Mike Mettlia – Warminster, PA

Hey, got to use your new mic with the Cruncher last night.  What a great sound!!  We played a room that was between medium and large. The amp was right on the edge with the guitar player so I mic'd it for the second set and it was totally amazing. With the Turner CR mic it was the perfect combination.  I was in the normal channel and had it bridged. Juke just took off perfectly along with the other songs. My guitar player who is real particular with harp amps said he really liked the sound. I agree with the other person who wrote in about how it is the best chromatic sound that he has heard. It really is in the way that it gives the chromatic a beautiful deep on-the-edge sound. I love the feel of the Turner mic and that you can just stick the cord right in. The element you have found to put in these things really makes a difference.

 

I am really loving this amp more each time. It just comes out swinging every time. It doesn't even need that much bass to it. I find myself turning the bass back to 4 or 5. I was wondering if I can go louder tube wise with this amp for the next time in this club? If not that's fine because when I mic it the sound comes through the pa great.

 

Again I'm so glad that I got number 44; it is the perfect amp for me and I love how great the western tolex looks.

 

                                            ~~~~~~~~~~~

Lionel Mollo - France

I received the ampli. I have tested it and I am charmed. The sound is as I hopes for it and the quality of the ampli is exceptionnel. Congratulation for your knowledge to make and your serious.

Can you give me (compared to your experience) the ideal adjustment of the pedal danelectro to add on the amplifier?

I am very happy, and now I have a subli me ampli. I would not fail to make you publicity in the south of France. Tank you till

                                ~~~~~~~~

Johnny Mac - California

The Cruncher is more, way more than as advertised. It arrived this morning. It is simply flawless and a veritable tone monster. You sir, are a genius. I can't come up with enough superlatives to describe your accessibility, your product, the shipping, just the entire experience.

 

Being 3000 miles away and buying without being able to play or see one was a bit trying on my part. However, man did you deliver!  Thanks again for everything.  If you have any potential customers in the Southern California area who are a bit hesitant, I would be more than happy to try to accommodate them.  Let them hear, see, and play through this beast and you will have them by the short hairs!!!  Thanks again for being so cool.

 

                                            ~~~~~~~~~~

Marco Lenhher – Switzerland

You know, to be honest I did not need another new amp, but I really love them. Some guitar players have several guitars; others collect paintings or cars or whatever they want. In my case, well I really love amps. I have already four harmonica amps, two of them are custom point-to-point amps, so I know what a good amp is, how it sounds, and it is not so easy to impress me with another amp.

Well the Cruncher looks fabulous! The size, well at first I thought that probably it would be just as heavy as a Bassman...NOT AT ALL!  It is really good to carry around. Excellent also the amp cover. I consider it as a gift….thank you very much!

And now the tone. What can I say, I plugged in, put everything on 3-4 ...puff...If I would be in a shop I would already say, “Ok, I don't need any more tests, I buy it.” This amp is really like a Swiss Army knife; perfect for every situation. I understand now why people write you "I cannot find the words...".  It is the same for me. I am so happy that it seems unreal and ridiculous, but it’s true... Also, really a great mic...comfortable to hold, and great sound!

Saluti…..and thank you, Sonny.

 

UPDATE:

My Cruncher works perfectly now.  Last week I went to rehearsal and we played pretty loud (you know those guitar players…tsss).  I never have feed back problems, especially when I use your Turner mic or my other vintage mics. I found out that with the 5U4 rectifier and the 12at7, I really had much too much bass. I really cup tight and and when I play a low tone/chord it almost blows the speakers out of the comb :-)))...so it was really too much "fat".  I immediately changed the rectifier and put the original one back in.

I read again your fabulous manual, and then I saw the possibility of 12at7 /12aU7 /12at7...hmmm sounds interesting. Do you think it could be a solution if I have too much bass-fat sound with the 5751 (I usually leave bass at 4 or so)

Ah yes, did you know (probably you do) that your amp sounds great also for guitar?  Plug in at bright 2 and go :-))) 

                                    ~~~~~~~~

Mark Model - UK

 

I've played a bunch of gigs with the Cruncher now, sometimes alternating it with a Meteor for comparison. Three conclusions:

1. The Cruncher is about as much amp as anyone could realistically need. Even in a large (200 people dancing in the middle of fixed seating) tent and not miced, it filled the place. The guitarist is considerate and doesn't use a big amp which helped, but the Cruncher cut though comfortably and reached every corner.

2. Probably the best chromatic sound I've ever heard.

3. It is great with a crystal through the special input but I acquired a cool CR element from Donnie which sounds just fantastic with the Cruncher. The sound with the channels bridged is simply outrageous! I think a strong magnetic element is a must for this amp.

