Blues harp - getting 'that sound'

[richmay5]

Years ago, when I used to play harp in rock bands, I never had an amp. So, we always just put me straight into the board. To get 'that sound' (you know, that gritty sound that players like Paul Butterfield, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, etc.) get, my understanding is that they go into an amp, mic the amp, and put a bunch of distortion or something on it, ending up with a great sound. Do any of you know what kind of set up to do to emulate that sound? I'm about to do some home recording and would like to strive for 'that sound' with my harp (I have am amp now). Thanks.

[garageband]

Hi, Welcome. This stuff is everywhere on the internet. Here's what I've heard. Play right into your 545, SM57, whatever dynamic mic that's held in your cupped hands. People also like the carbon element microphones (Astatic, Turner, Stromberg, whatever) because their sound has more breakup and really emphasizes the narrow mid-range where the harmonica lives. Feed the unbalanced output of the mic (TS/XLR-F transformer-y deal or the 545 can be wired that way) into your favorite tube guitar amp. Some folks have a preference for 6V6-based models but any will work. You will not need to add any distortion, esp. if using a crystal mic. Record the amp the way you would normally and starting huffing on the harmonica and get all bluesy with it.

PS, I've done this and it sounds right to me.

[richmay5]

Thanks much. I still have my Green Bullet mic. I'll try it. However, my amp is a Line 6 (non tube). I'll try it anyway. Appreciate the tip!

[Bournio]

Everywhere will say this: "That sound" starts as you breathe, get a great acoustic tone, then cup the mic, then run it through an amp(i've used a crate solid state amp, so shoot me!) and treat the amp the way you would with guitar.

[richmay5]

Thanks. Any advice on settings for the amp (I'm an acoustic guitar player and regrettably somewhat of a novice in terms of dealing with how to push all I can out of my equipment)?

[Bournio]

Diatonic Harp Reference: Amplified Harp has some really nice hints

[garww]

Originally Posted by richmay5

Years ago, when I used to play harp in rock bands, I never had an amp. So, we always just put me straight into the board. To get 'that sound' (you know, that gritty sound that players like Paul Butterfield, John Mayall, Taj Mahal, etc.) get, my understanding is that they go into an amp, mic the amp, and put a bunch of distortion or something on it, ending up with a great sound. Do any of you know what kind of set up to do to emulate that sound? I'm about to do some home recording and would like to strive for 'that sound' with my harp (I have am amp now). Thanks.

I saw those three guys when they were half young. I wish I would have paid more attention to Taj. He can do it two ways - with and without the specific electrics. I'm sure they all can, but he did at least one album with "the Old Folks at Home" sound.