Lightweight amplifier?

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This topic has 39 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 10 years, 2 months ago by Sylvia.

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January 11, 2013 at 7:33 pm #112160

Sylvia
Participant

I’m trying to find a lightweight amplifier 30 watts or above, for a pedal harp. This was discussed in an old thread, but I thought maybe someone had discovered something since then. Thank you.

January 12, 2013 at 5:25 pm #112161

Sylvia
Participant

I’m interested only in an amp that is not connected to the harp.

January 12, 2013 at 8:03 pm #112162

katie-buckley
Participant

I’ve played a few times with this amp on my electric harp. Its not bad, though I’m not sure it has enough in the low end. The size is great! Maybe worth checking out…
http://www.aer-amps.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=374&Itemid=100402&lang=en

January 12, 2013 at 8:44 pm #112163

Sylvia
Participant

Where did you place your mike? I’m assuming your harp was not plugged into the amp.

January 14, 2013 at 8:12 pm #112164

katie-buckley
Participant

Oh, I used it with my electric harp. But when I mic my acoustic harp, I use a contact mic on the soundboard at the biggest (widest) part, on one side. I attach it with the gummy stuff you use to hang posters? Its called sticky fix here. It never leaves any marks or causes any problems. It seems to work pretty well.

January 16, 2013 at 12:04 pm #112165

Sylvia
Participant

But doesn’t it pick up the sound of pedals moving? I had one years ago, and it amplified the pedals, plus the cord made a swishing sound every time I moved.

January 16, 2013 at 4:10 pm #112166

Maya
Participant

I use a Vox Valvetronix with a Dusty Strings harp pickup & it works great for me. It can sound a touch boomy in the low end but that will always be an issue when amplifying an orchestral harp. Overall, it’s a great little amp with lots of features for the price.

January 16, 2013 at 5:28 pm #112167

Sylvia
Participant

But where do you put the pickup, and doesn’t it amplify the pedal sounds and…if it has a cable, doesn’t the cable make sounds moving around?
Doesn’t anyone but me use a separate microphone with an amp?

January 16, 2013 at 6:46 pm #112168

katie-buckley
Participant

I’ve never had the pedal sound problem with a contact mic, at least, I’ve never heard it. Hmmm. Not sure how to remedy that. I have used a microphone set up with an amp, but, they were never my microphones. Its either aimed directly at the sound board, in close (for when you are surrounded by louder instruments) or a little further back, kind of facing the column, but still down very low.

January 16, 2013 at 7:26 pm #112169

Sylvia
Participant

Actually, I’m whining because my 30-watt is a Marathon I got from Sylvia Woods at least 25 years ago (they had tried many and decided it was best), and I’ve had it worked on twice. My other is a Radio Shack 20-watt…. (don’t sneer…it is a great little trooper…sound goes in, and lots of sound comes out…I got it in an emergency when my Marathon broke down once…my only regret is they don’t make them anymore…I guess they used to make bigger ones…and this was the only one they had) I use them both at the same time and point them in different directions. I’ve gone to two stores and tried out lots of amps, but they don’t pick up well (except for a plugged-in guitar). Granted, I probably need an Audix microphone…one of those $600 things…. I thought I could just go in and get a new amp ….hah. (I tried old used ones, too, hoping they were more like my Marathon, but no). I’m not picky about sound quality….,I just want it loud. (gasp, I hear you from here) I use either a corded or wireless mike and put it on the floor (with padding) because the sound comes out of the bottom of the harp, not up by the strings. I’ve recorded with a small tape recorder near the same place while playing, and I don’t hear pedal changes. I’ve wondered if the audience could hear them, but if the recorder doesn’t, maybe not. Well, I’m sure this blog is not of interest to the young moderns who have different ways of doing things. I’m just venting, I guess. I’m sure something will work out. I’m going to investigate PAs…. All I want is sound in, sound out louder, so maybe something like that would work.

January 16, 2013 at 10:07 pm #112170

katie-buckley
Participant

No! Its very interesting. I’m by no means any expert. I always let my friends or the sound engineers do it for me 🙂 I only had experience with the AER on my electric harp (DHC light), which is made to be plugged in. Otherwise, my pedal harp in amplified with me just observing off to the side. So, its interesting to hear your system. I was talking to a girl who amplifies her pedal harp a lot. She loves the old tube amplifiers. However, they aren’t light at all! But its all very interesting to hear about your set up!

January 17, 2013 at 3:04 am #112171

stephen-vardy
Participant

This may be worth exploring.
http://goo.gl/1cjbL
plus this
http://goo.gl/gWwPT

Do not buy unless you get to demo/use it in a gig setting
probably the 1S is a good fit – expandable in many different ways etc
the Compact does not upgrade well.

loud will no longer be an issue
nor feedback – the bain of all harpists
works for solo gigging harpists
you do not necessarily need a gig partner

Whole different way of doing things
Suits those that actually actually “get” that amplification is important.
Provides good overall sound
Very versatile
Stephen

January 17, 2013 at 10:38 am #112172

katie-buckley
Participant

Interesting!! I might check this out as well!!

January 17, 2013 at 4:50 pm #112173

Sylvia
Participant

Katie- I don’t know what you mean by this…..Otherwise, my pedal harp in amplified with me just observing off to the side.

January 17, 2013 at 5:33 pm #112174

Sylvia
Participant

Sorry, I put Katke instead of Katie. Then I went back to edit. I wish we could edit BEFORE we post, like we used to.
Stephen, I figured out very early in my career that people who paid for music wanted to hear it. Anyway, about the pickup, as I said earlier…what ELSE is it picking up? I don’t see how a pickup can NOT pick up the sound of pedal changes. I had a Dean Markley years ago, and no matter what I tried, I got those sounds plus the sound of the cable every time I moved…swish, swish. It was just unacceptable…that’s why I’m very skeptical about anything that’s actually in contact with the harp. As for the other one, 1K is a lot of money. You’re a big businessman, but I’m here in Podunkville where things happen on a smaller scale. Meanwhile, I did try my UHF wireless, which I had gotten for an amp that didn’t work and I had to sell, and it amps up my Marathon louder than the VHF, so I think I’m OK for right now.
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