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Amplified Harmonica?
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“You're going to like the way you sound. I guarantee it.” |
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Want to learn more about BlowsMeAway Products? Please use these links:
Home -- Custom Wood Mics -- Ultimate Series Mics -- Bulletini® Mics -- Rackit! Mics -- Wireless Systems -- Kalamazoo Amps |
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Yes! We have mic parts, elements, gaskets, and more for all you DIY'ers. |
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Feedback? Impedance? Headroom? Volume vs Gain? Dynamic vs Crystal? |
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New! September 2019 - Shane Sager endorses Shane says: “I have been using a Shure 57 for many years now- I come from the blues originally like most harmonica players and love the sound of my BlowsMeAway custom wood bullet mic, but during this tour I needed to access a cleaner, more natural sound to be able to play in all styles from Jazz to Rock to Reggae. I find that the Ultimate 57 is the perfect mate to my chromatic harmonica; compact, easy to hold, and delivers a sweet and natural tone. I have used it on countless gigs all over the world and it has never failed - thanks Greg!" |
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March 2019 - Chris Wood (The Wood Brothers Band) endorses BlowsMeAway Productions Rackit! microphone! Two brothers decide to form a band, adapting the blues, folk and other roots-music sounds they loved as kids into their own evocative sound and twining their voices in the sort of high-lonesome harmony blend for which sibling singers are often renowned. The Wood Brothers are an international touring act drawing crowds wherever they perform.Chris Wood plays both electric and acoustic bass, and harmonica in a rack, along with vocals. He has recently begun using the Rackit! microphone for his harp work, as well as some backing vocals. Chris says: “For years I’ve dreamed of a way to mimic the sound of hands cupping my harmonica in its rack while I play the bass. The Rackit! finally made that possible!” --March 2019.Learn more about the fabulous Rackit! Microphone - the hands-free harp mic with the big, fat tone. Learn more about the fabulousWood Brothers Band. |
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March 2018 - Gary Smith endorses BlowsMeAway Productions' custom wood microphones.I'm proud to welcome Gary Smith as my newest professional endorser. Gary, a Hohner “Master of the Harmonica", has been playing professionally since 1969 and was a big influence on many harp players, David Barrett, Aki Kumar, Mark Ford and myself among them. Gary is a tone monster and has many records and CD's out there. If you don't own his "Up The Line" - make a point of adding it to your collection. Here's what Gary has to say:"I've had a week or so with the mic. I haven't got back to you in part, because this work of yours is so damn thought provoking. Every harp mic I've ever used has been a resurrection of some antique repurposed p.a. mic. This is entirely different. You've reimagined the harpmic into a handcrafted artful and musical expression of your own design. Quite an achievement. So first ,kudos to you and your cottage industry of one. As for this mic...over the top looks, my friend. Anyone who has seen pictures is blown away, but in person...the eyes bulge! Like a flame-top les paul, only round! The sound is top shelf as well, the CR that you hand selected is spot on - big tone. And I've got to add something about the light feel of the mic. So different, and so welcome! I've long gotten accustomed to the heft of a jt-30 or 520, but I must say my 'arthur' hands really came to appreciate the light grip. Long and short, I'm really glad we made this happen. I'm the latest harp-maniac to be 'blown away' A zillion thanks, Gary Smith." March 2018. |
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November 2017 - John Nemeth endorses BlowsMeAway Productions' custom wood microphones.John Németh is an American electric blues and soul harmonicist, singer, and songwriter. He has received two Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Male Artist in 2014 and Soul Blues Album in 2015. John's mic is made from an array of colored pencils, cast into a solid block with clear resin and then turned. John and I chose a vintage Shure black label CR element, made in 1950 to power this beauty. John says:“My Blowsmeaway microphone is the best one I own both in tone and craftsmanship, I love it!” John Nemeth -- November 2017 |
