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March 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Mass | I'm reaching out to my fellow Ovation fans to help with suggestions for a new acoustic amp.
I'm looking for something for small jams and events. Looking for quality but don't need overwhelming stadium level power..not ready to shake the rafters of the Boston Garden just yet. I'm playing a Balladeer 1771 LX and Breedlove Atlas. I have tried a Fender Acoustasonic 30 and liked it a lot.
Thanks for your ideas and suggestions. |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Bose L1 Compact, under a grand USD. Or wait a few months and pick up a used one on Ebay. This will out-perform every acoustic amp on the market.
L1 Compact |
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Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Budget? |
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Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Hey Jim
Not sure where in Mass you are but I've heard others here say this is a good Acoustic Amp. Not sure if you want Brand new or not.It's in Hartford.
http://hartford.craigslist.org/msg/1185901380.html |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Love mine! I can't see another amp unless it's the Bose L1 Compact, which I haven't heard yet.
Buck for dollar, the Shen Jr. is a winner. |
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Posts: 3969
| Originally posted by 2ifbyC:
Buck for dollar, the Shen Jr. is a winner. Agreed. My Shen-100 is the catz azz. |
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Posts: 247
Location: Delaware | I'm with Mr. Templeman, if the Bose compact sounds anything like its big brother,get it dialed in right and nothing can compare for a plugged in O and vocals. |
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December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | The Bose is the best choice if you have the $$$.
I've got a Roland AC-60 which is a great amp. They also now make an AC-90. |
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Posts: 1180
Location: Vermont USA | I have a Fender Acoustasonic 30 and I love it
Pauly |
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Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Genz Benz Shen 60. |
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May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Try using:
a self powered PA by yamaha.
Or
Ibanez Troubador
Or
Hog 20
Or
Phil Jones Cub AAD
Or
Mackie SRM 150
I guess if we knew your price and where you're going to play ... but that acoustic sonic should work for most small applications. |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Oh yeah, and for real small applications MS 101 yamaha ... perfect for a bedroom or den. |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | I'd say go with the lightest and smallest that'll work for you. Price is secondary when you have worry about your back |
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Posts: 3410
Location: GA USA | I have the Shen 60, and for what I need it for, I rarely turn it up to 5. This means I'm probably not ever reaching the sweet spot for sound. You might think about a lighter one if the same is true for you. Although, it does always sound very good, is expandable, and can be used as a complete PA.
Also, consider how easy it is to dial in the effects you want quickly. I almost need my reading glasses to do it.
I've played with the Crate 30w model, and the effects dial doesn't click into place on that one, making it even harder. Still, it sounded good as well.
The Roland AC-60 sounds good, and doesn't have all the extra Flange etc. if you just want a good clean acoustic sound. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Anybody ever use a Bose outdoors? If so, did it make any difference? |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by ProfessorBB:
Anybody ever use a Bose outdoors? If so, did it make any difference? Yes. It made an incredible difference. Without it, I could barely be heard. |
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October 2005
Posts: 4050
Location: Utah | The Roland AC60 is small, relatively light, has it's own carry bag with shoulder strap, sounds good, and has some decent effects. If you want small but enough volume to easily play a restaurant gig, this is the amp.
The Crate Telluride 60W acoustic amp sounds best of all the ones we tried and is the one we bought. But it is a bit heavier and bigger than the Roland unit. It is a lot louder when cranked up than the Roland. This amp will play a bigger room than the Roland. If you have ongoing back problems, this amp is a bit heavy and awkward to carry. When my back acts up I have one of the kids carry this amp.
Features are quite similar between the two. Both have a line-out to plug into the house system if you want. |
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Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4050
Location: Utah | The Roland AC60 is small, relatively light, has it's own carry bag with shoulder strap, sounds good, and has some decent effects. If you want small but enough volume to easily play a restaurant gig, this is the amp.
The Crate Telluride 60W acoustic amp sounds best of all the ones we tried and is the one we bought. But it is a bit heavier and bigger than the Roland unit. It is a lot louder when cranked up than the Roland. This amp will play a bigger room than the Roland. If you have ongoing back problems, this amp is a bit heavy and awkward to carry. When my back acts up I have one of the kids carry this amp.
Features are quite similar between the two. Both have a line-out to plug into the house system if you want. |
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March 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Mass | Thanks everyone!!!! Great input!!!
Best wishes. |
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April 2009
Posts: 10
Location: PA | I'm gonna vote for the Crate models. You know the green ones? I have the 120w CA120DG Durango, and it is fantastic. I've never been a big fan of Crate products, but this amp has changed my opinion. A cool feature of this amp is it has 2 separate channels, each with it's own set of EQ controls. And each channel will accept 1/4" or XLR. Meaning, you can plug in 2 guitars, or a guitar and a vocal mic, etc, with separate EQ control for each. Plus an aux input too (for CD player, drum machine, whatever)! And the built-in effects are pretty decent. It also features a 'feedback elimination' circuit which is easy to use, and is a godsend for us acoustic players.
This particular amp sells new for $500, but I see them selling used for $300-$350. |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | Jim, you never let us know what your budget range is for the small acoustic amp you are looking for. It can make a difference. My advice is twofold. Fist, don't buy anything bigger than what you really need because, as others have said, you'll have to carry around the extra weight, and you'll likely end up using the amp down in its lower volume register where most amps are designed not necessarily to be at their best. Second, once you know the size you want (power, speaker size, features, etc.), then my suggestion is to buy the best quality amp you can afford for that size. It will be the most satisfying over the long term. Good luck, and let us know what you decide on. |
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March 2009
Posts: 16
Location: Mass | Thanks everyone. My budget was between $600-700 so that puts me in the Fender and Roland range for sure. I was also pointed to a Fishman model. Hoping to make a purchase in the next week. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Then you'll want the Phil Jones Cub AAD. This is a no-brainer. |
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Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | And if you buy it right you should have a coupla hundred change for some extras |
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October 2007
Posts: 2711
Location: Vernon CT | Jim
I have a Fishman loudbox 100. I like it!!
Let us know what you got! |
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January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | $600 to $700 is a great price range, and if you're willing to consider the previously owned market, that'll get you into some pro level gear. The AAD Cub is a terrific amp, but it isn't perfect. You'll need outboard effects if that is important to you, and after having used an ADD Cub twice a week for the past year, I finally switched back to a Genz Shen Jr. because, as a powered stage monitor, it provides less feedback issues at volume for the range of guitars in the rotation and within the confines of the signal chain, the band's location vis-a-vis the house speaker system, volume of the other instruments and vocals, etc. in your price range, you could move up to a Genz Acoustic Pro. |
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Posts: 1330
Location: ms | You can find a Fender or Roland in the $400.00 range. You can`t go wrong with either. |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I just got one of the little G-B Compaks It's really small and is 180 watts and it's great. add a second 8" cabinet and you're up to 300 whats. I'm impressed. |
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Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Is the compak the one where the head slides out for use with other cabs? |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | yes |
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Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | Just looked up the Cormpak. Never tried one. Now I have to. It's in the right weight range. |
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April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | Yeah, the compaks look very cool and the head sliding out to use with other cabs is awesome.
If Beal is impressed it has to sound good. |
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March 2005
Posts: 12759
Location: Boise, Idaho | What did you get? I just heard the Bose L1 with the 2 woofers outside last night. It sounded great. The only problem was it was in a gazebo and the upper speakers were a bit covered by the roof. Excellent system. Crystal clear even with a Taylor 314 with the expression system. I should have brought one of my Os, but I didn't know it was going to be there. |
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Looking for new acoustic amp suggestions