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May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | I use several varieties of ovation guitars and have, like most struggled with getting good amplified sound. I have been using the ultrasound DS4 and it has been really great. I just picked up the Fender Acoustasonice Ultralight head and stereo speaker cabinet and I will say that after 35 years of looking, this is the best acoustic amp I have ever heard. It is unfortunatly pricey, but it is small..very light...but very big on volume and tone. If you get a chance to plug your ovation into one of these fine amps you will see what i mean.
http://www.fender.com/products//search.php?partno=2271700000 |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I tend to lean toward Fender's amps as well. Maybe too much. |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
I tend to lean toward Fender's amps Ya gettin' older... pump up the volume! 
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January 2009
Posts: 4535
Location: Flahdaw | I have the Acoustasonic SFX, which I got used for $450 in brand new condition. It's got everthing in one package. I can't figure out what the purpose of the ultralight is....why would you want it broken into 2 seperate units, plus it cost a hell of a lot more money. (i'm sure there is a reason) |
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September 2007
Posts: 153
Location: New Jersey, USA | Part of the reason is to have flexibility in terms of cabinet options. There are many "separates" rigs designed like this. I use an Acoustic Image Clarus 2R, which is a tiny but powerful solid state head. It's great for jazz archtops as well as for any acoustic guitar or mic'd instrument (including voice). I pump it through a Redstone 8" cabinet with an adjustable tweeter for most things, but I also use it for bass guitar with a much larger Avatar cabinet.
In a word: Flexibility |
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May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | Yep....that is for sure...the ultralight head is very flexible for output to cabinets. The sound of the true stereo ultralight cabinnet is amazing with the stereo chorus.....and the 2 8s are really nice for acoustic reproduction. The amp and cabinet weigh less than 27 lbs and can flat out crank out clean sound. If you play the ovation with any preamp through this set up you will see what i mean for sure |
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December 2001
Posts: 10583
Location: NJ | check out the new genz benz compak |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | oh yes.....excellent as well...I played through a shen series when testing out a couple of martin guitars...and it was really great...I am thinking this new compak (especially with the extension cab) would be spectacular. They are also a beautiful amp to hear acoustic guiar qualities... |
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May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | and the shen series was wicked heavy as well...but it looks like the conpak is nice and light and easy to transport.... |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | I really enjoy my Genz Benz Shen Stereo 60...it takes a bit of getting aquainted to get the best settings and that takes practice...but it is versitle and sounds great...also nice is the option of being able to use it as a mini PA ...makes for a compact setup: add your favorite Mic, an O or A plugged in, and what a combination...I like the tip back feature...mine is the first gen. and yes, it is on the heavy side... ;) lol... |
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May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | I bet that is a really nice amp. Interesting speaker size...i wonder how it does in live performance with a drum kit and bass player behind. Those amps are built like tanks for sure and have a good reliability rating. I also wonder how it is with a vocal mic. The last solo job I did with the ultralight, I took the amp (shoulder bag) speaker cab and my guitar and accessories all in one trip.... about 27 lbs in one hand and about 10 in the other.....really nice. The ultralight sounded great all evening and the notch filter really helps in small venues. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4233
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | Does anyone have opinions about the Hartke AC-150. I've got a line on a used one I want but don't need, so I've got to create a justification for Patch to spend money he doesn't really have.....again.....  |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | Not sure about it as I have not played through that model at all......It certainly has lots of digital effects and that can be a good/bad thing.....They certainly made fantastic bass amps and have a good rep amongst bassists.....Not completly sure on the speaker set up.....feel like it might get a bit middy and harsh when turned up a bit.....but all that said....the reality is....you just have to play it and see if it fits your needs and taste |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Our bass player uses a Hartke for practice and buys/exchanges a lot of his gear through the local GC. Interestingly, he said the Hartke is the only amp they refused to take in on any kind of a trade. Since when has GC become gear picky? |
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May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | hummmm.....that is interesting. GC is a difficult place to do business. Its just plain too noisy for me. Even the acoustic room is unpleasant at times. I would like to know the reason for the hartke refusal as well. |
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March 2005
Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | I'd really like to hear how the Fender A.S. Ultralight stacks up against the Genz Benz Compak. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | yep...that is a tricky one......I have no experience with the GB.....other than our bass player uses a GB head......I am thinking it would be a nice matchup for sure....The string dynamic control on the acoustasonics is really nice.....and having used a few different acoustic amps (fender/crate/ultrasound/fishman) the ultralight is still the best of the bunch. I wish it were not so expensive.....but its sound and portability are worth the investment....it is all you need for a small club solo act.....it only has 2 inputs so its limited in that respect....but it is wicked light and lots of clean acoustic sounding power |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Those amps are built like tanks for sure and have a good reliability rating. I also wonder how it is with a vocal mic. Really well actually; I have done several specials at church w/ my Elite 12 or Adamas I plugged in one channel and a Shure SM58 plugged in the other. Really great sound and the portability is a very nice option for me as I go between two churches on Sunday Mornings...
I highly recomend it; BTW, Al has the Amps as well as covers...I'd give him a call for a great deal... |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I got a compak, it's killer!!
You got to get one, it's the right size and easy to carry. The ext cab arrived today, will try that out tomorrow. Each is smaller than a basketball. |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | man...that looks really cool....didnt know you could remove the amp....would love to try one sometime with the extra cab. It sure has lots of mid eq.......tell more about it when you have some time to play it more |
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Joined:
March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Here is a great video review of the Compak:
GB Compak |
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February 2009
Posts: 262
Location: VENISE-EN-QUEBEC CANADA | How much is it worth
Daniel |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Originally posted by Beal:
The ext cab arrived today, will try that out tomorrow. Each is smaller than a basketball. So how does the ext cab sound? Does that give you stereo 8" speakers or two mono 8" speakers? |
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November 2004
Posts: 367
Location: Eaton, Indiana | I had the opportunity to spend 2 days at a NAMM show. During that time I tried every acoustic amp on display. The one I went home with was a Crate Gunnison. Lots of great features, excellent effects, great acoustic sound. Since then I have used that amp in over 200 performances, and I recently bought a second one as a backup.
At least give it a try!
Scott Lamperd B C (Before computers) |
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Joined:
May 2009
Posts: 70
Location: Battle Creek, MI | This certainly proves that amp makers are getting better and better at providing a good sound option for acoustic players. |
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acoustic guitar amps