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February 2017 - Jackson Kincheloe endorses BlowsMeAway Productions' Ultimate 57 microphone.Jackson Kincheloe and his band Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds are a New York based band playing a funky modern blues/pop-hard to describe unique mix of great music, fronted by singer (and Jackson's sister) Arleigh. Jackson accompanies with a very broad range of harp tones - sometimes sounding like a blues harp, sometimes like a hammond organ, and sometimes joining the horn section. Jackson says:“I've been using the Ultimate 57 from BlowsMeAway for years, and absolutely love it! The shorter length barrel makes it easy to hold, and the volume knob is a must when using different textures/sounds. I prefer the 57 when playing through my pedalboard, but also love using the Ultimate 545 for blues and rock gigs. Greg is a pleasure to work with, and always gets right back to me if I have any questions. It's no surprise that I see Greg's mics being used by harp players all over the country: they're the best!” Jackson Kincheloe -- February 2017 |
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May 31, 2016 - Andy Santana endorses BlowsMeAway Productions' Bulletini® microphone.Andy Santana and the West Coast Playboys have been around since the early 80's. Andy is a Delta Groove Records recording artist and has been playing harp for 36 years plus. Andy says:“... and during all that time I searched far and near for the best harp mic I could find. This quest recently led me to Greg Heumann and his Bulletini mic design. I have an impressive collection of very high quality mics from a variety of sources. All cost a lot more than the Bulletini, but what sets this unique mic apart from the rest is its consistency in every amp I use it with. It doesnt matter what amp I use, the sound is rich, round and fat. Even on amps designed for guitar it sounds good, and I can’t say that for the other mics. Not only does it sound great but it’s affordable as well. Quite frankly I love this little mic for its small size which allows for the most wicked cup possible, and its fat sound. I highly recommend the Bulletini to anyone. Lastly Greg Heumann is a good human being with integrity with a capitol "I". And he's a great harp player/singer. The fact that he plays allows him to deeply understand what it takes to build a great design. I highly endorse this fine product and hope you will check it out!” Andy Santana -- May 2016 |
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Custom Wood Mic endorser, veteran harmonica master Westside Andy loves his new BlowsMeAway Harmonica Microphone.
Westside Andy Linderman -- July 2015 |
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Charlie Musselwhite,6-time Grammy nominee and 23-time Blues Music (aka W.C. Handy) award winner prefers his BlowsMeAway Harmonica Microphones (he has three!) and in-line volume controls.
Charlie Musselwhite - June 2008 ![]() |
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Toots Thielemans - perhaps the most famous harmonica player in the world - performs with an Ultimate 58.
August 22, 2016 - R.I.P. Toots Thielemans -- you will be deepy missed. |
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For more than 30 years and nine albums, Rick Estrin fronted the jumping, swinging Little Charlie & The Nightcats. The band continues with Rick up front to this day as Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. Here's what Rick says about his BlowsMeAway mic:
Rick Estrin - June 2012 |
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With his band The Blues Survivors, Mark Hummel has released some twenty
albums since 1980, and has been both producing & performing at his Blues Harmonica Blowout series since 1991.
These shows have grown to be a much heralded event & continue to draw sellout crowds wherever they appear.
Here's what Mark has to say about his mic:
Mark Hummel - August 2012 |
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With his band The Mighty Flyers, Rod Piazza
has been recording longer than his mentor George "Harmonica" Smith did, or Sonny Boy Williamson (either of them!), or
Big Walter Horton. He's been making records for more years than Little Walter was alive. Piazza is a tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool
blues veteran with credentials that are second to none.
Rod chose burl maple, with a double stripe of black stone inlay and a personalized brass grill for his mic. Rod also uses a BlowsMeAway wireless system in his performances. Here's what he has to say:
Rod Piazza - February 2013 |
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Willie Nelson's harmonica player for the last 37 years,
Mickey Raphael endorses his BlowsMeAway wood harmonica mic
for his blues work on stage with Willie. Additionally, he does studio work and has a CD out under his own name, and has worked
with a who's who of artists including Elton John, U2, Motley Crue, Vince Gill, Emmy Lou Harris, The Mavericks,
Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Neil Young. Mickey wanted a very dark colored mic. This one is made from Gabon Ebony.
He also wanted a low impedance setup so he could switch easily with his acoustic mic during his shows with Willie.
Finally, he wanted the stealth volume control so he could easily match levels with the other mic. BlowsMeAway Productions
is all about working with the customer to deliver exactly what they need and want.
