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Harmonica
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====Amplification devices==== Since the 1950s, many blues harmonica players have amplified their instrument with microphones and [[instrument amplifier|tube amplifiers]]. One of the early innovators of this approach was Marion "[[Little Walter]]" Jacobs, who played the harmonica near a "Bullet" microphone marketed for use by radio taxi dispatchers. This gave his harmonica tone a "punchy" midrange sound that could be heard above an electric guitar. Also, tube amplifiers produce a natural growling [[distortion (music)|overdrive]] when cranked at higher volumes, which adds body, fullness, and "grit" to the sound. Little Walter also cupped his hands around the instrument to create a kind of flexible chamber, giving it a powerful, distorted sound somewhat reminiscent of a saxophone, hence the term "Mississippi saxophone". Some harmonica players in folk use a regular vocal microphone, such as a [[Shure SM 58]], for their harmonica, which gives a clean, natural sound.{{cn|date=May 2023}} As technology in amplification has progressed, harmonica players have introduced other [[effects unit]]s to their rigs, as well, such as [[spring reverb|reverb]], [[tremolo]], [[delay (audio effect)|delay]], [[octave]], additional [[distortion (music)|overdrive]] pedals, and [[chorus effect]]. [[John Popper]] of [[Blues Traveler]] uses a customized microphone that encapsulates several of these effects into one handheld unit, as opposed to several units in sequence. Many harmonica players still prefer tube amplifiers to [[solid-state amplifier|solid-state]] ones, owing to the perceived difference in tone generated by the [[vacuum tubes]]. Players perceive tubes as having a "warmer" tone and a more "natural" overdrive sound. Many amplifiers designed for [[electric guitar]] are also used by harmonica players, such as the [[Gibson Kalamazoo Electric Guitar#Kalamazoo Amplifiers|Kalamazoo Model Two]], [[Fender Bassman]], and the [[Danelectro Commando]]. Some expensive handmade [[boutique amplifiers]] are built from the ground up with characteristics that are optimal for amplified harmonica.
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