[Harp-L] Review of HarpGear 5F1 amp (Long)

[Paul Routledge <kingley@xxxxxxx>]

Today I received my HarpGear 5F1 amp and these are my first  
impressions that I sent to Brian Purdy at www.harpgear.com

I have posted it here for you all to read.
I think Brian has a fantastic product.
I have no financial interest in this product, etc, etc.


My first impressions, I opened the super well packed box ( don't
think I have ever seen so many polystyrene peanuts!!).
The amp looked great. I peeled off the bubble wrap and admired the
beautiful lacquered tweed, my eyes were drawn to the details of the
build which is of exceptional quality.

So then I swapped the plug over like you told me I would have to (had
to go on the web to check the USA wiring colours, no big deal
though!) Then I double checked the plug wiring just to be sure.

So finally the moment had arrived. I plugged in the amp and switched
it on to see that gorgeous glowing red light.
Then I reached for one of my hottest mics (JT30 shell with a black
label Shure CR element inside). Due to being in my flat (apartment) I
only put the volume up to 3 and then gently blew into a Hohner Marine
Band Deluxe harp in A.

Man I wasn't prepared for the sound that greeted me.

It was Fat, Ripped and had that Brown sound we all love!!!!
I pushed it a bit harder and tested the dynamic response with a
rendition of Walter Hortons "Easy".
The amp gave me everything I wanted and like Adam Gussow said 3 times
as much bass as I expected. Wow!!!!!

Easily louder than my Pro Jr and far more tone without me even really
trying!!

I am gonna blow it at a higher volume tomorrow as I have the day off
work and then on Saturday I am gigging with a local band and am gonna
use it for that. I will tell you how it goes.
I think that it's gonna become my favourite amp from what I have
heard so far!!!.

Brian, you have a great product that is built to extremely high
standards and that in my opinion should be used by every harp player.
I have lost count of the amount of times that I have seen harp
players turn up to small / medium gigs with a Fender Bassman, yet for
the life of me I can't figure out why. I always used a Fender Pro Jr.

Well not anymore. From now on it's a HarpGear amp for me and if
anyone asks me I am gonna say "Do yourself a favour and get over to
Mister Purdy at HarpGear and get one of those amps of his!!!!!!!!"