[Harp-L] The Kinder AFB+

Michael Posey <harrpoe@xxxxxxxxxxx> · Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:36:01 -0700

Thanks to all for the detailed explanations both on and off line. Would appear adding the AFB is required to achieve what I seek. As information, my main gigging amp is a Ron Holmes modded Fender BJ with a Weber ceramic speaker. Ron also installed a line-out on the amp so running direct to the PA, or micing it (or both) is achievable since I own and operate the PA we usually use.

The "A" band I front is a 2 guitar classic rock outfit with fairly decent volume levels. Definitely loud however not Marshall double stack loud. My little 15 watter can't begin to make the cut without PA reinforcement. To be honest, I recently don't even bother bringing the BJ and play through a CAD VC50, 1st generation Harp Commader, Boss DM2 and/or DanEcho to the PA. Still get alot of compliments on the sound and would describe it as "sweet" as in creamy and smooth. All without feedback! The built-in compressor does add a bit of crunch when the mic is properly cupped and it's as loud as I need it to be.

However as Morgan so eloquently put it, "I just caint be satisfied" until I can get some on-command, tube-generated growl while keeping the dreaded feedback beast at bay. That said, looks like I need to replace the HC with an AFB+ and start using the BJ again with the PA. (enough with the acronyms!)

What's another 360 in the quest for tone right? It sure would be nice to try one of these things before I pull the trigger. Any listers with one of these gems in or around Huntington Beach CA???

Again, all the replies are sincerely appreciated. This list is a GREAT source of information specific to our not-so-common interest.

Best Regards/MP

"I rambled all the time. I was just like that, like a rollin' stone."
Muddy Waters

> 
> Message: 11
> Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:20:08 -0700
> From: steve warner <10reedsbent@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The Kinder AFB+
> To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
> 	<5862665c0906140920o5d15d34ge3b89aa4c0aa055a@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
> 
> Mike,
> 
> The loud band issue you speak of is a non-issue if you still don't have
> enough power with John's box, and assuming you can't mic it through the PA.
> Say if you need 10 more watts of power to cut through "and" you have a
> Kinder Box, but say that's only adding 7 more watts then you still aren't
> going to cut through.  You see what I'm getting at?  Now if you can mic it
> to the PA with a Kinder Box then you will be one happy cat like David.
> 
> One  important thing the AFB does is to allow you to turn up/push your amp
> to achieve the drive and grind  your amp already has but isn't allowed to
> produce because of the feedback issue.  Then the added feature of John's box
> is that you can tone things up and really get nasty.
> 
> You can buy a brand new cheap run of the mill tube amp with 50 watts of
> power and use John's box and you'll be pretty happy.  700 bucks total and
> you'll cut through.
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 11:48 PM, Michael Posey <harrpoe@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > Great review. Sounds like the AFB is the 'wonder box' we all want to get
> > the crunch out. Can you clarify if your review was derived during a full
> > band session or was it just you and your gear? I have been thinking of
> > getting one for quite some time however 360.00 is a pretty good chunk of
> > change these days. I would be interested to know if this thing really works
> > in a loud band situation with guitars and a PA at gig levels.
> >
> > If the review is not with a band, can you provide another after you play in
> > a band situation?
> >
> > Much appreciated.
> >
> > Harp on Brother!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ------------------------------
> > >
> > > Message: 7
> > > Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:25:29 -0400
> > > From: David Nalepinski <dnveloman@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > Subject: [Harp-L] The Kinder AFB+
> > > To: Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> > > Message-ID:
> > >       <fd66604f0906121825x112e2175m3654ae188408fb73@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> > >
> > > First, let me say thanks to those of you that offered to sell me a Kinder
> > > AFB+, and to those that said, "Just send him a check- you'll get the
> > box."
> > > Well, I got John on the phone briefly and sent my check out.  The box
> > came
> > > today, two weeks to the day. So, here is my experience:
> > >
> > > I play with a bullet 520DX that has been modified to accept a screw on
> > type
> > > and a nice solid volume switch (thanks Dennis O!!).  The element is
> > stock.
> > > I'd been learning the ways of amplification using a 5W Fender Champ-- and
> > > mic'ing it through a PA when playing out.  Last Fall I bought a Fender
> > Blues
> > > Jr, having read plenty of pros and cons.  Nice little amp, but couldn't
> > get
> > > it do anything but natural tones w/o serious feedback.  I down tubed it
> > to
> > > death, put on an opti-stomp, and generally never turned it up.... THEN, I
> > > started reading about the Kinder AFB+.  I knew it cost about as much as
> > my
> > > Blues Jr, but I figure I can use it with any amps that are in my future.
> > >
> > > I opened the box today. I read the instructions.  Before I went into my
> > > first experiment, I "up-tubed" my amp back to 12AX7's (except one 5751).
> >  I
> > > plugged in the AFB+, still skeptical-- praying my $360 gamble was going
> > to
> > > pay off... I calibrated, then slowly experimented.  The gain went up a
> > > little, then the master, then the gain, then the master.... my nerves on
> > > edge... into scary territory.  Verdict?  This thing absolutely rocks!!!
> > My
> > > little Blues Jr is a monster now!! Awesome tone!  Awesome volume!!.  Just
> > > rips.  Best part is, I can put the gain where ever I want it for tone,
> > then
> > > put the master low or high... It all sounds great.
> > >
> > > Thanks John Kinder.  You are an absolute wizard.  I'm not worthy.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
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> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> steve
> www.thunderharpmics.com
> fattest tone on earth!
> 
> 
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