Please remember to check the NEWS ARCHIVES for past news.
*** 2/26/08 ***
I got an email today with an entry from the Jason Ricci eblood digest and I thought I would share it. It is his review of the HG50 for those of you who have been asking for more details:
"Jason
Ricci signs with Harp Gear Harmonica Amplifiers!
As many of you know I have been offered many different 'Boutique' amp
endorsements over the past five years. Without mentioning any names I can
say all of those amps were beautiful, well made virtual works of art, both
visually stunning and great sounding in their own right. However, even
though all these wonderful amps were offered to me for free or next to no
charge, I just couldn't get behind any of them (fine as they are) as none
seemed to suit my particular needs the way my old Fender Bassman I nick
named the 'Egyptian' did. I tried many times with many different models to
get that 'Tone' I had with that old Fender. Fender did not consider me a
worthy endorsement decision and would not offer me even the slightest
discount on their amps or repair service despite the fact that I was
obviously and inadvertently selling many Fender Bassmans for them each year.
I really wanted to get behind a small 'Boutique' company and back the little
guy but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't find an amp I liked by
anyone that sounded better than that old Fender, until now...
My friend Brian Purdy has been making small 'Boutique' harmonica amps for
years now under the name 'HarpGear'. I loved all those little amps and so
did hundreds of other players although due to their small size, the volume
of our band, and my dependence on that one tone from the 'Egyptian' I just
couldn't find a practical use for a HarpGear amp outside the recording
studio and smaller gigs. The Popularity of Brian Purdy's smaller amps took
off and players pro and am alike could be seen everywhere with those little
monsters. Eventually almost all the other 'Boutique' amp builders took
notice and followed suit in an attempt to sell a smaller HarpGear style
amp. After that move Brian Purdy came back with the HG 50. A 4x10" 50 watt
harmonica beast the size of a Fender Bassman but very different. I had been
hesitant to try any Bassman style 'Boutique' amp as I had tried many in the
past only to be disappointed and return to the real thing (which was
actually not made as well but sounded better), but Brian assured me this was
not another point to point wired Bassman mimic. Additionally, I was also
worried about our friendship should I not like this amp as he told me the
amp was built with me in mind. He brought the amp to a gig in Florida and
before I plugged in I told him; 'No matter how good it sounds I'm not using
it on the gig.' I plugged in and after two or three minutes of knob tweaking
I was wondering not if it was 'as good' as my Fender but exactly how much
BETTER it was. I played the next two nights on the HG 50 and then gladly
signed an endorsement deal with HarpGear! I have never been happier with my
sound, the HG 50 has everything my old beloved Fender had with a more
balanced, clear, natural, and fuller sound! The HG 50 amp has quickly
become an extension of me and I feel as close to in love with an inanimate
object as a person can be. Stay tuned for our new you tube video coming out
soon advertising the HG 50! Thank you Brian Purdy and HarpGear for doing
the impossible and making THE BEST sounding and BEST looking and BEST ever
HANDMADE harmonica amp ever!!!"
As many of you know I have been offered many different 'Boutique' amp
endorsements over the past five years. Without mentioning any names I can
say all of those amps were beautiful, well made virtual works of art, both
visually stunning and great sounding in their own right. However, even
though all these wonderful amps were offered to me for free or next to no
charge, I just couldn't get behind any of them (fine as they are) as none
seemed to suit my particular needs the way my old Fender Bassman I nick
named the 'Egyptian' did. I tried many times with many different models to
get that 'Tone' I had with that old Fender. Fender did not consider me a
worthy endorsement decision and would not offer me even the slightest
discount on their amps or repair service despite the fact that I was
obviously and inadvertently selling many Fender Bassmans for them each year.
I really wanted to get behind a small 'Boutique' company and back the little
guy but no matter how hard I tried I just couldn't find an amp I liked by
anyone that sounded better than that old Fender, until now...