Overall score 10/10 - I can't fault it!

                                            ~~~~~~~

Don "Zig" Zeller

 Having worked closely with Gary O/Sonny Jr. for over ten years, and having just purchased one of his mics along with the incredible Cruncher amp, I just want to comment on his supposed monopoly of the element market.

His quest for these elements is done in the best interest of his customers as he wants them to have the best tone out there. Any naysayers need to wake up to the reality of the open market. A good friend of mine has spent over $300 on bad eBay elements.  Lots of these are listed as "I don't know anything about these but when I plugged it in it seems to work fine". 

Gary takes a chance, AND takes a hit on too many of these elements.......and won't resell the bad ones. I'm not happy about the price on these eBay black label mic elements, but appreciate that if I buy one from someone with integrity like Gary, I'm going to get a great tested element not somebody else's lemon. 

The creative among us know where to search for these
elements, but as awareness of value to harp players increases, any internet savvy seller will put it out on eBay where, unfortunately, many Harp-L members
are likely bidding against each other.

                                    ~~~~~~
 

Michael Kakuk - Helena, MT

I fired up the Cruncher last night in the studio and, after changing the first preamp tube to an AY7, I was able to get that overdriven sound I’ve been looking for. I found my best results with a fairly low power Ruskin mic. I was able to turn the amp up to 9.5 and the sound was remarkable. Wonderful bottom, thick but clear mids, and crisp but not painful highs. All I had to do was lean a bit into the mic and the amp turned itself up to 11. Now that I know that I’ve got that sound in me – I’m committed to working with the 410 to try to open up my sound with that amp.
      
Thanks again for all you do for harp player and their fans. Yours is a legacy that I’m proud to be a part of.

                                     ~~~~~~~

Jef Funk - Biloxi, MS

I hope you are in good spirits. Just wanted to let you know the amp has arrived safely. I've never seen such a thorough packing job--I appreciate it. You are awesome--the Sonny Jr. amp has the richest, warmest tone. It's big and full, wall-to-wall. (of course, you knew that!) It added a dimension to my playing that I've been seeking--BIG FAT TONE.

Thanks Sonny J, I appreciate your craftsmanship, your knowledge, and your friendship. If there's anything I can ever do for you please ask. All the best!

                                       ~~~~~~~

Stephen Edwards - Flagler Beach, FL

Received my Sonny Junior  Cruncher #8 recently and wanted to pass this info on. First I would like to say what a wonderful person Gary was to deal with. If you have never talked to him in person or via phone you can't begin to understand how committed he is to his business and your complete satisfaction.

With three guitar players in our band and in playing out live, I soon realized I needed my harp to stand out over them. Sure I could mic my smaller amps through the pa, but folks it isn't the same. There is nothing like standing next to a large amp and blasting away, driving those speakers, feeling and hearing those speakers move. Anyway that's what my new Cruncher does. Gary says it is not as loud as his 410, let me say the Cruncher is very loud and the sound projection is outstanding. He is totally right, the Cruncher is a SJ1 on steroids. It kicks.

This is a perfect mid sized amp. No problems competing with the other players. I believe you could use this amp in any situation, small, medium or large venues. The tone controls were easy to figure out and once I discovered that, all my different mics sounded good. You can get all different sounds out of the Cruncher, the notes just seem to jump out of the amp, extremely responsive, clean to over driven. Of course the Cruncher is build like a tank, beautiful and is a perfect weight. Easy to carry with a killer sound.

Just another prize creation from the master harp amp builder Gary Onofrio. The amp comes complete with padded cover, extra tubes, fuse, a very fine owner's manual and best of all, complete assurance and satisfaction from Sonny Jr. If you got the band thing going and you got the extra bucks, you can't go wrong with the Cruncher. Remember we only go around once.

                                    ~~~~~~

Stuart Reid

Took it to a jam session last night, and the guitarists were extra loud. In the past, this would render all my amps/effects useless, feedback-prone, or reduced to a pile of mush.

Not so with the Cruncher. It cut right through with clarity. I could turn up with no feedback and every note was heard - just as advertised. Everyone was impressed. I actually used the bridged 2-2 with the mic in Norm 1. Norm & Bright at about 4 each. Nasty, but clear. It was harp heaven.

I will experiment with the cleaner settings for some 1st position harp. Also I'll make a switch to the 12AY7 for a small venue at our gig on Dec. 1. It couldn't be easier.

