Archive for harpmicforum.myfastforum.org A discussion on amplified harmonica. Post you questions/comments about mics, harps, amps, tubes, music. Drop by my site, http://www.harpmicgaskets.com.
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Joebluesharp
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FATDOG Harp Amp ReviewOk I just bought a nearly new Fatdog 1A from Joe Ringling. It uses 1-6L6 5Y3 6SN7 6SJ7. It has volume, tone, standby, high Z input, and low Z input with an XLR for you RE-10, or SM57 The solid baltic birch cabinet it built like a tank. Chassis is all P2P wiring, oversized power transformer, (hammond?) ceramic tube sockets, all quality stuff. It comes with a RI Jensen C12Q.
Ok I fired it up for the first time yesterday using a EV638, I thought wow!, this thing has great tone! I switched to a 533SA, then a Black CR. Tone is best left at two or lower. The first thing I noticed was a lot of the sound was going out the back of the cabinet. I placed the amp against the wall, and bam! bottom end was increased, and tone fattened up.
The Jensen C12Q speaker still lacked the bottom end, and a little bright for my taste. I swapped out the speaker with a Reverend Alltone 12-50, fired up the amp, and it was like magic. Hugh bottom end, fat tone, crystal clear horn like clarity, 0 fuzz, and best of all I could crank the amp to 7 or eight, and stand next to it without feedback. The amp sounds killer with any mic I used. I am still shocked at the tone this thing produces. The amp is surprisingly loud probably due to the oversized transformer. I think one of the secrets to the amps tone is the 6SJ7, and the 6SN7. I spoke to Joe Ringling on the phone last nite, and he told me that he tried a Weber Signature in the amp when he had it, and it was unbelievable. The only reason he sold the amp was to buy the Fatdog 2A. If I compare it to the 30-40 small amps I've owned including Harpgear, It's as good as any of them, or better for tone, and a lot less expensive. I temp. added three inches of cardboard on the top, and bottom back panels until I make some new ones, and that did the trick. I would guess the amp is in the 15 watt range. This is the smallest of the Fatdog amps. It is not by any means a one trick pony. I can get so many different tones out of this amp by changing the cup, or amount of air.
I don't know how Rob can make any money on his amps. The amp sounds so much better in person, compared to the sound files on Fatdog's website. The 1A is truely an amazing little harp amp that took six years to design, and build. Report from Joe Ringling last nite is the Fatdog 2A is even better.
Stock out of the box, the 1A has great tone, but if you swap out the speaker, and close up some of the back, it takes it to another level.
Check out Fatdog.com! The amps are way underpriced, considering the quality, and tone.
I am giving the amp 4-1/2 stars out of five, because of the speaker, and back panels. I'm keeping my eyes open for a Fatdog 2A!
If Rob reads this, and starts using Weber Signature Speakers, watch out harp amp buiders!
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Joebluesharp
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Fatdog amp reviewOne thing I wanted to add, apparently the speaker is not broken in, and after speaking to Rob of Fatdog today, the speaker turns into a tone monster after it's broken in. The more open space in the back was designed for the player to hear the amp better on stage. The amp does have an upper, and lower back panel.
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