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Harp Rig - Check it Out Last viewed: 6 hours ago

Posts: 45 Threads: 12

Hi, Folks. This is kinda drum related and it does have a vintage component.

Just thought I'd share my new toy with you. It's really cool and I'm so happy with it, I could just......well, fill in the blank.

This is my new blues harp set-up for my drum kit. What's that you say? A harp for drums? Well, Lucy, let me 'splain.

I'm primarily a drummer but I also dabble with guitar and blues harp. I have (or had) a neck holder for my harp ala Bob Dylan and Neil Young for when I'm playing guitar and harmonica. It kinda worked OK while playing the guitar but I tried it while playing the drums and the damned thing just bounces around on me with my arms moving and all.

I talked it over with my buddy Nick who does metalwork design and machining to come up with a solution.

Well, here it is. We devised a rig that holds the harp and my vintage Shure 520SL bullet mic solid so I can wail on the harp while sitting behind the kit.

Obviously, I can't cup the mic like I can while I'm playing the harp solo, but it's an awesome improvement and I can get some real sweet blues licks with it.

Here's some pics:

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/skylineguitar/032.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/skylineguitar/030.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/skylineguitar/037.jpg[/IMG]

The rig is made from an existing neck brace (the harp holder part), a piece of billet aluminum that Nick machined, a piece of bent and threaded pipe (to the mic's stand hole) and an old Camco cymbal arm I had collecting dust. It's completely universal and can be set in any desired position.

The hole thing is secured to my vocal mic boom arm with a Tama cymbal bracket that clamps the Camco arm to the mic boom. I found that the thing was pretty sturdy but the whole vocal mic stand and boom we a little lacking in supporting all the extra weight. I initially got a significant amount of wobble from the whole thing.

But since it's true that there are no problems - only solutions - I found the cure by changing the fledgling mic stand base with one of my Premier double braced tom stand bases and fortified the boom arm with a Pearl universal clamp at the junction.

This baby is freakin' solid now! The harp rig stays put like it should.

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/skylineguitar/003.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o247/skylineguitar/002.jpg[/IMG]

Just thought I'd show it off. Let me know what you think.

Kevin
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 10714 Threads: 579

Great Idea ! puts it right where you need it !!! :)

Your drummers not much good is he!? What you need is someone that's as good as me. ! John Henry Bonham !!
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 5240 Threads: 1231

I have on word...."patent".

Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 621 Threads: 41

Pretty trick rig! Nice goin'.......marko

Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 729 Threads: 82

Clever solution. I love Blues harp. Congratulations on a job well done.

Stephen

Vintage Drum Student
Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 1040 Threads: 106

Pretty cool! I love custom home-made stuff like this. And that microphone is a classic piece!

Bowing

Sysl krysu nenahradi!

-196?-72 6ply White Oyster Amati
-1960s 3ply Red Sparkle Amati
- Zildjian, Paiste, Zyn, Istanbul

http://bandzone.cz/blueswan
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 3467 Threads: 116

Cool set up ... I can relate to the harness nightmare.. I also need to Cup/Vamp to play a decent blues harp.. Best solution for me (back in the day), was a particular lead guitarist that could get through a few songs on the Kit.. freeing me up to take a front line mike...He loved it too..

Cheers

'77 Slingerland 51N,Super Rock 24,18,14,13.. COW 8,10 Concert toms
'69 Slingerland Hollywood Ace
'75 Rogers Dynasonic 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'77-78 Slingerland 6.5 x 14, 10 lug COB
'78-79 Slingerland 5 1/4 x14 8 lug COB
'79 Biman 5 1/4, Acrolite
'82 Slingerland 5 1/4 x 14. Festival COS
'84 Tama MasterCraft Superstar 6.5 x 14, 10 lug Rosewood
'98 Slingerland (Music YO) 6" 10 Lug Maple.. NOS
Zildjian, Sabian , UFIP & Paiste mix.
Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 1292 Threads: 147

Cool DIY setup! Smart!

1964 Ludwig Champagne Super Classic
1970 Ludwig Blue Oyster Super Classic
1977 Rogers Big R Londoner 5 ebony
1972/1978 Rogers Powertone/Big R mix ebony
60's Ludwig Supersensitive
Pearl B4514 COB snare ( the SC snare)
Pearl Firecracker
PJL WMP maple snare
Odds & Sods

Sabians, Paistes, Zildjians, Zyns, UFIPs, MIJs etc
Item may be subject to change!
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 6524 Threads: 37

Very cool. I remember when you got the kit, Is it loud enough for you now ? I told you it would be !i

I can see a HH stand pulling a ski glove down over the harp, and up again....The Band ............kidding !i

It`s a drum,.....Hit It !!

.....76/#XK9207 Phonic Sound Machine D454/D-505 snares !i
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 45 Threads: 12

From longjohn

Cool set up ... I can relate to the harness nightmare.. I also need to Cup/Vamp to play a decent blues harp.. Best solution for me (back in the day), was a particular lead guitarist that could get through a few songs on the Kit.. freeing me up to take a front line mike...He loved it too.. Cheers

I absolutely know what you mean. Blues harp takes more than your lips and airway to play. Standing free, you put your hands, arms, legs....even your ass into it. However, I can't do that and play the kit, too. So this is a good compromise. I can still bend notes and put some good flavor into it. It's not the best blues I can put out, but it really adds a lot to our blues tunes. There are a few other songs with harmonica parts - not necessarily blues - that we'll start working on like Long Train Running, The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades and Margaritaville.

Kevin
Posted on 12 years ago
#10
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