I have wanted one of your amps since you started 10 years ago, and now I have one. It has paid for itself the first day out of the box. Additionally, your custom mic is outstanding! The smoothest and best volume control ever.

                                    ~~~~~~

Warren Bee - New York

I had a gig Saturday night that I was dreading before hand. I walked off a gig on these guys a few months ago because I couldn't hear my self at all. These guys just can't conceive of a playing level on anything but "10". When I got the call last week I took the gig for two reasons: 1) I am broke :-) and 2) I now have a Cruncher. This was pretty much straight rock and roll full tilt. Led Zep, The Who, Queen, Stevie Ray, Creedence, Stones, Beatles etc.

Well my first stop before arriving at the gig was to the local CVS for some fresh ear plugs so I wouldn't kill my brain. When I got to the gig the guys were treating me with kid gloves. They knew that if I got frustrated I would just pack up and go home. They wanted to be as accommodating as possible and set me up however I needed to be comfortable. They also brought an extra monitor for me alone so we could mic the amp I was using and I could hear it better. I told them that I wouldn't need to be mic'ed because I got a new amp.

 I went out to the car and brought in the Cruncher. The amp looks so cool the initial reactions are usually the same; "boy that looks sweet". I used the line out so I would be in the PA and through the monitors as well as the amp in order to create a better balance in the overall sound. The band is a 3 piece (Drums, Bass, Guitar). They wanted me in the middle so I set my amp up to the left of the bass drum. I am still working on dialing in my favorite settings but did the basics to get a nice tone and roar from the 2 8's and the 12 via the amp. The guitar player to my right was going to be as loud as ever (God bless his wayward soul!) and I was happy to have some extra monitor in my face to compete.

 So after the sound check I put in the ear plugs and get ready to feel as little crappy as possible. It's amazing sometimes what we put ourselves through to make a few bucks! So we start the first set and of course it is one big wall of sound. I was not thrilled but quickly I could tell that I was going to be able to "keep up" with out "packing up". The Cruncher was a ball of fire I tell ya and it sounded great. I had it cranked pretty high as I had to compete with the "band" (what a sad concept huh?)

So the first set was a long one, about an hour and 15 minutes. I was actually having some fun and was at a low frustration level considering the situation. Many of the tunes I had never attempted or heard before, so it was an enjoyable adventure/challenge making the harp fit in especially because in times past by now I would have already started my "cry baby" act and packing up to go home.

It was during the first break that a monumental occurrence happened. Imagine this if you will. The drummer walks up to me and says, "Holy shit that amp is incredible. I can't believe the growl and roar you are getting out of it, but can you do me a favor. Could you please move it further back and more to my left because I am having trouble hearing anything else! There is so much sound coming from the back of that thing I can't hear myself think!" I couldn't help but smile and offer him some comforting words. First off, of course I will move the amp for you, my pleasure. Then I said, "just go grab a beer and stop crying, this is rock and roll you big baby!

Ah the sweet smell of victory! It only took me 30 years to finally get up off of the canvas and find a way to fight back in the "street fight" of barroom musical lunacy.

                                    ~~~~~~

Brian Amundson - Crystal, MN

Last night I used the Cruncher at an outdoor gig--here are some of the details of the event. It was held under a huge tent with open sides. I ended up being located at the far end of "stage left" with the Cruncher positioned next to a guitar amp but separated by about 2 feet. The guitar amp was elevated on a stand so I decided to place the Cruncher on a milk crate--(about 1 foot up)--rather than directly on the stage floor.

I thought about the suggestion you made--to try using a 12AX rather than a 12AT. The 12AX definitely gave the amp more bite. I played the entire gig with the AX installed in the Cruncher and it seemed to give it some "extra edge" which really helped with this particular band. The band's loudness level crept up as the night went on and playing under a tent with all it's sound wave reflections resulted in the usual "phase cancellations"--so having a bit more edge on the Cruncher helped me to hear myself clearly.

 The main difference in the overall level settings on the Cruncher with the 12AX instead of the 12AT was that I didn't have to set the "bright channel" level quite a high as I did the night before. My amp settings at the end of the night with the channels bridged were as follows....(Bass at 9 1/2) (Mid at 3) (Treble at 4) (Normal channel at 5) (Bright channel at 4). Normally I prefer to keep the Mid level at "1"--(that's my personal preference)--but I've found that I need to bring the mid level up when I'm playing with a band. The same thing holds true for my 410--I normally prefer to keep the mid level around 1--(that's the sound I like)--but when I play with an amplified band I'll boost the mid in order to get a more solid and full sound.

