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Date: Thu, 8 Aug 2002 09:02:17 -0400
From: "Rupert Oysler"
Subject: Holmes Harp Commander

I've received several requests for more info re the Holmes Harp Commander so
here goes:

First let me say that I use a tube amp ( currently a Smicz portablues) and
just haven't found any solid state stuff that I like to play through as
much. I'm not very knowledgeable about electronics and my preference has to
do more with the "feeling" of playing- when I've got the amplified thing
that I like there is almost a "wet" or "liquid" quality to the sound and
also the response is very smooth. The experience becomes more like playing a
different instrument, one which is a combination of the harp and the amp,
and phrasing, timing, etc. take on a new color. Solid state stuff leaves me
with a "drier" , "raspier" feeling, and while the sound is amplified, the
experience of playing does not reach the fluidity for me. I've experimented
with the pod line 6, danelectro nifty fifty, pignose stuff, harmonica honker
(into PA) etc.and lots of other stuff through the years.

This Harp Commander is a small preamp that gets the closest thing that I've
found to that "liquid" tube response. It's a small box ( 3.5"x4.5"x1.25"
approx) that has bass boost, hi-cut, gain, and compression knobs, a toggle
switch to change phase, and a toggle switch to choose dynamic/magnetic or
crystal-ceramic mic. The controls are very easy to "intuitively" twirl and
arrive at desired tone, crunch and distortion before feedback, and you can
range from clean to very crunchy. The clean is enhanced or sweetened in some
way to "smooth" out the sound of the harp.

It has one input for a 1/4" mic chord plug and TWO outputs, one "inst" to go
to an amp, and one "line" that can go directly to PA. I found I love to
split my signal and run the "inst" out into my Danecho pedal then to the
amp, and then run the line to the PA. There's a lot of flexibility with
these two outs and you can put pedals etc. before or after the preamp.

It does enhance the sound of my tube amp just a hair, but it is amazing how
well it does with a PA system. I've used the thing alone through PA and am
amazed with not just the sound, but the way it responds to play through
similar to a tube amp.

I think the thing is that Ron has designed this specifically for harp,
(unlike most stuff out there) and has taken his years of electronic
experience to creating and enhancing the exact things that harp players want
to hear and feel when they go for vintage amplified tone. More info is at
http://www.holmeseng.com/HarpGear.html

Usual disclaimers- no affiliation, though Ron has promised to send me all
his harp repair/custom work whenever he gets them out of his granddaughter's
mouth.....

Rupert Oysler
http://www.harprepair.com/