Fine Quality Custom Harp Mics Home of the Controlled Reluctance Harp Mics Where the pro's shop! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ <--------- ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________ Welcome Curtis Salgado to Fat Bottom Harp Mics. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEW: Just announced, Australia's premier harp player and also a Fat Bottom endorser "Ian Collard", will be using his Fat Bottom Mic on his newest CD "Juke Joint Boogie" www.collardgreensandgravy.com ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Sending out a big thank you to Rod Piazza for his acknowledgment of my harp mic work used on his new CD "Soul Monster" Get your copy quickly at www.themightyflyers.com "Chuck Gurney has a handle on harp mics at this time. If you want it right, get one tonight. In the future he is going to be one of the guiding lights. Looking forward to working with him in the future for bigger and better things. Your friend always, Rod Piazza" Rod Piazza's Custom Color Gold JT-30 used on his latest CD "Soul Monster" Hold your cursor over each picture to see another angle or feature Rod's mic Also sending out another big thank you to my good friend Mark Overman for helping to collaborate the project for Rod. Mark was a huge part of the project's success. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Also welcome Rick Estrin from The Night Cats on board, along with Mark Hummel, Sugar Ray Norcia, Egidio Ingala and Mingo Balaguer as recent Fat Bottom Mic endorsers. Read all about them on the "Pro Endorsers" page (HERE) All of these guys were great to deal with as endorsers for my Harp Mic products and services. Thay have been a great testament to the quality of work I continuously strive for here at Fat Bottom Mic's. Read about the ORIGINAL Big Walter Horton mic modification completed for Sugar Ray Norcia. It was a real pleasure to work on this mic to say the least. Ray was there 30 years ago and recorded with Big Walter Horton on the newly released CD, "Bocce Boogie" under the TopCat Records label. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here at Fat Bottom Harp Mic's you can expect to find some of the finest quality custom made harmonica microphones available. I keep a strict attention to detail along with using only the finest parts available to achieve the highest standards for my builds. From super hot elements, to the hottest looking custom paint work, I can make your next harp mic dream a reality. I am constantly striving to improve my builds with research in tone, higher quality parts, fatter sounding elements, and now Fat Bottom Harp Cables. What you WILL NOT find here at Fat Bottom Mic's are short cuts taken to save money, shoddy installations, weak elements, or poor quality parts. It all adds up in the end my friends. Here at Fat Bottom Harp Mic's you can also expect to find the finest vintage harp tone reminiscent of some of the greatest players of all time. I build to your specifications. If you need a price for a harp mic build, please use the "Harp Mic Quotes" tab to the left and fill out the convenient form provided to help speed up the process for getting the mic you desire. There is so much more to building a good harp mic than soldering a element in your favorite shell, it is the culmination of the entire build and the attention to every known detail along the way. If you don't purchase a mic from me, ask as many questions as possible before purchasing. It will pay to shop around for quality and not just low prices and pretty paint jobs. As you have heard many times throughout your life, "you get what you pay for" and that statements holds true for anything you purchase. Compare my specs below, check out the endorsers, read the generous comments made by past customers, take a look at the Past Mic Builds tab to your left, and finally, shop wisely. Below are just some of the details I include in my builds to assure the highest quality builds possible. ________________________________________________________________________ While you are here, please check out the "Past Mic Builds" tab to your left. If you hold your cursor over each harp mic picture, it will change to another angle or feature of the mic. 67 builds in all, most have a second picture. Please be patient, there are a lot of pics to load. If you see a microphone you like and have questions about a build, please don't hesitate to ask. I will let you know if I have what you need. _______________________________________________________________ You can order cables and parts from the "Cables & Parts" tab to your left. If you need information about element sales, CR repair services, or Custom Harp Mics, please contact me using the "Harp Mic Quotes" tab to the left and fill out the convenient form. I will try to get back to you asap. If the form is not available for some reason, please contact me direct at: chuck@fatbottom-mics.com Thank you for taking the time to look around. Chuck Gurney |
Fat Bottom Harp Mics
Controlled Reluctance Sales, Repair and Service
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Custom Made Harmonica Microphones
- Each solder connection throughly cleaned with high quality flux (NO twisted wires).
- Silver solder used on all connections
- High quality color coded shrink wrap on all solder joints (NO tape).
- By request, I will install Teflon coated silver tinned copper wiring (extra).
- Double shrink wrap on the rear wires coming from the fitting (the most important connection).
