Today I went in to Allans Music and ordered the same amp that the devotees use on Harinam in Sydney, the Ashton BSK158. I was going to get the Fender P10 (which also comes in a version with a wireless handheld mic), which is also a nice compact and durable piece of equipment, but went with the Ashton because:
- It is 15W versus 10W for the Fender
- While it’s heavier, it mounts better on a trolley, and frankly, although the Fender P10 is light, after an hour or two anything is heavy.
- The Ashton has two channels, which gives it more versatility
- They’re using this amp successfully down there, so I have faith in it
In New Zealand I had a Fender Amp Can. The devotees at Gaura Yoga still have it and use it for Harinam.
I also ordered a headset mic. Nothing is more inefficient than trying to use a microphone that someone else is holding. It takes significant skill and attention to hold a mic properly for someone. Padmanabha das, one of the devotees in Sydney, did a sterling job, but he’s not here in Brisbane now, is he? I was going to go with the Audiotechnica Pro8HE, but that is out of stock for the next four weeks, so I went with the Shure WH20.
I left the store trying to remember why the WH20 seemed so familiar, then I remembered that I had one in New Zealand too. I used it only once. The idea was to use the Amp Can, my accordion (at the time a full-sized 120-bass one I got from Cash Converters for $150), and the headset mic. What was the problem? Among other things I wasn’t so good at playing the accordion, and it was way too heavy for extended use. In the end Vrajadhama traded the WH20 in on an Electribe ES-1, just before we went to South America.
We use the Ampcan also. It is a good compromise. Loud enough and light enough to be carried for hours without strain. There’s no need for a trolley. It’s still pretty heavy though. It also has two inputs. Voice and instrument.
We use the AKG 40 wireless mic and receiver system and have the over the ear mic as well. It works well. I can recommend both.