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Here's what Mickey has to say:
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Grammy nominated performer
Kim Wilson endorses BlowsMeAway custom wood harmonica microphones.
"I've been in show biz a long time so I'm not easily impressed, but when I saw the workmanship that went into this mic I was, literally, "blown away". The attention to detail, the quality and beauty of the materials and, of course, the sound are very impressive indeed. I'm takin' this one on the road! Thanks Greg!" Kim Wilson - March 2010 ![]() ![]() |
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Product Line OverviewCustom Wood Microphones |
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I make bullet-style microphones that are lighter, easier to hold and certainly more beautiful than the
vintage industrial microphones they're intended to replace. They also have a wonderful warm tone and excellent feedback
resistance as a result of the choice of materials. Each mic is a handcrafted work of art.
Go to the Custom Wood Mics page for much more information.
"I play with a BlowsMeAway Productions wood mic and it is my favorite mic! Super light, great tone and it fits in your hand WAY better than the stock mics. The coolest looks! And I love the volume control now. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this mic to anyone that is serious about playing electric harp... I'm sold on Greg's mics! "-- recording artist Andy Just |
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Bulletini® Microphones |
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"The tiny bullet with the huge tone." The Bulletini is truly teeny - and is the only sub-sized bullet mic
on the planet with The Heumann Element- the world's only microphone element developed specifically for harp!
See the Bulletini Mics page for more information.
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The incomparable Aki Kumar demonstrates the Bulletini. |
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Ultimate Series Microphones |
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Our take on the classic and popular Shure microphones, optimized for harmonica players. Shorter, lighter, built in volume
control... and a choice of impedance and connectors to match your gear.
See the Ultimate Series page for more information. Ultimate Series mics are the choice of pros like Toots Thielemans, Ross Garren, Hermine Deuerloo, Billy Branch, Jackson Kincheloe, and Rob Paparozzi!
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Wireless Systems |
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Get Free! BlowsMeAway knows what you need to lose the cable! I have systems for low and high
impedance mics. I have rack mount and pedal board receivers. I have adapters to make them work with your microphone.
And I've tested them so I can help you choose the best solution.
Visit the Wireless Systems page for more information. |
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In-Line Volume Controls |
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Designed by harp players for harp players, these handsome in-line volume controls give you simple and reliable volume
control where you need it - at the microphone! This is useful for many reasons:
These controls are precision machined, hand made and individually tested to withstand the rugged performance environment. I have made and sold hundreds of these controls. For more information, go to the Vintage Control or XLR Control page.
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Kalamazoo Amplifiers |
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I restore these wonderful mid-60's vintage amplifiers - quite simply the best little harp amps there ever were. I have bought, rebuilt and sold over 400 (!!!) of these, making me the worldwide Kalamazoo Model 1 and Model 2 expert. Visit the Kalamazoo Page for more information. | ![]() |
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The Bulletizertm |
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You play a Shure SM57 or 545 mic. You love the tone but the small diameter makes your hand cramp up. This is the solution. Get a griptm with The Bulletizer. | ![]() |
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Custom Work |
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I also customize and repair microphones and build custom controls, cables and adapters. Please click the links for more information.
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About Me |
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In February 2017 harmonica manufacturer Seydel and pro player PT Gazell published a video about me:
The short story: I retired from my first career and started BlowsMeAway in 2004. I operate my own machine shop,
wood shop and electronics lab. I'm the engineering department, the marketing department, the sales department, the
shipping department..... you gotta problem? I can take care of it! Perhaps more importantly I'm a performing harmonica
player and I use the gear I make. My band,
Bluestate, released an album called Duracool which is available on iTunes and here at CDBaby.com. (I am the lead singer - there is harp on about
5 of the tunes.) This is me:
As is this:
And so is this: |
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Our recent Customer Survey results are here
if you're interested.
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Want to learn how to play the harmonica? Or play better than you do now? BlowsMeAway recommends: Modern Blues Harmonica These web sites offer on-line lessons, videos, instructional materials and more. |
BlowsMeAway Productions is a proud member of: | ||
Copyright © 2005, ... 2017 BlowsMeAway Productions -- P.O. Box 341, Geyserville, CA 95441 |