My friend Brian Purdy has been making small 'Boutique' harmonica amps for
years now under the name 'HarpGear'. I loved all those little amps and so
did hundreds of other players although due to their small size, the volume
of our band, and my dependence on that one tone from the 'Egyptian' I just
couldn't find a practical use for a HarpGear amp outside the recording
studio and smaller gigs. The Popularity of Brian Purdy's smaller amps took
off and players pro and am alike could be seen everywhere with those little
monsters. Eventually almost all the other 'Boutique' amp builders took
notice and followed suit in an attempt to sell a smaller HarpGear style
amp. After that move Brian Purdy came back with the HG 50. A 4x10" 50 watt
harmonica beast the size of a Fender Bassman but very different. I had been
hesitant to try any Bassman style 'Boutique' amp as I had tried many in the
past only to be disappointed and return to the real thing (which was
actually not made as well but sounded better), but Brian assured me this was
not another point to point wired Bassman mimic. Additionally, I was also
worried about our friendship should I not like this amp as he told me the
amp was built with me in mind. He brought the amp to a gig in Florida and
before I plugged in I told him; 'No matter how good it sounds I'm not using
it on the gig.' I plugged in and after two or three minutes of knob tweaking
I was wondering not if it was 'as good' as my Fender but exactly how much
BETTER it was. I played the next two nights on the HG 50 and then gladly
signed an endorsement deal with HarpGear! I have never been happier with my
sound, the HG 50 has everything my old beloved Fender had with a more
balanced, clear, natural, and fuller sound! The HG 50 amp has quickly
become an extension of me and I feel as close to in love with an inanimate
object as a person can be. Stay tuned for our new you tube video coming out
soon advertising the HG 50! Thank you Brian Purdy and HarpGear for doing
the impossible and making THE BEST sounding and BEST looking and BEST ever
HANDMADE harmonica amp ever!!!"
*** 2/24/08 ***
It has been a busy couple of months and almost all of the current orders have been shipped out except the HG50 orders. The response on the HG50 has been great and I continue to get pics and reports from people on the road who have seen and heard Jason with the amp. Here's a short review from Chicago Jim:
"The amp was not miced and cut through the mix with no problem. Fat crunchy sound. Nice break up, Down home old school Chicago bluzy feel and sound. I feel it kind of has it's own personality and punch. but it does not go overboard. I liked it and I have been seeing and recording shows since '75."
If you get any pics or video of Jason on the road with the amp please feel free to send them this way. I love seeing them. Another piece of great news is that Blind Pig recording artist John Nemeth is now using the HarpGear Double Trouble as his touring amp and has stated he wants to use it for recording too. If you haven't ever seen John I recommend you try to find him when he is in your town. He tours the country and his schedule is available on the site for those of you looking for great blues. You can also find his music on i tunes for purchase. Once again please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
*** 2/19/08 ***
I will be uploading new samples and videos of Jason playing the new HG50 soon. I am waiting to get better quality video to accurately represent both the band and the amp. Stay tuned...
Update on the HG50
I have added more videos under the last news release below. The initial price for the HG50 is going to be $1750 and the first amps will be ready to ship within 6 weeks. I will be waiting on cabinets, speakers and transformers for the amp. They may ship sooner but I don't want to get into a situation where anyone's amp is rushed. I want to make sure I continue to deliver the best amps I can at a great price. I can accept 1/2 down on the amp at the time of the order and the balance at the time of shipping for anyone interested. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
*** 2/18/08 ***
BIG NEWS FOR HARPGEAR!!
Many of you are familiar with Delta Groove recording Artist Jason Ricci. I am proud to announce he will now be using the HarpGear HG50 amplifier as his main touring rig. The HG50 is HarpGear's new fixed bias 50W 4x10" amplifer that is different than any other 4x10 amplifier out there in the harp amplifier market. This is not a Bassman clone and will give you the ability to play in almost any sized gig without miking the amp. I will be posting more specs and pricing information in the next few days, but a quick run down is:
4 - 10" Alnico Speakers
5AR4 rectifier tube
2 - 6L6 power tubes
2 - preamp tubes
Volume Treble Middle Bass controls
I am very proud to make this announcement and I thank everyone for helping to make HarpGear what is is today. Without great players who enjoy great tone I wouldn't be here. I recognize that and I thank you very much! Stay tuned for more info.
*** 2/10/08 ***
It has been a great week of music. It started off with Lil' Malcolm and the House Rocker on Wednesday and Thursday. Then on Friday night I went to St. Augustine to see a reunion of Little Mike and the Tornadoes followed by The Tony O. Band. Saturday night I went to Tampa to see The Back Alley Blues Band. I sat in with them for a bit and as always it was a great time. On a different note, I recently heard of a beat up HarpGear amp up in Memphis at the IBC that Billy Gibson was playing through during a jam he was running. It made me curious about the road wear some of the amps are seeing out there. If you have a picture of an HG amp that has been beat up through road use, please send it to me. I would love to see them. Thanks to everyone who has made HarpGear work. I couldn't have done it without great customers and friends like you.
Little Mike of Little Mike and the Tornadoes
*** 2/8/08 ***
Tonight I got to play with Lil' Malcolm and the House Rockers. It was my first time playing with a zydeco band and it was great. A friend took a great picture of me playing with them and I thought I would share it. It's amazing how music can bring strangers together and create friendships.
Past Months Archives
March 08
January 08
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