best amp for pedal harp?

[Sylvia]

After all these years, my least favorite thing is trying to find an amp that will be LOUD.

[tony-morosco]

Amps are a tough topic. It is very subjective. Also there are often needs that require features that can take precedence over sound. For instance many people are more concerned with portability and having something battery powered, but personally, while some of those are acceptable sounding, I have yet to find one that really sounds as good as many amps that lack those particular features.

My amps of choice for harp are the Fender Acoustasonic series. They are specifically designed for use with acoustic instruments, can handle the full range of the harp with little difficulty, have good on board eq, two channes input so you can separate out the bass from treble and eq them separately, and best of all it has a feedback control that helps eliminate that screeching.

Oh, and they can be cranked up very loud.

One area where harpists need to catch up with the guitarists and bassists of the world, in my opinion, is in attention to amps. Most guitarists have come to learn that if you are playing amplified then your amp is half your sound, as important as your instrument. That’s why guitarists often have multiple amps for different music, just as they often have different guitars for different kinds of music. There isn’t a one size fits all solution, and a lot has to do with what the individual musician wants in terms of tone.

Ultimately you need to go try a bunch out and hear for yourself the comparison between different amps. A much bigger pain to do when you play the harp as opposed to guitar, but ultimately worth the effort.

[Sylvia]

Thank you, Tony, but I looked online, and I think it’s just too heavy.

[bernhard-schmidt]

I would go for “Jam 150 +” made by

[daniellethetexasharpist]

I’m also in the market for an amp.

I need something that would be transportable and not too expensive to purchase, but still decent quality.

Regardless, what models have worked for you all?

Thanks!

[onita-sanders]

My best advice is to take your harp to a well stocked music center that has all the amps and effects you could possible want.

[daniellethetexasharpist]

Thanks! I will definitely go try some out.

Would you be able to give me an idea of what price range I would be looking at?

[onita-sanders]

I wish I could, because it has been too long.

[Sylvia]

“I would go for “Jam 150 +” made by

[Stephanie]

I just started using the Crate Taxi Limo (TX50DB)-it’s great for outdoor weddings and noisy cocktail hours.

[Sylvia]

Stephanie, I see this amp is available thru Guitar Center.

[Sylvia]

I read the reviews, and they say it buzzes at high volumes and breaks down a lot…not too encouraging.

[Stephanie]

I have a Fishman “soundboard transducers for piano and harp”

[kay-lister]

I have a Laney Amp.

[Sylvia]

I had a stick-on type thing when I first started out, and the cord was a trial to deal with, plus what with unsticking and re-sticking, its stickum didn’t last long.

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