- Main ground wire soldered directly to the fitting to eliminate drilling the shell and to maintain a lower noise ratio.
- Liquid glue poured in the rear of the mic to lock the wires to the shell and the fitting for longer life and insulating properties.
- Military grade sealed volume controls with liquid thread lock (matched to shell and element combination).
- Full, gradual volume use (NOT 0-100 in a 1/4 turn)
- Solid billet aluminum volume control knobs (NO plastic).
- Custom or factory gaskets installed (NO foam or other inferior materials used).
- Accurately drilled/tapped screw-on fitting installations with stainless steel set screws. (NO Glue)
- I install elements that have been meticulously inspected by me and me only for any potential problems ahead of time.
- Feedback thresholds minimized before the mic leaves my shop.
- Fresh, 18 awg silver tinned leads, looped and soldered to every element.
- Each mic receives a fresh grill silk glued with a water proof adhesive
- High quality custom paint and artwork available.
- If paint is required, I use only high grade automotive paint and urethane clear (NO spray cans).
- Silver or gold leaf monogrammed mics available.
- Custom brushed finish with clear coat. (color tinting available).
- Buffed, polished and clear coated Zink or aluminum shells.
- Custom artwork upon request.
- Final tweaking and overall inspection, along with lengthy break in times to assure all problems are addressed before the microphone leaves.
- Some machine and lathe work available.
- Chroming and powder coating coming soon.
Fat Bottom Endorsers
Rick Estrin
Sugar Ray Norcia
Dave Barrett
West Side Andy
Sonny Jr.
Pete Sheridan
Curtis Salgado
Kim Wilson
Mark Hummel
| "Hi Chuck, this is easily the best mic I've tried, great full bottom end and strong mids that cut through with plenty of output overall. It looks great too, a pleasure doing business with you, Much thanks Ian." |
Gary Smith
| Turner Chop, Gold Hammertone, CR, Rear VC |
Click picture to see another angle of Ian's mic.
Ian Collard
Mingo Balaguer
Egidio Ingala
Ian Collard
| paint with gold metallic. |
| "Preachin The Blues" CD cover Fat Bottom Mic pictured |
| immediate death. That was a traumatic moment... it had my favorite element inside... the choice element from over 150 mics I've owned through the years... an element other pro players salivated over! I heard good things about Chuck Gurney's element repair service through the years and sent it to him. The resurrection was miraculous... the mic lives on today as one of best sounding mics on earth!" |
Dave Barrett
| Curtis Salgado is quite possibly the man who single handily was responsible for the creation of the Blues Brother's sitcom on SNL which led to the Blues Brother band, movies, concerts and the world famous House of Blues venues. Read about the Curtis Salgado & John Belushi Connection "here". You might call him "The Real Blues Brother" Chuck has landed me the very mic I was looking for that I thought I would never find. He surprised me with the hottest Astatic T-3 and Brush crystal combination. He was quick, reliable, very professional and knows what he's talking about. When I have a mic related problem, or need a mic, Chuck is the guy for me. His products simply ROCK! Thanks Chuck for the great mic. Curtis Salgado |
Curtis Salgado
Curtis & John Belushi
| Fabulous Thunderbirds band & Fat Bottom Mics update. Sat down and had dinner with Kim Wilson before one of his shows. Our fascinating discussion ranged anywhere from the old days of the Fabulous Thunderbirds to Stevie Ray Vaughan and everything in between. As usual, Kim smoked the house that night along with a blistering performance from the entire band. Before the show Kim made a statement about all the Fat Bottom Mics he has owned. Kim continues to be a great ambassador for Fat Bottom Mics. "My buddy Chuck is really on the right track with his work. You can expect great, new and fortunate things coming from him in the future. I already own several of Chuck's great mics and use them often. Your friend, Kim Wilson" Kim has been the front man for The Fabulous Thunderbirds band for over 30 years with hits like "Wrap It Up" and "Tuff Enuff". Kim is pictured above with his Fat Bottom Astatic JT-31 mic and Chrome Ronette mic. If you ever heard anything about Kim's personality being so nice, it is certainly all true. As always, he was great to deal with. Thanks Kim. |
| Welcome Les Stroud to Fat Bottom Mics from the hit TV survival shows "Survivorman" and "Beyond Survival" more to come.... |
Les Stroud with Alice Cooper
Les Stroud, "Survivorman"
Andy Just
Kim Wilson's JT-31 mic.
