8 replies to this topic

[Toyboat]

Hi anyone...I am a beginning harp player and own a few diatonic models. I am the lead singer in an acoustic rock band. I will be playing the harp in some songs and want a good live mic. It seems I would be more comfortable playing into a mic mounted on a mic stand rather than a handheld bullet model. Thats my preference as of now, especially since I will be singing in between playing. Can anyone recommend anything for me? Or should I be purchasing a bullet mic like the Shure Green Bullet model? Thanks!!!!

[Dauber]

Really, if you want a good sound, you should probably go for a bullet mic, especially the Shure. (My harp instructor said the Hohner mics are "a piece of ****," that they're actually a cheaper thing re-branded by Hohner....) Yeah, you're comfortable with a mounted mic now, but with surprisingly little practice, you can get used to a handheld bullet mic.

Reason to use the bullet: the microphone is wide enough to cover a majority of the holes on the harp, but a standard mic can only cover a few, know what I mean?

[Bismo]

My old Bullet could easily be put on a mic stand as well, as it had a screw-in hole for a stand attachment that could be quickly stuck on and off the stand... I just noticed my new Bullet (bought last year) doesn't have that, as it's got an on-board gain control now where the attachment hole used to be... ah well! But agreed, other than that pretty comfortable to hold and a great sound. (If only I had a decent amp!)

[FatJim]

I would agree with everything that's been said above - however one thing I picked up on is the word 'Acoustic'. I think a lot of this hinges on the sound you want. If you want a gritty Chicago blues sound - compressed and slightly overdriven - then yeah a shure Green Bullet, an Astatic JT30 a Shure 545 or any of the classic harp mics would be great. I suspect however that you may want something a little cleaner. If that is indeed the case, a regular vocal mic into the desk is fine, the workhorse Shure SM58 is a good all round mic. I've seen Kim Wilson perform like this. He has one 58 balanced for vocals and another balanced for harp, you could quite easily get away with one though. Another option could be the Audix fireball mic, I hear they can be quite clean, although that's a handheld or a Strnad which clips on to the harp itself (hard to find now I think)

[Harper-Chris]

FatJim said:

I would agree with everything that's been said above - however one thing I picked up on is the word 'Acoustic'. I think a lot of this hinges on the sound you want. If you want a gritty Chicago blues sound - compressed and slightly overdriven - then yeah a shure Green Bullet, an Astatic JT30 a Shure 545 or any of the classic harp mics would be great. I suspect however that you may want something a little cleaner. If that is indeed the case, a regular vocal mic into the desk is fine, the workhorse Shure SM58 is a good all round mic. I've seen Kim Wilson perform like this. He has one 58 balanced for vocals and another balanced for harp, you could quite easily get away with one though. Another option could be the Audix fireball mic, I hear they can be quite clean, although that's a handheld or a Strnad which clips on to the harp itself (hard to find now I think)

That´s right....
For a clean harp sound you should use a Shure SM 58 and for a dirty chicago sound the best choice is a Astatic JT30.
(A Turner Mic sounds great too )

[HumanBiped]

I have a Shure Green Bullet, a Hohner Blues Blaster, and a Fireball mic, and I would agree with the assessment regarding the "piece of **** Hohner" comment...... the output sucks on this mic, the element is garbage. The only benefit is that you would have the shell that was first used for the JT30, so if you wanted to get this mic, then get yourself a new(old) element to replace it, you could have a kick ass looking/sounding mic. The Green Bullet will give you what you are looking for, if you want the dirty sound, and the volume control on the bottom of the mic is great for on stage! If you are looking for a clean sound, but not crystal like the SM58 would give you, then the fireball is an excellent option. You can get it with or without the volume control, but you want the one with the volume control. The BEST feature of this mic is that your issue with feedback will be gone, trust me. Anyone who has tried to crank up a bullet mic through an amp knows what I'm talking about, you get feedback like crazy! Not with the fireball! Also, this comes with a nice little carrying pouch, AND with a micstand clip, which you mentioned earlier you were looking for. Hope any of this helps!!!

[Jaybird]

I would recomend something like the shure 545SD. it is a mic you can use for vocal or harp and get a good sound. It is a Cardioid mic, so you feedback problems would be less. I think it was the type of mic used by some of the better harp players. (Butterfield used the pistol grip version of the 545S) It is a stick mic and will allow you to use it for duel purpose. Hold it back for clean and singing, cup it tighrtt for that gritty stuff. They can be found on Ebay for under $100. Good luck in your search.

[BluesMystro]

Dauber said:

Really, if you want a good sound, you should probably go for a bullet mic, especially the Shure.

That is the one I would suggest. I have a Shure one and I love it

BluesMystro

[Dean Heuke]

ok, this thread is old, but let me share my opinion with you

i would never choose a bullet microphone(tried them), because you cant play VERY FAST with them, instead of a "normal" intrument microphone. ....
My advice is to buy a Fame MS 57(for beginning) and buying at the same time an grunge effect guitar pedal. That will give you this, like Harper-Chris said "dirty sound"

thats how i play, like Johnny Popper with effects ,
but here's my question: """why does only a few people play with those effects`?""" it sounds great ...