht 6 special (I know on internet is possible to find everithing, but to ask someone trusted is a privilege I'm glad to have)

The VHT not only has very impressive review, but in the opinion of Rick Davis (http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com) who reviewed quiete a few amps, it is not only as good as the HG2 out of the box
-quote: "The VHT Special 6 amp is by far the best small harp amp" continue reading...

A recent question from a BH member has prompted this tip: if you are in the market for an amp, don't overlook vintage stuff. I recently bought a seventies Fender Champ for $280. Yes, it was no beauty contest winner and it needed a speaker, but this a top quality hand-wired amp that will give a lifetime of service. One peek inside the chassis of a new entry-level amp and the inside of an old Fender will reveal the shocking truth: new amps can sound great, but they just can't compete when it comes to quality of construction. continue reading...

A microphone (or guitar) will always lose a certain amount of treble when the volume pot is turned down. A small capacitor soldered across the two "hot" lugs of your mic's volume pot will keep the sound from becoming "darker" when the pot is turned down. You can experiment with different values, but 100pf is a good start. This mod has been around for years, but some of you may not have tried it. I think Rod Piazza was the first well-known guy to start adding this cap.

Skip Simmons

Hello Everyone- Since most of you may be fairly new to amplified harp, I don't want to bore you all with bypass caps, tube biasing, and transformer specs! Feel free to ask me any gear-related question. Even a very simple question that I might not think of could be very valuable to other members, so please, fire away! 

UPDATE:  Keep those questions coming. Please start a new thread for your post, so that it will show up as a new subject and your question isn't buried here.

Skip Simmons

Most two-channel amps will work amazingly well as a way to play along with pre-recorded music. With the right adapter, a computer, CD player, Ipod. etc. will sound pretty good when plugged in to the same input as a guitar or mic would use. Use the lowest-gain input if you have a choice.

Of course, your harp mic will be plugged in to the other channel, and you will be able to mix the volume to match the music.

Sure, it's a compromise, but it really sounds like you are "in the band" when its all coming out of the same speaker. Try it!

Skip Simmons

Hi Simmons,
I've read that the above mentioned amp is the one David encourage beginner to go for.
I would like to know how it can be used to practice with play along backing tracks... as far as I understood it has not a suitable aux in jack to be connected with an mp3 player.
What you advise, to connect it through a POd, or there are cheaper mod suitable for that porpouse?

If I'll be able to make the amp play the mp3 tracks, the sound will be distorted as well or there is a way to make it sound clean over a distorted harp?

Thank you for your kind assistance