• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Stage mics for guitar amps for Stage work.

So my weekend warriors band is wanting to take a plunge into buying more equipment.  Currently when we do play out we have a power mixer with around 600 watts per channel at 8 ohms stereo.  Our speakers are 1 15 per cab and handle up to 850 watts at 8 ohms.  We have been doing things the old fashion way by just using them for vocals but now everyone is pitching in a little money and we are buying a new power amp to kick up the power so we can have a cleaner sound.  I guess the plan being use the Power amp to power the mains and the power mixer to power the monitors which we've never got to use monitors before because we didn't have the power.  I think the Power amp is a Crown but we haven't bought anything yet so I don't know.  I just know they are looking to spend around $600 for as much power as they can find. 

Now with that said we are all planning on mics for our amps, drums, keyboards, and vocals for 4 or 5.  We all decided that anybody using a mic has to cough up the money themselves. We have enough vocal mics that we don't have to worry about those.  Now I need to buy a instrument mic for my guitar amp.  What do you recommend.  I've had a Shure SM57 back in the day when I was "rich" but I've been told by a lot of local guys that Shure although might be the standard its not the best for the money.  If you have any input on this or even the PA system at all let me know.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Stage mics for guitar amps for Stage work.

It can be tricky with P.A.gear nowadays. The JBL stuff used to be really good. But now, they're making cheaper stuff. Yamaha is pretty good. Peavey can be good. Mackie too.

    I'd also say to budget for a Snake. And make sure to buy a good quality one. It will simplify things for everyone.

    Shure Mics are what I use for my Amps. Of course, there are other good choices.

    Another option for Guitar Amps is the a Direct Box like the Palmer, the Motherlode, or a H & K Redbox. With these, you run directly into the P.A. No Microphone at all.The Direct Box will simulate the sound of a 4 X 12 Cabinet. Makes set up quicker, too.
    I think Joe Bonamassa uses a Palmer. But, I'm not positive about that.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Stage mics for guitar amps for Stage work.

So these direct boxes how do you do it?  Does it bypass the speaker or something?

Budda wrote:

It can be tricky with P.A.gear nowadays. The JBL stuff used to be really good. But now, they're making cheaper stuff. Yamaha is pretty good. Peavey can be good. Mackie too.

    I'd also say to budget for a Snake. And make sure to buy a good quality one. It will simplify things for everyone.

    Shure Mics are what I use for my Amps. Of course, there are other good choices.

    Another option for Guitar Amps is the a Direct Box like the Palmer, the Motherlode, or a H & K Redbox. With these, you run directly into the P.A. No Microphone at all.The Direct Box will simulate the sound of a 4 X 12 Cabinet. Makes set up quicker, too.
    I think Joe Bonamassa uses a Palmer. But, I'm not positive about that.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: N. Little Rock, AR.
  • Registered: 2007-03-02
  • Posts: 463

Re: Stage mics for guitar amps for Stage work.

No,you still hear the Amp onstage. It goes between the Amp and the Speaker.

Early 80's 1957 U.S. Vintage Reissue Stratocaster (Surf Green)-Warmouth Soloist  Pearly Gates Neck, Pearly Gates Bridge- Larrivee D-03 (Mahogany/ Spruce)
Carmen Ghia Head- Marshall 112 Cab W/G12H 30  or  Custom 4 X 6v6 Head  or  Budda Twinmaster Plus Head-Traynor 212 Cab w/Eminence Texas Heats. 
Mo'D-Eternity-Blues Pro- Timmy-BYOC Chorus/Vibrato- TC SCF- Korg DT 10 Pedal Tuner
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Stage mics for guitar amps for Stage work.

would any DI work or does it have to be one especially for guitar?  Just wondering because I have a cheaper one that and if it worked I would make due with that for the time being.

AD3THREE's Website