Kendrick Texas Crude Harp Combo

I bought it new in July, 1995 from Kendrick factory. This is a specially designed amp voiced for Blues harmonica and it is great for that! I play through various mics (EV630, Shure Green Bullet, Astatic Jt30 Crustal, etc.) using Hohner Special 20's. The Texas Crude Harp amp is a cathode biased 35 watt amp using a Kendrick 12" black frame speaker powere by dual 6L6/5881's and 2 12ax7's and a tube rectifier. There are two channels (mic and instrument) with 2 inputs each. Each channel has its own volume control. There is one tone control, a ground switch and fuse.The top mounted chrome panel looks like an old Fender Deluxe, with black chicken head nobs.

The beautifully made and tweeded cabinet is a trapezoidal shape made of pine with heavy poplar corners at the bottom. The speaker is set in a floating baffle board. The circular speaker opening is covered with tweeded slats and a grill cloth like an old Gibson.

The 3 prong power cord is 20'long which is quite handy on stages with electrical outlets far away from my set-up area.

There is a very useful line-out jack under the cabinet which allows me to use a line-out to the PA (instead of mic'ing the cabinet with a Shure 57) to get more volume in loud gigs. There is also an extension speaker jack which I rarely use. I have never found a use for the wave form symetry control under the chassis. I leave it set on high.

I use this amp in small, medium and (with a line out to the PA) large gig situations to play Chicago/West Coast blues harp. It has all the features I need and has been my primary gigging amp since 1995. Unlike some harp players who swear by 8" or 10" speakers, I like the 12" Kendrick blackframe speaker. It cuts through the mix while still providing a nice fat bottom end.

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The sound and tone through the Kendrick have always brought complements from other players as well as audience members. It has enough distortion and bottom to do what I want it to. It has been a quiet amp, and has been very reliable. Sometimes I bridge the 2 channels and get an even thicker fuller sound. I really like the Shure Green bullet through this amp.

Playing a guitar through this specially set up amp would void the warranty and probably not sound great as it is voiced for harp.

The amp has reduced feedback and I can stand almost directly in front of it without feedback problems.

I've used this amp as my only gig amp for 7 years with no back-up with zero problems. Build quality is top notch.

Warranty was 1 year (6 months tubes). Gerald Weber answers e-mail and the phone at Kendrick. I have had nothing but great and responsive service and advice.

Overall, this amp is the best piece of mechanical equipment I have ever owned. It is well built, looks great, and does just what I want it to do. If it were lost or stolen, I'd do whatever I could to get another one.

I compared it to other harp specific amps (Harp King, Sonny Jr. I & II) as well as old Fenders and am glad I got the Kendrick. I love its tone and lack of feedback.

I've been playing harp for 30 years. I wish Kendrick made an analogue tape delay (like an EchoPlex). I'd buy one in a second.