Kim Wilson's Ronette mic.
Kim Wilson video playing his Fat Bottom JT-31
| Blues sensation WSNB (AKA, We Sing Nasty Blues) Click the blue letters above to check them out. More to come............. |
| Welcome Huey Lewis as one of Fat Bottom's newest endorsers from the phenomenal Huey Lewis and The News Band. Huey Lewis orders his third Fat Bottom Mic! I recently spoke with Huey about the satisfaction of his Fat Bottom mics and he states that he is now touring exclusively using his Candy Orange Turner mic, his Black/Chrome Turner chop mic and now Huey has placed his order for a 3rd mic, a Red Candy JT-30 Fat Bottom Mic. Thanks again Huey for your continued support! ............................................................................... Sat down with Huey before one of his sold out shows and presented him with his first Fat Bottom Harp Mic. Below is a short video of him testing out the mic. Huey went on to use the mic for the entire performance. He put on a phenomenal show with one of the tightest bands I have ever heard, not to mention what a terrific guy he was to deal with! Thanks Huey for all the great support. |
| NEW: Mark Hummel released his newest CD "Back Porch Music" on February 15th using his Fat Bottom Harp Mic on selected songs. Many thanks going out to Mark for acknowledging my work on previous CDs as well. |
Get your copy now!!!!
New: Statement made by Dave Barrett of HarmonicaMasterClass.com & now his newest site BluesHarmonica.com |
Hi Chuck, I have just finished up a tour in Europe and wanted to drop you a line about the mic you made for me. Your mic is nothing other than fantastic!! YOU ARE THE MAN!! When you play overseas most of the time your NOT going to get the amp that you desire so I have to make do. Your mic has made it so that even if the amp is less than good I STILL get the great tone I need with plenty of output. For any harp players who want that big fat dirty sound, there is only one way to go, Fat Bottom Mics. Chuck is the technician that will find that sound you are looking for. Chuck thank you so much for a Superior mic and what a beauty! Your mic is now on the cover of my new CD that I recorded here in Europe. Ciao- Your friend-Andy Just A big thank you going out to my good friend Mark Overman. Mark was the catalyst for the introduction and for the mic build for Andy Just. Thank you once again Mark |
Welcome Gary Smith as one of Fat Bottom's new endorsers. California Tone King! "The unique Biscuit mic that Chuck built for me is great looking, easy to cup, intriguing to fiddle with while your playing, and the thing can holler like a mountain jack!!!!! So far I've used it in several contexts from a 15 watt-10 inch fender to my double barrel "tweedzilla" hooking together my Sonny Jr. Cruncher, and my Bassman with a reverb tank between them. The mic is amazing in that it responds to every nuance of hand pressure,wind power, and just the right amount of snarl. The volume control is in the perfect position for subtle changes. My advice to the curious, dial up Chuck's photo gallery, you'll feel like Little Walter on Christmas morning. Chuck...you are an artist working in the medium of the sound of the soul. Thank you so much G.S." Special thanks going out to Mark Overman for the introduction. |
| Custom, one off, rear VC, CR, Chrome Biscuit |
Gary Smith
Huey Lewis
| Huey Lewis' three Fat Bottom Mics. Click picture to enlarge. |
Huey Lewis video trying out his new Fat Bottom Harp Mic
| "Chuck Gurney's work is the best I,ve encountered. I would not hesitate to have him do anything I need in a microphone. Your Friend, Rod Piazza." Thank you going out to Mark Overman |
| Rod Piazza's second CD using his second Fat Bottom Harp Mic. Blue T-3 Microphone pictured on Rod's newest CD cover "Almighty Dollar" |
| Fat Bottom Mics specialize in custom blues harp mics tailored to your specifications. If you need a quote for a harp mic build please use the "Harp Mic Quote" tab and fill out the convenient "Build A Harp Mic" form. The form will help speed up the process for getting the mic you desire. If you have a mic that needs repair please use the e-mail address on the "Contact Us" page. |
| Welcome Randy Chortkoff from Delta Groove Records to Fat Bottom Mics. (Rod Piazza's recording choice among many other great Blues artists) Randy is also the harp player for the "Mannish Boys" The Mannish Boys will be one of the guest bands at the 2011 Blues Awards in Memphis. Generations of great talent in this band so be sure to check them out. (Click Blue letters to link to Randy's websites) More to come...... |
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