Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: General Discussion

Tone

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 09/12/2011 - 06:56
Dave Hall
Dave Hall's picture
Offline
Level 3
Joined: 05/08/2010

i was just reading a thread under the "Ask Skip Simmons" forum about amp choices...and decided to share a recent experience which seemed pertinent:

i recently heard Ian Collard play a small venue, outdoors. He was using a Blues Jr, borrowed from the guitarist in the band. i cant guarantee it was stock, but it was a guitarists amp. Ian was using a mic from Chuck Gurney

4 days later i heard a local player (a good local player, with well over 3 decades of gigging behind him) playing through a spanking new Sonny Jr Avenger, using one of the mics Sonny Jr sells.

this left me in absolutely no doubt that good tone is in control of the player, not the gear. Ian C sounded wonderful "he makes a harmonica sound like a saxophone" i heard from more than 1 listener. the guy with the sonny jr amp sounded great too, but not the same league. he also could sound like a sax, but he used a sax to do it...and to be fair, it was the 1st time he had gigged the amp.

this wont stop me trying to get a good amp happening of course. and i believe it takes some experience to learn to get the best from your gear. i'm not saying gear doesn't make a difference just that its a relatively small part...

Top
Tue, 09/13/2011 - 04:44
#1
Dave Hall
Dave Hall's picture
Offline
Level 3
Joined: 05/08/2010
just remembered...

i forgot...then i remembered...Ian C wasnt just playing through the Blues Jr; he was also going through his Lone Wolf pedals, the Delay and Harp Attack...i guess thats relevant...and maybe negates my comparison actually...oh well...

Top

Sign me up!

The low monthly subscription of $16.95 gives you full access! We accept major credit cards and PayPal.

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2022 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com