As far as loudness at the gig last night goes--I easily could have raised the volume level of the Cruncher if I had chosen to, but I wanted to avoid starting a volume war with the guitar player. The Cruncher was plenty loud last night--the sound cut through, the tone was great, and like the night before I had zero feedback issues. The Cruncher sounded great and just like at Friday nights gig I could actually hear myself play--finally, after all these years!

                                    ~~~~~~
 

 Gerard Gagnier - Canada

 

Amp arrived Wednesday and after getting home from a 17 hour day of traveling, I had to plug it in and see what the Cruncher would do.... totally amazing tone!  My days of screwing around with guitar amps and tweaking them are over. You're absolutely right on in your description of the flexibility of the amp in terms of tone and volume... picks up and pronounces subtleties in playing, but when you want to kick it in, the power and overdrive are there.

 

By the way craftsmanship in the build is outstanding and it was obviously meant for me to own this Cruncher as I've got number 23 which is my favorite number since I was a little kid in all sports!

 

The tone is to die for.......and at all volumes. Keep up the outstanding work! I can't wait to get to know the Cruncher better.

                                    ~~~~~~

 

Lance Dieckmann - Vista, CA

I am VERRRY PLEASED!  The amp exceeded my expectations. It truly is a CRUNCHER.....great tone and volume.

 

I was a little leery to be honest because I mentioned I'd like a 12-10 and you said you thought that combo had too much bite . Well I like bite..... but honestly the 12 and 2 -8's are providing enough bite and the bass on this amp is incredible.

 

I usually set my Four-Ten bass at 8, mid 2, and treble 7, so I set my Cruncher at the same settings. The Cruncher with that setting is SWEET AND FAT.....I guess you can tell I like my treble HUH!

 

Thanks so much ....I was having a tough time as to what builder I wanted to use....I went to the right one.

You had built my Sonny II with a snakeskin tolex because I'm not a huge tweed guy, but this Cruncher is a looker.......best tweed job I've seen!

 

You've got a fan for life here, Gary.

 

                                                    ~~~~~~~~

George Hughes - Cheshire, UK

 

PERFECT!!!!!! Thank you!! I’m in heaven. Will have to explore for a while. So far, I like the TONE best with the GT 5751M preamp. Seems like a good match for this Turner mic. I like a slightly overdriven sound. Haven’t even started adjusting bass, middle and treble other than the initial setup you suggested. I am bridged between bright and normal. You probably won’t hear from me for a while. I’m in my element. Never thought I would get there, however. Thanks for your sacrifice. You don’t know how much we appreciate you Gary. You’re the man!

                                        ~~~~~~~~

Gary Galloway –Decatur, MS

Hey Sonny, yes I collected the amp yesterday and put it on the setup you recommended.  It is everything you said it was and more. I am very happy with it. I was at home so couldn’t crank it up, but at low volume  it sounds great and I can’t wait to get out there. Thanks for all your help and advice. You were true to your word and have been there every step of the way. Thanks again, Sonny!

                                        ~~~~~~~~

Henning Heichler - Frankfurt, Germany

http://www.bluesblend.de

 

Finally I take some time to write a few lines about my first gigs with the Cruncher. I played some club gigs and a festival show with it and am really happy because it is very versatile. Tube distortion is warm and powerful and already starts at a low volume. I use the bridge function mostly and use a lot of treble, only a bit of bass.

 

The amp has lots of punch and a sound character that is really unique. What I like most about it is that it allows me to play very dynamic. It reacts to the way I blow the harp very precisely. No other amp that I played can do this. It improves my playing, I can hear myself very well on big stages, its great in small clubs.

I plug in a Holy Grail reverb box, that's all I need. My Electrovoice 619 works best with it because it has a high output.

 

So, overall it's definitely worth the money and a lot of fun to play with!!

 

                                                ~~~~~~~~

Ralf Fuckardt - Germany

 BBHarpy@online.de

 

I just got my Sonny Jr 410 one week before and yes......I love it. My personal amp is a Fender Princeton Reverb (I love this one and never will give it away and will still play it as well as the 410).

What I can say about the 410 and Sonny is this ....great shipping, only 1 week to Germany....the amp is just beautiful and sounds great at all volumes. At first I was trying to experiment with tube settings, but the stock setting from Sonny is just what I need. All sounds you ever heard on CD´s you can do it with the 410.

Sounds like a real champ....... lower the bass and give more highs and some mids....that's it. Big sound of the Bassman. Just give more bass, lower the mids and put the highs at 6 ......that's it. I have now spent 15 hours with this amp and I don't need more time to say.....that's it.......!!!!!!  Thanks, Sonny.