The volume control is really nice. I still use a regular mic attached to a stand  for that cupped hand air tight harp hold and subtle soft bending of notes, but  for Chicago blues it's just the thing. Its small enough to fit in your hand and you can produce sweet mellow sustained tones for a ballad, but you can't get an air tight seal with a tin sandwich and the mic both in your hands. Of course, that's not what it's designed for. I have found nothing better for the electric sound - bar none. It's classic yet modern.  I use it with a PigNose Hog 30 amp if I want portability.